1	Christ’s Resurrection: Motivation for Mission LWML Spring Rally Philadelphia Zone April 22, 2006
2	Introduction The Gospel Accounts Acts and the Epistles The Ancient World Our World Message and Mission
3	I - The Gospels Resurrection as a “New Event” in History
4	Gospel Accounts (con’t)
5	Gospel Accounts (con’t)
6	Gospel Accounts (con’t)
7	Gospel Accounts (con’t)
8	Gospel Accounts (con’t) Comparing the Stories Similar, but not copies Same tradition, different tellers Interesting Features No OT prophecies “fulfilled” No “Jesus is alive; you will be too” Jesus does not appear “glorified” Jesus does appear “unusual” Women as witnesses
9	II - Acts and the Epistles Resurrection as Proof of Christ’s Title and Authority
10	Acts and the Epistles Crucifixion seen as accomplishing the forgiveness of sins Resurrection seen as proof of Jesus’ authority to save and to judge
11	Acts and the Epistles (con’t) Acts 10:40-43 (Peter to Cornelius) (2) God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as (1) judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
12	Acts and the Epistles (con’t) Acts 17:30-32 (Paul to Athens) In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will (1) judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by (2) raising him from the dead.” When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
13	Acts and the Epistles (con’t) Acts 24:14-15 (Paul before Felix) However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a (1,2) resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
14	Acts and the Epistles (con’t) Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the (1) blood of the eternal covenant brought (2) back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
15	Acts and the Epistles (con’t) 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ (1) died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was (2) raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve...
16	III - The Ancient World Life After Death vs. Resurrection of the Dead
17	The Ancient World Life after Death Among the Jews Among the Greeks and Romans Jesus’ Resurrection Received among the Jews? Received among others?
18	…Among the Jews Pharisees’ Resurrection An intermediate stage The dead are still ‘alive’ in some form A final stage Re-embodiment at the Last Day Sadduccees’ Resurrection No resurrection or life after death Life after death involved a body
19	…Among Greeks and Romans Answer three questions: Who were the dead? Where were they? What was wrong?
20	G & R (con’t) Homer Who are the dead? Shades, ghosts or phantoms Where are they? In Hades, ruled by the god of the underworld What was wrong? The dead regret the loss of their life and their current subhuman state
21	G & R (con’t) Plato Who are the dead? Souls released from temporary embodiment Where are they? In Hades, a fairly pleasant place What was wrong? Nothing. Wicked souls were punished, good ones at rest
22	G & R (con’t) NT Greek and Latin Novels “When [he] arrived, he discovered that the stones had been moved…not even the corpse was lying there.” Story of Callirhoe, 100 BC – 200 AD Variations on the theme of an empty tomb and a resurrection flourish from 50 AD to 250 AD
23	G & R (con’t) The ‘spirits’ of the dead leave Resurrections are not described Post 50 AD, resurrection lit. flourishes The rumors are having an effect!
24	IV - Our World God, Heaven, Hell and “Resurrection”
25	Our World...England Results from a 1999 British Poll 14%: Have never heard of Jesus 22%: Believe he never existed 46%: Have never gone to a service Results from a 2005 C of E Poll 80%: Jesus rose from the dead 60%: Jesus was born of a virgin 27%: Of Brits claim to be CofE members
26	Our World…The US 94% / 99%: believe in a supreme deity 84% / 90%: the soul survives death 76% / 96%: expect to be in ‘heaven’ 73% / 80%: believe in a ‘hell’ 35% / 34%: believe in ‘ghosts’ 37% / 37%: trust their horoscope 23% / 22%: were once another person 1998 Harris Poll (General / Christian only)
27	Our World…Anecdotes Oprahism “3,000 more angels in heaven” “Bob is looking down on us now” “She’s in a better place” Credo (I believe…) God is good Good people become angels Really, really bad people (???)
28	Angels?
29	V - Death and Resurrection Message and Mission
30	Message and Mission The Gospel Message Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world, that all might be saved through him The Motivation for Mission This same Christ has been raised from the dead to the glory of God the Father
31	Message and Mission (con’t) 1 Corinthians 15:19-22 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
32	Message and Mission (con’t) 2 Peter 3:10-13 The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare…In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
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34	Conclusion
35	Conclusion Our Message is the Cross A stumbling block to Jews Foolishness to non-Jews “Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world, that all might be saved through him”
36	Conclusion (con’t) Our Motivation is the Resurrection “God has raised this Jesus to life and we are all witnesses to the fact. This Jesus, whom you crucified, God has made both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:32, 36) P: Alleluia, Christ is risen! C: He is risen indeed. Alleluia!