Dr. Gough:

Over the world, why is Easter so joyous a season?

--Because the cross and resurrection of Jesus best answers the question, "If a man dies, shall he live again?" (Job 14:14). In Christ, we will!

--Jesus said, "Because I live, you shall live also."

--"He is risen!" How do we know? He lives in us!

After an Easter service a man said, "I don't believe in the resurrection, of Jesus, or anyone. Impossible! If you die, you die. That's it. No man can rise again."

--Yes," I said, "no man can rise, but God can, and Jesus did. Millions, as I, believe it and rejoice."

Until he saw Jesus, St. Paul was a doubter also.

--Converted from persecutor to world preacher, saying, "Now is Christ risen from the dead., the firstfruits of those.. fallen asleep" (I Cor. 15:20). He lives!

--The cross provides forgiveness, but it took His rising again to bring believers eternal life!

--Our world's most wonderful - needful - good news!

What is the gospel, this good news? Paul defines it.

--He says the gospel is what I preach (v 1).

--"Christ died for our sins" (v 3). Not His. Ours.

--"He was buried, rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen" by many.

--"I delivered to you first of all" (in importance) "by which you are saved." Good news the world can use!

Napoleon heard a soldier unhappy with religion - he was going to start a new one! Some try to do that.

--Napoleon replied, "Only if you can be born of a virgin, work miracles, walk on water, be crucified, and arise from the dead! You can't do better than that!"

Long ago a godly man named Job (19:25) said, "I know my Redeemer lives.. after my skin is destroyed, I know in my flesh, I shall see God." People want to live on.

--Many believed it. Jesus proved it! Life afterlife!

In I Corinthians 15 we have a pre-eminent message, proclaimed message, proven, priceless, and powerful one.

--From a Savior Who ascended, and soon returning Lord.

Maybe you, as I, want proof of Jesus' resurrection.

First, Jesus claimed - promised - He would rise again.

--Any can say it! "After I am risen .. I'll go before you to Galilee" (Matt. 26:32). Only Jesus did it!

--No other, in all history .. or religious leader!

Jesus is God. God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19).

--Jesus arose as He - and all who saw - said, or else He is an imposter, liar, and a phony! He's no phony.

--He's no false, evil prophet - these He condemned!

--If so, He'd not be our Messiah, He claimed; nor God!

Look, if Jesus didn't rise, "faith is futile; you are still in your sins" (I Cor. 15:17), Paul is saying.

--"Those who have (died) in Christ have perished."

--Gone! We would see them no more, forever!

--"Preaching is empty, and your faith is vain"(v 14).

--There is only hopelessness! "We are pitiable" (19).

--A fact, Jesus did rise from the dead! So may we!

How do we know? Hundreds saw this Risen Redeemer!

--And millions, as I, have received a changed life!

Who are they who saw? Some women, "early at the tomb."

--Not expecting Jesus to rise. To anoint His body!

--Peter and John, "who went inside and saw" no body.

--The Apostles, many believers, "over 500 one time," we read in verse 6. All could verify, or deny!

--Seen of "James, and all the apostles" (v 7).

--Then by Paul also (v 8), "the least of the apostles .. not worthy to be called an apostle, because .. I persecuted the church of God" (V 9).

--Paul tried to destroy this faith .. till Jesus came.

Paul omits others mentioned, who saw the Risen Lord.

--Those in the Upper Room, two Sundays! Emmaus Road.

--Sea of Galilee breakfast. Doubting Thomas, so on!

Second, we have the empty tomb of Jesus seen by many.

--It was Jesus' body that arose - not a spirit.

--Spirits don't rise. Only bodies are raised.

--Jesus showed His healed scars, hands, feet. Alive.

--Showed His empty grave - sealed, and guarded.

--A garden of graves became a garden of God's glory!

Founders of religions, like all people, do die.

--Only Jesus Christ arose! Not Moses, Mohammed or any other religious leader - not one has an empty tomb!

--But Jesus does. Many have seen His empty tomb.

"Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o'er His foes. He arose a victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever with His saints to reign."

Third, doubting disciples became eager witnesses.

--Like we, they were human. Slow to believe. Afraid.

--Had been with Jesus 3 1/2 years. Saw all He did.

--This was not a hoax, or myth; they don't make martyrs.

--Saw Jesus die, buried; saw Him alive, with scars.

--Who wouldn't share this good news with everyone?

Jesus' own half-brothers, unbelievers - until His resurrection - became strong in faith, even leaders!

--Two wrote epistles in the Bible - James and Jude.

All the apostles died for this faith, as martyrs.

--I ask, Would you die, for a lie? Not I.

--But I'd gladly die for Jesus, and a Christian faith.

--Years of study in seminaries, and the Bible, winning and baptizing many, seeing lives changed, all deepen my faith. If only I could share it with more!

Four, Christ's resurrection gives hope to our griefs.

--Friends, death comes - often when least expected.

--Sorrows overwhelm us. We need comfort. Assurance.

--It awaits us all. All need strength; God's peace.

--No religion on earth gives all this as Jesus does!

At the cross Good Friday, all was dark, gloomy, sad.

--Tears filled many eyes. Fears in many hearts.

--Until Jesus arose! Brought joy, hope, assurance.

--The angel said, "You seek Jesus, He is not here. He is risen as He said, 'Come, see, go, tell"4(Mt. 28).

--These four things, we are to do, until all know.

--I preach funerals; so easy to see the vast difference when one has been "born again," to one who has not.

--Our "blessed hope" is a priceless peace and comfort.

Christianity is attacked over the world. Be strong!

--It is time believers strongly stand up for Jesus.

--Christianity works, when we work with it, God's way.

Five, Christ lives - in us, and in His Church!

--For 2000 years - defeating its attackers or critics - Jesus lives - in His church! And in all who believe!

--Christ's church - many denominations and members.

--Not perfect. None is, for we are not; but we try.

--Our message, power, and goal is in His resurrection!

If Christianity had any lies or errors, believe me, in all these years, they'd be out, and the church gone.

--It is His. Jesus said, "I will build My church, the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Mt. 16).

--His church. Made up of all "born again" believers.

The Bible says Jesus restored three from the dead, for a time; but they all died again later.

--These are Lazarus. A 12-year old girl. A widow's son.

--Jesus did it, before eyes of witnesses. Marvelous.

--His own resurrection is different, and greater.

--Jesus did not die again! And He arose on His own!

Sir James Simpson, churchman, inventor of chloroform - a physician, lost his teen-age daughter, a Christian.

--Over her grave in Edinburgh, Scotland, we read these words in stone, "Nevertheless, I live!"

--In Jesus, believers have that promise, and assurance.

Maybe you this glad day are lonely. Lost loved ones.

--Or lost a job. Maybe difficulty in marriage, family.

--I pray for you, God's best. Let Jesus live in you!

Many now living are dead - yes, spiritually dead in sin.

--Many now dead (in Christ) are living - in heaven.

Which is it for you? I invite you to make sure now.

--How? Repent of all sin. Believe. Receive Jesus.

-- He says, "Come, follow Me." We'll not go wrong.

--No better day, time, or place, than right now.

--I've never met any yet, disappointed in that decision!

Jesus is risen! Let Him arise in your heart and life.

--That is Easter joy!