March 30th, 2003, Sunday Morning

"Resurrection of Jesus Christ"
What your hope is built on


OPENING: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11


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INTRODUCTION: In the midst of evil days and today's U.S. war with Iraq, young men and women are fighting dangerous battles for our country. The horrors of this conflict are nothing new today as Biblical times experienced the same things: a world filled with anger, uncertainly, danger and confusion. However, this does not change the critical truth that Christ is still alive today--a fact that is a fountain upon which the saved stand.

OUR HOPE IS BUILT ON OUR HOLDING FAST THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

• Paul has let the Corinthians know from the very start of the letter that Jesus Christ is our only hope
  
  
  • 1 Corinthians 1:17: Christ sent Paul with the sole mission to preach the gospel
    
    
  • 1 Corinthians 2:1-2: And to focus specifically on the soul-saving part: that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only way God can offer you and I the gift of eternal life in Heaven
  
  
• The preaching of the gospel of Christ has a powerful impact on those whom believe
  
  
  • John 3:16: To receive (believe) the gospel (become saved) is a one-time event that cannot ever be lost, no matter how faithless or spiritually empty you feel again
    
    
  • Colossians 2:6: And once you believe in Jesus as your Savior (become saved), you should "walk ye in him" by following his teachings/commandments (which is to read your Bible) so everything you do in life may be successful and pure in all ways (spiritually, morally, financially, physically, etc.)
    
    
  • 1 Thessolonians 2:13: People who preach the Word of GOD--pastors, in particular--take great joy that you believe their teachings to come directly from God and not from man
    
    
    • The Bible is not a Book written by man--it's God speaking, word-for-word, written down by man and compiled into one Book
      
      
      • Proof the Bible was not written by man: the one true Bible, the King James Version (from which all succeeding bibles are derived from), has no copyright
      
      
    • Hebrews 12:28: And by being saved, we inherit permanent citizenship in God's Kingdom (which we enter after this earthly life)
    
    
  • And when you fully believe, you will stand by your beliefs because of one thing: faith
    
    
    • Romans 5:2: Because of faith, we have direct access to God through prayer to make known our needs and desires
      
      
    • Romans 11:20: Because of faith, God allowed our tree branch (our life) to remain a part of His family tree (whereas those who do not have faith and believe are broken off)
      
      
    • Romans 10:17: Where can you get more faith? The literal answer is to read your Bible
    
    
  • Biggest impact of all: You are saved which means you receive eternal life and forgiveness of all sins, to include those yet to come!
    
    
    • Even if someone believes they've led a good or sinless life, sin is inherited from Adam--the first man and sinner
      
      
      • Romans 6:23: And since "the wages [cost] of sin is death", we conclude that we also inherited eternal life in hell ... until you become saved
  
  
• The critical element to know that our salvation is real is that we hold tight to it
  
  
  • 1 Thessolonians 5:21: Test for trueness all that you read and hear; if what you read/hear is good and true, hold on to it by regarding it in your heart
    
    
  • Luke 8:4-15: Parable of the sewn seed (which is the Word of God--the Bible): seed that feel to the sidewalk or in the rocks or thorns represent evil and the cares/pleasures of this world having a higher priority to people; but the seed planted in good ground that sprung fruit are the minds of those who receive, believe and obey; they hold tight to God's Word without being drawn to the pleasures/evil of this world
    
    
  • Romans 1:18: But be warned--God's wrath is upon those who suppress the truth and Good News
  
  
• You must not only have faith but act upon it--else it is believing in vain
  
  
  • Faith by itself does not save: you may say you believe in God but so does Satan and he's not going to Heaven
    
    
  • To take action on your claim you believe in God, you believe with your heart, as well as your mind; then you expand through prayer, going to church, reading your Bible and following It's (God's) commands
    
    
  • EXAMPLES:
    
    
    • To believe without seeing is faith in action--and a blessing (John 20:29)
    • To those who will not 100% believe unless seeing with their eyes is an example of believing in vain
      • The next time you encounter such a person, ask if they believe in wind or gravity--the unseen
  
  
• ILLUSTRATION: The pastor has a deathly fear of heights. Anytime at altitude (such as the top of a building), he must tightly grip something secure, such as the rails, to stay safe. Make sure what you grip will secure you from falling--like God's truth--because no matter how tight your grip, you will fall if what you're holding to--such as false doctrine--cannot sustain you!
  
