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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!