Verifiable Truth: The Resurrection as Our Foundation
Summary
In today's world, where the concept of absolute truth is increasingly questioned, the Christian Church stands as a beacon of verifiable truth. This is particularly evident in the historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection is not just a comforting story or a metaphorical tale; it is a verifiable event that forms the cornerstone of our faith. As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15, if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile, and we are still in our sins. The resurrection is not just a matter of personal belief but a historical event that can be trusted and verified.
The story of the women visiting the tomb in Matthew 28 illustrates this point beautifully. They found the stone rolled away, not to let Jesus out, but to let us in, to verify the truth of the resurrection. Jesus, who had already risen, did not need the stone to be moved for His sake. The angel rolled it away to allow the witnesses to see the empty tomb and the undisturbed grave clothes, providing tangible evidence of the resurrection. This act invites us to trust but verify, affirming that our faith is grounded in historical reality.
Unlike other religions where salvation is achieved through following the teachings of a founder, Christianity is unique. We are not saved by our works or adherence to teachings but by what Jesus did—His death and resurrection. This is why the resurrection is crucial; it validates Jesus as more than a teacher, but as our Savior. The empty tomb is an invitation to explore and confirm the truth of our faith, reinforcing that Christianity can withstand scrutiny and questioning.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Importance of Verifiable Truth: In a culture that often dismisses absolute truth, Christianity emphasizes the importance of verifiable historical facts, particularly the resurrection of Jesus. This event is not just a comforting story but a foundational truth that can be trusted and verified. [00:40]
2. The Role of the Resurrection: The resurrection is central to our faith. As Paul states, if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile. The resurrection is not just a metaphor but a historical event that assures us of our salvation and the truth of the Gospel. [01:48]
3. The Empty Tomb as Evidence: The stone was rolled away not to let Jesus out but to let us in, to verify the resurrection. The undisturbed grave clothes and the empty tomb serve as tangible evidence of this miraculous event, inviting us to trust but verify. [05:11]
4. Salvation Through Jesus' Actions: Unlike other religions, Christianity teaches that we are saved not by our works but by what Jesus did. His death and resurrection are the basis of our salvation, emphasizing the importance of these historical events. [06:37]
5. Christianity's Resilience to Scrutiny: Christianity invites questions and scrutiny because it is based on historical facts. The resurrection is a verifiable event that can withstand examination, reinforcing the truth and reliability of our faith. [05:42]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - The Irony of Truth in Modern Culture
[00:56] - Trust but Verify
[01:36] - The Importance of the Resurrection
[02:27] - Discovering New Insights in Scripture
[03:19] - The Women at the Tomb
[04:10] - The Significance of the Rolled Stone
[04:59] - Evidence of the Resurrection
[05:26] - History and Christianity
[05:56] - Recommended Reading
[06:22] - Salvation Through Jesus
[07:06] - The Invitation to Verify
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
2. Matthew 28:1-10
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Corinthians 15, what does Paul say about the importance of the resurrection for our faith? How does he describe the consequences if Christ has not been raised? [01:48]
2. In Matthew 28, what did the women find when they arrived at the tomb? How does the text describe the state of the grave clothes? [04:59]
3. What role does the angel play in the story of the resurrection according to Matthew 28? Why was the stone rolled away? [05:11]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between Christianity and other religions in terms of salvation? [06:22]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Paul emphasize the resurrection as a verifiable historical event in 1 Corinthians 15? How does this support the foundation of Christian faith? [01:48]
2. What is the significance of the empty tomb and the undisturbed grave clothes in Matthew 28? How do these details contribute to the credibility of the resurrection story? [04:59]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of "trust but verify" in the context of the resurrection? What does this mean for believers today? [05:26]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christianity can withstand scrutiny and questioning? How does this compare to the approach of other religions? [05:42]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the importance of verifiable truth in your own faith journey. How does the historical reality of the resurrection impact your personal belief in Christianity? [00:40]
