WHY I BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD
Mt. 27:32- Mt 28:7
I. What The Bible Says
A. Jesus was crucified - Mt 27: 32-56
B. Jesus was buried - Mt 27:57-61
C. The tomb was secured - Mt 27:62-66
D. Jesus arose - Mt 28:1-7
II. Reasons To Believe In The Resurrection
A. Jesus said it would happen - Mt 12:39
B. Peter , who was afraid during his trial , became bold after the resurrection - Mt 26:69 ; Acts 5:29
C. Paul , the enemy of the Lord , became an Apostle - Acts 8:3 ; Acts 9; 4-16
D. Many people saw Jesus after the resurrection - I Chrin 15:6
E. The Church is alive and strong 2000 years after the resurrection
F. Non Christians refer to Jesus being the Christ - Josephus
G. The tomb was empty - what could have happened ?
i) enemies stole the body - they would have shown it at Pentecost
ii) friends stole the body - they would not have died for a hoax
iii) he was not really dead - Romans were professional killers / too weak to overpower the guards
iv) God raised him - victorious from death !
III. Why Is It So Important ?
A. Without the resurrection we have no salvation - Rom 10:9
B. Since God raised him from the dead to die no more , he can raise you to life eternal
C. We must make a decision whether to believe and obey or be lost - Rom 6:1-4