One of the most hotly contested issues in all of Christianity is also the most important issue in Christianity and that is the resurrection. \u00a0The world agrees the Jesus was a man, they agree that He did a lot of good things, and they even agree that Jesus died. \u00a0However, two points of contention about Christ is that He is God (I will deal with that in another post) and the other point of contention in on His resurrection. \u00a0This will come as no surprise, but I am convinced of the resurrection on three grounds. \u00a0First, there is the empty tomb. \u00a0If you lay a body in a tomb, it stands to reason that if you went back to it that the body would still be there. \u00a0However, that is not the case. \u00a0Secondly, I believe in the resurrection because of the eye witness testimony of over 500 people. \u00a0Over the course of His final 40 days on earth after the resurrection, Jesus was seen by many people. \u00a0Finally, I believe in the resurrection because of the change in the apostles as well as the change in my life. \u00a0I realize that many people are going to want to dispute the first two proofs, and I welcome a good discussion on them. \u00a0However, the one that no one can dispute is the change that occurs in a true disciple’s life. \u00a0From coward to courageous, from puny to powerful, from a denier to a declarer of who Jesus is. \u00a0People for centuries have set out to disprove who Jesus is, and in many cases they end up proving the exact opposite and giving their life over to Christ. \u00a0In the rest of this post, I want us to consider the ramifications for all of humanity if the resurrection didn’t happen.<\/p>\n
**Disclaimer-the following is a transcript of an Easter sermon I preached at Westlake in 2009**<\/p>\n
Three Truths If The Resurrection Never Happened:<\/p>\n
–If the resurrection didn\u2019t happen faith would be vain (v. 16)<\/b>.\u00a0 If Jesus Christ isn\u2019t who He says He is and didn\u2019t do what He said He did then our faith is completely meaningless.\u00a0 There are those who try to deny the resurrection.\u00a0 However you can look at the biblical account given in the gospels as well as here in 1 Corinthians 15 to see that many people saw Jesus after His crucifixion.\u00a0 Even science can not come up with an explanation that makes sense to explain the empty tomb.\u00a0 Therefore there is no doubt of the resurrection.\u00a0 That is why it says in Psalm 14:1, \u201cThe fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.\u00a0 They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.\u201d\u00a0 Many people say, \u201cI can\u2019t understand or don\u2019t understand faith.\u201d \u00a0I don\u2019t understand electricity but I don\u2019t sit in the dark.\u00a0 Hebrews 11:1, 2 says, \u201cNow faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.\u00a0 For by it the elders obtained a good report.\u201d\u00a0 Simply stated, faith is believing in what you can\u2019t see.\u00a0 You can\u2019t and most of us don\u2019t understand everything that happens in a car\u2019s engine when you turn the key, yet everyday we get in, put the key in the ignition turn it and expect it to start.\u00a0 Therefore it is not that you can\u2019t have faith it is you choose not to have faith in Jesus Christ.\u00a0 Many people ask, \u201chow can a loving God send someone to hell?\u201d\u00a0 It is not God\u2019s desire for people to go to hell.\u00a0 Jesus said in Matthew 18:11, \u201cFor the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.\u201d\u00a0 Peter writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in 2 Peter 3:9, \u201cThe Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.\u201d\u00a0 Paul even writes in 1 Corinthians 15:22, \u201cFor as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.\u201d\u00a0 The Bible couldn\u2019t be any clearer as to what God wants for every person, He wants them to place their faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord and have all of eternity in heaven.\u00a0 If that is what God\u2019s desire is then why doesn\u2019t it happen?\u00a0 The reason not everyone is going to heaven is because they do not choose Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord.\u00a0 And please hear this, there is only one way to heaven and that is by faith in Jesus Christ as it says in John 14:6, \u201cI am the way, the truth, and the life.\u00a0 No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.\u201d\u00a0 Those people who are telling you that everyone is going to heaven or there are other ways into heaven are lying to you!\u00a0 Jesus who is God said the only way to God and heaven is through Him!<\/p>\n
