1. The Most Important Event in History

2. The Importance of the Resurrection to People
1. Important to the Prophets
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
- Psalm 16:10

3. The Importance of the Resurrection to People
2. Important to Unbelieving Jewish Leaders
62 Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ - Matthew 27:62-63

4. Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.”
- Matthew 27:64

5. 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone.
- Matthew 27:65-66

6. The Importance of the Resurrection to People
3. Important to the Apostles – Acts 2:29-36

7. The Importance of the Resurrection to People
4. Important to Gentiles
29 Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, - Acts 17:29-30

8. 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.”
- Acts 17:31-32

9. The Importance of the Resurrection to People
5. Important to early Christians
12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. - I Corinthians 15:12-14

10. Why the Resurrection is Important
Establishes Jesus as the Divine Messiah

11. The Subject of Peter’s Sermon – Acts 2
29 “Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, – Acts 2:29-30

12. he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay.
– Acts 2:31

13. This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.
– Acts 2:32

14. Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.
- Acts 2:33

15. 35 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’
34 For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,
35 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’
- Acts 2:34-35

16. Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
- Acts 2:36

17. Why the Resurrection is Important
Establishes Jesus as the Divine Messiah
It Produces Faith

18. Doubters and disbelievers are persuaded by power, not just words.

19. The resurrection is important because it eliminates fear.

20. 14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
- Hebrews 2:14-15

21. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.
- I Corinthians 15:54

22. 55 O death, where is your victory. O death, where is your sting
55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- I Corinthians 15:55-57

23. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.
- John 6:39

24. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
- John 6:40

25. The resurrection is historical
What are we Saying?
The resurrection is historical

26. 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, 9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well,
- Acts 4:8-9

27. let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health.
- Acts 4:10

28. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
- I Corinthians 15:3-5

29. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
- I Corinthians 15:6-8

30. His was the first of many resurrections
What are we Saying?
The resurrection is historical
His was the first of many resurrections

31. 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.
- I Corinthians 15:20-21

32. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive
22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming,
- I Corinthians 15:22-23

33. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
- Romans 8:11

34. Summary: The Resurrection is Important
Makes Jesus unique

35. who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,
- Romans 1:4

36. Summary: The Resurrection is Important
Makes Jesus unique
Initiates faith

37. Summary: The Resurrection is Important
Makes Jesus unique
Initiates faith
Provides hope

38. 17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
- John 10:17-18

39. The most important event in your history will be your own resurrection!