Resurrection: The Cornerstone of Christian Faith

 

Summary

Easter is a time of profound reflection and celebration, as it marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event that answers the essential question: Who is Jesus? The resurrection is not just a story; it is the cornerstone of Christian faith, convincing the first-century followers and countless others since that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. This belief is not based solely on scripture but on the testimonies of those who witnessed the events firsthand. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and others documented their experiences, providing a foundation for our faith that is both historical and spiritual.

The resurrection is what sets Jesus apart from any other religious figure. Without it, Jesus would have been just another rabbi or a failed messiah. His followers, including his own brother James, were not convinced by his teachings or miracles alone. It was the resurrection that transformed their doubt into belief, leading them to spread the message of Jesus' divinity and his victory over death.

The narrative of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection is filled with human emotions and reactions. His followers were not expecting a resurrection; they were prepared to mourn a lost leader. Yet, the empty tomb and the appearances of the risen Christ changed everything. This transformation is captured vividly in the account of Thomas, who doubted until he saw Jesus with his own eyes. Jesus' response to Thomas is a message for all generations: blessed are those who believe without seeing.

The resurrection reframes our understanding of life and faith. It assures us that Jesus' teachings are true and that his promise of eternal life is real. This Easter, the invitation is to not only believe in the historical events but to trust in Jesus personally. The resurrection is a declaration that death has no hold on us, and through faith in Jesus, we are offered eternal life.

Key Takeaways:

- The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christian faith, convincing his first-century followers and many since that he is the Messiah and Son of God. This belief is based on the testimonies of those who witnessed the events firsthand, not just on scripture. [01:29]

- Jesus' resurrection sets him apart from other religious figures. Without it, he would have been just another rabbi or failed messiah. The resurrection transformed doubt into belief, leading his followers to spread the message of his divinity. [04:14]

- The narrative of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection is filled with human emotions. His followers were not expecting a resurrection, but the empty tomb and appearances of the risen Christ changed everything, as seen in the story of Thomas. [19:06]

- The resurrection reframes our understanding of life and faith, assuring us that Jesus' teachings are true and his promise of eternal life is real. This Easter, the invitation is to believe in the historical events and trust in Jesus personally. [22:51]

- Jesus' resurrection is a declaration that death has no hold on us. Through faith in Jesus, we are offered eternal life, as he conquered the grave and invites us to believe and trust in him. [31:06]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Easter's Significance
[00:32] - The Essential Question
[01:14] - The Convincing Resurrection
[01:41] - Testimonies of the Witnesses
[02:33] - James' Transformation
[03:19] - Paul's Revelation
[04:14] - The Story's Worth
[05:25] - The Problem with Jesus
[06:12] - Expectations of a King
[07:46] - The Passover Plot
[09:11] - A New Covenant
[10:37] - The Arrest and Trial
[12:29] - The Crucifixion
[14:23] - John's Testimony
[19:06] - The Empty Tomb
[22:51] - The Resurrection's Impact
[25:39] - Thomas' Doubt
[28:52] - Blessed Believers
[31:06] - The Invitation to Believe

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 20:24-29 - The story of Thomas and his encounter with the risen Jesus.
2. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - Paul's account of the resurrection and the witnesses.
3. Matthew 28:1-10 - The account of the resurrection morning.

