Resurrection living with purpose and direction The Resurrection

Resurrection! living with purpose and direction

The Resurrection of Christ � A real physical event: the dead came alive. � It shattered the natural laws of the universe. � It changed the lives of everyone involved. � It was irrefutable in the 1 st › Despite many enemies. › Every where. › Impossible to stop… Century.

The Resurrection of Christ � A real physical event: the dead came alive. � It shattered the natural laws of the universe. � It changed the lives of everyone involved. � It was irrefutable in the 1 st � It remains irrefutable. › Despite a massive effort… › Despite Hollywood! Century.

The Resurrection of Christ � A real physical event: the dead came alive. � It shattered the natural laws of the universe. � It changed the lives of everyone involved. � It was irrefutable in the 1 st Century. � It remains irrefutable. � The evidence justifies a simple step… › To ask Jesus Christ into your heart.

The Resurrection of Christ � A real physical event: the dead came alive. � It shattered the natural laws of the universe. � It changed the lives of everyone involved. � It was irrefutable in the 1 st Century. � It remains irrefutable. � The evidence justifies a simple step… � It changes lives here-and-now.

Consider the Alternative… “If Jesus was not raised from the dead…” But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 1 Corinthians 15: 12 -19

Consider the Alternative… “If Jesus was not raised from the dead…” And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 1 Corinthians 15: 12 -19

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE… “IF JESUS WAS NOT RAISED FROM THE DEAD…” The entire New Testament was written by liars! “we apostles would all be lying about God —for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave” (v. 15) “Sorry! I could’ve been mistaken!” • • Unacceptable! Not funny! They were just frauds! Con-artists! Criminals!

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE… “IF JESUS WAS NOT RAISED FROM THE DEAD…” Your faith is worthless “You believed something that was never true in the first place…all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. ” v. 2, 14 No sins have been forgiven! • God’s receipt: “Paid In Full!” • There is no other “forgiveness”

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE… “IF JESUS WAS NOT RAISED FROM THE DEAD…” Christians are pathetic fools “And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. ” v. 19 Missing so much opportunity! A waste of time, effort, money…

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE… “IF JESUS WAS NOT RAISED FROM THE DEAD…” We face extinction • In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! v. 18 No basis for hope! • No evidence, only guessing…

consider alternatives: death… A Life of Decay… “I never think about it…” “Death is so natural…” • “Brief and powerless is Man's life…slow, sure doom falls, pitiless and dark…” - Bertrand Russell • It dominates everything! • We spend billions covering it up! • WRONG! “The last enemy that will be abolished is death. ” 1 Cor. 15: 26

“But…Christ has been raised!” But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. 1 Corinthians 15: 20 Eternal life is real! A great option!

“But…Christ has been raised!” “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought! Job 19: 25 -27 You CAN Know Today! • The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. Ephesians 1: 14

Resurrection: Why Necessary? So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 1 Cor. 15: 21 -22 Because “death came into the world” Born into a rebellion-inprogress Separation from God is fatal. A vast Ocean of Death Physically Socially Emotionally Environmentally

Resurrection: Why Necessary? “now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man…everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. ” 1 Cor. 15: 21 -22 the “Resurrection from the dead has begun…”

Resurrection: Why Necessary? But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15: 23 -26

Resurrection: Why Necessary? Not everything is “in subjection” to Christ • Still at war against “every ruler and authority and power. . . ” Matthew 28: 18 “go and make disciples of all the nations…”

Resurrection: Why Necessary? Today: the Age of Transition • But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away. 1 Corinthians 7: 29 -31” “The last enemy to be destroyed is death”

Resurrection: Why Necessary? Tomorrow: the “Summing Up…” • For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his authority. ” (Of course, when it says “all things are under his authority, ” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority. ) • Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere. 1 Corinthians 7: 29 -31

The “Two Races” “Everyone In Adam” • “Nothing but the dead and dying…” • Increasing sourness about life…

Everyone “In Christ” A “Resurrection Life People” � A Culture of Joy and Thankfulness! � › “Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I say rejoice!” Phil. 4: 5 Full of life: the presence of the Holy Spirit. � A reservoir of God’s love pouring out � › “I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit…” 1 Cor. 10: 33 › “Let your gentle spirit be made known to all men. The Lord is near!” Phil. 4: 1

The Pull of Resurrection Life Everyone In Adam The aroma of “Resurrection Life” Everyone In Christ

Resurrection: “too good to be true” � � The Knuckle-heads objecting… With knuckle-headed beliefs… “Well how’s this supposed to work? ” Better yet: “so let’s just keep dancing…”

Resurrection: life as intended. � � � Glory. Substance. Purpose. Eternal. Worth “Keeping Around”

Resurrection: life here-and-now. � � � Direction. New life. Spiritual life. Something to give… Cause for thanksgiving…