1. Why I believe in the Resurrection 1 Corinthians 15

2. Death Dilemma Job 14:14 – If a man die, will he live again?Job 14:14 – If a man die, will he live again? Many answer – I hope so. I don't know. Maybe. I think so.Many answer – I hope so. I don't know. Maybe. I think so. Christians claim Jesus' tomb is emptyChristians claim Jesus' tomb is empty

3. Importance 1 Corinthians 15:14-171 Corinthians 15:14-17 –Preaching is vain –Your faith is vain –Still in your sins Romans 1:4 – and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.Romans 1:4 – and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Core, center, heart of ChristianityCore, center, heart of Christianity

4. Frank Morison Lawyer – Resurrection is a fairy tale. Ready to write a book to prove with leagal evidence.Lawyer – Resurrection is a fairy tale. Ready to write a book to prove with leagal evidence. Not as easy as he thoughtNot as easy as he thought Instead – Who Moved the Stone?Instead – Who Moved the Stone? The book that refused to be written.The book that refused to be written.

5. The Body Stolen? He is not here. He is risen.He is not here. He is risen. Body stolen – Matthew 27:64Body stolen – Matthew 27:64 Guards slept, apostles stole himGuards slept, apostles stole him Guards faced death penaltyGuards faced death penalty Disciples would live and die for a lieDisciples would live and die for a lie

6. The Body Stolen? Paul Little - “Men will die for what they believe to be true, though it may actually be false. They do not, however, die for what they know is a lie. If a man ever tells the truth, it is on his deathbed.”Paul Little - “Men will die for what they believe to be true, though it may actually be false. They do not, however, die for what they know is a lie. If a man ever tells the truth, it is on his deathbed.”

7. Authorities took body? Why post guards?Why post guards? Easy to stop ChristianityEasy to stop Christianity Produce the bodyProduce the body Obviously – they did not have the bodyObviously – they did not have the body

8. Went to wrong tomb? Women were mistakenWomen were mistaken Peter and John also mistakenPeter and John also mistaken Easy to stop apostlesEasy to stop apostles Take them to the right tombTake them to the right tomb

9. Jesus in a swoon? Did Jesus really die? Just passed out from loss of blood? Went into a coma?Did Jesus really die? Just passed out from loss of blood? Went into a coma? Same solution – Where is the body / alive person?Same solution – Where is the body / alive person?

10. Jesus in a swoon? Requires a greater miracleRequires a greater miracle Survive crucifixionSurvive crucifixion 3 days with no food or water3 days with no food or water Move huge stone with nail holes in his handsMove huge stone with nail holes in his hands Walk 14 miles to EmmausWalk 14 miles to Emmaus

11. Who moved the stone? None of the theories explain away the resurrectionNone of the theories explain away the resurrection The tomb was empty because Jesus was not there.The tomb was empty because Jesus was not there.

12. His Appearances Just a hallucination?Just a hallucination? Wishful thinking?Wishful thinking? Different people, over a month period of time, large groupsDifferent people, over a month period of time, large groups Great details – hallucinations are fuzzy, vague, unfocusedGreat details – hallucinations are fuzzy, vague, unfocused

13. His Appearances Just a hallucination?Just a hallucination? Thomas – saw the scarsThomas – saw the scars Women came with spicesWomen came with spices They were not expecting His resurrectionThey were not expecting His resurrection

14. His Appearances From a confused story?From a confused story? They had an “experience” but nothing really happenedThey had an “experience” but nothing really happened Too many accounts – different times, places, groupsToo many accounts – different times, places, groups

15. Evidence Today Bible accounts still remainBible accounts still remain Early church martyrsEarly church martyrs Changed lives of apostlesChanged lives of apostles –Fearful – changed to courage –Abandon Christ – changed to die for Him Changed lives last 2,000 yearsChanged lives last 2,000 years

16. Personal Impact What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to you?What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to you? Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.