1. Kim May, Sr. Pastor April 20, 2014

2. Easter Sunday “Belief: Genuine or Vain” 1 Corinthians 15:1-6

3. The Gospel

4. Jesus died as a substitutionary sacrifice.

5. The Gospel Jesus died as a substitutionary sacrifice. Jesus was buried in a tomb.

6. The Gospel Jesus died as a substitutionary sacrifice. Jesus was buried in a tomb. Jesus came out of the grave.

7. The Bad News about the Good News

8. Some have believed in vain.

9. A parable was a story spontaneously created by Jesus to convey a spiritual truth. It was wrapped in culturally relevant terms to gain the listeners’ attention and maximize their understanding.

10. Person #1

11. Their hearts harden, impenetrable to the truth. Satan then steals away the message which merely grazed the surface of their heart.

12. Person #1 Their hearts harden, impenetrable to the truth. Satan then steals away the message which merely grazed the surface of their heart. “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that…” (James 2:19) Intellectual faith is vain. It’s believing like demons believe.

13. Person #2

14. People who embrace the gospel with great joy, yet soon fall away spiritually because of times of testing.

15. Person #2 People who embrace the gospel with great joy, yet soon fall away spiritually because of times of testing. “fall away” = SKANDALON = scandal

16. Person #2 People who embrace the gospel with great joy, yet soon fall away spiritually because of times of testing. “fall away” = SKANDALON = scandal Skandalon = the arm of a trap on which bait was attached

17. They consider it scandalous that they must go through times of testing. They feel offended by God and therefore fall away.

18. Person #3

19. Three Thorns

20. Person #3 Three Thorns Worries

21. Person #3 Three Thorns Worries Riches

22. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also … No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:21,24)

23. Person #3 Three Thorns Worries Riches Pleasures Whatever brings us pleasure to the expense of a growing relationship with Christ

24. Athletics is the major enemy to the faith of teenagers.

25. Person #4

26. A heart which produces a harvest of righteousness

27. Person #4 A heart which produces a harvest of righteousness 3 Characteristics 1) Hear

28. Person #4 A heart which produces a harvest of righteousness 3 Characteristics 1)Hear 2) Retain

29. Person #4 A heart which produces a harvest of righteousness 3 Characteristics 1)Hear 2) Retain 3)Persevere