Eastern Sermon. March 31st 2024 Dr. Jeffress, First Baptist, Dallas, Texas
1. Why Is The Resurrection Important?
1Corinthians 15:1-11 The best evidence of the resurrection is the eye witnesses: Peter, the apostles, 500 witnesses, James, PaulWhat if there was no resurrection?
All preaching would be in vain and pointless
Faith would really be just an emotion
Help in trouble would be your imagination
All Christians through history would be be liars
People still in their sins, dead eternally damned
Believers should be pitied
2. The evidence of the resurrection.
1. The transformation of the disciples, especially Peter who had cowardly denied Jesus three times and then boldly preached to 3,000 people several weeks later. All the apostles traveled the world preaching the gospel and all but one died a martyr’s death.
2. The conversion of skeptics. James, the half brother of Jesus, did not believe until after the resurrection and he saw the risen Christ. He was later beheaded for his faith. Paul, a great persecutor of Christians, saw the risen Jesus and became the author of much of the New Testament before suffering a martyr’s death. No one dies for a lie they know is a lie.
3. Radical changes in Judaism. In five weeks there were over 10,000 converts. They did not offer sacrifices at the temple. They changed the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday. They quickly instituted the Lord’s Supper and Baptism, both emphasizing the Lord’s death.
4. The empty tomb. Did someone steal the body?
Disciples: they lacked the courage and were hiding in a locked room in the city. They could not have defeated a Roman guard of professional soldiers.
Roman and Jewish leaders: they did not want a resurrection and produced no body.
3. What does the resurrection mean to me?
1. There are 2 destinations at death. The resurrection opens the door to heaven for us.
2. Jesus is the only way to the Father. John 14:6
3. The resurrection validates Jesus’ death, showing that God accepted his payment for our sins.
4. It eliminates our fear of death because it is a gateway to eternal life.
