Resurrection Proofs

Scripture:

Matthew 28:1-10 King James Version (KJV)

"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."

There are few historical events which are better documented or for which there is more conclusive evidence than the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. But, my message is not to review again those many infallible proofs of the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. Instead, I want to draw your attention to some of our Christian beliefs, teachings and hopes which are firmly established and confirmed as a result of the fact that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead.

We believe that the soul of man is immortal.  We believe that if a man dies he will live again, either in Heaven or in Hell. The resurrection of Christ from the dead proves the immortality of the soul.  It proves that death does not end it all.  There is life after death!

Jesus arose from the dead by His own power and ascended into Heaven

...never to die again.  

He is alive forever more!

Recorded in James 11:25-26, "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

Not only will our souls live on but our bodies will be resurrected and transformed into new bodies.  The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the dead proves the body is indestructible.  Jesus did not leave His body in the tomb and appear in the form of a spirit. When we as God's children come forth on that resurrection morning we too shall be clothed in new bodies.  (1 Corinthians 15:53 - "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.")

They will not be bodies exactly like the ones which are laid in the graves.  We will come forth from the grave with transformed bodies even as did our Lord.  They will be Spiritual bodies like unto His...His resurrected body in which He appeared to His disciples.  A real tangible body of flesh and bones.  The Bible says in Acts 10:41, "Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, evento us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead."  Yes, He ate with them.

I won't take the time today to delve into the nature and characteristics of our resurrected bodies but we do affirm that the resurrection of our Lord is proof of life after death in the bodily form.  He brought His dead body forth to life and He will do the same for us.

Further, the Resurrection of our Lord from the dead proves the infallibility of the Bible.  Christ coming into the world, His birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension unto Heaven are all foretold and fulfilled in the Word of God.  Jesus Himself said , "all things must be fulfilled which were written." (Luke 24:44)  "Thus it behoved Him to suffer and to rise from the dead on the 3rd day"....(Luke 24:46)

Christ arose and provided proof of the infallibility and immutability ( meaning, "unable to change)  of the inspired Word of God.  The disciples were living witnesses of that proof.  He said to them, "Ye are witness of these things." (Luke 24: 46-48).

The Resurrection of Jesus is 
conclusive proof the Bible 

is the inspired, infallible, immutable Word of God. 

 To refute it, disobey it or ignore it 
is to do so at ones own peril.  

Our Lord is alive and is coming back to this earth again, even as His infallible Word declares!  "He said, I will come again!" (John 14:3) 

 Search the Scriptures. 

 Jesus never made a promise which He did not keep or will not keep!  

He said, "Destroy this temple", (John 2:19) and He did.  He said, If I go away I will send another comforter the Holy Spirit, (John 14:16) and He did.  Another proof that He arose and was alive on that Easter morning...The angel said, He is not here for He is risen. (Matthew 28:6)  As "He" said, I will rise from the dead, (Mark 9:31) and He did.  

Friends, He said He would come again, (John 14:3) and He will.....yes He will.  

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Ye believe in God believe also in me.  In my Fathers house are many mansions.  If it were not so I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am ye shall be also."

His coming is inevitable

 because He arose and is alive!