SERIES: CHRISTIAN BELIEF AND THE MODERN WORLD (4 OF 8)

NOTE: This sermon is part 7 and 8 of a 16 part sermon series. Two sermons outlines are included in this download.

PREVIEWS:

Part 7: Rose Again from the Dead
Series: Christian Belief And The Modern World
Stuart Briscoe
1 Corinthians 15:1-58

From earliest times the Christian gospel has contained the statement concerning Christ: "He was raised on the third day." This challenging statement is crucial to the understanding of Christian belief, practice and experience, but it is also the point of attack for Christianity's opponents.

I. Insistence on the Resurrection.

A. Practical Examples.
1. Evangelism based on resurrection. Acts. 2:24

2. Teaching built on resurrection. Romans 1:4

3. Lifestyle predicated on resurrection. Colossians 3:1-3

B. Historical Evidences.
1. Empty tomb.

2. Numerous appearances.

3. Transformed lives.

4. Church's survival.

C. Theological Explanations.

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Part 8: He Ascended into Heaven…
Series: Christian Belief And The Modern World
Stuart Briscoe
Ephesians 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11

Modern man has difficulty deciding whether heaven is a state or a place, nevertheless he believes it exists. He also puzzles over the spatial aspects of "ascending" and "descending," nevertheless he hopes to get there. The risen, ascended Lord is the key.

I. The Ascension of the Risen Lord. Philippians 2:6f

A. First he descended.
1. His glorification.
a. Before the worlds were made.

b. Not held on to.

2. His incarnation.
a. The self-emptying.

b. The assuming of humanity.

3. His humiliation.
a. The acceptance of anonymity.

b. The commitment to servitude.