Fundamentals–The Resurrection of Christ–Lesson 3
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon Outlines, uncategorized Tags: Sermons on Resurrection, Sermons on the ResurrectionDate written: February 14th, 2002
Scripture ref: 1 Corinthians 15:3,4
SUBJECT: Fundamentals Bible Class
TITLE: The Resurrection of Christ
PROPOSITION: In this lesson, I want to prove the historical fact of the resurrection of Christ.
OBJECTIVES: The student should be able to understand the evidence and make the case for the resurrection of Christ.
AIM: It is my aim to prove the resurrection of Christ and to help strengthen the faith of everyone.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4
2. About the Text:
1) The book of 1 Corinthians was written around 57 A.D.
2) This is some 27 years after the day of Pentecost.
3) Paul writes here in 1 Corinthians that he delivered to the Corinthians some things that he received.
4) Paul was in Corinth around 51 A.D. some six years earlier.
5) What he received and delivered was the following facts:
a. That Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.
b. That Christ was buried.
c. That He rose again on the third day according to the scriptures.
d. That He was seen of Cephas (Peter).
e. That He was seen of the twelve.
f. That He was seen of above 500 brethren all at one time.
g. That He was seen of James
h. That He was seen of all the apostles.
i. That He was seen of Paul himself.
6) Paul is arguing for the historical resurrection of Jesus Christ.
3. The historical resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most essential truth to Christianity.
1) We have shown that there must be a God.
2) But, Who is this God?
3) Jesus claimed to reveal God to us.
4) The central proof of His claim is His bodily resurrection.
5) If Jesus was resurrected from the dead, then His claim must be true.
6) If Jesus was not resurrected from the dead, then we have nothing.
4. How can we say that anything is historically true?
1) Testimony of eyewitnesses increases reliability.
2) The number of witnesses attesting to the information increases reliability.
3) Verifiability of contemporaries increases reliability.
4) The character of the witnesses increases reliability.
5) Behavior of witnesses increases reliability.
6) Testimony of skeptics increases reliability.
7) Together all of these things can prove something to be historically true.
8) Court of Law illustration.
5. The argument for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1) If we have multiple eyewitness testimony of the resurrection of Jesus and
2) If we have the ability of contemporaries to verify the resurrection of Jesus and
3) If the character of the witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus is credible and
4) If the witnesses behave in such a way so as to be assured of the resurrection of Jesus and
5) If the testimony of skeptics regarding the resurrection of Jesus is in agreement with the witnesses, then
6) Jesus Christ must have risen from the dead.
6. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION:
I. We have multiple eyewitness testimony of the resurrection of Jesus
1. There is the account of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15
1) The text is considered to be a quote from a source older than Paul’s letter.
2) We note that Paul met with Peter and James (Galatians 1:18,19) ten years after the resurrection of Jesus (around 40 A.D.). Paul’s conversion was around 37 A.D.
3) It is likely that at this meeting, Peter and James corroborated Paul’s own testimony regarding the resurrection of Jesus with this material.
4) Paul delivered this material to Corinth at his first visit in 51 A.D. a mere 21 years after the fact.
5) Critical scholars consider this material to be eyewitness testimony from the Apostles themselves.
2. There is the account of Mark.
1) Mark wrote around 64 A.D. (30 years after the resurrection)
2) Mark was likely an eyewitness (Mark 14:51,52).
3) Many critical scholars think that Mark was Peter’s translator.
4) Based upon that assumption, there are TWO eyewitnesses writing this book.
5) The testimony: Mark 16:1-14
3. There is the account of Matthew
1) Matthew wrote around 61 A.D. (30 years after the resurrection)
2) Matthew was an apostle, an eyewitness.
3) Matthew 28:1-17
4. There is the account of John.
1) John wrote around 90 A.D. (60 years after the resurrection)
2) John was an eyewitness.
