Faith: Confidence Rooted in Evidence and Truth
Summary
In reflecting on the nature of faith, it's crucial to understand that faith is not merely a belief in belief itself. Growing up, I encountered people who had faith in things like sweepstakes, believing that sheer belief would bring about desired outcomes. However, true faith is not a magical charm or a mere wishful thinking. It is rooted in something much deeper and more substantial. Faith, in its essence, is about confidence—confidence that is informed and supported by evidence and reason.
Many people struggle with the concept of faith, especially when it comes to the Bible. Some view it as a collection of stories passed down and altered over time, leading to skepticism about its reliability. However, the Bible is not a single book but a library of 66 books written by 40 authors over 1,600 years. The process of textual criticism reveals that the Bible's formation was not linear but rather a complex gathering of documents meticulously copied and circulated among early Christian communities. This historical and archaeological evidence supports the Bible's reliability.
The resurrection of Jesus is a pivotal event that underpins Christian faith. It is not merely a story told in the Bible but an event witnessed and recorded by multiple sources. The accounts of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection were written by those who lived through these events, such as Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These accounts were not crafted to create heroes but to convey the truth of what happened. The resurrection is the foundation of our faith, not because the Bible says so, but because it was a real event that transformed the lives of those who witnessed it.
Faith is not the absence of doubt but the courage to trust the evidence. The early disciples, including Thomas, struggled with doubt until they encountered the risen Christ. Their transformation from skeptics to believers who were willing to die for their faith is a testament to the truth of the resurrection. Today, we are invited to examine the evidence and place our faith in Jesus, who conquered death and offers us life.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is not a magical charm or blind belief; it is confidence rooted in evidence and reason. True faith involves trusting in something substantial, not just believing for the sake of belief. [06:13]
- The Bible is a reliable collection of documents, not a single book. It is a library of writings from various authors over centuries, meticulously preserved and supported by historical evidence. [12:28]
- The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith. It is an event witnessed and recorded by multiple sources, providing a solid foundation for belief. [17:19]
- Faith involves courage to trust the evidence, even amidst doubts. The transformation of the disciples from skeptics to believers underscores the truth of the resurrection. [31:45]
- Jesus' resurrection offers us hope and life. It is not just a historical event but a transformative reality that invites us to live with confidence and purpose. [34:35]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [06:13] - Understanding Faith
- [12:28] - The Bible's Reliability
- [15:56] - Investigating Jesus
- [17:19] - The Resurrection's Significance
- [20:02] - Crucifixion and Sacrifice
- [22:54] - The Empty Tomb
- [25:43] - Witnesses and Evidence
- [28:52] - Early Accounts and Martyrdom
- [31:45] - Thomas' Doubt and Belief
- [34:35] - Living Hope in the Resurrection
- [37:02] - Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?
- [39:50] - Invitation to Faith
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 20:24-29
2. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
3. Luke 24:1-12
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#### Observation Questions
1. What was Thomas's initial reaction to the news of Jesus' resurrection, and what did he require to believe? [31:45]
2. How does the sermon describe the process of how the Bible was formed and preserved over time? [12:28]
3. What role did women play in the resurrection story according to the sermon, and why is this significant? [28:52]
4. How did the early disciples' understanding of Jesus change after the resurrection, according to the sermon? [34:35]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might Thomas's skepticism be seen as a positive example for believers today? [31:45]
2. How does the historical and archaeological evidence presented in the sermon support the reliability of the Bible? [12:28]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of faith in relation to evidence and reason? [06:13]
4. How does the transformation of the disciples from skeptics to believers serve as evidence for the resurrection? [28:52]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with doubt in your faith. How did you address it, and what evidence or experiences helped you overcome it? [31:45]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of asking questions about faith. What is one question you have about your faith, and how can you seek answers? [12:28]
3. Consider the role of evidence in your faith journey. How can you strengthen your faith by exploring historical and archaeological evidence? [06:13]
4. How can the example of the early disciples inspire you to live out your faith more boldly, even in the face of skepticism? [28:52]
5. The sermon discusses the reliability of the Bible as a collection of documents. How does this understanding impact your view of Scripture and its role in your life? [12:28]
6. Think about a person in your life who is skeptical about faith. How can you engage them in a conversation that respects their doubts while sharing your own journey of faith? [31:45]
7. How does the resurrection of Jesus offer you hope and purpose in your daily life? What specific steps can you take to live out this hope? [34:35]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith as Informed Confidence
Faith is not a magical charm or blind belief; it is confidence rooted in evidence and reason. True faith involves trusting in something substantial, not just believing for the sake of belief. Many people misunderstand faith as mere wishful thinking, akin to hoping for a win in a sweepstake. However, genuine faith is about having confidence that is informed and supported by evidence and reason. It is not about believing in belief itself but about trusting in something real and substantial. This kind of faith requires a deeper understanding and a willingness to engage with the evidence that supports it. [06:13]
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on wishful thinking rather than informed confidence? How can you seek out evidence and reason to strengthen your faith in those areas today?
