Sermon Central
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My Resurrection And Victory Lesson 8 Series
Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 6, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: His death and resurrection has changed individuals, people groups, nations, and empires. My resurrection is fundamental to your faith. “The gospel, I died for your sins . . . I was buried . . . after three days I arose” (1 Cor. 15:5).
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Note: All Scripture references in this lesson are from
The Bible by Jesus unless otherwise noted
A. MY RESURRECTION IS FOUNDATIONAL STONE OF ETERNITY
1. Because the world rejects Me, they will reject My resurrection.
a. Guards slept and disciples stole body.
b. Swoon theory.
c. Not historical but meta-historical.
d. Visionary appearance.
2. My resurrection is fundamental to your faith. “The gospel, I died for your sins . . . I was buried . . . after three days I arose” (1 Cor. 15:5).
B. PROOFS OF THE RESURRECTION
1. Empty tomb. “John entered the tomb and examined everything. Then he believed that I had risen from the dead” (John 20:8).
2. Sudden transformation of frightened disciples into bold witnesses. “The room was locked . . . for fear of the Jews” (John 20:19). “Peter and the eleven disciples stood . . . what you see in what was predicted” (Acts 2:12, 14).
3. Rapid emergence of bold church that held Me in their midst. “Approximately 3,000 were baptized and . . . I added to My church (Acts 2:41, 47).
4. The testimony of both individuals and groups who talked with Me. “As (the women), were going I met them . . . falling down they worshiped Me” (Matthew 28:9).
5. The transformation of a Christ-hating Pharisee into a fervent preacher. “Finally, I appeared to Paul, the least of the disciples” (1 Cor. 15:8-9).
6. The testimony of Paul and others that I—the resurrected Lord—indwelt them. “I am crucified with Christ . . . Christ lives within me” (Galatians 2:20, KJV).
7. The early church saw My death and resurrection was predicted in Old Testament and fulfilled in My resurrection. “I died for your sins just as the Scriptures teach . . . I arose just as the Scriptures predicted” (1 Cor. 15:3-4).
8. The early church produced a body of literature that completely correlated and explained My death and resurrection. “Beginning at the Scriptures, Philip explained . . . my death, burial and resurrection” (Acts 8:35).
9. The inability of the Jewish leaders to disprove the resurrection or produce a body. “The guards . . . told the priest what happened . . . gave them huge sums of hush money” (Matthew 28:11-12).
10. The immediate change of 1,500 years of Sabbath worship to Sunday worship. “After the Sabbath was over . . . dawning of the first day of the week” (Matthew 28:1).
11. Conversion of James—half-brother of Jesus—from an opponent to leader of the church. “My brother did not believe in Me” (John 7:5). “Tell James, My half-brother” (Acts 12:17).
12. Testimony of Ignatius, born A.D. 30 and martyred by Emperor Trajan. “As for me I know that after His resurrection He was in the flesh . . . He talked to Peter . . . touched Him and felt His flesh . . . He ate and drank with them like anyone else with a body” (Epistle of Smyrnaeans, page 119).
B. DEFINITION OF RESURRECTION
1. Renewed life. “Destroy this body and I will raise it up in three days” (John 2:19).
2. Reunion of body and soul. “I bowed My head and gave up My life” (John 19:20).
3. Victory over the power of death . . . through Me death is swallowed up in victory. “Death where is your victory?” (1 Cor. 15:54).
4. New glory. “No Father glorify Me with the glory I had in heaven . . . with You before the world was created’ (John 17:5).
5. Newness of life. “You were given new life to live for My Father” (Romans 6:4).
6. Glorified body. Jesus was raised in the earthly body, with nail prints (Psalm 22:16; John 20:25-29), seen by disciples (Luke 24:39).
C. TAKE AWAY
1. Many empirical proofs, i.e., those that are logical and can be seen or touched.
2. His death and resurrection has changed individuals, people groups, nations, and empires.
3. His death and resurrection has transformed humans.
4. I know in my head, I know in my understanding and I know innately His death and resurrection.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
