Text: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; 12-20 (NIV)
Let’s start with the facts that are agreed upon by secular and religious scholars and historians.
1. Jesus Christ existed.
2. Jesus was sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate and was executed by crucifixion.
3. The following Sunday, the tomb was empty.
4. The disciples truly believed that Jesus was risen from the dead.
The New Testament writers wrote as eyewitnesses. They wrote as people who had actually seen the risen Christ.
Non-believing scholars acknowledge the disciples believed Jesus had risen from the dead, but they attribute this belief to a visionary experience. But visions don’t come with flesh and blood. See (Luke 24:36-43.)
Plus, at one point, over 500 people saw Him at the same time. Mass visionary experiences don’t occur.
I want to turn our attention to the Monday-morning relevance of those facts to us.
The Resurrection tells us three things that have real-life implications for how we live our lives each day.
1. There is life after death
• 1 Thessalonians 4:14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
• A day is coming when we will be reunited with our loved ones who died in Christ.
2. Jesus truly is the Messiah.
• It is the proof He offered as the authentication of His claims.
• Romans 1:4-5 And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit.
3. Our sins are forgiven.
• Not only that but we become the righteousness of God.
• Forgiveness means I never again have to be insecure in or about my status with God again.
• Not only that He wants a relationship with us now.
o He could have just saved us and waited until we died and showed up in heaven. But he was too eager, so He moved in with us. He moved into us.
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