Transformative Power of the Resurrection: Faith and Evidence

 

Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, focusing on the transformation it brought about in His followers and the implications it has for our faith and hope in eternal life. We began by reflecting on the dramatic change in the disciples' behavior after witnessing the risen Christ. Initially, they were fearful and in hiding, but upon seeing Jesus alive, they became known for their unparalleled boldness, as documented in the Book of Acts.

We then delved into the scriptural accounts of the resurrection, starting with the narrative in Matthew 27 and 28, where the earthquake and the angel's appearance at the tomb were highlighted. The fear of the guards and the proclamation of the angel to the women that Jesus had risen set the stage for the unfolding of the resurrection story.

The sermon emphasized the centrality of the resurrection to our faith, drawing from 1 Corinthians 15, where Paul argues that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is in vain, and we are still in our sins. The resurrection is not only a demonstration of God's power but also a confirmation that God accepted Christ's sacrifice for sin.

We addressed common objections to the resurrection, noting that critics often rely on second-hand sources or skepticism fostered by media and academia rather than a thorough examination of the biblical accounts. We contrasted this with the testimonies of individuals like Simon Greenleaf, Lew Wallace, and Frank Morrison, who, upon scrutinizing the evidence, became convinced of the resurrection's veracity.

The sermon presented four infallible proofs of the resurrection: the certainty of Christ's death, the missing body, the multiple witnesses who saw Jesus alive, and the transformation of the disciples. We examined the implausibility of theories such as the swoon theory, group hallucinations, and body theft, concluding that the evidence overwhelmingly supports the historical fact of the resurrection.

Key Takeaways:

- The transformation of the disciples from fear to boldness is a testament to the reality of the resurrection. Their willingness to die for their belief in the risen Christ is a powerful argument against the notion that they were perpetuating a lie. True conviction comes from genuine encounters with the divine, not from fabrications. [01:11:19]

- The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith, as it validates the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice for sin. Without the resurrection, Christianity would be baseless. The power of God demonstrated through the resurrection is unparalleled and assures us of our future hope in eternal life. [49:10]

- Skepticism towards the resurrection often stems from external influences rather than personal study of the biblical accounts. Engaging with the primary sources—the Gospels—can lead to a transformation in understanding and belief, as evidenced by legal experts who affirmed the resurrection's credibility after thorough investigation. [50:39]

- The missing body of Jesus and the failure of any party to produce it is a compelling argument for the resurrection. The absence of the body, combined with the high stakes involved for both friends and foes of Jesus, points to the conclusion that the resurrection was a genuine event, not a fabricated story. [01:06:34]

- The numerous and consistent eyewitness accounts of the risen Christ provide a strong foundation for belief in the resurrection. The fact that these witnesses were willing to suffer and die for their testimony adds significant weight to the historical reliability of the resurrection narrative. [01:09:55]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 27:54-28:10 - The account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2. 1 Corinthians 15:17-23 - Paul's argument on the importance of the resurrection.
3. Acts 1:3 - Many infallible proofs of Jesus' resurrection.

#### Observation Questions
1. What were the reactions of the guards and the women at the tomb when they encountered the angel and the empty tomb? ([45:24])
2. According to 1 Corinthians 15:17, what is the significance of Christ's resurrection for our faith?
3. How did the disciples' behavior change after witnessing the risen Christ, as described in the Book of Acts? ([01:11:19])
4. What are the four infallible proofs of the resurrection mentioned in the sermon? ([54:46])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the resurrection considered the cornerstone of Christian faith according to 1 Corinthians 15:17-23? ([46:55])
2. How do the multiple eyewitness accounts of the risen Christ strengthen the argument for the resurrection's historical reliability? ([01:09:55])
3. What does the transformation of the disciples from fear to boldness indicate about their belief in the resurrection? ([01:11:19])
4. How do the testimonies of legal experts like Simon Greenleaf and Frank Morrison contribute to the credibility of the resurrection? ([52:02])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt fearful or uncertain. How can the disciples' transformation from fear to boldness inspire you in your own faith journey? ([01:11:19])
2. The resurrection validates the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice for sin. How does this assurance impact your daily life and your relationship with God? ([49:10])
3. Skepticism towards the resurrection often stems from external influences. Have you ever encountered such skepticism? How did you respond, and how can you better engage with primary biblical sources in the future? ([50:39])
4. The missing body of Jesus is a compelling argument for the resurrection. How does this fact challenge you to deepen your understanding and defense of your faith? ([01:06:34])
5. The numerous eyewitness accounts of the risen Christ provide a strong foundation for belief. How can you use these accounts to share your faith with others who may be skeptical? ([01:09:55])
6. Considering the transformation of the disciples, what steps can you take to cultivate a similar boldness in your own witness for Christ? ([01:11:19])
7. How can the evidence and arguments presented in the sermon help you address common objections to the resurrection in conversations with non-believers? ([52:02])

Devotional

Day 1: Boldness Born of Belief
The transformation of the disciples from a state of fear to one of boldness is a profound testament to the reality of the resurrection. Before the resurrection, the disciples were characterized by fear and uncertainty, hiding from the authorities. However, after encountering the risen Christ, their fear was replaced by a boldness that propelled them to preach the gospel fearlessly, even in the face of persecution and death. This radical change is not something that can be easily dismissed or attributed to a mere fabrication. The disciples' willingness to suffer and die for their belief in the risen Christ speaks volumes about the authenticity of their experiences and the truth of the resurrection. Their transformation is a powerful example of how an encounter with the divine can instill a courage that defies human explanation [07:40].