Day 2: The Bible as a Reliable Collection
The Bible is a reliable collection of documents, not a single book. It is a library of writings from various authors over centuries, meticulously preserved and supported by historical evidence. Many people struggle with the concept of faith, especially when it comes to the Bible. Some view it as a collection of stories passed down and altered over time, leading to skepticism about its reliability. However, the Bible is not a single book but a library of 66 books written by 40 authors over 1,600 years. The process of textual criticism reveals that the Bible's formation was not linear but rather a complex gathering of documents meticulously copied and circulated among early Christian communities. This historical and archaeological evidence supports the Bible's reliability. [12:28]
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of the Bible's historical and archaeological context to strengthen your confidence in its reliability?
Day 3: The Resurrection as the Cornerstone
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith. It is an event witnessed and recorded by multiple sources, providing a solid foundation for belief. The resurrection of Jesus is a pivotal event that underpins Christian faith. It is not merely a story told in the Bible but an event witnessed and recorded by multiple sources. The accounts of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection were written by those who lived through these events, such as Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These accounts were not crafted to create heroes but to convey the truth of what happened. The resurrection is the foundation of our faith, not because the Bible says so, but because it was a real event that transformed the lives of those who witnessed it. [17:19]
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15:17, ESV)
Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection impact your daily life and decisions? What changes can you make to live more fully in light of this truth?
Day 4: Courage to Trust Amidst Doubts
Faith involves courage to trust the evidence, even amidst doubts. The transformation of the disciples from skeptics to believers underscores the truth of the resurrection. Faith is not the absence of doubt but the courage to trust the evidence. The early disciples, including Thomas, struggled with doubt until they encountered the risen Christ. Their transformation from skeptics to believers who were willing to die for their faith is a testament to the truth of the resurrection. Today, we are invited to examine the evidence and place our faith in Jesus, who conquered death and offers us life. [31:45]
"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'" (Mark 9:24, ESV)
Reflection: What doubts are you currently facing in your faith journey? How can you courageously confront these doubts and seek out evidence to strengthen your trust in Jesus?
Day 5: Living Hope in the Resurrection
Jesus' resurrection offers us hope and life. It is not just a historical event but a transformative reality that invites us to live with confidence and purpose. The resurrection of Jesus is not merely a past event but a present reality that offers hope and life. It invites us to live with confidence and purpose, knowing that Jesus has conquered death and offers us eternal life. This hope is not just for the future but impacts how we live today, giving us the courage to face challenges and the assurance of God's presence with us. [34:35]
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you live out the hope of the resurrection in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to reflect this hope to those around you?