2. The sermon highlights the role of the resurrection in affirming our salvation. How does this understanding influence your daily life and spiritual practices? [01:48]
3. Consider the idea of "trust but verify" in your own faith. Are there areas where you feel challenged to seek evidence or deeper understanding? How can you address these challenges? [05:26]
4. How can you engage with others who may question the historical validity of the resurrection? What resources or approaches might you use to have meaningful conversations? [05:42]
5. The sermon contrasts Christianity with other religions in terms of salvation through Jesus' actions. How does this perspective shape your view of grace and works in your faith? [06:22]
6. Think about a time when your faith was questioned or scrutinized. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you prepare for similar situations in the future? [05:42]
7. How can the story of the women at the tomb inspire you to explore and confirm the truths of your faith? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the resurrection? [04:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Verifiable Truth in a Skeptical World
In a world where the concept of absolute truth is often questioned, Christianity stands firm on the foundation of verifiable historical facts, particularly the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This event is not merely a comforting story or a metaphorical tale; it is a historical reality that can be trusted and verified. The resurrection is central to the Christian faith, as it validates the truth of the Gospel and assures believers of their salvation. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul emphasizes that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile. This underscores the importance of the resurrection as a verifiable truth that forms the cornerstone of our faith. [00:40]
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to accept absolute truth? How can you seek God's guidance to embrace the verifiable truths of your faith today?
Day 2: The Centrality of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is not just a metaphorical concept but a historical event that is central to the Christian faith. It assures believers of their salvation and the truth of the Gospel. As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15, if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile, and we are still in our sins. This highlights the significance of the resurrection as the foundation of our faith. The resurrection validates Jesus as more than a teacher; it confirms Him as our Savior, whose death and resurrection are the basis of our salvation. [01:48]
"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 historical reality of the resurrection impact your daily walk with Christ? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of this foundational truth?
Day 3: The Empty Tomb as Tangible Evidence
The story of the women visiting the tomb in Matthew 28 illustrates the tangible evidence of the resurrection. The stone was rolled away not to let Jesus out, but to let us in, to verify the truth of the resurrection. The undisturbed grave clothes and the empty tomb serve as tangible evidence of this miraculous event, inviting us to trust but verify. This act invites believers to explore and confirm the truth of their faith, reinforcing that Christianity can withstand scrutiny and questioning. [05:11]
"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." (Luke 24:1-3, ESV)
Reflection: What tangible evidence of God's work in your life can you identify today? How can you use these experiences to strengthen your faith and share the truth of the Gospel with others?
Day 4: Salvation Through Jesus' Actions
Unlike other religions where salvation is achieved through following the teachings of a founder, Christianity teaches that we are saved not by our works but by what Jesus did—His death and resurrection. This is why the resurrection is crucial; it validates Jesus as more than a teacher, but as our Savior. The empty tomb is an invitation to explore and confirm the truth of our faith, emphasizing the importance of these historical events. [06:37]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself relying on your own efforts for salvation? How can you shift your focus to fully trust in the finished work of Jesus?
Day 5: Christianity's Resilience to Scrutiny
Christianity invites questions and scrutiny because it is based on historical facts. The resurrection is a verifiable event that can withstand examination, reinforcing the truth and reliability of our faith. This resilience to scrutiny is a testament to the strength and authenticity of the Christian faith. Believers are encouraged to explore and confirm the truth of their faith, knowing that it can withstand questioning and examination. [05:42]
"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." (Acts 17:11, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a spirit of inquiry and examination in your faith journey? What steps can you take to ensure that your beliefs are grounded in the truth of Scripture?
