NewDayvotional

From the pastor for the people

Archives for October 2014

Evidence for the Resurrection – Part 2

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When you talk with someone about Jesus, you are Christ’s witness and whoever you’re speaking with is the jury. A good witness will carefully present evidence as to influence the jury to render a correct verdict. There are four primary pieces of evidence to present that argue for the reality of the resurrection. In this post we’ll cover reasons three and four. To read reasons one and two click here.

Why should we believe that Jesus rose from the dead? The third reason deals with the changed lives of Jesus’ disciples.

Evidence #3: The Changed Lives.

The numerous (and suddenly) changed lives of Jesus’ followers argue for the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. Here are three examples:

  1. Before Jesus’ resurrection Peter couldn’t address a handful of people in the high priest’s courtyard about Jesus (John 18). After Jesus’ resurrection Peter boldly addressed many thousands of people about Jesus (Acts 2).
  2. Before Jesus’ resurrection none of Jesus’ brothers believed in him (John 7:5). After Jesus’ resurrection they all believed (Acts 1:14) and began preaching that their brother rose from dead (1 Corinthians 9:5).
  3. Before Jesus appeared to Paul he was a violent persecutor of the church (Acts 8:3). After Jesus appeared to Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8) he became a Christian missionary and embraced a life of poverty, labor and suffering (1 Corinthians 4:11).

Could anything other than Jesus’ resurrection account for these changed lives?

Objection: Jesus’ disciples thought he rose from the dead, but Jesus actually faked his own death.

Response: 1) Could Jesus really have stayed still, without flinching, while Joseph and Nicodemus embalmed him? 2) Would the pitiful physical condition he would’ve been in have inspired and convinced the scared, scattered, skeptical disciples that he was a conquering king who had triumphed over death?

Summary: The disciples lives were changed suddenly and drastically because Jesus faked his death OR the disciples lives were changed suddenly and drastically because they saw Jesus alive after his death. Which of these two options seems more plausible to you?

Why should we believe that Jesus rose from the dead? The fourth reason deals with the explosive growth of the first century church.

Evidence #4: The Church.

The start and meteoric rise of the church argues for the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. In the same way that something has to account for the radically changed lives of Jesus’ disciples, something has to also account for the explosive growth of the church. Within five weeks of Jesus’ death Christianity grew to about 10,000 people (Acts 4:4). What explains this? If not the resurrection of Jesus, then what?

Evidence for the Resurrection – Part 1

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When you talk with someone about Jesus, you are Christ’s witness and whoever you’re speaking with is the jury. A good witness will carefully present evidence as to influence the jury to render a correct verdict. There are four primary pieces of evidence to present that argue for the reality of the resurrection. In this post we’ll cover the first two pieces of evidence.

Why should we believe that Jesus rose from the dead? The first reason deals with the empty tomb.

Evidence #1: The Empty Tomb.

The empty tomb argues for the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. If Jesus rose from the dead then the tomb would indeed be empty and it was. Even Jesus’ enemies conceded this point. Matthew 28:12-13 says, “When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers [the ones who were guarding the tomb] a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’” In coming up with a lie about what happened to Jesus’ body, they confirmed the tomb was empty.

Objection: Jesus’ disciples stole his body.

Response: 1) What was their motive? People will steal and lie about it for what’s to be gained. But for the disciples, maintaining that Jesus rose from the dead cost them their very lives, yet they continued to hold that they saw Jesus rise from the dead. Why would they do that unless it was the truth? 2) Would anyone die for a lie they knew was a lie? Misguided people may die for a lie they thought was the truth, but they will not die for a lie they know is a lie. If the disciples indeed stole Jesus’ body then they died for a lie they knew was a lie. 3) If the guards were asleep wouldn’t they have woken up as the 2-4 thousand pound stone was rolled away?  4) If the Roman guards were sleeping as the Jews claimed, then how would the sleeping guards have known that the disciples came and stole Jesus’ body?

