Matthew 28:1 ESV – Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
Matthew 28:2 ESV – And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.
Matthew 28:3-4 ESV – His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
Matthew 28:5 ESV – But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
Matthew 28:6 ESV – He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
Matthew 28:7 ESV – Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”
Matthew 28:8 ESV – So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Matthew 28:9 ESV – And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
Matthew 28:10 ESV – Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers…
Philippians 2:10,11 ESV – at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Resurrection Means Our Faith is Reasonable
John 11:25 ESV – Jesus Christ said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live…
8 Facts of Historical Agreement
1) Jesus Died by Crucifixion
2) Jesus was Buried
3) The Tomb was Empty
4) Jesus’ Death Made the Disciples Despair
5) The Disciples Believed They Literally Witnessed the Risen Jesus
6) The Disciples Preached the Resurrection of Jesus—Starting in Jerusalem
7) The Disciples Transformed from Cowardly Followers to Bold leaders
8) The Disciples were Tortured and Martyred for Preaching the Resurrected Jesus
“The evidence for the resurrection is better than for claimed miracles in any other religion. It’s outstandingly different in quality and quantity.” – Anthony Flew
…as a historian, I cannot explain the rise of early Christianity unless Jesus rose again, leaving an empty tomb behind him.”- N.T. Wright
“I have been used for many years to study the histories of other times and to examine and weigh the evidence of those who have written about them, and I know of no one fact in the history of mankind which is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort, to the understanding of a fair inquirer, than the great sign which God hath given us that Christ died and rose again from the dead.” – Thomas Arnold
The Resurrection Means Our Hope is Sure
Job 14:14 ESV – If a man dies, shall he live again?
“I have no idea what’s awaiting me, or what will happen when this all ends.” – Camus
“I would love to believe that when I die I will live again, that some thinking, feeling, remembering part of me will continue. But as much as I want to believe that, and despite the ancient and worldwide cultural traditions that assert an afterlife, I know of nothing to suggest that it is more than wishful thinking.” – Carl Sagan
“I believe that when I die I shall rot, and nothing of my ego will survive.” – Bertrand Russell
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 ESV – But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 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.
The New Testament writers speak as if Christ’s achievement in rising from the dead was the first event of its kind in the whole history of the universe. He is the ‘first fruits,’ the pioneer of life,’
He has forced open a door that has been locked since the death of the first man.
He has met, fought, and beaten the King of Death.
Everything is different because He has done so.” – C.S. Lewis
John 11:25 ESV – “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,”
Romans 8:11 ESV – If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Daniel 12:2 ESV – “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt”
John 5:28-29 Jesus said, “… for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds, to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment”
The Resurrection Means Our Lives Have Great Meaning
Matthew 28:18-20 ESV – And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