–If there was no resurrection our sin would remain (v<\/b>. 17)<\/b>.\u00a0 Many people ask the question, \u201cIf Jesus is God then why did He come to earth just to be hung on a cross?\u201d\u00a0 Let me answer the first part of the question, Jesus is absolutely God because the Bible says He is.\u00a0 One of the apostle John\u2019s favorite titles for Jesus was \u201cthe Word.\u201d\u00a0 And now look with me at John 1:1, \u201cIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.\u201d\u00a0 You\u2019ve heard people say, \u201cthe Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it.\u201d\u00a0 That statement is a lie from the pit of hell and it smells like smoke.\u00a0 The truth is \u201cthe Bible says it, that settles it,\u201d it doesn\u2019t matter if you choose to believe it or not!\u00a0 Now the second part of the question about why did He come to the earth?\u00a0 We must first understand that God is holy as He says in 1 Peter 1:16, \u201cbecause it is written, be ye holy, for I am holy.\u201d\u00a0 And as a holy God He can not look upon sin without judging it and He can not and will not allow sin into heaven.\u00a0 As we have talked about earlier, God\u2019s desire is that all men come to repentance which means they will be in heaven with Him when they die.\u00a0 However there is a problem, man ever since Adam in the Garden of Eden is sinful as it says in Romans 3:23, \u201cFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.\u201d\u00a0 Since God doesn\u2019t allow sin into heaven and man is sinful, God had to make a way that the price would be paid for all the sin of all mankind so that those who place their faith in Jesus can go to heaven.\u00a0 And the only way that price could be paid is by a perfect sacrifice.\u00a0 Therefore God sent His Son to be born of a virgin.\u00a0 Mary had to be a virgin because if she wasn\u2019t then Jesus would have the same sin nature that you and I have and He wouldn\u2019t be perfect.\u00a0 Since Jesus was born of a virgin and lived a sinless life, He was the perfect sacrifice for all man\u2019s sins.\u00a0 The Bible tells us in Luke 23 that there was a darkness that came upon the earth three hours into Jesus\u2019 crucifixion.\u00a0 This is the time in which God the Father poured out the sins of the world upon His Son, Jesus became sin for us and shed His blood for what we have done, are doing, and will do.\u00a0 When Jesus shed His blood, the sacrifice was made and the price was paid.\u00a0 Because of that sacrifice all who place their faith in Jesus are not seen as the sinners they are by God, but rather God sees them as justified or just-as-if-I-never-sinned, making it possible for us to go to heaven. \u00a0And if that didn\u2019t happen then we can never be forgiven for all the wrong things we do and therefore we would have no chance of going to heaven because we are never good enough to get into heaven.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0If there was no resurrection this life would be all there is (v<\/b>. 18)<\/b>.\u00a0 One thing that most people in the world want is a better life.\u00a0 This life is full of sadness, pain, and suffering.\u00a0 We all long for something better than this.\u00a0 Because of Jesus\u2019 death that is made possible.\u00a0 Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for those who place their faith in Him in John 14.\u00a0 The place being prepared for us is in heaven where God lives.\u00a0 There is a small description of heaven given in Revelation 21:4, \u201cAnd God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.\u201d\u00a0 Everything that sums up life on earth will not be present in heaven.\u00a0 But if the resurrection didn\u2019t happen then this is all we have.\u00a0 If the resurrection didn\u2019t happen we should as it says in 1 Corinthians 15:32, \u201c\u2026if the dead rise not?\u00a0 Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die.\u201d\u00a0 But we know that Jesus did rise from the dead because the Bible tells us, there is the evidence of the empty tomb, but most of all there has been a change in the heart of every person who has ever placed their faith in Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord. **End of the Sermon<\/p>\n
We praise God that He loved us enough to send His Son, Jesus, into this world to take our place and to take our punishment. \u00a0Where there was no way, Jesus has provided a way! \u00a0If you have never accepted Christ as your Savior, I want you to know two things. \u00a0First, you are on a path to destruction and eternal torment. \u00a0Secondly, you don’t have to go there, you can have heaven as your home. \u00a0The Bible says we must believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that He was buried, and on the third day rose again (1 Cor. 15:3-4). \u00a0Acknowledge to God that you are a sinner and believe this and the Bible promises you will be saved. \u00a0I encourage you if you need to accept Jesus to stop reading right now, and make this decision.<\/p>\n
If you have made a decision to accept Christ, would you do me the favor of letting me know. \u00a0I want to help you take the next steps in your new found faith. \u00a0If you have more questions about what it means to accept and follow Christ, I want to encourage you to contact me either by phone at 540-721-8784 or by e-mail: westlakebc@gmail.com<\/p>\n
By His grace and through His strength may we live for Him<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One of the most hotly contested issues in all of Christianity is also the most important issue in Christianity and that is the resurrection. \u00a0The world agrees the Jesus was a man, they agree that He did a lot of … Read More