Acts 4:13 - "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."

Reflection: How does the boldness of the disciples inspire you to live out your faith, and in what ways can you demonstrate a similar courage in your own life?

Day 2: Resurrection: Our Faith's Foundation
The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the cornerstone of Christian faith, validating the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice for sin. Without the resurrection, the Christian faith would lack its foundational proof of God's power and the assurance of our redemption. The resurrection is not merely a historical event; it is the pivotal moment that confirms God's acceptance of Christ's atoning work on the cross. It is the guarantee of our hope in eternal life and the future resurrection of all believers. This belief is not based on myth or legend but on a historical event that demonstrates God's power over death and His promise of salvation to those who believe [49:10].

1 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."

Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection shape your understanding of your own salvation and the way you live out your faith daily?

Day 3: Skepticism and Scripture
Skepticism towards the resurrection often arises from external influences rather than from a personal examination of the biblical accounts. It is important to engage with the primary sources—the Gospels—to gain a true understanding of the resurrection. When individuals take the time to scrutinize the evidence, as some legal experts have done, they often come to affirm the credibility of the resurrection. This approach encourages a transformation in understanding and belief, moving from doubt to conviction based on the weight of the evidence presented in Scripture [50:39].

Acts 17:11 - "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."

Reflection: Have you ever experienced doubt about your faith, and how can studying the Scriptures help you address those doubts?

Day 4: The Compelling Case of the Missing Body
The missing body of Jesus is a compelling piece of evidence for the resurrection. The inability of any party, friend or foe, to produce the body of Jesus is a strong argument in favor of the resurrection being a genuine event. The high stakes involved for both the disciples and the authorities make the absence of the body a critical point. If the body had been stolen or the resurrection a hoax, it would have been in the interest of the authorities to dispel the rumors by producing the body. Yet, the empty tomb remains a testament to the historical fact of the resurrection [01:06:34].

Matthew 28:6 - "He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay."

Reflection: How does the evidence of the empty tomb challenge you to consider the implications of the resurrection in your own life?

Day 5: Eyewitnesses to Eternity
The numerous and consistent eyewitness accounts of the risen Christ provide a solid foundation for belief in the resurrection. The fact that these witnesses were willing to suffer and die for their testimony adds significant weight to the historical reliability of the resurrection narrative. The willingness of the disciples and other witnesses to endure persecution and martyrdom for their belief in the risen Lord underscores the truth of their claims. Their testimonies are not the words of those perpetuating a lie, but of those who have seen the truth and cannot deny it [01:09:55].

2 Peter 1:16 - "For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty."

Reflection: How do the testimonies of the resurrection witnesses inspire you to share your own experiences of Christ with others?

Quotes

"the fourth infallable proof is I believe the conversion The Total Transformation the change of personality the essence of what people even were after they had seen the Lord Jesus Christ all the disciples every one of them experienced a radical and complete reversal of convictions in their life remember that during the trial every one of them fled away except Peter then later he fled John did come back and stood around the cross but they're gone they're in the hiding for the week for the weekend cuz they don't know about what they're going to the the the authorities are going to come looking for them and and and crucify them they're running for their lives and then after Sunday after seeing the Risen Christ what a change in these men do you know what they're known for in the book of Acts they're known for their boldness over and over and over the word boldness is used to describe these men who were cowards who fled who ran for their lives and now" [01:11:19]( | | )

"aside the body is missing the tomb is not empty you hear people say the tomb is empty that's comes from the song tomb was not empty they looked in there and there were the Grave clothes like a cocoon they were unmoved in fact the napkin was folded and laid over to the side do you think a thief stealing the body would a r taken time to fold the napkin how would have a thief if they had stolen the body gotten the body out of that cocoon of a 100 weight of allo and myrr and linen stop and think through this because our faith depends upon it and a body is not an easy thing to get rid of and in that Aid low humidity climate of Jerusalem a body could last for months and months and months but nobody ever found a body there are only two possibilities of who could have stolen it if you want to go down that route of logic number one his friends could have stolen it in fact his enemies suggested that to Pilot when they went asked him to post a guard at the tomb but you see his friends later on died for the fact that Jesus Christ was alive do men die for a lie I don't think so people die for what they thought was the truth that turned out to be a lie that's happened but nobody's ever died given their life to cover up their own lie and many people would have been involved somebody would have broken wouldn't they and then the only other possibility is that his enemies would have stolen his body well boy had his enemy stolen his body that would have been worth a lot to the Pharisees they' have paid handsomely for that body all they would have had to do to end Christianity forever unceremoniously come up and dump the body Jesus Christ at the feet at one of those officials and there would be no such thing as Christianity but nobody ever found that body the body's missing the body's missing in a city teeming with people for the Passover hundreds of thousands of guests have come to town kind of hard to carry a body around in a crowd of people like Jerusalem had during those times the body is missing Jesus Christ was dead but the body is missing" [01:06:34]( | | )

