“A little religion is ok but don’t get carried away…” Two Objections Faith can be overdone… “I am a Christian but I am just not as into Jesus as you are.” Faith can have wrong focus… “Shouldn’t focus on person and work of Jesus, should focus on his message.”

What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity - Kinnaman Anti-Homosexual - this is toward the person not the deed – 96% Judgmental – 87% Hypocritical – 81% Sheltered – 78% Politically Motivated – 75% Insecure – 70%

The Rise of Christianity – Stark 3 Factors Which Won the Culture 1.Cared for the sick with no regard for their own welfare. 2.Prayed for their enemies. 3.Church was the only institution where race was irrelevant. Were they into a little “religion” or something altogether different?

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 1.Resurrection/Gospel Stated 2.Resurrection/Gospel Examined 3.Resurrection/Gospel Applied

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 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, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

1 Corinthians 15:4-8 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

1 Corinthians 15: Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Resurrection Examined Objection – They were predisposed to believe… – Were the Greeks/Romans predisposed? – Were the Jews Predisposed? Confronted by History – Acts 26:24-29 – Empty Tomb – Witnesses (most still living 1 Cor. 15:5)

Resurrection Applied 1 Cor. 15:17 Resurrection insures Justification – Leads to humility. Can’t view yourself as better. – Leads to graciousness. Those forgiven much love much. 1 Cor. 15:32 Resurrection insures Victory – The road ahead is dangerous. Love means loss. – Victory is ASSURED, if you are in Christ (even if you suffer loss). Romans 8:31-39

Romans 8: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died— more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Romans 8: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.