Death Is Life Series: The Upside Down Way of Jesus

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Matthew 16:25

I. _____ Perspective: Life is life and death is death. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Matthew 16:26 Our

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen!... Luke 24:1-6

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. I Corinthians 15:14

I. Theories to explain away Christs resurrection. A. The _________________ Theory A. The _________________ Theory Hallucination

I. Theories to explain away Christs resurrection. B. The ________________ Theory B. The ________________ Theory Wrong Tomb

I. Theories to explain away Christs resurrection. C. The _______________ Theory C. The _______________ Theory Stolen Body

63 Sir, they said, we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, After three days I will rise again. 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first. 63 Sir, they said, we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, After three days I will rise again. 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.

65 Take a guard, Pilate answered. Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how. 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. Matthew 27:63-66

some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, You are to say, His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep. 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble. 11 … some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, You are to say, His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep. 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.

15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. Matthew 28:11-15

I. Theories to explain away Christs resurrection. D. The _________ Theory D. The _________ Theory Swoon

We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. II Corinthians 5:8 II Corinthians 5:8

54 …then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory. 54 …then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? 55 Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? I Corinthians 15:54-55

III. _______ Perspective: Death Is Life! … I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. … I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 John 10:10 Gods

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! II Corinthians 5:17

3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:3-4

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24

1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or dont you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or dont you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:1-4