The Power of the Resurrection

Introduction:

We often struggle with the difficulties of life. We experience success and failure. We endure difficulties that we create ourself, and also things created outside of our control. What is it that keeps us going? What is that allows us to be free from the difficulties of life? In 1 Corinthians 15 – Paul defends the resurrection of Jesus and ties it to our hope. Life is worth living – because there is more to our existence than the physical. The resurrection of Jesus proves that. In today’s lesson, we will talk about how the resurrection can be a powerful influence & factor of motivation in our life.

I. Freedom from Doubt.

A.    Resurrection of Jesus stands as a witness to His deity.

B.    There is overwhelming evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. Consider three things:

1.     Friends & foes like admit that Jesus was crucified; His body placed in a tomb; and by the third day the tomb was empty.

2.     The issue is not whether Jesus’ tomb was empty, but how it became empty.

a)     Mt. 28:11-15 – enemies of Jesus could not deny the tomb was empty.

3.     Those who oppose the resurrection must explain:

a)     Mt. 27:62-66 – how a small band of disciples stole the body…

b)    1 Cor. 15:6 – how 500 witnesses could have been mistaken.

c)     1 Cor. 15:30-32; Acts 4:18-20; 5:27-32 – why suffer persecution for a lie?

C.   Because of His resurrection, all claims made by Jesus on earth are credible.

1.     John 11:25-26 – He who believes in Me will live even if He dies.

2.     Mt. 27:63 – what Jesus predicted came true.

3.     Lk. 24:6-7 – Jesus DID rise on the 3rd day.

II. Freedom from fear.

A.    1 Cor. 15:55 – resurrection enables us to overcome the fear of death.

B.    What do we possess because of the resurrection of Jesus? See 1 Peter 1:3-5.

1.     Christians need not fear death.

2.     For them, death is the end of difficulty and the beginning of rest and bliss.

III. Freedom from sin.

A.    Eph. 1:7 – it is the blood that Jesus shed that washes away sin.

B.    Rom. 6:3-4 – Baptism is how we come into contact with the blood of Jesus.

1.     But what gives baptism it’s power? The resurrection!

C.   1 Peter 3:21-22

1.     Phil. 3:9-10 - When we obey the risen savior…He sets us free from our sin.

Conclusion:

A.    Psa. 69:13-16 – it is God that gives us victory…proof…in the resurrection!

B.    There is more to our existence than the physical!

C.   Do you need to come into contact w/His blood to be saved?