Chandler Christian Church Sermon Notes

April 15-16, 2006, 1 Corinthians 15:1-7

 

24 - the Last Hour of Jesus' Life!
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!

 

*** Mark 16:1-7 "When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could embalm him. [2] Very early on Sunday morning, as the sun rose, they went to the tomb. [3] They worried out loud to each other, "Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?" [4] Then they looked up, saw that it had been rolled back - it was a huge stone - and walked right in. [5] They saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished. [6] He said, "Don't be afraid. I know you're looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He's been raised up; he's here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. [7] Now - on your way. Tell his disciples..." [The Message Bible]

*** 1 Cor. 15:3-4 "I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me - that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. [4] He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said." [New Living Translation]

*** 1 Peter 2:24 "He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds!" [NLT]

 

"He paid a price I could not pay for a debt He did not owe!"

 

*** 1 Cor. 15:4a "He was buried..." [NLT]

"Dear sister, beat your preacher with a leather whip covered with sharp bones and glass, with 39 heavy strokes. Nail him to a cross and hang him in the sun for six hours. Then, run a spear through his heart. Embalm him and put him in an airless tomb for three days and see what happens." – J. Vernon McGee

*** 1 Cor. 15:4b “…and he was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said.” [NLT]

 

1. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS PASSES THE TEXTUAL TEST!


*** Psalm 16:10 "...because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay." [New International Version]


2. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS PASSES THE HISTORICAL TEST!

"It passes the bounds of credibility that the early Christians could have manufactured such a tale as the empty tomb and then preached it among those who might easily have refuted it by simply producing the body of Jesus! It is unreasonable that one historian, one eyewitness, one antagonist would not record for all time that he had seen Christ's body. The silence of history is deafening when it comes to testimony against the resurrection!" -- Dr John Warwick Montgomery
*** 1 Cor. 15:5-7 "He was seen by Peter and then by the twelve apostles. [6] After that, he was seen by more than five hundred of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died by now. [7] Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles" [NLT]


3. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS PASSES THE ARCHEOLOGICAL TEST!


4. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS PASSES THE LOGICAL TEST!


*** 1 Cor. 15:1"Now let me remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then and still do now, for your faith is built on this wonderful message." [NLT]

*** 1 Cor. 15:2 "And it is this Good News that saves you if you firmly believe it - unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place."
[NLT]

 

As a Follower of Christ you have more than just help in this life, you have hope for eternal life!

 

"When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and you realize that life is just preparation for eternity, you will begin to live differently. You will start living in light of eternity, and that will color how you handle every relationship, task, and circumstance. Suddenly many activities, goals, and even problems that seemed so important will appear trivial, petty, and unworthy of your attention.
The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears. When you live in the light of eternity, your values change. You use your time and money more wisely. You place a higher premium on relationships and character instead of fame or wealth or achievements or even fun. Your priorities are reordered. Keeping up with trends, fashions, and popular values just doesn’t matter as much anymore."
-- Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life