Resurrection

The Neighborhood Church

Resurrection is the emphasis of Christian hope that has been de-emphasized in American Pop Christianity. Maybe it's because of all the well-meaning funerals that speak of dearly departed souls on heavenly clouds. Maybe it's because of well-meaning Easter sermons that preach more about the victory of the cross than the mystery of the resurrection. Whatever the reason, hope in a bodily resurrection is the emphasis of Christian hope that needs reclaiming. Talk a walk with us through Paul's mind-blowing chapter in 1 Corinthians with us to see why this hope for tomorrow can transform your present. NOTES -- // SCRIPTURE FOCUS -- 1 Corinthians 15 1. We EXPLAIN why the resurrection is the biggest deal in Christianity // The resurrection is not just an ADD-ON, it’s the ENGINE that makes our whole faith run! // What started in the later Old Testament period as a whisper (Isa. 26; Ezek. 36; Daniel 11-12) becomes a shout in the New Testament 2. We EXPLORE the mystery of resurrection // The resurrection is the 2nd step in our “AFTER LIFE 2-STEP” 1. Resting in God’s presence 2. Resurrected at Christ’s return // What New Testament scholar N.T. Wright calls “Life AFTER life after death” BIG IDEA 1 -- Christian hope envisions a new kind of bodily existence for God’s new creation. 3. We EMPHASIZE the hope of resurrection // DEATH is the last enemy and the ultimate weapon of fear-mongering power-hungry oppressors. The Resurrection of Jesus put the world on notice that God is stronger than their strongest weapon. // So if Jesus is raised… - He is the true Lord - God’s new creation has begun - We’re witnesses (Matt. 28) and ambassadors (2 Cor. 5) BIG IDEA 2 -- Hope is the outcome of a new worldview when you realize that a new world is possible. BIG IDEA 3 -- God’s commitment to renewal and resurrection shows us that nothing good will be lost in the end. BIG IDEA 4 -- We hold onto hope not because we know the "How, when, or why" of the mystery of resurrection... we hold onto hope because we know Jesus who has gone before us.