Is the resurrection of Jesus Christ really that

important?

?

Without it…

• Preaching is empty (1 Cor 15:14)• Faith is empty (1 Cor 15:14)• Christians are still in their sins (1 Cor

15:17)• Christians who die are lost forever (1 Cor

15:18)• Christians are of all people, most to be

pitied (1 Cor 15:19)• There is no justification (Romans 4:25)

The Linchpin of Christianity!

Fair Questions:• Wasn’t it just wishful thinking on the part

of the Christians?

• Wasn’t it just a “spiritual” resurrection?

• Other people raised to life in the Bible, what’s the big deal about Jesus being raised?

Jesus resurrection compared to others in the Scripture

• Elijah/sha (1 Kings 17; 2 Kings 4), Peter (Acts 9), Paul (Acts 20) and others raised people so what’s the big deal?

• Because of the claim he attached to his being raised. (That he was the son of God)

• Because he’s the only one that never died again.

• Only Jesus’ resurrection was foretold in the OT scriptures.

So if it is important…

How can we defend it?

?

Did Jesus really rise from the grave?

Did Jesus really rise from the grave?

• We base any historical event upon the evidence.

• The evidence is overwhelmingly persuasive in support of the resurrection.

(Remember the difference between proof and persuasion!)

Let’s look at the evidence!

• The Gospel accounts are too early to be legends.

• Humans can’t stand keeping their tricks secret (children, war deception, candid camera)

Let’s look at the evidence!

• The tomb was and is still empty

• Joseph of Arimethea in the story (well known Sanhedrin member)

• No competing burial stories• Even anti-Christian propaganda confirms an

empty tomb! (Jews said the body was stolen)• Tomb was never venerated as a shrine, because

there were no bones in it!

Let’s look at the evidence!• The many witnesses

• Mary Magdalene (Mark 16)

• The women (Mat 28)

• Two disciples on road (Luke 24), Peter (1 Cor 15)

• Disciples –Thomas (John 20)

• Disciples +Thomas, fishing disciples (Jn 21), Mount Galilee(Mat 28), 500(1 Cor 15), at the ascension (Acts 1)

• Normalness of witnesses (“Some doubted” –Mat 28)

• Women!

Lets look at the evidence!

• The radical change in the apostles – From paranoid to preaching (and willing to die)• The world was turned upside down.• Jewish day of worship changed• Our calendar changed

• The radical change in people for 2000 years!

• The radical change in you!

Evidence is compelling, but… we must have faith!

Remember this as it will change how you share the evidence.

“…with gentleness and respect.”