What kind of resurrection do you really believe in?

Introductory thoughts:

Review: Is your faith reckless or real?

What is Paul saying?

1. The Resurrection as part of the message (v. 3 - 4)

Verse 3 analyzed

Received from Jesus -

Messiah died

Vicariously

According to the scriptures:

Verse 4 analyzed

was all the way dead - no Swoon Theory and anti-Docetism

was buried - particular location; no misplacement of body

rose again the third day

According to the scriptures:

with the rich -

three days - reference to Jonah

;

2. The Resurrection as proven by many witnesses (v. 5 - 11)

Believing people:

Cephas (Peter)

Of the Twelve (presuming that Matthias was present)

Of 500 brethren at once

Presumed skeptic:

James -

All of the apostles (the first 12, presumably official)

Unbeliever:

Paul:

v. 8 - born out of due time - word for abortion used here

Idea is that of a still birth or as one projected out of the womb unnaturally.

v. 11 Whether it was a converted persecutor or noted followers, we preached and you believed this gospel.

Why is Paul saying this?

To encourage steadfastness in the Corinthians who were hearing that Christ did not rise from the dead, and would become vulnerable to thinking the physical life is pointless. , ,

What is the Principle?

3. The Resurrection principle (v. 8 - 11)

Jesus Christ rose from the dead bodily and there are witnesses and evidences, not least of which is the grace of God taking an aborted, still-born and making him alive.

Where is Christ in all of this - personal application?

4. The Resurrection principle personally applied - What kind of change did this grace of God make?

God's grace is such that even though I was a rebel/enemy of the LORD, the power of Christ's resurrection is greater than the power of sin to continue to enslave.

Though I cannot claim the apostolic office as Paul can claim, I can claim the grace of God working in me; which, at least, means that God took a spiritually lifeless individual and created life - a resurrection took place!

This spiritual life took place so that I could not walk physically in the newness of life. Hence, the labor is abundant but it is all by the grace of God.

How does this principle apply today?

5. The Resurrection principle practically evident - What does this change look like in my life practically?

It would eliminate any and all teaching that God's grace received does not impact my physical life now.

It would eliminate any and all teaching that God's grace received does not make a radical change, even in the most moral/righteous person.

It would eliminate any and all teaching that makes the benefits of salvation just about going to Heaven. In fact, the case here is to show the impacts upon life here on the earth.

It would eliminate those who are not publicly, physically identifying with the Resurrected Christ through baptism.

It would eliminate husbands, parents who are Christians in name only - knowing that our physical bodies manifest forth the resurrection life that we have received.

So, I ask you, what kind of resurrection do you believe in? Do you believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ?

If so, how does your body show forth that you have believed in this gospel?

Concluding questions/admonitions:

Come today and receive Jesus Christ

Come today and show forth that you have received Jesus Christ

Some of you that are on the edge of quitting, know that your labor is NOT in vain.

Some of you that are hesitant to commit to the labor, come and repent of your lack of faith in the Resurrection of Christ.

Some of you that are living like it doesn’t matter what you do in this life, come and repent of how you have trivialized the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.