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of Jesus' followers when they first discovered the empty tomb? How did their expectations differ from the reality they encountered? [04:54]
2. How did Thomas respond to the news of Jesus' resurrection, and what did he require to believe? [26:18]
3. What role did the testimonies of the first-century witnesses play in the belief of Jesus' resurrection according to the sermon? [01:41]
4. How did the resurrection of Jesus change the perspective of his followers, particularly John, as described in the sermon? [22:51]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the resurrection considered the cornerstone of Christian faith, and how does it differentiate Jesus from other religious figures? [04:14]
2. How does the story of Thomas illustrate the challenge of believing without seeing, and what does this mean for believers today? [28:52]
3. In what ways did the resurrection of Jesus transform the doubts of his followers into belief, and how is this transformation significant for the Christian message? [03:19]
4. How does the resurrection assure believers of the truth of Jesus' teachings and the promise of eternal life? [22:51]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with doubt in your faith. How can the story of Thomas encourage you to seek belief even when you cannot see? [28:52]
2. The resurrection reframes our understanding of life and faith. How can this perspective change the way you approach challenges in your daily life? [22:51]
3. Jesus' resurrection is a declaration that death has no hold on us. How does this truth impact your view of life and death, and how can it influence your actions and decisions? [31:06]
4. Consider the testimonies of the first-century witnesses. How can you share your own experiences of faith to encourage others in their belief? [01:41]
5. The sermon invites us to trust in Jesus personally. What steps can you take this week to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus? [31:06]
6. How can the message of the resurrection inspire you to live out Jesus' command to love others as he has loved you? [10:13]
7. Think about someone in your life who may be struggling with belief. How can you support and encourage them in their faith journey this Easter season? [28:52]

Devotional

Day 1: The Resurrection as the Foundation of Faith
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith, providing a historical and spiritual foundation that has convinced countless believers throughout the centuries. This pivotal event answers the essential question of who Jesus is, affirming him as the Messiah and the Son of God. The belief in the resurrection is not solely based on scripture but is deeply rooted in the testimonies of those who witnessed the events firsthand. The accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and others serve as a testament to the reality of the resurrection, offering a solid basis for faith that transcends time and culture. [01:29]

1 Corinthians 15:14-15 (ESV): "And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised."

Reflection: How does the historical reality of the resurrection influence your personal faith journey today? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and conviction of this foundational event?


Day 2: The Unique Significance of Jesus' Resurrection
Jesus' resurrection sets him apart from all other religious figures, transforming him from a mere rabbi or a failed messiah into the living Son of God. This event was the turning point for his followers, who were initially filled with doubt and uncertainty. The resurrection transformed their skepticism into unwavering belief, compelling them to spread the message of Jesus' divinity and his victory over death. The resurrection is not just a miraculous event; it is the defining moment that validates Jesus' teachings and his identity as the Savior. [04:14]

Acts 2:32-33 (ESV): "This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing."

Reflection: In what ways does the resurrection of Jesus challenge you to live out your faith more boldly? How can you share the significance of this event with others in your life?


Day 3: The Emotional Journey of the Resurrection Narrative
The narrative of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection is rich with human emotions and reactions. His followers were not expecting a resurrection; they were prepared to mourn a lost leader. Yet, the empty tomb and the appearances of the risen Christ changed everything. This transformation is vividly captured in the story of Thomas, who doubted until he saw Jesus with his own eyes. Jesus' response to Thomas is a timeless message for all generations: blessed are those who believe without seeing. The resurrection narrative invites us to explore our own doubts and to find faith in the midst of uncertainty. [19:06]

John 20:27-29 (ESV): "Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.' Thomas answered him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, 'Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'"

Reflection: What doubts or uncertainties do you currently face in your faith journey? How can you seek Jesus' presence and reassurance in these areas?


Day 4: The Resurrection's Reframing of Life and Faith
The resurrection of Jesus reframes our understanding of life and faith, assuring us that his teachings are true and his promise of eternal life is real. This event invites us to not only believe in the historical facts but to trust in Jesus personally. The resurrection is a declaration that death has no hold on us, offering a profound hope that transforms our perspective on life and eternity. This Easter, the invitation is to embrace the reality of the resurrection and to allow it to shape our daily lives and spiritual journey. [22:51]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: How does the promise of eternal life through Jesus' resurrection impact your daily decisions and priorities? What changes can you make to align your life more closely with this hope?


Day 5: The Invitation to Eternal Life through Faith
Jesus' resurrection is a powerful declaration that death has been conquered, and through faith in him, we are offered eternal life. This victory over the grave is an invitation to believe and trust in Jesus, embracing the new life he offers. The resurrection is not just a past event; it is a present reality that calls us to live in the light of eternity. As we reflect on the resurrection, we are encouraged to examine our own faith and to respond to Jesus' invitation with open hearts and willing spirits. [31:06]

Romans 6:4-5 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his."

