Out of the Heart the Mouth Speaks
Series: The Gospel Can't Be Contained
January 30, 2022
Frank Foreman
As a believer in Jesus Christ, it is not difficult to talk about the cross and the resurrection because we either grew up hearing the stories or at some point in our lives, we accepted these truths because of faith. But for someone who does not have a foundation of faith in Christ, how absurd those things might seem. ---------- A perfect man offering to sacrifice for the sins of all mankind? Makes no sense on any level. A dead man who spontaneously comes backs to life after three days in a cave? Wow! That is a lot to swallow! Those things must seem pretty far-fetched for an unbeliever. People don't come back to life, especially after an extended period of time and people don't usually sacrifice for the very ones whose actions led to their death. ---------- Yet, those ridiculous notions are at the very crux of our lives; they are the very hinges the human history hangs on. If these things are true, then they are the two most important historical events that have ever occurred or will ever occur. If they are false, countless lives have been wasted chasing after a lie. The resurrection proves that Jesus is the Messiah, His sacrifice is sufficient, and that God has the power to raise the dead. (Him and us)
Episode Notes
1st Corinthians 15:17-19, And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
1st Corinthians 15:54-57, When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 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.
Big Idea: The resurrection proves that Jesus is the Messiah, His sacrifice is sufficient, and that God has the power to raise the dead. (Him and us)
(Journal) Mark 12:18
1. Their question was intended to make Jesus look foolish.
(Journal) Mark 12:19-23
Proverbs 1:22, How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
Proverbs 10:23, Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
Proverbs 12:23, A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
Proverbs 18:2, A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
1st Corinthians 1:18, For the Word of the cross is folly (foolishness) to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
2. Jesus’ answer revealed their lack of understanding.
(Journal) Mark 12:24-27
Exodus 3:6, And He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Philippians 3:20-21, But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
1st Corinthians 13:12, For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Revelation 21:4, He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
Next Step: Embrace the foolishness of the cross and resurrection.
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