"multiple Witnesses testified they saw Jesus alive and they not only gave that testimony but they did it at the Peril of their own life there are 12 recorded appearances of Jesus over the 40 days that he remained upon the Earth go back again with me please to 1 Corinthians chapter 15 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verse uh we'll begin here about verse number four 1 Corinthians 15 and4 he was buried and he rose again the third day according to the scriptures after that he was seen of sephus that's Peter number one then of the 12 after that he was seen of over 500 people at one time a crowd of 500 Witnesses at one time not consecutively but right then at one time he said of whom the greater part still remain alive though some of them are dead now at the time he wrote this and next he was seen of James that's his brother his half brother then of all the apostles and last of all he was seen of me says the Apostle Paul writing this who was one born out of due time so you have all of these 12 recorded uh appearances of Jesus between the time of the resurrection and the time of his Ascension 40 Days Later the Skeptics always come back to this that the people imagine that they saw him they hallucinated they they so wanted him to be alive that they were they were Imagining the reality of this the only problem with that theory is that one person may hallucinate or imagine and one person over here and one over here but never a group never hundreds of people simultaneously having the same hallucination Imagining the same thing you've never seen that before you never will now so we have 500 at once and then we have the 12 and then we have Paul and then we have James and then we have other people that are unnamed here in other places let me ask you a question how many creditable witnesses do you need to establish a fact how many creditable witnesses do you need in any situation to establish a fact well one is not enough but two it's pretty strong three people agree that they saw the same thing as getting very strong four 10 100 what lawyer would not absolutely the case is over if he could line up as many witnesses as witnessed the Resurrection the the the living Christ after the resurrection and these people they testified at great Peril to themselves because we see later on they're killing people for their belief in Jesus Christ as a living living being and the fourth piece of evidence" [01:09:55]( | | )

"something you can take notes on and the first fact the first infallible proof I'll begin with is that Jesus Christ first of all was dead my daddy used to say he's graveyard dead I don't know what that meant I think it meant you're pretty dead by the time you get to the graveyard huh he's graveyard dead well you see first we need to establish the fact that Jesus was really dead that there was no possibility of him being resuscitated because so many of the theories that the critics have put forth they've said that he was in a swoon that he was unconscious that he was near death but all of those theories rely upon the fact that Jesus not Christ was not absolutely dead I want to establish the fact that he was really dead the Centurion who was a trained executioner no doubt had presided at the execution of scores of men he knew what death was and in Mark 15 verse 44 he said Jesus Christ is dead the spear wounded his side where the Bible says that blood and water float out I'm told that when a person dies the blood begins to separate and you have the serum and you have the watery look and you have the red the Crimson look and that this is indicative that Jesus Christ was dead and then there was the mode of burial and as I've studied and done the research on how they buried people this is very very significant because in those days they wound a body in a cocoon of linen a long piece of linen usually one piece but sometimes many pieces they would lay the body down on the piece of linen they would take 100 weight that's about 75 lbs of shavings sawdust and chips from a very aromatic tree that they had at that time they would mix that with myrr and they would wrap they would put the person on a bed of that about this thick a fragrant bed if you will and then they would begin to wrap the linen and they put more of those alows and myrr upon them and they wrap them again and they put more they were really they were creating a a paste like substance between the layers of the linen and they were forming like a cocoon then they wrapped the head with a napkin and they put them in the ground or in the Tomb as the case might have been now so all of those things tell me that Jesus Christ was truly dead what would it take question listen to me what would it take to show that a person who was truly dead at one point was alive and well at a later Point well it would take Witnesses it would take evidence we're not talking about mythology we're not talking about" [57:41](Download clip | | )

"Christ did not raise from the dead but verse 20 if Christ is risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept then Christianity is not just a story a myth a legend Christianity is reality is truth and if you'll go down to verse number 23 our own Resurrection our own hope today is based on the fact that Christ Rose every man in his own order Christ the first fruits the first one to rise afterward they that are Christ as Christians at his coming at the second coming of Christ you see the resurrection is so vitally important today because in the resurrection I see the power of God in fact it's the greatest single demonstration of the power of God since creation first God spoke the world into existence next he demonstrated his power over death and those two things require divine power no man could bring that about but secondly the resurrection not only demonstrates the power of God the resurrection is proof that when Christ rose from the dead Christ God had accepted his sacrifice for sin and so so there's no question about whether his sacrifice was efficacious whether his sacrifice really counted because God accepted what Jesus did at the cross and the fact that he resurrected him to life is absolute proof that God was satisfied that every sin of every human being whoever lived was now paid for through the death and the shedding of Christ blood" [49:10]( | | )

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Transcript
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