2. I Cor. 15:12-20 Death:ViolentVoluntaryVicariousVictorious

3. “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” 1 Cor.15:14 “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” 1 Cor. 15:17 Empty Without results, futile

4. Some deny resurrection Three Facts:  Jesus died on Roman Cross  Buried in tomb  3 rd morning body disappeared

5. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BODY ?  Swoon Theory  Still buried  Enemies stole  Disciples stole  Joseph took  Women wrong  Stolen

6. HOW DO WE EXPLAIN THE TESTIMONY OF THE DISCIPLES ? Affirmed the resurrection:  Acts 1:3 seen forty days…  Saw him, lived with him  Ate with him, talked with him

7. Appearances:  Mary Magdalene – Jn.20:11-17  Group of women –Mt.28:9-10  Peter - Lk. 24:34  Disciples – Mk.16:12  Apostles – Mk. 16:14 HOW DO WE EXPLAIN THE TESTIMONY OF THE DISCIPLES ?

8. Appearances:  Disciples – Jn.20:26-29  Peter – love me – Jn.21:1-23  500 + brethren – 1 Cor.15:6  James – 1 Cor. 15:7 HOW DO WE EXPLAIN THE TESTIMONY OF THE DISCIPLES ?

9. Appearances:  11 Disciples – Mt. 28:16-20  Mount of Olives – Acts 1:3-9  Stephen – Acts 7:55-56  Paul – Acts 9:3-6  John – Rev. 1:12-20 HOW DO WE EXPLAIN THE TESTIMONY OF THE DISCIPLES ?

10. Did they see only a vision?  Vision = only in the hearts  Does not explain empty tomb  Fails to account how they thought of Jesus  Number of appearances ??? HOW DO WE EXPLAIN THE TESTIMONY OF THE DISCIPLES ?

11.  Keystone of faith – 1 Cor. 15:4  No forgiveness – 1 Cor. 15:17  No hope – 1 Cor. 15:14 “I am the resurrection and the life” Jn. 11:25

12. Romans 6:3-6 “our old man was crucified” (6:6) united together in the likeness of His death (6:5) “buried with Him through baptism” (6:4) “we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection” (6:5) “raised with Him through faith” (Col. 2:12)

13. John 5:28-29  All will be resurrected Life Damnation “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” 1 Cor. 15:20

14. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249evanscoc@bellsouth.netwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Morning April 20, 2014