First Baptist Church Easter Worship Service 2006 Dillon, Montana
Title: Faith in the Gospel
Text: I Corinthians 15:1-11
Introduction: Give away money — see if someone will receive a $10.00 bill. To receive a gift you have to reach out and take it. (Read I Corinthians 15:1-4 – Point out that Paul had received the Gospel, and then through his testimony the Corinthians had received the Gospel) Then give away a counterfeit $10.00 bill and have them examine it – Ask, “Is there something wrong with that bill?” “How do you know it is a fake?” By examining it! The claims of Christianity can be examined. Our faith and belief is not a blind jump. Do you remember last Easter when I read Josh McDowll’s testimony? He set out to prove Christianity false and soon found out that the evidence was completely and overwhelmingly in favor of the accuracy and authenticity of the Bible. He went from scoffing at the truth to receiving the truth of the Good News message. Many if not most of us here can testify that we have experienced what John 1:12 says, “But as many as received [Jesus Christ], to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” From our passage today I would like to draw out three inferences that show our faith to be reasonable: 1) Faith in the Gospel is based upon the Scriptures, 2) Faith in the Gospel is validated by the Resurrection, 3) Faith in the Gospel is confirmed by personal experience.
I. Faith in the Gospel is based upon the Scriptures: “according to the scriptures” (vs.1-4).
A. Old Testament Scriptures foretold of Christ’s substitutionary death for sin
Isaiah 53:6-11 – A detailed account of Christ’s passion 700 years before it happened.
B. Old Testament Scriptures foretold of Christ’s resurrection from the grave
Psalm 16:9-10 – David’s prophecy that the Messiah would not stay in the grave.
Some people like to give you the impression that all educated people know that the Bible record is not reliable. However, many educated people have attested to it authenticity:
E.M. Blaiklock, Professor of Classics, Auckland University “I claim to be an historian. My approach to Classics is historical. And I tell you that the evidence for the life, the death, and the resurrection of Christ is better authenticated than most of the facts of ancient history . . .”
Clark Pinnock, Mcmaster University, “There exists no document from the ancient world, witnessed by so excellent a set of textual and historical testimonies . . . Skepticism regarding the historical credentials of Christianity is based upon an irrational bias.
F.F. Bruce, Manchester University, “If the New Testament were a collection of secular writings, their authenticity would generally be regarded as beyond doubt.”
In the last few years there has been another attack on the authenticity of the Bible. It has come through a book entitled, The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown. Present RBC pamphlet, “The Da Vinci Code, Separateing Fact from Fiction.”
II. Faith in the Gospel is validated by the Resurrection: “He rose again” “was seen” (vs.4-8).
Testimony of living eyewitness: Peter said in 2 Peter 1:16 “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”
Josh McDowll highlights 6 facts that attest to the resurrection of Christ:
1. Broken Roman Seal
2. Empty Tomb
3. Large stone moved
4. Roman guard goes AWOL
5. Grave clothes – Tomb was not completely empty – empty grave cloths – undisturbed in form and position.
6. Jesus’ appearances confirmed
Read I Corinthians 15:5-8 – Note – “was seen”
Our faith is empty and aimless if Christ did not raise from the dead (I Cor.15:13-18).
III. Faith in the Gospel is confirmed by personal experience: “by the grace of God” (vs.9-11).
A. A life unchanged by belief – “vain” – vs.2
B. A life changing belief - “not in vain” -vs. 9-11
Conclusion: Have you received the message of the Gospel? Have you believed in Jesus Christ as the one who died for your sins, and rose again–proving that He can save you and give to you the gift of eternal life and peace with God?
