Victory: Resurrection Evidence
1 Corinthians 15:3-11
March 12, 2023
Jay Haugh
Christianity stands or falls on the presence or absence of a body of a dead man.
The Gospel in five words: “Jesus died and rose again.”
We are saved by the substitutionary death of Jesus.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. —Acts 4:12 NIV
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures. —1 Corinthians 15:3 ESV
1. Jesus’s resurrection is confirmed by the Old Testament scriptures.
Paul is connecting his apostolic message with the Old Testament.
For the wages of sin is death. —Romans 6:23 ESV
The cost for our sins against God is death.
that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures. —1 Corinthians 15:3 ESV
God in His love and grace always provided a substitute.
A substitute died in their place.
God brought deliverance from bondage from the substitute that was without spot or blemish.
God promised life to those who obey Him perfectly.
God was teaching the nation that a perfect substitute would die in their place to forgive sin and give life.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures. It was all pointing to Him.
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. —1 Corinthians 15:4 ESV
Jesus conquered death.
Jesus came to die and rise from the dead.
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. —Romans 10:9 ESV
2. Jesus’s resurrection is confirmed by multiple eyewitnesses.
and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. —1 Corinthians 15:5-6 ESV
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. —1 Corinthians 15:7 ESV
They saw their brother murdered on a Roman cross and then rise from the dead.
Christians were being imprisoned and slaughtered for this message.
3. Jesus’s resurrection is confirmed by Paul’s eyewitness and dramatic life change.
Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. —1 Corinthians 15:8 ESV
Paul, the terrorist, got converted. He believed Jesus died and rose.
For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. —1 Corinthians 15:9 ESV
Paul knows that he was saved because of God’s grace alone.
Big Idea:
Scripture and eyewitnesses are the evidence for the bodily resurrection of Jesus.
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS:
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NIV
Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-11
What are the components of the core message of the gospel? Have you ever crafted a concise gospel presentation for the purpose of sharing it with others? Have you ever shared the gospel with a non-believer? If so, share your experience. If not, what is holding you back from sharing?
What evidence does Paul share regarding the resurrection of Jesus? Did you require any evidence of the truths of Christianity when you came to faith? Have you ever felt a need for evidence as a Christian? Is the evidence Paul offers sufficient for you? How do you think a non-believer would respond to this evidence?
Paul notes that Jesus’ death and resurrection were in accordance with what is written in the Old Testament. What are some Old Testament passages that foretell this event? How can we share the gospel to make it more about God’s story throughout time?
Who are the individuals that Jesus appeared to after His resurrection? What was significant about His appearance to James? What was unique about Jesus’ appearance to Paul? The truth of the resurrection was life-altering. How did your life change after believing in Christ compared to the way it was before?
Jesus also appeared to 500 people! If you were a Jew at this time, would the testimony from many witnesses have helped to convince you? Is the witness of what these people saw, less valid today? If not, why do you think people continue to doubt Jesus actually rose from the dead?
Why did Paul feel unworthy to be called an apostle? Have you ever felt unworthy to be a Christian? Why did you feel this way? Many people feel unworthy to be a Christian. What truths from Scripture can you share to help them see themselves as God sees them?
Paul talks about the impact God’s grace had on him. What can we learn from Paul’s simultaneous feelings of inadequacy and confidence in Christ? Are you able to work hard while also depending on Christ for the results?
What other evidence exists to validate the resurrection? Is evidence necessary in order to believe in Christ?