The Encouragement of the Resurrection

Posted 11/4/2006 9:36:43 PM

The tale of Jesus' followers during the confusing times following His resurrection generally follow a certain pattern:

1. Discouragement because of unbelief
2. Encouragement because Jesus reveals Himself
3. Driven to action, to tell others about Jesus

• Mary at the tomb Mark 16:9-11
  
1. Weeping he is gone
   
2. Christ reveals Himself
   
3. She runs to tell the others
   
• Women at the tomb Mat 28:1-8
  
1. Come to mourn at the tomb 
2. Angels explain what has happened
   
3. They run to tell the others
   
• Peter Luke 24:11-12
  
1. Can't believe the women
   
2. Sees the empty tomb
   
3. Amazed at what has happened
   
• Two disciples Luke 24:13-35
  
1. Can't figure out what's happened
   
2. Christ reveals and explains Himself
   
3. They tell the others
   
• 10 apostles without Thomas John 20:19-23
  
1. Don't believe all the reports of Christ risen
   
2. Christ reveals Himself
   
3. They were glad (to say the least) to see Him
• All remaining 11 apostles John 20:24-29
  
1. Hiding again
   
2. Christ proves Himself to Thomas
   
3. Thomas believes Jesus is God
• Eleven apostles Mat 28:16,17
  
1. At the urging of the women, unbelievingly head to Galilee per Jesus' instructions
   
2. Jesus appears again
   
3. They are commanded to spread the teachings of Christ
   
• Seven disciplines fishing John 21:1-28
  
1. Back in unbelief, about to return to their fishing trade
   
2. Christ reveals Himself again
   
3. They are commissioned on a mission of service

Following this pattern of unbelief, look at Paul's treatise on the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 - The hope of a better future!

• Christ is alive!
  
• All shall be made alive 1Cor 15:22
  
• He will reign 1Cor 15:25
  
• Death will be abolished 1Cor 15:26
  
• We will be resurrected!
  
• Life comes from death, like a seed 1Cor 15:36-37
  
• We think our "seed" lives are so good, but what is a seed compared to a fruitful stand of wheat?
  
• We shall be changed! 1Cor 15:51
  
• Imperishable glory, power, and spiritual wholeness after our own resurrection 1Cor 15:54
  
• We have the victory 1Cor 15:57
  
• Therefore 1Cor 15:58
• Be steadfast
  
• Immovable
  
• Abounding in God's work
  
• Our work is not in vain in the Lord

All verses in this article