Easter 2025 | As Of First Importance [1 Cor 15:1-22]

Sermon largely influenced by… Akin, Daniel L. Exalting Jesus in Mark. Edited by Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014.

TEXT

[Mark 16.1-8]

Mark 16:1–8 ESV

1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Your Resurrection Options

False - Misleading

Fiction - Mythology

Fact - Marvelous

Theories that Reject the Resurrection.

The stolen-body theory:

the soldiers who guarded Jesus’ tomb were bribed by the Jewish leaders to lie and say, “His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.” This is the earliest naturalistic theory, going back to Matthew 28:11–15. Occasionally, it is alleged that the body could also have been stolen by the Jewish leaders, the Romans, or even Joseph of Arimathea.

The wrong-tomb theory:

belief in Jesus’ bodily resurrection rests on a simple mistake. First the women and later the men went to the wrong tomb by accident. Finding that tomb empty, they erroneously concluded that Jesus had risen from the dead.

The legend or myth theory:

basically agrees with the infamous Jesus Seminar. Over time the Jesus stories were embellished and exaggerated. The resurrection is a “wonder story” indicating the significance the mythical Jesus held for His followers.

The swoon theory:

Jesus did not really die but fainted because of the enormous physical punishment He suffered. Later regaining consciousness in the cool, damp tomb, He unwrapped Himself from His grave clothes. He then managed to move aside the large stone that sealed the tomb. Jesus emerged bruised and bleeding; then He convinced His followers that He had risen from the dead.

The spirit theory:

Jesus was not raised bodily, but He returned in a spirit form. This view is held by the Jehovah’s Witnesses cult, which teaches that Jesus was created by God as the archangel Michael and that while on earth He was only a man. Following His death on the cross, God restored Jesus in a spiritual form only. The Watchtower Society asserts, “King Christ Jesus was put to death in the flesh and was resurrected an invisible spirit creature.”

The Muslim theory:

the biblical witness of Jesus’ crucifixion is false; God provided a substitute for Jesus, perhaps even making the person look like Jesus. Surah 4:157 in the Qur’an says, “They declared: ‘We have put to death the Messiah Jesus the son of Mary, the apostle of Allah.’ They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but they thought they did.” Muslims do not agree on who took Jesus’ place. Candidates include Judas, Pilate, Simon of Cyrene, or even one of the disciples. Muslims do not believe in Jesus’ bodily resurrection because they do not believe He died on the cross. Instead, Surah 4:158 declares, “Allah took him up unto Himself.”

The hallucination theory:

Jesus preconditioned His disciples to hallucinate by means of hypnosis. Ian Wilson says Jesus may have “prepared his disciples for his resurrection using the technique that modern hypnotists call posthypnotic suggestion. By this means he could have effectively conditioned them to hallucinate his appearances in response to certain prearranged cues” (Wilson, Jesus, 141).

The vision theory:

the disciples had experiences they interpreted or understood to be literal appearances of the risen Jesus. The disciples saw visionary appearances of the risen Christ, and He communicated to them a call and a mission. This view is similar to the spirit theory.

The mistaken-identity theory

the women mistook someone else for Jesus. They perhaps ran into a gardener or a caretaker. Because it was early in the morning and still dark, they could not clearly see this man. They wrongly thought he was Jesus.

The lie-for-profit theory:

Jesus’ death by crucifixion was a huge disappointment, but His followers saw a way to turn it for financial profit. They proclaimed that Jesus had risen, they built a substantial following, and they fleeced the people who believed their lie. This theory assigns contemptible motives to the disciples, charging them with perhaps the greatest religious hoax ever perpetrated.

The twin theory:

Jesus had an identical twin brother. In a 1995 debate with Christian apologist William Lane Craig, philosopher Robert Greg Cavin argued this theory. Separated at birth, the brothers did not see each other again until the crucifixion. Following Jesus’ death, His twin conjured up a messianic identity and mission for Jesus, stole His body, and pretended to be the risen Jesus. All we can say in response is, “Incredible! What an imagination!”

Historical Evidences for the Resurrection.

Virtually all scholars acknowledge a number of historical facts surrounding Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection:

Jesus died on a Roman cross by crucifixion.

Jesus was buried in a tomb not far from the crucifixion site.