Quotes
Now you might wonder, in what did she have so much faith? Well, she had a tremendous amount of faith in the publisher's clearinghouse sweepstakes. Anybody remember that? And she kept telling me, you just have to have faith. Like this is somehow the magic trick. This is the key that will unlock the lock that nobody else has figured out. And she was like, I have faith. And she would even like practice her surprised face like, oh me, I can't believe it. Ed McMahon in a van in front of my house with a giant check for a million dollars. And Alice had so much faith. And I remember thinking, lady, you bought a subscription to Cat Fancy. I don't think this is how you get your first million dollars. I don't think that's how this works. But also, I don't think that's how faith works. You know, faith isn't just like a rabbit's foot. It's not a lucky charm. It's not enough to just have faith in faith itself. [00:00:26] (54 seconds)
I think that it's okay to ask questions. In fact, I think more of us should ask more questions. So if you're here today and you have some questions about this whole Easter thing, and you have questions about the resurrection, and you have questions about what maybe happened in the Middle East 2,000 years ago, I am so glad you're here, because I think your questions are important. In fact, I think you're asking the most important questions that can be asked. But some of your misunderstanding about this book is because you have a misconception about how we got this book. [00:04:19] (35 seconds)
You see, the reason I'm so passionate about this is because some of you, I know you, I love you, and I've heard you say to me, I just don't think I can believe blindly. I just don't think I can have blind faith. And I want to say, what if? What if God's not asking you to believe blindly? What if we as Christians don't believe the resurrection because the Bible told me so? What if we believe the resurrection because Matthew, who was a first century tax collector and a follower of Jesus and an eyewitness of these events, carefully recorded this and wrote it down for his Jewish audience to understand that the Messiah had come and been fulfilled? [00:09:43] (52 seconds)
Paul, if you don't like Christians, you would love Paul. Paul didn't like Christians either. In fact, he thought the world would be better off without them. He got permission from the Jewish leadership to go around the known world and to extinguish all of the Christians. Paul was responsible for the murder of Christians in the years after Jesus' death and resurrection. And then Paul saw the risen Jesus and it changed his life and it changed the story that he told. [00:14:01] (34 seconds)
Because we all move forward every day with faith. Your wife serves you up a meal. Your husband smokes something on the grill. He brings it in. He puts it in front of you. Probably not a lot of you are like, I'm gonna let the kids eat it first. See if they drop dead. Right? I mean, it's possible that you've been poisoned, but you move forward with confidence. You move forward with faith because you have good data. And we have excellent data to believe that Jesus Christ was a historical figure, that he lived, that he claimed to be the son of God, that he was crucified, and that he rose again. [00:15:18] (43 seconds)
You see, our faith is not rooted in a book. Our faith is rooted in an event. And that event gave way to a movement. And then that movement created documents that were gathered together and bound together for you and I to enjoy today. The people who went to their death for what they believed they saw, they didn't go to their death because they believed what was in a book. They didn't have the book yet. They went to their death because of what they said they saw. They saw their friend, their rabbi, crucified and risen again. [00:17:10] (48 seconds)
You see, what's fascinating about these accounts that we can trust is that none of the New Testament authors write themselves into the story as the hero. None of them were like, well, everyone else, they doubted, but I believed, I knew Jesus would keep his word. In fact, I stood outside the tomb on Sunday morning, and as the sun was about to break over the horizon, I began the countdown, 10, 9, 8, cue the sun, here comes Jesus, everybody get ready. No. If you're a skeptic, if you have a difficult time believing in the resurrection, I want to tell you something. [00:23:55] (39 seconds)
Now, there are so many reasons to believe the early accounts. And I just want to run through a few of them because I think they're helpful for us to know. But you should know that one of the reasons that textual critics look at these early accounts that are in Matthew and Mark and Luke and John, and they look at these early accounts of the life and death and the resurrection of Jesus. One of the reasons that textual critics hold these accounts up as reliable is just a few of these. First of all, women were the first witnesses. [00:27:35] (28 seconds)
So I'd invite you to make a decision today. C.S. Lewis put it this way, Christianity, if it's false, is of no importance. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, as Paul said, our faith is meaningless. However, if it's true, it's of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. Faith isn't the absence of doubt. I'm not asking you to not have doubts. I'm not asking you to not wonder. I'm not asking you to not ask questions. You should ask questions. But faith is the courage to trust the evidence. [00:30:29] (58 seconds)
I want to encourage you today to take that step, not blind faith, not blind trust, but take a step of faith, of confidence that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and that he has conquered death on your behalf. Imagine today, anchoring your life on a real moment in history. When Peter believed that Jesus had risen, when Thomas believed that Jesus had risen, when Mary believed that Jesus had risen from the dead, they didn't just believe again. They lived again. They had life that was given to them in the fullest. [00:34:13] (57 seconds)
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