1Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
Introduction
Salvation = escape from God’s judgment of sin by believing Jesus Christ, the Son of God died for my sin, was buried, and HE ROSE again
The argument is centered on whether he got up, and the very quality of your existence rests upon your faith in this historical and spiritual truth.
If I believe Jesus “got up” from the grave and “got out” of the tomb then I should also believe I can “get up and get out” of my life troubles!
There Are Many People Perishing Now Because They Have Nothing to Believe in Or Are at Minimum Confused
The latest Pew study shows that 78% of Americans still identify themselves as Christians, but only:
33% interpret Scripture as the literal word of God
79% believe in miracles (how can one have a miracle without believing in the Word?)
50% say they are absolutely convinced about the existence of life after death
70% believe in Heaven but only 56% believe in Hell (so many are confused and unsure about life, death and eternal judgment) (Gallup)
Jesus Saves and Gives 2nd Chances
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Lazurus' Second Chance (John 12:1)
"Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead." John 12:1
Woman with Blood Issue's Second Chance (Mark 5:25-29)
"28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” 29 Immediately ......she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction." Mark 5:28,29
Faith Unlocks My Power to Get Up and Get Out
1. The holy spirit provides us power (Acts 1:28)
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
2. Power to do great things (Acts 9:40)
"40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up."
I “get up and get out” by letting faith work in my head, heart and hands
1. My head must believe that with Christ nothing is impossible( Matthew 17:20)
"So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."
2. My heart must believe that Jesus is faithful (Hebrews 10:22a, 23)
"22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith....... 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."
3. My hands must faithfully work (James 2:20)
"But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?"
Get up and Get Out Today, By Believing in Jesus
The son of god, died for your sins, was crucified and is risen (romans 10:9-10).
"9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."