Easter - The Miracle You Must Believe 1 st Corinthians 15:12-20

Luke 24: :1 – “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.” 24:2 – “And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,” 24:3 – “but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.”

Luke 24:1-6 24:4 – “While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.” 24:5 – “And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” 24:6 – “He is not here, but has risen…..”

1 st Corinthians 15:3-4 15:3 – “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,” 15:4 – “that he was buried. And that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,”

1 st Corinthians 15: :12 – “Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” 15:13 – “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.” 15:14 – “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”

1 st Corinthians 15: :15 – “We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raised if it is true that the dead are not raised.” 15:16 – “For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.” 15:17 – “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and your are still in your sins.”

1 st Corinthians 15: :18 – “Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” 15:19 – “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” 15:20 – “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

The Resurrection is Proof that Jesus Was Who He Said He Was Matthew 16:21 – “….be killed and be raised up on the third day” Matthew 12:40 – “… so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” John 2:19 – “… destroy this temple, and I will raise up again in three days.” Jesus kept His word We have a Savior who is ALIVE How will you respond this this truth?

The Resurrection is Proof that Our Faith Has Meaning and Purpose 1 st Corinthians 15: st Corinthians 15:19 If no resurrection of Jesus Christ, then we believe a lie. If no resurrection of Jesus Christ, then we have no purpose. We have purpose and meaning as believers because Jesus resurrection: Is true Gives us a hope and a future Motivates us to live lives glorifying God Motivates us to build Jesus’ church

The Resurrection is Proof that Our Sins are Forgiven Is Corinthians 15:17 – “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and your are still in your sins.” 2 nd Corinthians 5:21 – “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus’ resurrection is God’s approval of Jesus’ perfect life and saving work on the cross. Jesus’ resurrection ensures believers their sins have been forgiven

The Resurrection is Proof that Believers Will Be Raised 1 st Corinthians 15:20 – “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” First fruits – Jesus as the first fruits in His resurrected body shows us what our bodies as believers will be like C. S. Lewis – “There are no ordinary people. You have never met a mere mortal.” There’s nothing the resurrection cant fix Believers have more to look forward to.

Conclusion The Resurrection is proof that Jesus was who He said He was The Resurrection is proof that our faith has meaning and purpose The Resurrection is proof that our sins are forgiven The Resurrection is proof that believers will be raised from the dead Easter – The Miracle WE Must Believe Jesus’ tomb is empty Jesus is risen Jesus is ALIVE