He Is Risen: The Map to Get You Home

In one paragraph

Brad Yates brought an Easter Sunday message from 1 Corinthians 15 arguing that the resurrection of Jesus is not one piece of Christian belief among many but the foundation the whole faith stands or falls on. He worked through what the resurrection proves, what it achieves, and what it asks of the people who believe it. The sermon moved from the historical reality of the empty tomb to the practical...

Read together

1. Luke 24:1-8 opened the sermon, the women at the empty tomb
2. 1 Corinthians 15:14-20 main text, Paul's argument that faith is worthless without the resurrection
3. 1 Corinthians 15:17 key verse, faith is worthless and you are still in your sins if Christ has not been raised
4. 1 Corinthians 15:19 key verse, if hope in Christ is only for this life we are most to be pitied
5. John 14:6 Jesus claims to be the only way to the Father
6. Isaiah 53:5 servant song prophecy of a pierced and crushed Messiah, by his wounds we are healed
7. Psalm 22 David writes of pierced hands and feet and garments divided by lot, pointing to the crucifixion
8. Psalm 16 David foretells the resurrection, God will not let his holy one see decay
9. Acts 2 Peter quotes Psalm 16 in his first sermon at Pentecost
10. Romans 4 Paul discusses righteousness and faith in the context of the sacrificial system
11. Philippians 2 Jesus emptied himself, took on flesh, and became obedient to death on a cross
12. 1 Corinthians 15 Paul compares current body to a seed buried so the resurrection body can be the flower
13. John 15 Jesus calls disciples to abide in him
14. Matthew 28 the great commission, Jesus calls disciples to make disciples not merely converts
15. Revelation 3 Jesus stands at the door and knocks
16. John 6:37 whoever comes to Jesus he will never drive away
17. 1 Thessalonians 4 we do not grieve as those without hope
18. John 8 Jesus says you will die in your sins if you do not believe that I am he
19. Ephesians 3:16-19 closing benediction, prayer for power through the Spirit and grasping the fullness of Christ's love

Talk about it

1. Brad talked about how our culture treats spirituality like a cruise ship buffet, picking and choosing what to accept from Jesus while rejecting his exclusive claims. Where have you seen that in your own life or in people around you?
2. Brad shared that for a long time he attended church but still wanted to live life his own way, with a constant internal battle over who was lord of his life. Can you relate to that tension, and what did it look like for you?
3. Brad said the resurrection proves Jesus was neither a liar nor a lunatic but Lord, and that thoughtful critics of Christianity go after the resurrection first. How confident do you feel in what you know about the historical case for the resurrection, and what questions do you still have?
4. Brad described our resurrection hope not as floating on clouds but as an eternal restoration where everything sad becomes untrue and everything works for our good. How does that picture of eternity actually change the way you face hardship or loss right now?
5. Brad closed by challenging everyone to fit into one of three categories: decider, disciple, or discipler. Which of those three describes where you are right now, and what is the next concrete step in front of you?