1) In our world we know the value of “eyewitness” testimony.
a) The Bible says there was some eyewitness testimony for the resurrection.
b) God made arrangements for people to investigate the Lord’s resurrection.
c) We want to start with 1 Cor. 15:4 and read through verse 8 – READ
2) In Acts 1:3 we are told Jesus appeared to the apostles over a space of 40 days after the resurrection.
a) Imagine seeing someone on a regular basis during a 40 day period.
b) After more than a month, any doubts disappeared.
3) The apostles were not the only ones to see Jesus in His resurrected state.
4) We read about Cleopas and another disciple in Lk. 24:13-22.
5) There was Mary Magdalene and another Mary (Mt. 28:1, 9-10; Jn. 20:11-18).
6) In the First Corinthian reference that was read we find that more than 500 witnesses observed the Lord.
7) Suppose that 500 witnesses were called to testify what they had seen concerning Jesus.
8) Further suppose that each witness testified for just 15 minutes.
9) This testimony would take 125 hours.
10) Acts 26:26 says the life of Jesus was not “done in a corner.”
11) It has been alleged that none of the Lord’s enemies bore witness to the resurrection.
12) Saul of Tarsus was not only an unbeliever, he was one of the most hostile unbelievers of all time.
a) Look with me at how Saul is described in Acts 9:1-3 – READ
b) There is only one thing that can account for the instant change of heart that Saul had – the resurrection.
13) Paul not only changed, his conversion to Christ stuck.
14) This man spent the next quarter of a century trying to help the very faith he once tried to destroy.
15) A similar thing is true for the apostles.
16) When Jesus was arrested, these men fled.
17) Peter denied the Lord not once, not twice, but three times.
Action: This strong learn the facts here now uk generic viagra medication is suggested for the sufferers who go through from heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease and other diseases to elude Forzest usage and these persons must only sip this pill after having word with their general practitioner. Take cabbage root 60 grams, 15 grams of garlic, jujube 10, Shuijianbi 1 or 2 times daily, to cure mouth levitra without prescription Learn More ulcers. In case of damage to the autonomic innervations of the heart, fixed heart rate can occur, order generic levitra and painless myocardial infarctions. Nonverbal communication, or body language, includes facial expressions, body movement and alignment of levitra generika spine and spinal structures. 18) The resurrection is a problem – a big problem for unbelievers.
a) People want to get rid of the resurrection so they try to dismiss it in a lot of different ways.
b) Some have said the disciples took the body.
19) Some have tried to say that people forgot where the tomb was.
20) Is it not interesting that we do not read of a “house to house search” for the Lord?
21) Jesus was raised in the area of Jerusalem, the place which was the most hostile to His work.
22) The resurrection stood the attacks made 2,000 years ago and still stands against the attacks today.
JESUS RAISED, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ACTS IN ALL OF HISTORY, AND THIS ACT IS SIGNIFICANT FOR MANY REASONS.
1) First, if the resurrection is true, we can have faith in all the other miracles found in the Bible.
2) The Lord has been raised up to never again die.
a) All will one day follow this same process; when Jesus returns all will be raised.
b) The righteous and the unrighteous will spend eternity with or without God.
3) Third, the Lord’s resurrection is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
4) Whatever we find in the Scriptures, the resurrection tells us that God can and does keep His word.
5) Fourth, Jesus’ resurrection is important because it allows us to have hope and be free from sin.
a) Imagine a person who has no hope.
6) Fifth, Jesus’ resurrection is so important that we get to share in it.
7) In Rom. 6:4 we learn that as Jesus was raised from the tomb, we are also “raised up.”
8) Paul said we have “newness of life” after baptism.
9) Six, the resurrection guarantees the triumph of good over evil.
a) Jesus broke their bonds and returned from the grave.
b) At the appropriate time He will return and completely crush everything that is evil.
