THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST I CORINTHIANS 15:3-8

The resurrection of Jesus is recorded in Matthew 28 Mark 16 Luke 24 John 20 Paul discusses the resurrection in I Corinthians 15. There was no doubt in Paul’s mind, Jesus had been resurrected from the dead. Christians and non-believers agree on at least two things: Jesus lived, died, and was buried and the tomb was sealed. On the third day the body was gone. They disagree on what became of the body. Christians believe Christ was resurrected. The non-believers believe the disciples (or some group of people) stole the body. WHAT DID BECAME OF THE BODY?

The Enemies Of The Lord Stole The Body. Why? This would make no sense They had no motive. They had Jesus right where they wanted Him. Dead Buried A Roman guard guarding the tomb. Think of the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:32 "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.” If they had the body this would have been the perfect time to produce it and prove Peter a liar. They didn’t produce the body. They couldn’t They didn’t have the body

The Lord’s Disciples Stole The Body When and how? The tomb was being guarded by Roman soldiers. Did they fall asleep? Did the disciples come then and steal the body? Death was the penalty for sleeping on guard duty. However the chief priest and elders gave them a large sum of money to say that’s what happened. There was a great stone covering the entrance of the tomb. Moving such a large stone you would think at least one of the soldiers would have woke-up and stopped the thieves. The disciples had no motive for stealing the body. Some of them looked for an earthly kingdom.

The disciples were surprised the body was missing.. Christ had been buried in a good tomb and although their heats were saddened they had to be satisfied. The disciples were surprised the body was missing.. Mary Magdalene did not know were the body was. Peter and John were amazed. Some of the disciples did not believe when they heard. Thomas doubted. John 20:24-28 Because of the Passover there were a lot of people in town. Could they had done this without being noticed.? The disciples did not take the body!

God Raised Him From The Dead The straight-forwardness of the disciple is undeniable Had you asked any of them “what happened to the body of Christ?” God raised Him up! The honesty of the apostles testifies to the resurrection There was no gain in lying about the resurrection. Only punishment Their lives rebuked those who said they were lying. Liars do not live like the apostles lived Nor do they die like the apostles did People will not die for what they know to be false. If one rejects their testimony they must account for:

The change in the apostles/disciples The empty tomb Where did the body go? The change in the apostles/disciples They were no longer wavering and afraid. The conversion of some of His enemies, Acts 2:36-41. Those who saw Him, I Corinthians 15:3-8 The written accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Did all four lie and yet have so much in common in what they wrote? Paul contemplates the idea of Christ not being raised in I Corinthians 15:12-20. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

What Does Christ’s Resurrection Mean To Us? WE SHALL BE RAISED! I Corinthians 15:50-57 Job 14:14 “If a man dies, shall he live again?” Jesus answered this question “Yes!” John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. Christ was: Crucified Buried The tomb was sealed with Roman guards standing by On the third day angels came and rolled back the stone And Christ Came Forth

Because of His Resurrection Christ is the Christian’s Lord Hope Life Glory WHAT IS HE TO YOU?

Given by David Hamlin on 4-4-10 am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.org