The Basis of Faith 1 Cor. 15:1-8

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-- unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 1 Cor. 15:1-8

What About Faith?

"Without faith it is impossible..."

What About Faith? "Without faith it is impossible..." Hope of the faith we confessed

What About Faith? "Without faith it is impossible..." Hope of the faith we confessed It is a myth, a "pie in the sky"

What About Faith? "Without faith it is impossible..." Hope of the faith we confessed It is a myth, a "pie in the sky" Strongest evidence = resurrection

Facts We Know

The historical record exists

Facts We Know The historical record exists His death

Facts We Know The historical record exists His death His burial

Facts We Know The historical record exists His death His burial Sunday morning – an empty tomb

Facts We Know The historical record exists His death His burial Sunday morning – an empty tomb Only two possibilities

Possibility # 1– Not Raised

He was not dead, swooned

Possibility # 1– Not Raised He was not dead, swooned They came to wrong tomb

Possibility # 1– Not Raised He was not dead, swooned They came to wrong tomb Grave robbers took body

Possibility # 1– Not Raised He was not dead, swooned They came to wrong tomb Grave robbers took body His enemies took body

Possibility # 1– Not Raised He was not dead, swooned They came to wrong tomb Grave robbers took body His enemies took body His disciples took the body

Possibility # 1– Not Raised He was not dead, swooned They came to wrong tomb Grave robbers took body His enemies took body His disciples took the body The historical record

Possibility # 1– Not Raised He was not dead, swooned They came to wrong tomb Grave robbers took body His enemies took body His disciples took the body The historical record Only One Other Possibility!

Possibility # 2 – Raised!!!

Joy of women at tomb

1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:1-6

Possibility # 2 – Raised!!! Joy of women at tomb Joy, life, and death of apostles

Possibility # 2 – Raised!!! Joy of women at tomb Joy, life, and death of apostles Preaching has meaning

14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 1 Cor. 15:14-15

Possibility # 2 – Raised!!! Joy of women at tomb Joy, life, and death of apostles Preaching has meaning Life has purpose

16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 1 Cor. 15:16-20

Possibility # 2 – Raised!!! Joy of women at tomb Joy, life, and death of apostles Preaching has meaning Life has purpose Death loses power, only hope

Possibility # 2 – Raised!!! Joy of women at tomb Joy, life, and death of apostles Preaching has meaning Life has purpose Death loses power, only hope Only One Logical Response!

Your Resurrection of Faith

Believe Mark 16:16

Your Resurrection of Faith Believe Mark 16:16 RepentLuke 13:3

Your Resurrection of Faith Believe Mark 16:16 RepentLuke 13:3 Confess FaithMatt. 10:32

Your Resurrection of Faith Believe Mark 16:16 RepentLuke 13:3 Confess FaithMatt. 10:32 Be BaptizedActs 22:16

Your Resurrection of Faith Believe Mark 16:16 RepentLuke 13:3 Confess FaithMatt. 10:32 Be BaptizedActs 22:16 Added to His church, His body, His kingdom

Your Resurrection of Faith Believe Mark 16:16 RepentLuke 13:3 Confess FaithMatt. 10:32 Be BaptizedActs 22:16 Added to His church, His body, His kingdom Be FaithfulRev. 2:10