We tackled the real, bodily resurrection of Jesus – it was a great discussion. Here are the notes. Please let me know if you have any questions. PWG

What is the Resurrection?
Jesus died on the cross – but did not stay in the tomb He was buried in – He rose and ascended to heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:14-19

Details of the Resurrection:
1. All four Gospels contain accounts of the resurrection – Matthew 28:1-20, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-53, and John 20:1-21:25
2. Other places in the NT where faith because of the resurrection is mentioned – Acts – 10,11,13,15,17,24,26
3. Jesus didn’t just come back to life – like Lazarus – but He came back to a new kind of life in a new body
4. It was a physical resurrection – Matthew 28:9, Acts 10:41, Luke 24:30 & 39, John 20:27

Results of the Resurrection:
1. 1 Peter 1:3 – born again with hope because of it
2. Victory over sin – not final here on earth but – sin has no hold over us anymore – Romans 6:11 & 14
3. It seals our standing before God – Romans 4:25, Hebrews 1:3
4. Because of His resurrection – we will have a resurrection of our own – 1 Corinthians 6:14, 2 Corinthians 4:14, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

Jesus’ Ascension:
1. Luke 24:50-51 – Jesus left earth and went to a specific place – heaven
2. Once He arrived there He was at God the Father’s right hand – Acts 2:33, Philippians 2:9
3. He receives praise – Revelation 5:12
4. His ascension lets us know what is in store for us – Romans 8:19

Proofs of the Resurrection:
1. Empty tomb – the fact that women are the primary witnesses to the original empty tomb is very important – no one in this day would have used the testimony of women as their primary source. Women’s testimony was admissible in legal matters but it was the least reputable. No one constructing a story would have picked women to the story tellers.
     4 theories about other alternatives:
        1. Conspiracy Hypothesis – the disciples took the body to keep the lie going that Jesus was God
       2. Apparent Death Hypothesis – Jesus didn’t really die
       3. Wrong Tomb Hypothesis – those going to see Jesus went to the wrong tomb
       4. Displaced body Hypothesis – Joseph who placed Jesus in the tomb actually came back and moved the body to a criminal graveyard

2. Post Resurrection appearances – 1 Corinthians account
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
‘For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. ‘

3. The existence of Christianity
The fact that Christianity started and grew is also evidence of the resurrection. For Jews, the Messiah was viewed as a figure that would be triumphant and rule on David’s throne, not a figure that would be crucified and die.
The resurrection of Jesus undid the catastrophe of the crucifixion. The Messiah, who had died, is risen! The resurrection validated and verified the claims Jesus had made about his own identity. The origin of Christianity rests solely on the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

I asked our young adult group at Glen Haven to answer 2 questions. One, what are some changes you’d like to make in your life during 2023? Second, what is a scripture passage that you could use as encouragement to keep fighting for that change when it gets tough? Here are the responses.

• To stop thinking something is wrong with me because I don’t think or act like everyone else.
  
  1 Corinthians 15:10
  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.
  
• Being more consistent – Being patient and willing
  
  Galatians 6:9
  Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary.
  
  Psalm 51:12
  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit
  
• Relying more on God instead of just myself
  
  Psalm 28:7
  The Lord is my strength and my shield;
  My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
  Therefore my heart triumphs,
  And with my song I shall thank Him.
  
• Recognizing the secret to contentment in this life is in Jesus Christ and His strength – and nothing else
  
  1 Thessalonians 5:18
  18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
  
  Philippians 4:11-13
  11 Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
  12 I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
  13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
  
• My confidence in God and in myself
  
  2 Corinthians 12:9
  And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
  
• Not trying to set new goals, but being a better follower of Christ where I am right now – student, employee, friend, sibling, child of my parents, church member
  
  Hebrews 12:1-3
  1 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
  
• Being judgmental towards others
  
  Matthew 7:1-3
  Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
  John 8:7
  And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”
  
• Take care of my body, physically become bigger and stronger
  
  1 Corinthians 6:19-20
  Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

• Quick to listen and slow to speak
  
  James 1:19
  Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
  
  James 1:2
  Be grateful while facing adversity
  Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
  
• Keep God first through everything
  
  Matthew 6:33
  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
  
  Exodus 20:3
  You shall have no other gods before me.

• Be careful about what comes out of my mouth
  
  Ephesians 4:29
  Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
  
• Pray about things more than I worry about things
  
  Philippians 4:6
  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
  
• Make some healthier choices like drinking more water
  
  James 3:10-12
  10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.
  11 Does a spring send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?
  12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
  
  John 4:14
  but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.
  
• Focus more on things that are truly important
  
  Philippians 4:8
  Finally, Brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
  
• Be more intentional with people
  
  Hebrews 10:24-25
  and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
  
• To have victory over a porn addiction
  
  Jeremiah 17:4
  And you will, even of yourself, let go of your inheritance that I gave you; and I will make you serve your enemies in the land which you do not know; For you have kindled a fire in My anger which will burn forever.
  
  Galatians 5:1
  It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
  
• More patience about things I have no control over
  
  Psalm 5:13
  In the morning, Lord, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will present my prayer to you and be on the watch.
  
• Pray more during the day – not just meals and at night
  
  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
  
• Be intentional in my relationship with Jesus and others
  
  Psalm 46:10
  Stop striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.
  
  Romans 5:3-5
  And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
  
  Philippians 4:9
  As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
  
• Love fiercely and don’t let worry or my busyness steal my joy
  
  James 1:2-4
  Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
  
• Live out of the overflow of my relationship with Jesus instead of trying to do it on my own
  
  John 10:10
  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.
  
  Romans 15:13
  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
  
  Ephesians 2:10
  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.