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1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - MOST IMPORTANT TRUTH.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (NLT) I passed on to you what was MOST IMPORTANT and what had also been passed on to me. CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and HE WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 HE WAS SEEN BY PETER and then by THE TWELVE. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 OF HIS FOLLOWERS at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by JAMES and later by ALL THE APOSTLES. 8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I ALSO SAW HIM.

INTRODUCTION

   The central theme of the Good News is given in these verses, a key text for the defense of Christianity. These are the four most important points:
   (1) Christ Died For Our Sins, just as the Scriptures said. Without the truth of this message, Jesus Christ's death was worthless, and those who believe in him remain in their sins without hope. However, Christ, as the sinless Son of God, took the punishment for sin so that those who believe in him can have their sins removed. Christ's death on the cross was no accident or afterthought. It had been part of God's plan from all eternity in order to bring about the salvation of all who believe in him.
   (2) He Was Buried. The fact of Jesus' burial reveals the reality of his death. Many have tried to discount the actual death of Christ, but Jesus did in fact die and was buried in a tomb.
   (3) He Rose From The Dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said. Christ was raised permanently - forever. He was raised from the dead on "the third day," as noted in the Gospels
   (4) His Resurrection Witness. Paul assures us that many people saw Jesus after his resurrection: Peter, the rest of the 12 apostles, more than 500 Christian believers (most of whom were still alive when Paul wrote this, although some had died), James (Jesus' brother), all the apostles, and finally Paul himself. The resurrection of Jesus stands as a historical fact. Don't be discouraged by doubters who deny the Resurrection. Be filled with hope because of the knowledge that one day you - and they - will see the living proof when Christ returns. [Life Application SB 2019 mod]

COMMENTARY PEARL

Many Witnesses
   An Amazing Fact: Sir William Ramsay, a renowned archeologist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, set out to disprove the historicity of the New Testament. Traveling to Asia Minor, he began to uncover evidence. It wasn't what he expected. Each dig provided further indication that the historical accounts of the New Testament were very accurate. Overwhelmed and convicted by the mountain of evidence, Sir Ramsay eventually became a Christian.
   There were a multitude of witnesses to verify the resurrection of Christ. Mary saw and spoke with Him. Peter and the other disciples saw Him, spoke with Him, touched Him, and even ate with Him on multiple occasions. Later, more 500 of His followers saw Him at one time.
   Why is it so important to be convinced of the resurrection of Jesus? Paul explains it this way: "And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished" (1 Corinthians 15:17, 18).
   Without the resurrection of Christ, the future would be hopeless and being a Christian would be pointless. Paul says that if we have hope in Jesus just in this life, "we are of all men the most pitiable" (verse 19).
   But We Are Convinced - Through The Witnesses In Scripture And Through Our Own Life-Transforming Experiences - That Jesus Lives. In Him, Our Future Is Secure. [Moving Mountains by Amazing Facts]

COMMENTARY

Ancient mystery religions featured mythical stories of gods who died and were restored to life. These represented the seasons of the year; the deadness of winter, followed by the revitalization of plant life in the spring, in the never-ending, repeated cycles of nature. But such folklore offered no hope to the individual, who when fallen was planted in the ground, never to rise again. And then God broke into history in the person of Jesus Christ. It is no myth that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day as predicted in the Scriptures. It is no myth that the risen Jesus, who appeared to many witnesses, dies no more. And this, Paul says, is "of first importance" (v. 3). The endless, hopeless cycle represented in ancient nature and mystery religions was broken by a real, historical event: an event that displays the power of the true God - and offers mankind hope. The literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus is central to the Christian faith. It took place in history - in real space and time. And as Jesus was raised from the dead in this fashion, you and I will be too! [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]

Evidence Of The Resurrection
   There is more evidence that Jesus rose from the dead than there is that Julius Caesar ever lived. It is strange that historians will accept thousands of facts for which they can produce only shreds of evidence. But in the face of the overwhelming evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, they cast a skeptical eye. The Smithsonian Institution states:
   The Bible, in particular the historical books of the old testament, are as accurate historical documents as any that we have from antiquity and are in fact more accurate than many of the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, or Greek histories.
   These Biblical records can be and are used ... in archeological work. For the most part, historical events described took place and the peoples cited really existed.
   The world of science cannot unequivocally deny the Bible, and neither can history, based on the evidence. The Lord's Word is dependable: Jesus is risen!
What goes through your mind when scientists and historians find proof of biblical events? [Peace for Each Day by Billy Graham]

