Big Thought: Because Jesus is risen and , we can have real hope that rings , , and .
I. The resurrection hope brings us .
II. The resurrection hope brings us .
a. Because we .
So why do we believe in the resurrection?
1. The Word of God to the resurrection.
a. In the Testament.
Psalm 16:10 (ESV) – For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let Your holy One see corruption.
Acts 2:31-32 (ESV) – He foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses.
Isaiah 53:9-10 (ESV) – And they made His grave with the wicked and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, and there was no deceit in His mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush Him; He has put Him to grief; when His soul makes an offering for guilt, He shall see His offspring; He shall prolong His days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.
b. In own words.
Matthew 17:22-23 (ESV) – As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.
c. In the words of New Testament writers.
1 Corinthians 15:3-6 (ESV) – For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of who are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
1 Peter 1:3 (ESV) – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
2. evidence.
a. The many attempts to explain the tomb.
Matthew 28:11-15 (ESV) – While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.
b. The and otherwise growth of Christianity.
c. writings evidence.
d. The evidence of the apostles’ and .
3. The of changed lives through the centuries.
b. The assurance of beyond .
III. The resurrection brings .
a. Because Jesus is , He has promised to .
John 14:2-3 (ESV) – In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, I would have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.
b. Because Jesus is , His return will be .
Matthew 24:40-42 (ESV) – Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
c. Because Jesus is , we are to live with a sense of .
i. In living our lives to Jesus.
ii. In sharing this news with others.
Romans 6:23 (ESV) – For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 10:9 (ESV) – Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.