4-21-2019 Unbelievably Believable 1 Corinthians 15

Introduction:

He Is Risen! He is risen indeed!

My goal today is to remind you of what Christ's resurrection means to us.  It is the reason we corporately worship on Sundays--because the resurrection happened on the first day of the week!  I want to explore with you some depth to the magnitude of the Resurrection with the result that you leave here shouting out in joy (or almost shouting) and in happiness over Christ's wonderful work. Also, I want to remind you of how critical Jesus' bodily resurrection is to us.  I sincerely hope that at the end of this service, you'll have no other reaction but rejoicing and praising God with authentic happiness and gratitude.

The resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, from the dead was no doubt a miracle. No matter if you believe in God, no matter if you trust in the Bible, no matter if you’re a philosophical naturalist or a Christian, the account and effects of Jesus’ resurrection are truly miraculous. And this is something to celebrate!

The resurrection is extremely important! Jesus was falsely accused and therefore wrongly murdered. But even as crucial as His death is to forgiving our sins for salvation, it is not as detrimental as the resurrection is to our hope and we know this is true because Paul makes this clear in our passage this Easter morning.

Scripture Reading:

1 Corinthians 15:1–15

1 Corinthians 15:1–15 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.

Paul obviously thinks the Resurrection is very important to believers!

Non-Christians may laugh at this supposed raising from the dead, but even to the unbeliever, the resurrection has to be a miracle in one of three ways – it is one of these three options:

A biological miracle

A psychological miracle

A theological miracle

Options one and two here are purely naturalistic explanations of the resurrection and, therefore, the meaning of the word “miracle” in the first two options is more like a highly uncommon/out of the ordinary, but still very natural occurrence and is then vastly different than the third option, where the Biblical definition of miracle applies.

Second, it is important to remember that no historical scholar – Christian or non-Christian – doubts the core facts surrounding the resurrection, which are:

It was actually Jesus, the Christ, who was crucified and buried.

Three days after His death, His body went missing.

There were reported appearances of Jesus over the course of 40 days to both believers and unbelievers.

These individual’s lives were transformed from the appearances and they began to proclaim Christ’s resurrection even up to the point of being martyred for their proclamation.

These are the core facts of Jesus’ resurrection, and these facts are not in dispute with any educated historian, secular or religious. That being the case, let’s look at each possible explanation of the resurrection and see where reality best comports.

Option #1: A Biological Miracle

The biological miracle option claims that Jesus didn’t actually die, but rather those conducting His execution only believed He was dead. Sometime after He was placed in the tomb – and against all biological and medical odds – He revived, healed enough naturally, emerged, and then presented Himself to His disciples as being raised from the dead.

Even among skeptics, the biological miracle option is not taken serious in first world countries. In fact, a couple of decades ago an article in the Journal of American Medical Associated stated: “Accordingly, interpretations based on the assumption that Jesus did not die on the cross appear to be at odds with modern medical knowledge."

The lack of popularity for this option is due to the following strong points that argue to the contrary:

The New Testament specifically records that Jesus was beaten and scourged before His crucifixion; a procedure that history says caused the death of many condemned persons before they ever reached their appointed cross. The historical gospels also record that Jesus was so physically weakened from His scourging that He could not carry His cross to Golgotha (cf. Matt. 27:32); a clear sign of His failing condition.

The Romans were experts at carrying out crucifixions. They knew death well; in fact, the soldiers themselves were held liable if any victim sentenced to death happened to survive.

John 19:33-35 describes a spear being thrust into Jesus’ side, with the description by John clearly showing a rupture of the pericardium, which would be instant death if a casualty had not already occurred via the crucifixion procedure.

Jesus’ death was viewed by close eyewitnesses, friends and enemies alike.

After He was taken from the cross, He was wrapped in cloths and bathed in heavy spices by loving friends who certainly would have noticed if He was still alive.

For Jesus’ scheme to have succeeded, He would need to revive himself in the tomb, push back the huge stone covering the mouth of His grave, overpower the Roman guards sent to protect the tomb (cf. Matt. 27:62-66), and then appear to His followers and skeptics.

The disciples’ reaction to a clearly disfigured and crucified, mangled Jesus would have been much different than the accounts recorded in the four gospels.