Reflection: What does it mean for you to walk in the newness of life that Jesus offers? How can you actively respond to his invitation to eternal life today?

Quotes

We believe Jesus rose from the dead because a first century follower of Jesus named Matthew documented the life of Jesus and documented the resurrection. And we believe because a Greek named Mark who was a friend of Peter got Peter's story out of Peter and concluded in the first century that Peter was telling the truth and that Jesus actually rose from the dead. [00:01:38]

And we believe because the apostle Paul who stepped onto the pages of history as someone who was committed to doing away with the church concluded that Jesus was in fact the Jewish messiah, he was the son of God, and that he actually rose from the dead, and he knew this because of a personal revelation and because he spent so much time with Peter and Andrew and James and John and James, the brother of Jesus. [00:03:23]

Apart from the resurrection, Jesus was just another Jewish rabbi that went off the rails. Apart from the resurrection, Jesus is just another wannabe messiah executed by Rome. They come and they go. And the people who were closest to Jesus are so excruciatingly honest, in fact it's one of the reasons you should take their account seriously. They do not write themselves into the story as heroes in the story. [00:04:21]

Nobody, nobody, even his closest followers, even the most committed among them, nobody expected no body. Nobody was standing outside the tomb counting down from 10 backwards on Easter morning, 10, nine, eight, cue the sun, seven, six, nobody was out there because every single person who loved and was devoted to Jesus determined they had been fooled, they had been tricked, he was not who he claimed to be. [00:04:58]

And John, who was there for all of this says, at that point the soldiers took charge of Jesus. And carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the skull. Again, John is writing this as an old man thinking back. He's dictating this probably, because he's too old to see. He probably can't write by this time. He's dictating this and someone is taking this down in Greek because Greek is the language of the Empire, that part of the Empire, and this is a story for the whole world about simply a part of the world. [00:12:11]

And John said, I was there and I heard him utter his last word when he said, "It is finished." And then he said I watched as he bowed his head and died. And then John does the most unusual thing. These are words that if you are reading the gospel on your own you would get to these words and skip right by because they don't seem significant. They don't seem to carry any meaning and they are extraordinarily, extraordinarily important. [00:13:45]

And John said, speaking of himself, he saw and when he saw, he put two and two together. And he believed. And his world changed. Because the resurrection of Jesus reframed his entire life. It reframed everything about his life. Suddenly it dawned on him, everything Jesus taught was true. Everything Jesus said about God the father was true. [00:22:29]

And Thomas answered and said to him, my lord, wow, my God. And then Jesus told him, Thomas I understand why you doubted. Thomas, I understand why you didn't believe. Thomas, you're just like the rest of these guys. Don't let 'em fool you, don't let them give you a nickname like Doubting Thomas, because none of the believed. All of them doubted, not one single guy in this room believed I was risen from the dead until they saw me, even when they looked into that empty tomb. [00:28:04]

And then John closes his account with this, he closes it with an invitation for all of us. And his invitation is simple. It's what he has said throughout his gospel. John would say, I just want you to believe that. And then I want you to trust in. I want you to believe that my testimony is true and I want you to believe that Jesus is who Jesus claimed to be. [00:29:25]

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. I want you to believe that. But I want you to personally trust in. And why? If we were to ask John why, these would be our words, not his, but this would be his message. He would say, I'll tell you why. Because there came that morning, that sealed, that punctuated, that authenticated the promise. [00:30:35]

For God so loved the whole world, John concluded after being with Jesus, that he gave us his only son, the light of the world, the word became flesh, that whoever, here it is, believes in him, would not be lost to God, would not perish, but have, John says don't ask me to explain it, I'm just telling you, would have eternal life. That was Jesus' invitation to John. [00:31:27]

And our hope this Easter season is that that would become personal for you. That based on John's account you would believe that. And then you would trust in. [00:32:00]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?