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TITLE: What Happened to the Body?
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 15:12-17
PROPOSITION: Many have tried to "explain away" the resurrection.
QUESTION: Which?
KEY WORD: Theories
SCRIPTURE READING: Same

INTRODUCTION: Many accepted facts – Jesus lived, worked miracles, taught, died.

The resurrection is the CENTRAL issue for Christians. Romans 1:4

If no resurrection – then Jesus is not savior, Lord, Son of God.

Many theories try to explain away the resurrection.

Swoon Theory

  1. Accepts – trial, cross, side-pierced, loss of blood = swoon, coma.
  2. Three days later, wakes up, rolls away stone, overcomes Roman guards
  3. If Jesus did not die on the cross – When did he die? Where is the body?

Spiritualist Theory

  1. Apostles contacted Jesus’ spirit (in a séance) not in reality.
  2. Apostles did NOT expect to see Jesus again.
    Luke 24:11 – Words seemed as idle tales, they believed them not.
    Mary Magdalene – John 20:15 – thought he was a gardener.
    Apostles preached – bodily resurrection.
  3. Simple answer – open the tomb – show the body.

Vision Theory

  1. God showed the apostles a vision of the risen Lord.
  2. This takes a miracle to get rid of a miracle.
  3. This makes God show and teach a lie.
  4. Simple answer – open the tomb – show the body.

Mistaken Women Theory

  1. Guards would still be there. Luke 24:2
  2. Peter and John made the same mistake.
  3. Would you be willing to die preaching what you know is a lie?
  4. Simple answer – open the tomb – show the body.

Disciples stole the body Theory

  1. Died, suffered, imprisoned for what they knew was a lie.
  2. Why would the soldier say they fell asleep? Death for sleeping on duty.

Enemies stole the body Theory

  1. Why? This would give credence to the claim of resurrection.
  2. Should have produced the body at Pentecost.
  3. Did they destroy the body? They are the ones who wanted it to stay buried.

Conclusion

  1. Romans 4:25 Delivered for our offences, raised for our justification
  2. 1 John 3:2 We shall be like him, we shall see him as he is.
  3. Song – "We saw thee not"
  4. Angels said, Why seek the living with the dead?"

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