After the Cross

Dennis McCallum

Mark 16:1-8

Jesus' resurrection from the dead is the crux of the Christian faith. There are several compelling reasons to believe in its historical credibility, including: 1) failure to exhume the body; 2) lack of any interest in the burial place of Jesus; 3) reports by woman; 4) the spread of Christianity after the events of the cross; and 5) the willingness of the apostles to go to their death for their faith. Without a physical resurrection of Christ, Christianity ceases to exist and the faith is useless.

Joy of Knowing Christ

Jim Leffel

Philippians 3:1-16

The entire book of Philippians focuses on joy and rejoicing in what the Lord has done for us. In chapter 3 the Philippians are warned about people who teach that we have to rely on the good things we do to get right with God. Paul explains that either Jesus died for our sins or it is up to us; it cannot be both. The Bible says our adequacy comes from God. We cannot add or take away from our acceptability before Him. A testimony by Dave Durrell is included.\r\n

Raising a Man from the Dead

Gary DeLashmutt

John 11:1-46

Jesus performs the final miracle in a series of seven recorded miracles in the Gospel of John. Jesus resurrects a man named Lazarus after he had been dead for several days. This physical resurrection points to a larger claim from Jesus, that he has the authority to defeat death and offer spiritual resurrection as well. Jesus has an emotional reaction to Lazarus' death as death is unnatural and something that God has a plan to defeat fully.

The Rest of the Story - The Resurrection

Doug Patch

John 20:11-31

If Jesus never rose from the dead, our faith as Christians is futile and we are of all men most to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:19). It's easy to doubt that Jesus actually did resurrect because it was a supernatural event. We review common objections to its occurrence, evidence for it happening, and what that reality means for us.

The Rest of the Story - The Resurrection

Gary DeLashmutt

Luke 24:36-43

As believers it's vital that we provide evidence that Jesus was resurrected. Without that, our faith is futile. We can find more evidence supporting its reality than evidence against it. Here is the supporting evidence: we know that Jesus appeared to multiple people who were able to provide eyewitness testimony; the tomb was empty; and the church was started and then grew tremendously. Because we know that the resurrection occurred, we know that God accepted Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf.

The Rest of the Story - The Resurrection

Mary Barnum

1 Corinthians 15:1-19

Jesus' resurrection is the centerpiece of Christian theology because if it never occurred, our faith as Christians would be worthless. We are provided a plethora of evidence supporting its reality: we know that Jesus died and was buried; there was an empty tomb; and Jesus appeared to over 500 people after rising (most of whom were still alive and could give an account). The alternative theories don't add up. The validity of Jesus' resurrection implies that: Jesus vindicated his claim to be God; he offers eternal life; and he can transform our lives.

Resurrection

Jim Leffel

1 Corinthians 15:6-8

The claim the Bible makes for the resurrection of Christ has an abundant amount of evidence that can lead a person to the reasonable conclusion of truth. Exploring three areas of historical forensics can help bring us to the conclusion that Christ did raise from the dead. In the claim for the resurrection it is important to investigate the credible sources involved, unpack a comprehensive explanation, and compare this claim with any competing explanations. The reality of Christ's resurrection brings those who believe in Him a real hope.

The Emptying of Jesus

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 2:17-18

Christ emptied himself of his godly abilities in order to become a human and pay for humanities sins. Jesus depended on God in order to perform the miracles and work he did here on Earth. Christ humbled himself in order to save humanity.

The Non-Negotiables

Dennis McCallum

Romans 6:4

Paul emphasized the importance of the Gospel message to the Corinthians, that Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected which demonstrates that he was God and had paid for sin. All we have to do to be made righteous in God's eyes is to accept Jesus' death and resurrection as a payment for our own sins. Nothing should be added or removed from the Gospel that Paul preached.