  
• APPLICATION:
  
  
  • Christianity is the answer to all problems of the world
    
    
  • There is much to fear and uncertainty in the world today--hold fast to something that will sustain you ... like God's Word (the Bible) and Jesus Christ and His teachings
    
    
    • Take and make--like a much desired Christmas gift--the truth of God's Word a permanent part of your life

OUR HOPE IS BUILT ON THE HISTORICAL FACT THAT JESUS WAS RESURRECTED

• 1 Corinthians 15:12: There were those in the city of Corinth and Athens that didn't believe Paul's preaching of the Gospel (which is no different from the mentality of today's world):
  
  
  • Acts 17:18: In Athens, speaking to the Greeks who believed that when you die, your soul "goes on" while the evil body is buried
    
    
  • Acts 17:31: But be warned for those who discredit the Bible that God has already appointed a day yet to come to judge man especially for doing this (Revelation 22:18-19)
  
  
• Paul gives the historical basis of Christ's resurrection
  
  
  • Romans 5:8: Christ died for our sins
  • He was buried (historical proof of His death)
  • Matthew 28:1-6: He rose on the third day after His death, per the scripture
    
    
  • And then there were the witnesses of Jesus' resurrection
    
    
    • Luke 24:34: Jesus first appeared to his disciple Simon
    • John 20:19: Then He appeared to His other 10 disciples that evening (for a total of 11 because Jesus' disciple and betrayer, Judas Iscariot, hung himself for turning Jesus over)
    • Acts 1:3: Jesus stayed 40 days after His resurrection to various people including all the apostles, speaking on those things concerning the Kingdom of God
  
  
• ILLUSTRATION: Just as in today's society, where witnesses are key to proving a story or claim valid, the law in Biblical times required only two witnesses; Jesus--resurrected--appeared to many
  
  
• APPLICATION:
  
  
  • The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is a credible, factual and provable event, according to both history and scripture
  • Romans 10:9: To be saved requires faith put into action: confess with your mouth and believe in your heart

OUR HOPE IS SIMPLY BUILT ON THE GRACE OF GOD THAT WORKS WITHIN US

• No matter how low you think of yourself, Christ believes in you and thinks highly of you without regard to your physical, mental or spiritual strength.
  
  
  • 1 Corinthians 1:27: In fact, contrary to Hollywood mentality, God uses the weak things/people of this world to confuse and out-perform those who believe themselves wise and mighty!
    
    
  • Paul, before serving God, was a severe persecutor of the church (Acts 9:1-2). But God saw fit to use him for mighty events and miracles even though Paul called himself:
    
    
    • 1 Timothy 1:15: "chief of all sinners"
    • 1 Corinthians 15:9: "least of the apostles"
    • 2 Corinthians 12:11: "nothing"--a nobody
  
  
• God's grace makes a difference in your life
  
  
  • Isaiah 42:16: He will never leave or forsake you
    
    
  • Philippians 1:6: He won't help you start something and leave before its finished
    
    
  • God gives us the strength to achieve and succeed; we are only tools that He uses--He works through us
  
  
• Colossians 1:29: And in turn for His grace, we are to work hard--both in our professional and spiritual life
  
  
  • 1 Timothy 4:10: Not only do we work but we are to expect criticism and backlash from non-believers regarding our faith
    
    
    • Matthew 5:10-12: To be criticized for your faith in Christ is a good thing--it will bring you blessings from God
  
  
• APPLICATION:
  
  
  • The world is in turmoil today; many are suffering with the loss of their sons/daughters in the U.S. war with Iraq
    
    
  • It is not a time for being critical of, hiding, or being overwhelmed by the evil of the world but rather your opportunity to make a difference in other's lives--both saved and lost--by God's grace experienced in your own life
    
    
  • Much of what unfolds in the world today is God's judgment on man's sin; we must humble ourselves, accept the Good News (gospel) of the Lord Jesus Christ and hold firm to it because how we live in this world is a test which will be finally finished and graded by God upon His return

CLOSER

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If you're saved, consider yourself blessed that we are a part of the only religion on earth that speaks of a Savior dying for our sins and that we can live in eternal paradise with Him

What do you do when you leave church Sunday? Paul says because of God's grace toward you that you should work harder than anyone else, hold your head high and do the best job you possibly can--ethically, physically, morally, etc.

• Matthew 5:13: As the verse says, be different than the world by being the salt of the earth; let others "see Christ through you" by your Godly attitude and speech
  
  
• Psalm 37:5: Do the job as if you were doing it for God--no matter how insignificant; after all, He gave you eternal life