RESURRECTION- THE HOPE OF
THE CHURCH I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS 1. John 20:1-28- Jesus'
resurrection is a historical fact. 2. John 21:1-14- Jesus proved
He was physically present following His resurrection. 3. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8,
12-28- His resurrection is the source of our hope. 4. Hebrews 6:17-20- This hope
is the anchor of our soul. 5. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18-
The resurrection comforts us when loved ones die. II. MAIN THEME: The resurrection of Jesus is a proven historical fact. Eye witnesses who gave their lives because
of their testimony have written the testimony that produces faith in us. God's Spirit guided their writing so that
their testimony is true. The power of the resurrection is the foundation of
our faith and the anchor of our souls. 1. The resurrection of Jesus
is historical fact. a. He appeared
to more than five hundred witnesses, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8. b. Jesus'
disciple John was one of the eyewitnesses,
John 2:1-28, 21:1-14. 2. The resurrection of Jesus is
the foundation of our faith. a. Without the
resurrection of Jesus, our faith is vain, 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. b. The power
of Jesus' resurrection produces hope, 1 Pet 1:3-5, Heb 6:17-20. c. Our faith
in the resurrection of Jesus is active in baptism, 1 Peter 3:21. 3. Christians need to know the
power of the resurrection of Jesus, and put it to work in our lives. a. Though it may cost us everything, it is worth the
cost, Philippians 3:7-11. b. Through His
resurrection we have victory over death, Hebrews 2:9, 14-15. c. Through His resurrection we have hope that
lives, 1 Peter 1:3-9. 4. The hope of eternal glory
has the power to inspire our labors. a. Because we
want to receive our eternal bodies, 1 Corinthians 15:49-50. b. Because we
want to experience victory over death, 1 Cor 15:51-58. 5. Christians can face death
bravely because of Jesus' resurrection. a. Knowing we
will be united with those we love, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. b. Longing to
see the place prepared for us, John 14:1-3, Revelation 21. III. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS 1. Use the resurrection of
Jesus and the promise of our own resurrection as a source of strength and hope, Philippians 3:8-14, 1
Corinthians 15:56-58. 2. Remember that our faith
rests on historical fact and is easily defended by the inspired evidence of the bible, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Peter
1:15-21. 3. Remember that our victory
is certain if we continue our trust in Jesus, 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, Hebrews 2:9-11. 4. We should glory in our
hope, because it is our anchor that gives stability in our lives, Hebrews 3:6,
6:17-2, 1 Peter 1:3-9, 3:13-16. 5. We can face our own death,
or the death of faithful loved ones,
with peace in our hearts because of the resurrection,
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. IV.
MEMORY VERSES: 1 PETER 1:3-4. |