Based in 1 Corinthians 15

Is the resurrection a big deal? The Bible says YES! According to 1 Corinthians 15, if there was no resurrection…

• Ministry is pointless (v. 14)
• Faith is useless (v. 14)
• The apostles are liars (v. 15)
• We are still in our sins (v. 17)
• Everyone who has died before us has been lost (v. 18)
• We have no hope beyond death (v. 19)

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead! (v. 20)

The evidence for the resurrection of Jesus is overwhelming

• Jesus was unmistakably dead
  • Suffered sleepless night of trials and beatings
  • Suffered Roman scourging which often killed a man
  • Suffered Roman crucifixion—the Romans were experts in execution
  • Pierced in side by spear and blood and water flowed, proving Jesus had died because a sac of water had formed around heart
  • Four Roman executioners would have signed His death certificate
  • If Jesus only swooned (never really died but regained his strength after being buried) and appeared to his disciples a beaten, bloody mess, would they have followed Him?
• Jesus was unmistakably buried.
  • Joseph of Arimathea volunteered his tomb for Jesus. Joseph was wealthy and his tomb would have been in a public, well-known place
  • Jewish burial customs would have had Jesus wrapped in over 100 pounds of linens and spices
  • A 2 ton stone was rolled in front of His tomb, probably by lever system
  • The tomb was sealed with a Roman seal, meaning anyone who messed with the tomb would be killed
  • The tomb was guarded by a team of Roman guards—most likely, a team of at least 16 guards
  • The Romans and Jews were suspicious that the disciples might steal the body so they took every precaution possible (Matthew 27:62-66)

• Jesus unmistakably rose
  • The tomb was empty
  • If the Romans or Jews had the body, they would have shown it right away and ended the movement
  • The guards were afraid for their lives and went to the chief priests (Matthew 28:11)
  • The chief priests didn’t have the body so they paid the guards to say the disciples stole the body (Matthew 28:13-15)
  • If the disciples had the body, they could have never been so bold to live and die for their faith

• Jesus unmistakably appeared
  • Jesus appeared multiple times to His disciples and to over 500 people at once (1 Corinthians 15:6).
  • His appearances were not just spiritual or visions but were physical in nature.
  • He invited his disciples to touch his hands and He ate with them to prove He was physically appearing (Luke 24:40-44)
  • Because Jesus really rose and appeared to His disciples, they had the courage to preach His gospel and proclaim His resurrection in the face of persecution and death
  • Jesus appeared to Paul and transformed him from a church terrorist to a church missionary

For further research:

The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Habermas

Who Moved the Stone? by Morrison

Raised on the Third Day by Beck & Licona