Intro: Christianity is the only religion that can prove that its Founder did actually rise from the dead, though many others claim such for their founder. And: Christianity is the only religion that bases its acceptance by men upon whether they will believe and accept the resurrection of Christ. It is a CARDINAL doctrine of Christianity.

The resurrection of Christ is one of seven great deeds of God.

[1]. The creation of the angelic hosts.
[2]. The creation of the material universe, including man.
[3]. The incarnation, God becoming Man in Christ.
[4]. The death of Christ.
[5]. The Resurrection.
[6]. The Second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of all men.
[7]. The final bringing in of the new heavens and the new earth.

Of these seven great deeds and undertakings of God, the Resurrection of Christ is directly related to two (5 & 6).

I. Evidence And Proof Of The Resurrection Of Christ:

[1]. The Empty Tomb - with both friends and enemies there, as the first to not only witness the opening of the tomb, and to both explore the tomb to find it empty; the tomb was empty from the inside, the position of the grave clothes, and the testimony of the angels.
[2]. The Appearance of Christ - being seen by the apostles, close friends and over five hundred believers (1 Cor. 15:4-7).
[3]. The Change in the Disciples - from being disappointed, despondent, disillusioned, defeated followers of a "lost cause", into great preachers of faith and power.
[4]. The Change in the Lord's Day - who would dare change the original Sabbath, and for what reasons and upon what grounds? The first believers were Jews, and they changed the time-honored seventh day to the first day because of the resurrection of Christ.
[5]. The Testimony of the Believers - if the resurrection of Christ was a myth, and could not be trustworthy, then they would not have chosen it as the "cornerstone" of their preaching and faith.
[6]. The Christian Church - the church was established because of the resurrection, with the Living Christ as the Head. Men who knew this, and believed, gathered to study the Bible, for fellowship, etc., because of the resurrection.
[7]. The New Testament - without the resurrection of Christ there would be no message, no gospel, no church, etc. to give reason for writing the New Testament, which mentions His resurrection 104 times.

II. Seven reasons Why Christ Rose For The Resurrection:

There is only ONE general reason for the DEATH of Christ, and that reason is SIN: while there are at least SEVEN reasons given for the RESURRECTION.

[1]. He arose because of what He is - being the Eternal son, it is not possible for Him to be holden of death (Acts 2:24).
[2]. He arose because of who He is - being the Son of David, He must yet sit upon David's throne (2 Sam. 7:16; Lk. 1:31-33; Acts 2:25-31; Rom. 1:3-4).
[3]. He arose to be Head over all things to the church which is His body (Eph. 1:19-20).
[4]. He arose to be the Giver of resurrection life (Jn. 12:24).
[5]. He arose to impart His resurrection power (Matt. 28:18; Rom. 6:4; Eph. 1:19-20).
[6]. He arose that sinners might be justified (Rom. 4:25).
[7]. He arose that He might appear in Heaven as the pattern, the first fruits, of all who, being saved and conformed to Him, will yet appear with Him in glory (1 Cor. 15:20-23; Phil. 3:20,21).

 

III. Christ's Resurrected Body As A Pattern For Others:

[1]. It was a real body, not a ghost. It was composed of "Flesh and Bones", could be touched, bore the marks of the crucifixion (Lk. 24:36-43).
[2]. It was freed from earthly limitations. He could appear through the room, etc. The resurrected body (glorified and redeemed) will be a body suited for eternal life for the spiritual nature of the soul, just as the physical body is now suited for earthly living.

 

IV. All Men Will Be Raised Since Christ Arose:

Since the resurrection of Christ, ALL MEN will be raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15:22); from Adam death came to all men, and with the Second Adam the resurrection of all men.

Judgment For The Unrighteous (Acts 17:31)

Eternal Life For The Believer (1 Thess. 4:14; 2 Cor. 4:14; Rom. 8:11)