Jesus’ death threw the disciples into a state of despondency, believing their Lord was now dead.

Jesus’ tomb was discovered to be empty shortly after His burial.

All the disciples seemed to have had experiences that convinced them that Jesus had risen from the dead and was alive.

These experiences with the risen Jesus radically transformed the disciples into bold witnesses of His resurrection, which led to martyrdom for many of them.

While one might die for a lie that they THINK is true, one will not die for a lie that they KNOW to be false!!

The message of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection was the heart of the gospel from the beginning.

This gospel was preached starting in Jerusalem, the very city where Jesus had been crucified and buried.

Sunday became the day of worship for the church in celebration of the Lord’s resurrection on that day.

Sabbath - AD30 - Jews, in Jerusalem to change !!

Other Arguments for the Resurrection

The failure of naturalistic or alternative theories to explain the event.

Naturalistic arguments do not stand up to careful analysis. Virtually all of them have been abandoned or substantially revised. Proponents were selective in the biblical data they affirmed.

The birth of the disciples’ faith and the radical change in their lives.

Something happened that caused Jesus’ followers to believe they had genuine encounters with the risen Lord. These encounters with Jesus changed them from fearful cowards in hiding to bold witnesses of the resurrected Christ. In addition, according to church tradition, the 11 apostles, with the possible exception of John, died as martyrs, still proclaiming Jesus as the risen Lord. Although people will die for a lie if they think it is the truth, they will not die for what they know to be a lie.

The empty tomb and the discarded grave clothes.

The account itself is simple and lacks legendary development. The details are not fantastic, including only some discarded clothes.

The fact that women saw the empty tomb first.

In the Jewish culture of the first century, women were not qualified to be witnesses in a legal proceeding. It is astonishing that the Bible records that women saw the risen Jesus first. If the early church were making up a story to persuade people to believe that Jesus rose from the dead, it is inconceivable that they would say women were the first witnesses to the event. The only reason to do so is that women did, in fact, see Him first.

The unlikely nature of mass hallucination.

Mass hallucination is actually impossible! Hallucinations are inner, subjective experiences of the mind. They occur personally and individually, not as a group experience.

Post-resurrection appearances.

The New Testament records many occasions when Jesus appeared to His followers after His resurrection (e.g., Matt 28; Luke 24; John 20–21; Acts 1; 1 Cor 15; Rev 1). The disciples claimed that Jesus appeared at different times and to different people. Some appearances were to groups while others were to individuals. The differing though complementary nature of the resurrection appearances support their authenticity. The appearances lasted for 40 days and then came to an abrupt stop after Jesus’ ascension back to heaven. No other compelling alternative explanation exists.

The 50-day interval between the resurrection and the bold and public proclamation of the gospel at Pentecost in Jerusalem.

Jesus’ disciples did not proclaim the gospel of the risen Lord for 50 days after the event took place. Why? They waited until Jesus had ascended (see Luke 24; Acts 1) and until the Holy Spirit had come to empower them for witness (see Acts 2). Christ had to leave before they would act on their own, and the Spirit had to come to give them boldness for witness.

The inability of the Jewish leaders and the Romans to disprove the message of the empty tomb.

It is an undeniable fact of history that those who opposed Jesus could not disprove His resurrection. The disciples could not have preached the resurrection in Jerusalem had the tomb not been empty. The Christian movement could have been quickly crushed by producing Jesus’ dead corpse. No one was able to do so because there was no body to produce.

The unexpected nature of Jesus’ bodily resurrection.

The disciples did not anticipate that Jesus would rise from the dead though He had predicted this miracle on several occasions (see Mark 8:31–33; 9:31–32; 10:32–34). In fact, Mark 9:32 tells us they did not understand. When Jesus was crucified, their hopes were dashed. The disciples being fearful and despondent is especially fatal to any type of hallucination or hypnosis theory.

The conversion of two skeptics:

James and Paul. James, the half brother of Jesus, was an unbeliever in Jesus as Messiah prior to His crucifixion (John 7:5). Yet something transformed James from a doubter to a believer, from a skeptic to a leader in the church at Jerusalem, from one who thought his brother was mad (see Mark 3:21) to one who willingly suffered martyrdom for the gospel. Saul of Tarsus violently persecuted the church (see Acts 7:58; 8:1–3; 9:1–2). Something changed him from a persecutor of Christ to a missionary and evangelist for Christ. His own testimony affirms that he had not been open to the gospel, but he saw the resurrected Christ (see Acts 9:3–6; 22:6–10; 26:12–19; 1 Cor 15:8; Gal 1:15–16).