Certain of His Death
   An advice columnist received this letter about the Resurrection: "Dear Uticus, Our preacher said on Easter that Jesus just swooned on the cross and the disciples nurtured Him back to health. What do you think? Sincerely, Bewildered."
   Here was the response: "Dear Bewildered, Beat your preacher with a cat of nine tails with 39 heavy strokes. Nail him to a cross. Hang him in the sun for six hours. Run a spear through his heart. Embalm him. Put him in an airless tomb for 36 hours, and see what happens. Sincerely, Uticus."
   Inevitably, unbelievers will offer their own concepts regarding the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus in an attempt to discredit the Bible and its message. Among the most commonly held theories is "the swoon theory," proposing that Jesus didn't actually die on the cross, but went into a deep coma, or swoon. It further proposes that He was revived in the cool atmosphere of the tomb, was somehow able to get out of the tightly wrapped strips of cloth, and appeared to His disciples.
   Yet the Roman guards were the first to report the death of Jesus. They were experts at execution, and they would be put to death themselves if they allowed a condemned man to escape death. These soldiers were so certain Jesus was dead, they did not bother to break His legs. They thrust a spear into His body and out came blood and water (which occurs when the heart stops beating), giving them the final proof they needed.
   We can either believe or hang our doubts on some flimsy theory. But the death and Resurrection of Jesus means that one day, we all will stand before God and be held accountable. [By Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]

How To Know Your Faith is Fact
   Dr. Thomas Arnold, professor of history at Oxford, said a number of years ago, "I know of no fact in the history of mankind which is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort, to the understanding of a fair inquirer, than the great sign which God hath given us that Christ died and rose again from the dead."
   Along the same lines, noted attorney Sir Edward Clark said, "As a lawyer I have made a prolonged study of the evidences for the resurrection... To me the evidence is conclusive, and over and over again in the High Court I have secured the verdict on evidence not nearly so compelling."
   The evidence that Jesus Christ is alive is indeed compelling! What happened two thousand years ago had historical and documentary evidence. Yet many today question the death and resurrection of Christ because they didn't see it with their own eyes - a burden of proof they almost surely apply to Christian beliefs alone.
   We have the evidence. Christ died; He was buried; and was seen alive again three days later. To deny that is to deny the most reasonable conclusion of the eyewitness accounts. So stand firm in your faith, knowing that what you believe is as provable as any fact in history. The evidence is on our side!
   Stand Sure That Your Faith Is Fact Because Of The Overwhelming Evidence Of Christ's Death And Resurrection! [PowerPoint Today by Jack Graham; https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/powerpoint/]

CLOSING PEARL

Light Your World
   Opening a recent alumni letter from the University of California, Berkeley, I read the words Fiat lux. No, it's not a sweet Italian car. Below the Latin phrase was the translation: "Let there be light."
   I had arrived at the university in 1974, acne-scarred, self-conscious, and disconnected from God and people. But a year after I moved onto campus, a dorm mate, Karen Yee, showed me the verses in 1 Corinthians that listed people who had seen the risen Jesus. I realized that the resurrection of Christ was no myth. It was witnessed history! That shared insight poured mercy's light through me; it connected me to God and a world of brilliant, caring believers.
   The Word is active; it sparked God's love and a purpose-filled life for this former introvert. Fiat lux! Light breaks forth whenever we share an appropriate verse from God's Word as we chat or send text messages or e-mails. May we know the Word and be ready to be God's light-show of healing truth to the wounded and disconnected around us. Cindy Hinkle, author of Star of Wonder and other published works, is wife to Andrew and mother to Michael, Peter, and Jessica. [The One Year Bible Live Verse Devotional]

EXCELLENT SERMON ON THIS PASSAGE

Most Important Truth by Pastor Ryan Ashlock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPKBQeL3vTY

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/