Big Idea: God’s purpose for you is established in His provision for you. Evidence for the Resurrection 1. Jesus’ followers claimed a resurrection but none of them expected it. The most logical reason they believed Jesus was alive, is that Jesus was alive Mark 16:1–3 1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” Mark 9:9–10 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. Mark 9:31–32 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. Mark 16:4–8 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Evidence for the Resurrection 2. Historical documentation backs the Resurrection. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, far and away, is the most well-documented event in world history! Evidence for the Resurrection 3. The lack of conflicting evidence. No conflicting historical evidence could be produced because there was no body to produce. We Find Our Purpose in the Resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:20 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead… 1 Corinthians 15:21–22 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Next Week’s Text: Psalm 103