1 Corinthians 15:1-8 (nkjv)
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.
6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.
7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.
8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
Question #1 – What does Easter mean?
1. It means Jesus is who he claimed to be.
John 11:25 (nlt) “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.
John 14:6 (nlt) “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
2. It means Jesus has the power he claimed to have.
Matthew 28:18 (nlt) Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
John 10:18 (nlt) No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”
3. It means Jesus does what he promises to do.
Mark 10:34 (nlt) They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”
Matt. 28:5-6 (nlt) Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.
Questions #2 – Why Does the Resurrection Matter?
1. Because now my past can be forgiven.
Colossians 2:14 (nlt) He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
Romans 8:1 (nlt) So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
2. Because now my present problems can be managed.
Ephesians 1:19-20 (nlt) I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Philippians 4:13 (nlt) For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
3. Because now my future can be secured.
John 17:3 (nlt) And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
1 Peter 1:3 (nlt) All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation
What is your source of hope?
- Would you like to have every sin, everything you’ve ever done wrong completely forgiven?
- Would you like to acquire a new power that would help you manage the problems in your present?
- Would you like to have your future secured?
Trust in Jesus as your Savior, and
Follow Him as your Lord!