Quotes
"Kath I think it's kind of ironic that here we are in the 21st century first third of the 21st century and perhaps the biggest proponent of verifiable facts and Truth is the Christian church because what's happening in our culture I just read a book by James Davis a hunter a friend of mine who was saying increasingly the culture doesn't believe in facts or truth it believes that people create their own truth they create their own facts there's no real certainty about what the right the right take on reality is and so here we have the Christian Church of all things being the the center of the uh of emphasis on there are historical facts that can be verified." [00:00:00]
"um and the point of calling the article about was that God worked it out so that we didn't have to take the resurrection just on trust he actually made it verifiable now I remember that article despite my advancing years I remember the article was a great article that's why I remember it's probably still running around the internet you can never lose anything anymore stuff just lives forever one of the things I remember very clearly though is First Corinthians 15 you quote it very important um place where Paul's talking about the resurrection and he says if Christ is not raised you are your faith is futile you're still in your sins and we of all people are most to be pitied if the resurrection is just a a nice story uh we're we're lost we're lost because the resurrection really had to happen and then Paul goes on to explain that there are eyewitnesses and this is absolutely verifiable historical truth." [00:01:19]
"and while we were on vacation one year long ago I got to Matthew 28 which is the resurrection and the women going to the tomb and I've had such a familiar passage I've read it how many times and thought well I'm not going to see anything near here that I haven't seen before and I was going to read it really quickly and you know again got it done but then I did see something new I mean you can read a passage in the Bible how many times and God will always show you something new that you said now that I ever miss that yeah that is that that is one of the reasons why because it's a Divine book because God speaks to us not only in it but sort of through it uh you really can't read the Bible too often you can never say oh I read that chapter I can skip it yeah never and so you went back you read it again and what was it you saw well it's the part where it's talking about the women are going out to the tomb to anoint Jesus body because of course he was buried very hastily after the crucifixion they didn't think that all of the rights had been done properly and they were in Mark um 16 it tells us that they were actually worried about how they were going to get into the tomb because of that huge rock that was like down in the declivity which would have been a problem not just for women but men I mean it's not meant to be moved so they were discussing that and going back to Matthew 28 it says when they got there the stone was rolled away and there was an angel sitting on top of it and you know I looked at that and I said okay Jesus didn't need the angel to let him out of the Tomb it's not like he's like knock knock you know get to let me out well he was the creator he was he was he was in charge of every molecule the universe from all those gorgeous images that the web telescope shows us to feeding of the well five thousand some commentators think it was more like twenty thousand if you count the women and the children because it was that was only men right and also the Risen Christ appeared to his disciples through locked door right with his resurrection but he could have gone through he really didn't need anything he did not need the angel to move it in fact he was gone by the time the angel got there he was on his way to Galilee is what the angel says he was already Elvis had left the building you know he was he had already he was already gone and the angel was there to say go in and look and what did they see when they went in and looked they saw the grave clothes which would have been you know wound around the body mummy's style the Gospel of John talks about that but they weren't Disturbed they weren't like ripped off or anything like that they were just all still wound up very neatly and he had passed through those and then he'd pass through the rock it's such a and then they went and told the disciples the disciples came and looked and they saw the same thing it says that Peter saw the grave clothes Etc the stone was rolled away not to let Jesus out right but to let us in to trust but verify that the resurrection had actually taken place because it took place in time and in space and in history and to to take a slogan that I've heard used in other situations that I may not agree with history is on our side you can ask any question you like of Christianity and I'll help you look for the answer I'll help you ask the question because it can stand up to that it has to be factual it has to be it can by the way two really really important books to show this I knew there would be well Auntie Wright's book the resurrection of the Son of God which is a real doorstopper it is and another one is similar is Richard Balcom Jesus and the eyewitnesses but the main point I think that we need to make sure everybody sees is that other religions and other religions you're saved by following the teachings of the founder yeah yeah whoever the founder is the most important thing that that uh founder did was teach how do you behave so that you can be saved right and therefore um the teaching is the key thing but we do not believe you're saved by your good works or by anything you do we're saved we understand the gospels we're saved by what Jesus did did what he did not what we do in fact provable which means it's it's Jesus though he was a great teacher he was more than a teacher he was a savior and it wasn't just that we need to listen to what Jesus says which we do but we have to trust in what he did and therefore unless the cross really happened unless the resurrection really happened then we are still lost we're still in our sins as it were and it all started with an angel politely rolling the stone away and inviting us to come in and verify that if it actually happens." [00:02:37]
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