Focus on the

Resurrection!

John 20:19-20Jesus Appears to His Disciples

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Acts 1:33 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Acts 4:3333 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

If the resurrection is not true: Nothing in life really matters!

If the resurrection is not true: Nothing in life really matters!

If the resurrection is true:

Nothing else in life really matters!!!

Acts 2:2424 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Acts 3:15Peter Heals the Crippled Beggar

15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.

Acts 17:1818 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

The message of the Resurrection is what propelled the church forward!

The message of the Resurrection is what propelled the church forward!

Is the Resurrection the focus of your message to

others?

1 Corinthians 15:3-83 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

Right after crucifixion comes

Resurrection!

Why should the message of the resurrection “of first importance” to us?

Death Rate Statistics:● 1.78 deaths per second● 107 deaths per minute● 6,390 deaths per hour● 153,000 deaths per day● 56.0 million deaths per year● 3.9 billion deaths per average lifetime (70 years)

Why should the message of the resurrection “of first importance” to us?

1 Corinthians 15:26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

The Funeral etiquette of Jesus:

John 8 (Jesus heals a sick woman):● “Stop wailing,” ● “She is not dead but asleep.”● “...Get up!”

John 11 (The death of Lazarus):● “Lazarus, come out!”

John 20:15 (Jesus to Mary after his own death):● “Woman, why are you crying?”

Jesus had a clear view of resurrection after death!

Right after crucifixion comes Resurrection!

John 11:25-2625 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25-2625 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.

Do you believe this?”

When the Corinthian Church was not focused on the resurrection (Chapters 1-14):● They were divided with one another (ch 1)● They became man focused (1:13-17)● Immorality (Ch 5-6)● They were suing one another (6:7)● Stopped confronting sin (5:1-2) ● Using communion to overeat and get drunk (11:20)

When the Corinthian Church was not focused on the resurrection (Chapters 1-14):● They were divided with one another (ch 1)● They became man focused (1:13-17)● Immorality (Ch 5-6)● They were suing one another (6:7)● Stopped confronting sin (5:1-2) ● Using communion to overeat and get drunk (11:20)

What happens to us when we are not focused on the Resurrection?

“If I were an enemy of Christianity, I would aim right at the

Resurrection, because that is the heart of Christianity.”

-Dr. Billy Graham

1 Corinthians 15:30-3430 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.

When we understand the resurrection we are free to live a radical life with

no fear!

The Resurrection is still the only thing that will

propel the church forward!

1 Corinthians 15:30-3430 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.

1 Corinthians 15:30-3430 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.

Christians must: ● not be best or close friends to those who do

not talk about and live by the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

● hang out with those who are going to push you to sacrifice your life for Jesus! (unless you are talking to them about the Resurrection of Jesus)

1 Corinthians 15:5858 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:5858 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Fully: perisseuó (per-is-syoo'-o)Exceeding the ordinary, abounding, overflowing

1 Corinthians 15:5858 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Fully: perisseuó (per-is-syoo'-o)Exceeding the ordinary, abounding, overflowing

Lavished

Ephesians 1:7-87 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us.

Lavished = perisseuó (per-is-syoo'-o)

We don’t want God to be skimpy with his love and grace!

We don’t want God to be skimpy with his love and grace!

Let’s not be skimpy with our sacrifice & service to

Jesus!

1 Corinthians 15:1-4The Resurrection of Christ

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,...

3 Things in life that we must get right:

3 Things in life that we must get right:

1. We must focus on the resurrection (First importance!)

2. Christ died for your sins and loves you!

3. Jesus was buried and raised on the 3rd day!

Keep your focus on

the

Resurrection!