Journey Into Light
1 Cor. 15:1-10
1. Darkness Around Us
Superstorm Sandy hit us on Mon. Oct. 29/12. The storm plunged us into darkness, darkness that lasted a week for CBC. This darkness claimed lives and caused ruin & financial lost. Maybe you & I escaped Sandy. But there may be another darkness we have not escaped —deep darkness. crippling darkness unending darkness causing ruin & lost.
2. Darkness of the Certainty of Jesus Death
- No doubts that Jesus was dead
- Beaten beyond recognition escalated death
- Publicly crucified on a cross until dead
- Spear pierced his side to bring finality to His death
- Burial of the body
3. In Darkness of Unbelief to His Resurrection
- They were not expecting Jesus to rise from the dead
- They must have taken His words to be a parable or metaphor with some mysterious meaning.
- Women went to the tomb to prepare His body for permanent burial.
- Mary Magdalene thought somebody had removed the body (Jn 20:13, 15).
- Women’s report seemed nonsense to the disciples (Lk 24:11).
- Emmaus Road encounter was unbelievable (Mk 16:13).
- Peter’s experience was doubted (Lk 24:34).
- Still they did not believe (Mk 16:14).
4. Darkness Would Be Vanquished
- Jesus had repeatedly told them that he would rise on the third day
(Matthew 16:21; 17:9, 23; 20:19; 26:32; 27:63; Mark 8:31; 9:31; Luke 18:33; 24:7).
- Angels announced it. (Mt. 28:5-6)
- 1 Cor. 15:4 Scripture proclaimed the resurrection
Psalm 16:10 (AV)
10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
- The tomb was empty. His body was gone.
- Mary Magdalene had seen him.
- The other women had seen Him.
- Cleopas and his companion had seen Him.
- Peter had seen Him.
- Still unbelief.
- It was incredible impossible
- The 10 thought He was a ghost
- See my hands, side, and feet, touch me
- He asked for food and ate in front of them. (Lk. 24:38–43
- Thomas doubted - (Jn. 20:24–29).
- Those who proclaimed the resurrection were themselves totally unprepared to believe it
5. Journey From Darkness to Light
- The five most important chapters in the entire Bible Mt. 28, Mk. 16, Lk. 24, & Jn 20–21
1 Corinthians 15:14 (AV)
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
- The testimony of the witness of 1 Cor. 15
- 1 Co. 3-4 – Christ died, was buried, & rose again
- 1 Co. 5-8 – List of the Witnesses
- Why is the Resurrection Important?
- It is mentioned over one hundred times in NT
1. The Resurrection is the Central Truth of Christianity
- If Christ did not rise then He is a liar, for He said He would come back from the dead.
- It is central theme to the apostles
Acts 2:36 (AV)
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Acts 4:2 (AV)
2 (Religious leaders) Being grieved that they (Peter & John) taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:1 (AV)
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2. The Resurrection Declares the Power of God
- God created life and has power over death
- Thus He is worthy of our worship
3. The Resurrection Gives Promise of Life After Death
- Job asked this question
Job 14:14 (AV)
14 If a man die, shall he live again?...
- Physical death is not the termination of human existence
- 1 Co. 55, 57 Bible teaches this promise
- Jesus proved the promise
- No other person or prophet can give this promise
The Resurrection proved Christ's power to forgive sin.
1 Cor. 15:17