The moral character of the eyewitnesses.

The New Testament provides the greatest teachings found in any literature on love, truth, honesty, hope, faithfulness, kindness, and other virtues. These teachings came from the pens of men like Matthew, John, Paul, James, and Peter, all of whom claimed to be eyewitnesses of the risen Jesus. To affirm their teachings yet reject their witness of Jesus as a lie or mistake is nonsensical. If we accept their teachings, we must trust their testimony about Jesus.

The accepted character and claims of Jesus.

On numerous occasions Jesus spoke of His crucifixion and resurrection. He claimed He was God (see John 8:58; 10:30; 14:9), and He said He would come back from the dead (see Matt 16:21). To claim Jesus as a great religious figure and moral teacher while believing that His prediction of His resurrection was wrong would make Him either a liar or a lunatic. The resurrection is essential to the confession that Jesus is Lord. Everything hinges on it.

Reliable eyewitness documents recording the events.

The New Testament is the most well-authenticated document of antiquity, a fact no textual critic of any theological persuasion would deny. More than 5,600 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament exist. These are of an earlier date and of a more reliable nature than those of any other work of antiquity. Eyewitness followers of Christ wrote many of them, and the books themselves have the ring of history. No religion has in its sacred writings what Christians have in the New Testament.

Why is the Resurrection Paramount?

[1 Cor 15:1-22]

1 Corinthians 15:1–22 ESV

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. 12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

It speaks of God’s existence !!

It verifies the authority of Jesus - Lordship - Deity

It indicate God’s approval of Christ’s work

It promises victory over death

It establishes a permanent office of intercessor

It ushers in the dispersion of the Spirit

It provides HOPE for the future of believers

Jesus is indeed the risen Lord. You can reject Him, but you cannot ignore Him. What Jesus did in rising from the dead demands a response.

Without Jesus you have nothing… With Him you have everything… What do you have this Easter !?!?

He didn’t have to create you… but He did

Genesis 1:1 “1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Genesis 1:27 “27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Psalm 139:13 “13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.”

He didn’t have to send Jesus… but He did

John 3:17 “17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

1 John 4:9 “9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”

Jesus didn’t have to give Himself up … but He did

John 19:11 “11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.””

Matthew 26:52–53 “52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?”

Jesus didn't have to suffer … but He did

1 Peter 3:18 “18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,”

Hebrews 13:12 “12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.”

Jesus didn't have to die … but He did

John 10:17–18 “17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.””

Ephesians 5:2 “2 … Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

He didn’t have to forgive you … but He did

Isaiah 43:25 “25 “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”

Luke 23:34 “34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”

He didn’t have to love you… but He does

John 15:9 “9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”

John 3:16 “16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

That’s what He did… what will you do?

Romans 10:9 “9 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.”

Jesus is indeed the risen Lord. You can reject Him, but you cannot ignore Him. What Jesus did in rising from the dead demands a response.

Group Questions

Which of the three resurrection options—False, Fiction, or Fact—do you think is most common in our culture today? Why? How do you think that option shapes people’s lives?

Of the theories that reject the resurrection, which have you encountered before? Which one do you think sounds most convincing at first?

Mark 16:8 ends with fear and silence. Why do you think the Gospel ends so abruptly? What does this say about the initial experience of the resurrection?

In 1 Corinthians 15:3, Paul calls the resurrection “of first importance.” Why do you think this is the core of the gospel?

Which historical evidence for the resurrection stood out to you the most? Why? How could that be helpful in a conversation with someone exploring faith?

Why is it significant that women were the first to discover the empty tomb? How does that reflect God’s heart and priorities?

What changes in the disciples' lives after the resurrection give you the most confidence in its truth? How can that encourage us in our own moments of fear or doubt?

How does the resurrection give you hope in areas like grief, loss, or uncertainty about the future? Can you share a time when this hope became personal?

If the resurrection is true (and it is), what should change in the way we live? What is one specific step you feel led to take this week?