9/30/2017. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

Transcription

1 WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT Turning Point Church 10/1/17 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God s holy people. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 1

2 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 2

3 1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 3

4 Q. WHAT S MORE IMPORTANT THAN FAITH? A. THE OBJECT OF YOUR FAITH And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 4

5 25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this? After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead. HALLUCINATIONS WRONG TOMB 5

6 SWOON STOLEN CREDIBLE WITNESSES 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. Confucius' tomb occupied Buddha's tomb occupied Mohammed's tomb occupied Jesus' tomb EMPTY 6

7 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Dear God. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sin. I want to give you control of my life. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of the Holy Spirit and eternal life. Help me to know you better and to learn from the Bible how I can live a life that pleases you and helps others. Amen. SERIES INTRO: ARE YOU PREPARED TO CONTEND FOR THE FAITH? INTRO: JESUS RESURRECTION: SOLID FOUNDATION OR SINK HOLE? 1. KNOW WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT? 2. THE RELIABILITY OF THE RESURRECTION 3. REFUTE THE FALSE THEORIES CONC: WILL YOU CHOOSE TO BELIEVE? 7

8 Follow- Through Guide 8