Summary: There is no argument over whether or not Jesus’ tomb was empty. There’s only argument over which explanation best explains why His body was missing. There are two theories. 1) Jesus rose from the dead. 2) The disciples stole Jesus’ body. Out of these two options – which seems more plausible to you?

Why should we believe that Jesus rose from the dead? The second reason deals with the post-mortem appearances of Christ.

Evidence #2: The Appearances.

The eye witness testimony of over 500 people that saw Jesus alive after his death argues for the reality of the resurrection. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures…he was buried…he was raised on the third day…he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred…at the same time, most of whom are still living…Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also…” In a court of law, the eye-witness testimony of even two or three witnesses (when that testimony agrees) is considered truth. People have been condemned to life in prison or even death on the eye-witness testimony of even two or three witnesses. How much more so then should the eye-witness testimony of over five hundred people be considered truth!

Objection: No one saw Jesus alive after his death. They were all hallucinating.

Response: Hallucinations are like dreams – no two are alike. Would you ever believe that even two people had the same dream? If not, then why would you believe that over five hundred people all hallucinated the same thing?

Summary: People saw Jesus alive after his death because he really did rise from the dead OR over 500 people all hallucinated the same thing. Which of these two options is more plausible to you?

Following a Guiding God – Part 2

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When we follow the guiding or leading of the Holy Spirit the gospel spreads. Take Peter for example. In Acts 10, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” (Acts 10:19-20 NIV) Peter follows the leading of the Holy Spirit. As a result, Cornelius (the man to whom these men will be taking Peter) and his entire household get saved. Because Peter obeyed, the gospel spread. And not just to one man, but to an entire people group – the Gentiles.

The Holy Spirit is always trying to guide us in spreading the gospel. Won’t you listen to His voice today? You never know the impact you could have on this world for Jesus when you follow His leading!

Following a Guiding God – Part 1

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When we follow the leading or guiding of the Holy Spirit the gospel spreads. Take Philip for example. In Acts 8 we read that the Holy Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” (Acts 8:29 NIV) Philip overcomes any fears he might have and follows the leading of the Holy Spirit. As a result, the Ethiopian eunuch who is in the chariot, reading the book of Isaiah, gets saved, and then brings the gospel message he received from Philip back to Egypt with him.

Because Philip obeyed the guiding voice of the Holy Spirit, the gospel spread. And not just to one man, but to an entire country through that one man. The Holy Spirit is still guiding us today in order for the gospel to continue to spread. Won’t you listen to His voice this week? You never know the impact you could have on this world for Jesus when you follow the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit!

Pray When You Need a Miracle

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In Acts 12 the apostle Peter is in prison, waiting trial and certain execution. So “…the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” When you need a miracle, you pray. When you need a financial miracle, you pray. When you need a miracle in your marriage, you pray. When you need a miracle of healing (for yourself or someone else) you pray. When it seems impossible for a loved one to surrender their lives to Jesus, you pray.

Because the church prayed, God sent an angel to miraculously deliver Peter from his prison cell (v.7). Could it be that your miracle is just a prayer away? James 4:2 says “You do not have because you do not ask God.” Do you need a miracle right now? Have you prayed for one? Maybe you need to remind yourself right now of Luke 1:37 which says “With God, all things are possible.”

And I want to encourage you to pray for a miracle, even if you don’t have the faith to believe God will do it. You see, sometimes God answers our prayers in response to our faith, and other times He answers our prayers, simply because we prayed. This was the case for the church in Acts 12. When Peter was rescued from prison he showed up at the house where people were praying for his release. When the servant girl Rhoda announced to everyone that Peter was at the door they replied “You’re out of your mind!” (v.15). When the girl kept insisting, they finally opened the door and “…they were astonished” (v.16). You see, though they were praying, they didn’t really believe anything would happen. Maybe that’s how you feel right now? But God honored their obedience to pray, even when their faith was lacking. So don’t make prayer all about YOUR faith, make it about GOD’S power.

In the early church, when they needed a miracle, they prayed for one. Why not do as they did, so you can experience what they experienced!