Unveiling the Proof of the Resurrection

Sermon text: 1 Corinthians 15:1–3

Sermon prepared by the Holy Spirit and Pastor Andrew T. Okai

Resurrection Sunday

April 1, 2018

Introduction

Grace mercy and peace...

We are gathered in another grand celebration.

It has been over 2000 years since the news broke that a man named Jesus of Nazareth, the leader of the Christian faith, was raised from the dead. And since that time, there has been no such breaking news from any other religion:

• Mohammed of the Islamic faith – still dead
• Buddha Gautama of the Buddhist faith – still dead
• Joseph Smith of the Latter day saints – still dead

Jesus Christ of Nazareth of the Christian faith – was dead, but was raised to life, ascended on clouds into heaven...

I chose this subject this morning for two reasons.

• The Holy Spirit led me to this because there are Christians who see the as a fairy tale.
• This tale is the foundation of the Christian faith.

There are some things that I would like us to take into consideration as we celebrate this day in true faith.

Remind: This word carries the idea of being brought back to memory. Why is this so important for the church today? Because there is an apostasy movement that is spreading across America today even in so-called Christian churches that claims that Jesus is not the only way.

Stand: This word carries the idea that the faith of the church stands on the nothing else than the confession of the gospel of Christ. What is that confession? That Christ literally died for our sins; that Christ was literally buried after he died; that Christ was literally raised to life again on the third day.

This is our hope; it is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood, death, and resurrection.

One day death was in charge and we were in fear. Then one day our big brother Jesus came.

And now that he has conquered death, we stand in his victory.

• In hardship—we stand!
• Persecution—we stand!
• In abandonment—we stand!
• In sickness—we stand!
• In health—we stand!
• When we are broke—we stand!
• And even in death—we stand!

Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed—Hallelujah!