Last, the biological miracle option paints a picture of Jesus’ moral character that is markedly different than His portrayed life and teachings. It means that Jesus was not only a liar, but much worse. Not only would Jesus have deliberately deceived His disciples, but He would have remained in hiding while His disciples were arrested, tortured, and murdered for proclaiming His false resurrection.

Transition:

For these reasons and even others, the biological miracle option is wrong, which is why it is easily refuted against those that deny the real resurrection of Jesus. But wait! there is another option, isn’t there?

Option #2: A Psychological Miracle

The most popular argument among skeptics of first world countries and others is that a psychological miracle occurred with Jesus’ followers. Atheist and supposed historian Richard Carrier writes, “I believe the best explanation, consistent with both scientific findings and the surviving evidence . . . is that the first Christians experienced hallucinations of the risen Christ, of one form or another. . . . In the ancient world, to experience supernatural manifestations of ghosts, gods, and wonders was not only accepted, but encouraged."

However, when closely examined, the psychological miracle option falls under the weight of opposing arguments:

To even be plausible, the psychological miracle option needs to explain the empty tomb. If the disciples and followers of Jesus were the ones experiencing hallucinations and being tricked into believing Christ was alive when He was not, then who stole the body? Certainly Jesus’ enemies would not have, and if the disciples didn’t, then who would have taken the risk to steal the corpse?

A psychological miracle that uses hallucinations as the cause fails to account for the facts behind the appearances of Jesus. The appearances of Jesus cannot be hallucinations by its nature: they occurred not just once, but multiple times; not just to one person, but to different persons; not just to individuals, but to groups of individuals; not just at one location, but at multiple locations; not just in one circumstance, but in multiple circumstances; not just to believers, but also to unbelievers, skeptics, and even enemies.

Every account in the gospels records the fact that the disciples in no way expected Jesus to rise from the dead. In fact, they are recorded as not understanding Jesus as He predicted His resurrection. This fact is highly important because it proves mentally, they were not building themselves up to believe that their murdered leader would appear to them alive.

Last, as already mentioned, unbelievers – including disbelieving members of Jesus’ own human family – and enemies of Jesus claimed to see Him alive after His crucifixion. From a psychological perspective, these individuals had no reason to hallucinate an appearance of a person they didn’t believe in from the start.

Although popular, the psychological miracle option suffers from too many problems to seriously be considered as the best explanation for Jesus’ resurrection.

Transition:

So what option do we have left then?

Option #3: A Theological Miracle

The theological miracle option asserts that YHWH raised Jesus from the dead. Unlike the first two options that are purely naturalistic explanations, the theological miracle option allows a supernatural act. It allows the transcendent, almighty Creator to be Himself, which automatically permits true miracles, as C. S. Lewis says: “But if we admit God, must we admit Miracle? Indeed, indeed, you have no security against it. That is the bargain."

The theological miracle option claims that the New Testament is true in all of the accounts concerning Christ’s resurrection. It also affirms the writings of the early Church fathers where they discuss Christ’s resurrection, such as this quote from Polycarp (a disciple of John): “For they did not love the present age, but him who died for our benefit and for our sake was raised by God.”

The primary reason this option is rejected is because most of our society following their anti-supernatural bias, rule God out in an a priori manner. It is not a review of the evidence, but rather a commitment to the religion of naturalism that causes atheists and other skeptics of the resurrection to exclude the theological miracle possibility.

However, when a person steps back and reviews the universally accepted criteria used when examining a historical account, the theological miracle emerges as not just the best possible option, but the only option.

the resurrection had to happen because…

Christ’s resurrection fulfilled many promises 

Promises By the OT Prophets-- look back at verse three "in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures"

What Scriptures? Luke answers this in the Book about Christ's resurrection: ACTS

Acts 2:25-35 (Peter's sermon at Pentecost; quotes from Ps. 16:8–11 & 110:1)

YHWH cannot break His promises

Again in Acts

Acts 13:34-35 (quote from Isa. 55:3 and Psalm 16:10) 

Acts 13:34–35 ESV

34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “ ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ 35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, “ ‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’

Again, God cannot break His promises to David and must raise the Messiah from the dead to fulfill them.

