Review:
• The most amazing statement begins in the book of Genesis –in the beginning God created –Created what – a physical universe –there was something else
• The bible reveals what He wanted for it and the fact that Humans were special -He wanted relationship with us – we had/have the power to choose and we did and have – therefore we are in bondage – to what?
• Its revealed in the curse that began in the garden of Eden
• 2 aspects of the curse – consequences because of our actions – but also the curse of judgement because we are responsible for our actions –legally guilty – consequences death – 2 kinds
• God reveals the second kind of death (eternal –at the judgement seat) is taken care of – we can believe it because Jesus proves He can raise from the dead
• We have been walking through how the old testament reveals a covenant God was willing to make with mankind – ultimately with every person
• The covenant reveals Gods perspective –left to ourselves we are in bondage to spiritual forces – deceiving spirits that claimed godhood
• The Old and the New Testament reveals God and this choice we all must make – and what we do determines what God will do –judgement day
Revelation 20:11–14 (NIV)

Ultimately: We are all in bondage to physical death and the knowledge that there is a judgement day that will determine the destination of our souls for eternity
John 3:16–18 (NIV) 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Intro: This week we are dealing with the reality of death – and Gods desire to release us from the bondage of its inevitability – We celebrate at Easter the Resurrection of Christ which can free us from the bondage of death.
The Bondage can take different forms
• In bondage to lies about what comes next
• In Bondage to ignorance –ignorance does not mean innocence
• In bondage to the reality of an eternal bondage to separation from God
God wants us to be aware of reality (spiritual and physical)

1. Who is Paul?
• He was a skeptic –A Pharisee who was there early – the death of Stephen weeks after the resurrection.
• He participated in the persecution of the early church in Jerusalem and in the surrounding areas
• Notice Paul has now been converted and has started churches all around the known world at the time of writing the book of 1 Corinthians (20 yrs. after the resurrection)

2. Why does he believe?
• Passed on according to the scriptures –Old and New Testament
• The witnesses –He knows them and their testimony
• The risen Jesus appeared to him

1 Corinthians 15:1–27 (NIV)
Looking back 20 years earlier- Pentecost–when the disciples began the church
• Notice where they are – Jerusalem and they had been out of sight for almost two months
• The miraculous entry of the Holy Spirit gave prophecy and was confirming
• Jesus’ miracles they saw – and all the others had seen
• Jesus had made statements and then confirmed those words by raising from the dead
The first sermon in the new church
Acts 2:22–24 (NIV)
Acts 2:29–32 (NIV)
John 11:25–26 (NIV) 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

1 Corinthians 15:10–27 (NIV)

3. What has it cost him—and the other witnesses?
• If Jesus was not raised – we are the most to be pitied –why would he say this
• Persecution – condemned because they are false witnesses concerning Christ and the Father

4. Why was he willing to endure it?
• God made a new covenant in Christs blood – and for those who had accepted it – death abolished for him and all those who believed
• Because his perspective of life on earth and death has totally changed
• There is more than what we see
• Jesus showed them the other side
• They knew where they stood with God – the covenant God had made with each of them had changed eternity for them
2 Timothy 1:6–10 (NIV) 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

5. The early church – the Corinthians believed the Apostles -why?
• They knew the apostles – their character
• They knew the story was true
• It would cost them but their view was changed –
• Notice what He has received for his belief

6. What about you? —will you accept the new covenant in the blood of Christ?
For believers we are reminded of it in communion
1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (NIV)

For those who want the new covenant with God –today -choose

Acts 2:36–39 (NIV) 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this
Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When the people heard
this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles,
“Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every
one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you
will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children
and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

John 11:25–26 (NIV) 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The
one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by
believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

For Small Group Discussion
Opening Question: What has been the most significant event you have seen in your lifetime?
Main Point: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a true story that changes everything. It verifies that all the things God said are true in Christ. It reminds us that the physical world is not all there is, or what is most important. And it compels us to share the good news that God wants to make a new covenant with each of us.

Main Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Head Questions
• Why does Paul call himself the least of all the apostles?
• Do you think you would have believed Jesus prior to His resurrection? How would witnessing His resurrection change your view?
Heart Questions
• How has your perspective of death changed since becoming a Christian?
• What would you pass on “as of first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3) to the people you love?
Hands Questions
• What is something you are contemplating this Easter season?
• How does the resurrection affect your everyday life? (Or was His grace to you without effect? 1 Cor. 15:10)
Additional Scripture: John 20, Revelations 1:17-18
Tips and Resources: “Reliability of the Resurrection” message by Bill Krause and Titus Leger: reallifeministries.com/watch-listen or on the Real Life App. Book: I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist by Norman L. Geisler & Frank Turek

To watch Jim and the Sermon Team on The Overtime Podcast, go to: https://bit.ly/RLOvertime
For more sermon resources, podcasts, and other tools go to: https://realliferesources.org/current-series/