2. “I Am The Resurrection And The Life”

3. John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (26) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? “I Am The Resurrection & The Life”

4. One of the most exciting stories of the Bible is recorded in John 11 - the resurrection of Lazarus. One should attempt to place himself among the crowd of mourners and imagine the great scene. Jesus’ bold claim to be the resurrection and the life was backed up by even bolder actions. Let us look at Jesus’ resurrection and the resurrection of all people that encourage us.

5. I. The death and resurrection of Jesus was prophesied. Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heel.” Psalm 16:10 “For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.”

6. Acts 2:27-29 27 “Because You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence. 29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak to you of the Patriarch David; that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.” I. The death and resurrection of Jesus was prophesied.

7. Acts 2:30-32 30 “Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witness.” I. The death and resurrection of Jesus was prophesied.

8. Matthew 12:40 “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” John 2:19 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” I. The death and resurrection of Jesus was prophesied.

9. Matt. 16:21 “From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and the chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus was more than an afterthought due to an aborted mission as some men claim today. I. The death and resurrection of Jesus was prophesied.

10. II. Several Proofs of Jesus’ Resurrection. The fact that an empty tomb exists, provides quite a problem for the infidel. There are four possibilities for the absence of Jesus’ body. 1. Jesus did not really die. 2. Jesus’ enemies stole his body. 3. Jesus’ friends stole his body. 4. Jesus rose from the grave.

11. III. The Importance of Jesus’ Resurrection. I Corinthians 15:16-17 “For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” I Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

12. I Peter 3:20-21 20 “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also save us, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” III. The Importance of Jesus’ Resurrection.

13. I Corinthians 15: 20-22 20 “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” III. The Importance of Jesus’ Resurrection.

14. I Corinthians 15:23 23 “But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they are Christ’s at his coming.” III. The Importance of Jesus’ Resurrection.

15. Without the resurrection of Jesus, there would be no resurrection for anyone. By his life, we are assured eternal life. By his resurrection, we are assured our own resurrection. The question that remains for us to answer today is not, “Will we be raised?” but “Unto what shall we be raised?”

16. John 5:28-29 28 “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.” 29 “And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

17. How can I take advantage of Christ’s resurrection? OBEY THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST 1. Hear - Rom 10:17 2. Believe - Heb 11:6 3. Repent - Luke 13:3 4. Confess - Acts 8:36-37 5. Be Baptized - Acts 2:38 The Lord will add you to His church