JESUS IS alive 1 CORINTHIANS 15 VERSE 3

JESUS IS… alive!

1 CORINTHIANS 15 VERSE 3 -4 ‘For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. ’

NUMBER ONE FEAR - DEATH The oldest Book of the Bible asks the oldest question… ‘If a man dies, will he live again? The Book of Job chapter 14 verse 14

VIEWS OF DEATH Woody Allen “I am not afraid of dying, I just don’t want to be there when it happens” John Donne (famous English Poet) “Death comes equally to us all, and makes us all equal”

NO RESURRECTION = NO CHRISTIANITY ‘And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith’ 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 14

RESURRECTION? NO DEAL! REALLY? 1. The Disciples Stole the Body (Matthew 28: 11 -15) 2. The Roman or Jewish Authorities took the Body 3. The Women went to the wrong tomb 4. The Disciples suffered from Hallucinations 5. He only appeared to die 6. Someone took his place

FOUR AFFIRMING REALITIES 1. The Transformation of His Followers 2. The Conversion of a Sceptic – Paul 3. The Emergence of the Church 4. The Reliability of the Four Gospels

THE APPEARANCES OF JESUS § § § To Mary Magdalene – John 20: 1 -18 To Mary & Mary Magdalene – Matthew 28: 1 -10 ‘Greetings’ Peter – Luke 24: 34 / 1 Corinthians 15: 5 Disciples on the Emmaus Road – Luke 24: 13 -35 To ten disciples at one time – John 20: 19 -23 To all eleven disciples a week later – John 20: 24 -31 To 7 disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee – John 21: 1 -23 To 500 plus witnesses at one time – 1 Corinthians 15: 6 To his brother James – 1 Corinthians 15: 7 He ascended to heaven in sight of His disciples – Acts 1: 3 -12 To Paul – 1 Corinthians 15: 8

LIVING IN RESURRECTION POWER To experience resurrection life, one has to die first! “The cross does not belong on the Christian; the Christian belongs on the cross. ” (An American Columnist)

ALL IT TAKES IS ONE SEED TO CHANGE THE WORLD Two great revolutions in history… Firstly: When someone planted a seed and started farming Secondly: When the seed of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ was planted (John’s Gospel chapter 12)

JOHN 12 VERSE 23 -26 ‘Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me. ’

OUR RESURRECTION LIFE ‘In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. ’ (1 John 4: 17, New International Version) ‘Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. ’ (1 John 4: 17, New King James) ‘And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. ’ (1 John 4: 17, New Living Translation)