HE IS RISEN--I CORINTHIANS 15:1-8

HE IS RISEN

I CORINTHIANS 15:1-8

Introduction:

Just how important is the resurrection? Well, if the resurrection is not real than Christianity is not real. Without the resurrection Christianity has not basis on which to exist.

We may as well go home and do what we please. But the Resurrection is true and Jesus is alive in the presence of God the Father. Our hope is based in the Eternal Life of Jesus Christ who has conquered death.

Let us look at this third part of the Gospel of Christ and consider what God has done for us.

I. THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

A. The Death of Christ, John 12:32-33, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.”

B. The Burial of Christ, Matthew 27:57-60, “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: 58He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.”

C. The Resurrection of Christ, Mark 16:6, “And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.”

II. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

A. The witnesses of the Resurrection.

1. He was seen by Peter (Cephas), Luke 24:33-34, “And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.”

2. He was seen by the twelve Apostles, Mark 16:14, “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.”

3. He was seen by more than 500 of the brethren, v. 6, “After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

4. He was seen by James, v. 7, “After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.”

5. He was seen lastly by Paul, Acts 9:5, “And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

B. The confirmation that it was bodily resurrection.

1. Thomas’ doubts removed, John 20:27-28, “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”

2. The Lord eats fish, Luke 24:41-43, “And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43And he took it, and did eat before them.”

C. The importance of the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:19, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

1. If Christ be not risen:

a. Our preaching is in vain, all for nothing, v. 14a, “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain,”

b. Your faith is also vain and you are still in your sins, v. 14b; Acts 13:38, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:”

2. Our hope is beyond this life, vs. 21-22, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

a. Jesus brought the resurrection from the dead.

b. Jesus brought life, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

III. THE VICTORY OF CHRIST

A. Victory over death.

1. The sting of death, vs. 54-56.

2. Jesus won the victory over death, v. 57, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

B. Victory over unbelief.

1. Lord, I believe, Mark 9:23-24, “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”

2. Help my unbelief.

a. All things are possible if you trust in the Lord, John 4:50-51, “Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. 51And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.”

b. There is help in the Lord, Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

c. God gives us salvation by faith in Christ, Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

CONCLUSION

The great blessing of the Resurrection is that because Christ was raised from the dead, we, who have trusted Him as our Savior, will also be raised from the dead at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is great opportunity for you to settle this very important question today. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6.