Lesson 5 – The Proof of Our Salvation

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1. WHAT IS MORE CERTAIN: DEATH OR RESURRECTION?

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Because of Easter life – eternal life – is more certain than death.

2. HOW CAN WE BE SURE THAT JESUS REALLY PAID OUR DEBT TO GOD?

Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20 & 21 (a summary): On the third day after his death, Jesus rose from the dead and left the grave unnoticed. An angel came and opened the grave so that all could see it was empty. Early that Sunday morning some of the women who had believed in Jesus went to visit his grave. There they saw that it was empty. Angels told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. Quickly they ran and told the good news to Jesus’ disciples. Peter and John hurried to the grave. They found it empty with the grave clothes neatly folded. Another woman, Mary Magdalene, assumed that Jesus’ body had been reburied or stolen. Through her tears she saw Jesus but didn’t recognize him until he spoke to her. Later that same day the other women actually saw him, as did two other groups of disciples. For the next forty days Jesus repeatedly appeared to his disciples, to confirm their faith and increase their understanding.

Jesus conquered death and rose from the dead.

Romans 4:25 — He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

John 14:19 — Because I live, you also will live.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 — Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ resurrection proves that our debt to God is paid. Therefore we shall not die. We shall live because he lives.

3. WHERE IS JESUS NOW?

Acts 1:8,9 — “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

After commanding his disciples to preach the gospel, Jesus went back to heaven, where he is now with God the Father.

4. WHAT DOES JESUS DO IN HEAVEN?

Acts 5:31 — God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior.

He has received again the glory he left behind when he came down to earth.

Romans 8:34 — Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. He speaks to the Father on our behalf.

John 14:2,3 — In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

He prepares for the time when we will be with him in heaven.

SUMMARY: Our debt to God was paid when Jesus died for our sins. But it seemed as if death had destroyed Jesus like any other man. Jesus did not pay for our sins by rising from the dead. Rather he proved that his death was a victory instead of a defeat, and he demonstrated how we too would someday rise again. Having finished his work on earth, Jesus returned to heaven. There he watches over us and prepares for the day when we will join him in heaven. We can be sure of our salvation, because our Savior rose from the dead and returned to heaven where he makes sure that we will be with him.

QUICKIE QUIZ (T or F)

  1. ___ Jesus was dead for less than three full days.
  2. ___ The angel came down to let Jesus out of the grave.
  3. ___ Jesus could rise from the dead because God gave him the power to do so.
  4. ___ Jesus’ resurrection did not pay for our sins.
  5. ___ Jesus’ resurrection proves that he is God.
  6. ___ Jesus’ resurrection proves that our sins are paid for.
  7. ___ Jesus’ resurrection proves that we will rise from the dead.
  8. ___ Jesus is still alive on the earth today.
  9. ___ After Jesus ascended into heaven, there was nothing left for him to do.
  10. ___ We can always be sure that we will live with Jesus in heaven.

WHERE DOES THE BIBLE SAY

  1. that Jesus' resurrection is the proof that we will also rise?

    John 14:19 — Because I live, you also will live.

  2. that Jesus is at God's right hand?

    Acts 5:31 — God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior.

  3. that Jesus' disciples should be missionaries?

    Acts 1:8,9 — “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

  4. that Jesus prays for us?

    Romans 8:34 — Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. He speaks to the Father on our behalf.

  5. that Jesus is getting ready for us to come and join him?

    John 14:2,3 — In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

For more information you can watch this lesson presented as a Bible study HERE.  Please click HERE to find the complete series of Bible studies.

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