Because Jesus Was Raised

Because Jesus Was Raised...We Labor in Victory.

Introduction:

  1. He won the greatest Prize . (1 Cor 15:50-53)

    1 Thessalonians 4:16 - For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Why I Believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture:

  1. It's the most Straightforward understanding of the biblical language.
  2. We never see the church in the Tribulation in Revelation.
  3. God has a track record of Removing His people before He judges the wicked.
  1. He defeated the greatest Enemy . (1 Cor 15:54-57)
  2. He gives us the greatest Purpose . (1 Cor 15:58)

    Revelation 21:8 - But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

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Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Cor 15:50-58

  1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

  2. Do you believe in the rapture? If yes, when do you believe it will happen? If not, why not?

  3. What, specifically, is “the work of the Lord” (1 Cor:58)? How is this carried out in our pandemic age?

  4. What can we be doing NOW to be “steadfast and immovable” when persecution comes (1 Cor:58)? How can the church help prepare people for this?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Because Jesus Was Raised...We Will Be Raised in a New Body.

Introduction:

What happens to me when I die?

Philippians 1:23 - ...my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

2 Corinthians 5:8 - ...we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

John 5:28-29 - Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

When do these resurrections take place?

Daniel 12:2 - And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Acts 24:15 - ...there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

What is the resurrection body like? (1 Cor 15:35-49)

  1. Your body now is like a " Seed" , your resurrected body is like a "plant". (1 Cor 15:36-38)
  2. Your resurrected body will be Similar but Different but Better . (1 Cor 15:39-42a)
  3. Your resurrected body will never have earthly Weaknesses . (1 Cor 15:42b-44)
    1. Perishable vs. Imperishable : Decay
    2. Dishonor vs. Glory : Sin
    3. Weakness vs. Power : Strength
    4. Natural vs. Spiritual : Environmental Suitability
  4. Your resurrected body is just like Jesus' glorified body. (1 Cor 15:45-49)

    Philippians 3:21 - who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body...

In Light of Your Future Makeover: What Do We Do With This Now?

Information

1 Thessalonians 4:13 - But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

Consolation

1 Thessalonians 4:18 - Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Purification

1 John 3:2-3 - Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint:
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Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Cor 15:35-49

  1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

  2. Describe the 4 contrasts between your earthly body and your glorified body from 1 Cor 15:42-44.

  3. What was Jesus’ glorified body able to do that you are excited to think about your glorified body being able to do?

  4. Read 1 John 3:2-3. How does the knowledge of our future glorified bodies motivate us to purify ourselves today?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Because Jesus Was Raised...We Walk a New Path.

Introduction:

Romans 1:4 - and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord...

Getting Real About Resurrection (1 Cor 15:12-34):

  1. Consider the Alternative : What if there is no resurrection? (1 Cor 15:1-2)
    1. Preaching the gospel is meaningless. (1 Cor 15:12-14a)
    2. Faith in Christ is meaningless. (1 Cor 15:14b)
    3. Your Bible is blasphemous. (1 Cor 15:15)
    4. There is no Forgiveness of sin. (1 Cor 15:16-17)
    5. Believers who have died are Gone Forever . (1 Cor 15:18)
    6. Christians are the Worst . (1 Cor 15:19)
  2. Understand the Order : When will it happen? (1 Cor 15:21-28)
  3. Live in the Promise : Walk a new path. (1 Cor 15:29-34)
    1. My new path has no Fear . (1 Cor 15:29-32)
    2. My new path avoids bad Influences . (1 Cor 15:33-34)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint:
Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Cor 15:12-34

  1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

  2. Honestly - how much has fear affected you in the last year (1 Cor 15:31-32)? Why do you think that is?

  3. How do you balance truly befriending lost people without becoming like them (1 Cor 15:33)

  4. *(BONUS) What does (1 Cor 15:29) mean?

Breakout
Pray for one another. Pray for those who heard the Gospel message at HBC and surrounding churches.

Because Jesus Was Raised...We Live in His Grace.

Introduction:

Daniel 12:2 - And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

John 5:29 - ...those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

2021-APR-Easter-BecauseJesusWasRaised_1400sq-sm.jpg

Witnesses to the Resurrection (1 Cor 15:1-11):

  1. The Church . (1 Cor 15:1-2)

    Romans 10:9 - because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

  2. Scripture . (1 Cor 15:3-4)

    Isaiah 53:10 - Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

    Psalm 16:10 (Acts 2) - For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

  3. Eyewitnesses (1 Cor 15:5-8)
  4. Global Impact . (1 Cor 15:11)

Three Realizations of Those Who Live in His Grace:

  1. I am Unworthy . (1 Cor 15:9)
  2. I am Defined by grace. (1 Cor 15:10a)
  3. I am Powered by grace. (1 Cor 15:10b)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint:
Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Cor 15:1-11

  1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

  2. How do you know when it’s really God’s grace working in you, and not just your own talents / strength / personality / etc (1 Cor 15:10)?

  3. How would you explain to a new believer what it means to “find your identity in Christ” (1 Cor 15:10)?

Breakout
Pray for one another. Pray for those who heard the Gospel message at HBC and surrounding churches.