3) John 20, 21
II. Contemporaries were able to verify the resurrection of Jesus.
1. We have testimony from contemporary historians (people who verified the evidence and wrote it down).
1) Luke 24; Acts 1
2) Josephus 18, 3, 3
2. We have an empty tomb.
1) Jesus enemies hated him enough to put him to death.
2) His death was a matter of public record in a Roman court (Josephus 18, 3, 3).
3) His burial place was a matter of public record–Pilate himself gave authority to have him buried.
4) Soldiers were dispatched to guard his burial place (Matthew 27:62-66).
5) A seal was placed upon the tomb.
6) Yet it is empty. How is this accounted for?
3. The apostles were available for anyone to speak with and were examined.
1) They preached in the open air before those in the city of Jerusalem (Acts 2).
2) They preached in the temple area before the Jews (Acts 3).
3) They preached to the court of the Sanhedrim before their enemies (Acts 4).
4) The opportunity for cross-examination of the eyewitnesses was available to all.
5) Yet there is not one stitch of evidence to the contrary.
6) Wouldn’t the Jews, who put Jesus to death, have brought forward the body if they could?
7) These things were not done without knowledge of the local authorities. (Acts 26:26).
III. The Character of the Witnesses is Credible
1. They believed what they wrote.
1) Consider John’s words. (John 21:24).
2) Consider Matthew’s numerous quotations of prophecy being fulfilled. Nine times Matthew writes “that it might be fulfilled.” Matthew believed what he was writing.
3) Luke believed these things were “certain.” (Luke 1:1-4)
4) Mark states them as fact (Mark 1:1).
2. There are no contradictions between the accounts.
3. The men were not perfect, but were not common criminals. They held common trades.
1) Matthew was a tax collector (Matthew 10:3).
2) Peter and John were fishermen (Mark 1:16-20).
3) Luke was a physician (Col. 4:14).
4. They included records of their own faults–they did not hide the truth about personal sins.
1) James and John’s desire to be greatest in the kingdom (Mark 10:35ff).
2) Peter’s denial of Jesus (Mark 14:72ff).
3) Matthew’s occupation (Matthew 10:3).
4) Thomas’ skepticism (John 20:24-28).
IV. The witnesses behaved in such a way so as to be sure of the resurrection.
1. Before the resurrection they were timid and weak, defeated.
1) Consider Peter’s denial (Matthew 26:69-75).
2) Consider the abandonment of Jesus by the apostles (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50).
3) Consider the actions of Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James (Mark 16:1; John 20:1)
4) Consider their unresolved questions regarding the kingdom (Acts 1:6).
2. After the resurrection they were transformed, powerful, bold
1) Consider Peter’s words in Acts 2.
2) Consider the actions of Peter and John in the temple in Acts 3.
3) Consider their defiance of the Sanhedrim in Acts 4:13.
3. They were willing to endure torture and death for what they believed.
1) The imprisonment and beating of the Apostles–Acts 5:17-42
2) The stoning of Stephen–Acts 7.
3) James the brother of John was killed with the sword by Herod (Acts 12:2).
V. The testimony of known skeptics agreed with the original witnesses
1. Many priests were obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7).
1) These were men who had dedicated their lives to Judaism.
2) They were sacrificing their livelihood to obey this message.
3) They changed. Why?
2. Saul of Tarsus
1) He was not only a skeptic, but an enemy.
2) He sought to destroy the church (Acts 8:1-3).
3) He put to death Christians (Acts 22:4)
4) He was “mad” against them (Acts 26:9-11).
5) But he changed. Why?
3. James the brother of Jesus
1) Before the resurrection he was a skeptic (John 7:5)
2) After the resurrection he becomes an elder in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13; 21:18).
3) He changed. Why?
CONCLUSION:
1. If we were in a court of law today and these five rules of evidence were used in a case of murder, no jury alive would hold the defendant innocent.
1) There were multiple witnesses.
2) Their testimony was verifiable.
3) Their testimony was credible.
4) Their behavior supports their testimony.
5) Some of the strongest skeptics agreed with their testimony.
2. Can there be any reasonable doubt in the historical resurrection of Jesus? No.