The Tomb Emptied Luke 24:1-12; 1Corinthian15:12-19

+It was prophesied in advance. Isaiah 53:8-12

+Jesus predicted His resurrection. Matthew12:38-40; Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:33; John 2:18-22

+Jesus died on the cross. A night of trials, beatings, exhaustion; scourged; crucified by professionals; spear into side and heart; wrapped in one hundred pounds of linens and spices; three days in a tomb without water, food, or medical attention. John 19:34, 1Corinthians 15:3


+Jesus was buried in a tomb that was easy to find. Isaiah53:9, Matthew 27:57-60

+Jesus appeared physically alive three days after His death. Matthew28:9; John20:17,20-28; Luke 24:36-43

+It was recorded in scripture soon after it happened.(as early as 37AD, no later than 65AD) Mark 14:53,ff

+It convinced His family to worship Him as God. John 7:5, Matthew13:55; Acts1:14; 1Corinthians 15:7; James1:1; Jude 1:1 (from various sources including Evidence That Demands a Verdict – Josh McDowell and Vintage Jesus – Mark Driscoll)

It is essential to Christianity that Jesus is risen from the dead. It is the proof of the truthfulness of Jesus. It is the proof of the power of Jesus (His deity). It is the proof of purpose of Jesus.

THE EVIDENCE BELIEVERS HAVE SEEN

• New Testament Accounts -

  • Gospels and Acts 3:15; 4:10; 10:40; 13:30

• New Covenant Activity

  • Jesus intercedes Hebrews 7:25

  • Jesus reigns 1Corithians 15:25

  • Jesus is exalted Acts 5:30-31

  • Jesus is head of the church Ephesians5:23

  • Jesus is returning 1Thessalonians 4:16

HE WAS RAISED

• A New Kind of Man 1Corinthians 15:20, 23

  • NOT Resuscitated (like Lazarus), but with a perfect body with no weakness, no effects of aging, no death – able to live eternally 1Corinthian15:42-44

  • Physical, Material Body – “Spiritual” does not preclude “material.” Rather = “Suited to and responsive to the guidance of the Spirit” (Systematic Theology -Wayne Grudem ) Jesus had put on immortality .

  • Body returned to the perfection that God originally created Genesis 1:31

• Recognized / Not Recognized John20:19-20 vs John20:14-15

  • Dark John20:1; Kept from recognition Luke24:16; Eyes were opened Luke24;31

  • Effects of Amazement, Fear, the differences of the effects of suffering, hardship, grief, etc.

  • Hand, Feet, Food – Luke24:39-43

• Appearing and Disappearing? Luke24:31, 36; John20:19,26 (consider Acts8:39; 12:5-10)

WHY PHYSICAL RESURRECTION IS IMPORTANT

• God Created Good Genesis 1:31

  • The problem is not “material creation.” Going to be new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells 2Peter3:13 free from bondage to decay Romans8:21

• Mankind is the pinnacle of God's creation (with physical bodies)

• Jesus, in a perfected physical body, ascended, reigns, and will return for those who remain.

WHY THE RESURRECTION IS IMPORTANT

• Proves Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. John11:25; Hebrews7:16

• Ensures our Regeneration 1Peter1:3, Ephesians2:5-6; Philippians3:10

  • The spiritual power that works in us to enable us to walk in newness of life Romans6:4-11

• Ensures our Justification Romans4:25/Eph. 2:6

• Ensures our Perfected Resurrected Bodies 1Corinthian6:14; 15:20; 2Corinthians4:14

SINCE JESUS IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD

• Come to Him as Lord and Savior Acts4:10-12

• Be Encouraged/ Stop Sinning Colossians3:1-4; Romans6:12-13

• Judgment Comes John5:16-30