Dr Tom Hover
April 6, 2026
I Corinthians 15:3-4 / John 20:19-31
THE GOSPEL OF THE RESURRECTION / FROM A DOUBTER TO A SHOUTER
THE GOSPEL OF THE RESURRECTION
Background Text: I Corinthians 15:1-58 Text: I Corinthians 15:3-4
The Gospel of The Resurrection is:
I. AN INDISPUTABLE FACT
A.) A Fact of Prophecy I Corinthians 15:3-4
Genesis 3:15, Psalm 16:10-11, Acts 2: 25-31, Isaiah 53:10-11
B.) A Fact of History 1 Corinthians 15:1-10
II. AN INDISPENSABLE FAITH
I Corinthians 15:14, 17, 19
A.) Faith in The Preaching of The Christ I Corinthians 15:14
B.) Faith in The Power of The Cross I Corinthian 15:17, Romans 4:25
C.) Faith in The Prospect of God’s Children
I Corinthians 15:19, Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 5:27
III. AN IRRESISTIBLE FORCE I Corinthians 15:57
A.) A Revealed Force Romans 1:3-4, I Corinthians 15:54-57
B.) A Reconciling Force I Corinthians 15:1-10
The Resurrection of Christ Brought A Reconciling Force To:
THE DENIER I Corinthians 15:5
Peter who was so adamant about his loyalty denied Christ 3 times.
Matthew 26:70-74, Luke 23:54-62. When Jesus arose from the dead, he appeared to Peter in Luke 24:52 and gave Peter special attention in John 21.
Peter, the denier, needed to know that he was forgiven and still useful in ministry for Christ.
THE DESERTER I Corinthians 15:5
The Apostles are called "the twelve" even though there was now 11. They had run when Jesus was in His darkest hour. Jesus appeared to them with a message of Peace and commission. See John 20:19-23.
THE COMMON MAN I Corinthians 15:6
Here was a group of believers who hadn't necessarily denied Christ. They were not necessarily distinguished people. They were probably an average cross section of people, and yet Jesus appeared to them. This reminds me that one does not have to be special to go to Heaven, become saved, and feel the touch of the resurrection.
THE UNBELIEVER I Corinthians 15: 7
This James was half-brother to Jesus. John 7:5 tells us that His brethren didn't believe on Jesus. James was touched by the appearance of his brother. He became a believer.
THE MESSENGER I Corinthians 15: 7
Here they are referred to as the apostles. They saw Jesus more than once. As apostles, they were sent as messengers with the Gospel. The Lord commissioned them to go out on Matthew 28:18-20. Because they had seen the risen Lord they were effective messengers for Him. A true witness for Christ must see Him as risen, or he has no message.
THE PERSECUTOR I Corinthians 15:8-11
C.) A Released Force Acts 1:8
The empty tomb had a message for us:
It says to Science and Philosophy, “Explain this event.”
It says to History, “Repeat this event.”
It says to Time, “Blot out this event.”
It says to Faith, “Believe this event.”
The Resurrection is a Cardinal Fact, Historical Fact, Personal Fact, and a Supernatural Fact! Hallelujah! Jesus is Alive!
PM SERVICE AT 6
FROM A DOUBTER TO A SHOUTER John 20:19-31
Introduction: Several of our Lord’s disciples are well known. Books could be, and have been, written about Peter, John, and Judas. But, of some of the rest, we seem to know very little. I want to look at what the Bible has to say about one of the lesser known of the Master’s Men. I want to look at the life of the disciple named Thomas. For nearly 2,000 years, Thomas has received a lot of bad press. He was given the name of “Doubting Thomas”. He has been portrayed as a man filled with doubt and fear. I would like to attempt to set the record straight today. As we look at what the Bible has to say about Thomas, I want you to see that he possessed some admirable qualities. Among them are these: He was loyal to the Lord. He loved Jesus. He possessed an inquiring spirit. He was skeptical, but his skepticism was the right kind. It was a skepticism that was open to belief. Let’s look at Thomas as He is revealed in the Bible. I want to preach FROM A DOUBTER TO A SHOUTER. I want you to see how the Lord worked in this man’s life to move him from doubt to a shout. Notice the ways Thomas is revealed in these verses.
I. POUTING THOMAS John 20:24, John 20:19 We are told that Thomas is not with them: John 20:24, John 11:16, John 14:5-7
II. DOUBTING THOMAS John 20:25 Luke 24:11, Mark 16:11
III. SHOUTING THOMAS John 20:26-29
CONCLUSION: John 20:29
