Why the Literal Resurrection Changes Literally Everything 1 Corinthians 15:12–23 (NLT) 12 But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. 23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. BIG IDEA If Jesus really rose from the dead, then following Him isn’t a leap of faith—it’s the most reasonable response to reality. Resurrection is rooted in historical . Evidence #1 — Early Eyewitness Testimony 1 Corinthians 15:1–9 (NLT) Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. 3 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. 9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. Evidence #2 — Women as First Witnesses Evidence #3 — No body produced. Resurrection explains the disciple's . Evidence #4 — Willingness to Suffer & Die Evidence #5 — Conversion of Skeptics 1 Corinthians 15:8-9 (NLT) Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. 3 most common skeptical claims are: 1. The disciples experienced hallucination visions. 2. Their stories expanded over time. 3. Miracles don’t happen. What Now? 1. You Can Trust Jesus Completely 2. Your Faith Has a Solid Foundation 3. Your Future Is Secure 1 Peter 1:3 (NLT) We have a living hope because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (NLT) For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. Continuing the Conversation What have you been doing with your doubts? What would it look like to actually investigate your faith? Are you living like this is true? Grow On Your Own Video Interview: Jeremiah Johnston - The Book of Enoch, Nephilim and the Ark of the Covenant | SRS #293 Davos WEF: Dr Jeremiah Johnston Evidence for the Resurrection Book: Jesus Discoveries, Johnston