Misconceptions about the Resurrection Christians Gone Wild

“Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 NIV

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, . . .” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV

The Essentiality of the Resurrection The resurrection is the basis of the Gospel We believe that because Jesus overcame death, we too will overcome death You can not say that you believe the gospel and at the same time say you don’t believe in the resurrection

The Essentiality of the Resurrection The resurrection of Jesus has been verified By hundreds of eye witnesses – 1 Cor. 15:5-10 By Paul’s own experience – 1 Cor. 15:9-11 No one could honestly deny that Jesus rose from the dead!

“But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection from the dead?” 1 Corinthians 15:12 NIV

The Arguments for the Resurrection If the dead are not raised . . . – 1 Cor. 15:12-19 Then Jesus was not resurrected – verse 13 The gospel is not good news – verse 14 The apostles are liars – verse 15 Our faith is futile – verse 16-17 Those who have died in Christ are lost– verse 18 We are to be pitied more than all men! – verse 19

The Arguments for the Resurrection Jesus’ resurrection is the “firstfruits” – vs 20 The firstfruits were offered up to God with an assurance of an abundant harvest In the same way Jesus was offered up for our sins and raised from the dead to give us the assurance that we too will be resurrected! – 1 Cor. 15:21-23

“But someone may ask, ‘How are the dead raised “But someone may ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 1 Corinthians 15:35 NIV

The Description of the Resurrection The type of body we will have –1 Cor. 15:36-49 It will be the same body but radically changed 1 Cor. 15:36-44 Fashioned for the spiritual realm –1 Cor. 15:44-49

The Description of the Resurrection How it will all happen – 1 Cor. 15:50-58 When Jesus comes again . . . – 1 Thess. 4:13-18 All the dead will be raised – John 5:28-29 All the believers will be caught up into heaven where we will live with the Lord for eternity

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV