6. Live by faith not by sight
 Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain
 Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present
time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us.
 Philippians 1:23-24
I am hard pressed between the two. My
desire is to depart and be with Christ,
for that is far better. But to remain in the
flesh is more necessary on your account.

7. I. Introduction
Christ's resurrection is the defining
event of our faith and all of history.
It demonstrates Jesus' power over
death, confirms His divinity, and
provides a powerful example of the
Lord's ability to keep His word.
The resurrection of Jesus is critical to
the gospel message and to Christianity
itself.

8. II.
The disciples initially responded to
the resurrection from a human
perspective
A. Although Jesus had told the disciples He
would be killed and rise three days later,
they thought the crucifixion was the end.
B. They had seen Him perform miracles,
listened to His sermons, and watched His
life for years.
C. But the Scriptures give no record that any
of the Lord's followers waited outside His
tomb for the resurrection.

9. Examples of unbelief
The women who visited the grave after the
Sabbath came prepared to anoint a dead
body.
The disciples could not comprehend the
eyewitness report of the empty tomb; the
women's words "appeared to them as
nonsense" Luke 24:11
Peter, who ran to the grave, simply marveled
at the vacant burial place (Luke 24:12). I
believe he didn't yet realize that Jesus had
risen.

10. The two men on the road to Emmaus
didn't recognize Christ at first (Luke
24:13-35).
Thomas told his friends that he would
have to touch the wounds on Jesus'
hands and side before he would believe
their good news (John 20:25).

11. III. What difference does it make if
we believe in the resurrection?
1st
The biblical concept of the afterlife
includes the resurrection of all people
and then the judgment.
But some people choose to believe that
when this life ends, they will cease to
exist.
This perspective enabled some within the
church at Corinth to justify immorality.

12. 2nd
Paul challenged the Corinthian church
 1 Cor. 15:14, 17
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our
preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is
vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Our entire faith rests on the resurrection.
If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then
Bible study, tithing, sharing the gospel,
and all other spiritual practices are a
waste of time.

13. But the fact is, He did rise from the
grave.
The moment we receive Him as Savior,
the Holy Spirit resides within us and
gives us the power to live victorious
Christian lives.

14. 3rd
Those who don't believe Jesus rose from
the dead must rely on themselves.
That may work during this life.
But even those who were confident that
death would bring oblivion often have
last-minute doubts when facing their
own mortality and God's judgment
 Heb. 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment

15. IV. What is the evidence
that Christ is risen?
1st
When Jesus rose from the dead
He ascended to the Father and offered
Himself as the only adequate sacrifice
for the sins of mankind.
Right now, He sits at the Father's right
hand and makes intercession for you
and me.

16. 
Not only did Christ die for us; He
lives eternally for us and
promises never to leave or
forsake us
 Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and
be content with such things as ye have: for he
hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

17. 2nd
We have a clear conscience and the
assurance that our sins are forgiven.
In the midst of life's challenges, you and I
have supernatural confidence and peace.
We can testify for the past years of
walking with the Lord
He has proven His sufficiency in every
circumstance of our life.

18. V. What if you don't believe
Christ rose from the dead?
1st
 Jesus predicted that He would be killed
and then rise within three days (John
2:19-21).
If He lied about that, how much
confidence can we place in His other
promises?
I believe that those who deny the
resurrection also reject Jesus

19. If you don't accept that Christ rose from the
grave, then you have no hope of reuniting in
heaven with your loved ones who have
passed on to glory.
Death is the end.
In contrast, those of us who believe in the
resurrection have the promise that if we are
"absent from the body . . . [we are] at home
with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8).
We can look forward to living forever with our
believing friends and family

20. VI. The Proclamation of Jesus' Name
 Christ told His disciples that "repentance
for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed
in His name to all the nations" (Luke
24:47).
 Missions can include medical attention or
supplies of food and clothing, but their
primary goal should be to proclaim the
name of Jesus.

21. If we don't share the gospel with
people, we are ignoring their most
important need—forgiveness of sins
so they can experience eternal life.

22. VII. Conclusion
 Without the resurrection, Christianity
would lose its unique and powerful
message.
 The gospel promises us that the Son of
God came to earth to die for our sins—and
that He rose on the third day, triumphant
over the grave.
 Because He is risen, you and I can face
both life and death with confidence,
knowing He is always with us.