Then in Acts 26  Paul on trial before King Agrippa and testifies that he is saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen: "that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Promises By Jesus Himself concerning His resurrection

Mark 8:31   Jesus first tells the disciples about His Death AND promises his resurrection

Mark 9:30  Second time Jesus tells them about His Death AND promises his resurrection again

Mark 10:32-34  Jesus telling the disciples the third time

John 2:18–19 "So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things [authority to drive out the moneychangers]?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” then John explains that the temple is Jesus' body therefore promising He will be resurrected.

John 2:18–19 ESV

18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Again, later in John in Chapter 10:18 he tells them that he has authority to take up his life 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.”

Luke 24 (vv45-46) Jesus post resurrection appearing his disciples “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,”

With these promises, the resurrection had to happen. 

So What?

So what does the resurrection me to us, here, now?

Christ’s resurrection is central to Christianity

As the foundation of our faith

Romans 10:9

Romans 10:9 ESV

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.

believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

As the basis of our justification - our right standing before God

Romans 4:25 “who was delivered up [Jesus] for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”

As the core of our hope

Acts 24:15

Acts 24:15 ESV

15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

This Hope is that we all --both believers and non believers--will be resurrected in a physical body, except the non believer won't be rejoicing at this time!

Think of how this BLESSED Hope carries us through in times of a death of a loved one which an unbeliever cannot share.

Look further down in our passage in 1 Cor 15:54-57

1 Corinthians 15:54–57 ESV

54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Then, going back to Peter at Pentecost in Acts 2:24, Peter says: “God raised him [Jesus] up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by [death].” JESUS IS GREATER THAN DEATH not even death can stop the Christ!!!

And in Rom 8:11 -- our mortal bodies will receive life after death

  So what if The doctrine of the resurrection was under attack back in Corinth in AD 55.  It is attacked, now, here in America. Let's switch to the negative view… Does Paul entertain this false reality? Look at verse 16 of our passage

1 Corinthians 15:16–19

1 Corinthians 15:16–19 ESV

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.

  We are to be pitied for living our lives in a lie. If there is no resurrection, we are forced to accept the following horrible conclusions:

In regard to the Gospel:

(v13): The Easter story is a lie. --NO HOPE

(v14): Gospel preaching is useless. --Waist of time

(v15): Gospel preachers are all liars. 

In regard to believers:

Our trust in God is empty, worthless, and hopeless (v14).

We are still in our sin (v17). --enslaved to sin forever

We are the most miserable of all creatures (v19).

Those who live, suffer, and die for Christ are fools (vv.29–31).  --a Waist of their lives

In regard to deceased believers (v18): They are forever dead, never to rise again." -- This is the Hope of an Atheist 

What a bleak false reality

Leave here thankful, glad, joyous that these conclusions are not true…

Paul continues in verse 20

1Cor 15:20-22

1 Corinthians 15:20–22 ESV

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.

Conclusion:

This being the case, the rational person will conclude on the basis of the evidence and a commitment to unbiased historical investigation that a divine miracle indeed occurred on that first Easter morning. Our Faith is rational, reasonable, relational, and real—it comports most to reality.

Dr. Thomas Arnold, the former chair of modern history at Oxford and author of the well-respected three volume “History of Rome” says: “I have been used for many years to study the histories of other times, and to examine and weigh the evidence of those who have written about them, and I know of no one fact in the history of mankind which is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort, to the understanding of a fair inquirer, than the great sign which God hath given us that Christ died and rose again from the dead.”

God is REAL, Jesus is REAL, and the resurrection did occur just as God said it would happen

The resurrection has occurred: He has risen, He has risen indeed!  Praise GOD!

PRAY 

With your heads bowed and your eyes closed, who here this morning would say, "I needed this, I needed the reminder of what the resurrection means to me"? May I see your hands?

And again, With your heads bowed and your eyes closed, who here this morning would say, "Josh, I don’t have this joy or this happiness about the resurrection, but I want it, I know I need the resurrection to change me"  May I see your hands?

GIVE GOSPEL INVITATION

Christ Died for YOU, not only that, but Christ Rose for YOU to prove to you who he is and prove what He says is true.  Jesus Loves you and wants you to enjoy Him

The Deacons and I, here, are willing to introduce you to our Savior TODAY, this is so important to take care of your relationship with Christ today