The Fact of the Resurrection

Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:42 — 8.7MB)

“Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” I Corinthians 15:12-17

How important is the resurrection of Jesus Christ?  What makes this truth meaningful or significant to you personally?  These are the questions we will ask our guests, Minnesota Vikings head coach (and Christian!) Leslie Frazier, comedian Bill Arnold, former linebacker for the MN Vikings Jeff Siemon, and Pastor Dave Gibson, during this weekend’s LIVE broadcast from “Arise with the Guys“.

The Christian Worldview will broadcast LIVE from 8-9 am CT in the auditorium of Grace Church Eden Prairie followed by the “Arise with the Guys” men’s event on Saturday, April 23rd from 9-11 am CT at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, MN.  Bring your dad, bring your son, bring an unbelieving friend.  Just come!  Buy tickets here for $10.

Of First Importance — The Cross and Resurrection at the Center

The Christian faith is not a mere collection of doctrines — a bag of truths. Christianity is a comprehensive truth claim that encompasses every aspect of revealed doctrine, but is centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And, as the apostolic preaching makes clear, the Gospel is the priority.

The Apostle Paul affirms this priority when he writes to the Christians in Corinth. In the opening verses of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul sets out his case:

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Paul points directly to the events of the cross and resurrection of Christ. He is not concerned with just any gospel, but with the only gospel that saves. This is “the gospel I preached to you,” Paul reminds the Corinthians. The same Paul who so forcefully warned the Galatians against accepting any false gospel reminds the church at Corinth that the very “gospel I preached to you” is the gospel “by which you are being saved.” Their stewardship of the gospel is underlined in Paul’s words, “if you hold fast to the word I preached to you.”

Paul’s statement of priority is a vital corrective for our confused times. Without hesitation, Paul writes with urgency about the truths that are “as of first importance.” All revealed truth is vital, invaluable, life-changing truth to which every disciple of Christ is fully accountable. But certain truths are of highest importance, and that is the language Paul uses without qualification.

And what is of first importance? “That Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,” and “that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” The cross and the empty tomb stand at the center of the Christian faith. Without these, there is no good news — no salvation.

Paul gets right to the heart of the matter in setting out those truths that are “of first importance.” Following his example, we can do no less. These twin truths remain “as of first importance,” and no sermon is complete without the explicit affirmation of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So it was then, so it is now, and so it ever shall be until Christ claims his church.

As Paul reminded the Corinthians — and now instructs us — the Gospel is at the center of our faith, and the cross and the empty tomb are at the center of the Gospel. “So we preach, and so you believed,” Paul encourages us. [1 Cor. 15:11]

May the power of the cross and the victory of the empty tomb fill every pulpit, every pew, and every Christian heart — and may the Good News of the Gospel be received with joy by sinners in need of a Savior.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. [1 Corinthians 15:56-58]

An Easter “PSA” on “Cosmic Child Abuse”

Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:45 — 8.7MB)

Guest: Todd Friel, host, Wretched Radio

This weekend, Christians celebrate the most significant event in history — the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Those in other religions and even some professing Christians have called Christ’s sacrifice on the cross “cosmic child abuse”, as in, God violently punished His own Son for the sins of others.  They say a “God of love” should and would never do that.

Todd Friel, the host of “Wretched”, a nationally-syndicated radio and television program, will join us this weekend on The Christian Worldview to issue an Easter “PSA”, as in, why the Penal Substitutionary Atonement of Jesus Christ is not cosmic child abuse, but rather the center point of God’s plan to save sinners like you and me.

What the Resurrection of Christ Means to You

Podcast: Download (8.7MB)

LISTEN NOW: [audio:http://www.thechristianworldview.com/audio/TCW041109pod_hour1.mp3]

Guest: Josh McDowell, author, Evidence for the Resurrection

Almost 2000 years ago, the worst injustice ever perpetrated by mankind took place – the murder of Jesus Christ, the very Son of God.  Yet over the same three-day weekend, the greatest satisfaction of justice also took place – the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that satisfied God’s wrath and justice for our sin.  Truly, what man meant for evil, God meant for good.

Josh McDowell, noted contender for the Christian faith, author of 112 books, and international speaker, will join us to discuss what the resurrection of Jesus Christ means for you this Easter weekend – the evidence, the meaning, the hope.  You won’t want to miss this special Resurrection Weekend broadcast.