ONE OF MY REASONS FOR BELIEVING IN THE RESURRECTION
1.
We heard the scripture reading (1 Cor.
2. If the resurrection of Christ is false we have no hope.
3. If the body of Jesus was not raised and returned to heaven, Christianity is a waste of time.
4. We are being deceived. Our hope in Christ is vain.
Why do we believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead?
There are a variety of reasons to conclude that the resurrection is true.
This evening I want to look at only one of the reasons for believing in the resurrection.
In addition to hearing part of 1 Cor. 15 read we also heard Acts 1:3.
This passage (Acts 1:3) contains some interesting comments.
Notice, if you will, the word translated “proofs.”
There are different kinds of proof.
The kind of proof described by this word is very specific.
This word describes the kind of proof that was actually demonstrated to someone.
This is the type of proof that people get by touching, hearing, and feeling.
One source says this word meant, “convincing and decisive proof.”
The resurrection of Christ is based upon evidence.
This evidence is overwhelming.
Luke said that this proof wasn’t offered once or twice.
Jesus offered this type of proof “many” times.
These many proofs were offered over a space of “40 days.”
When Jesus left the earth there was no doubt that it was Him.
There was no question as to whether or not He was still in the grave.
The evidence was so compelling that Luke didn’t include any of it in this book.
Have we ever considered this?
At the start of his book he alleges that there were multiple types of indisputable proofs.
Yet, Luke didn’t list them.
When people make this kind of allegation this immediately exposes people to a risk.
If people make this kind of statement there are always people in the world who say, “Prove it.”
Luke could. Others were also able to tell about the might proofs described by Luke.
SOME OF THE PROOF THAT WAS AVAILABLE IS DESCRIBED ON THIS CHART. PROJECTOR ON.
The first reference is from Lk. 24; the entire story is in verses 13-31.
The Bible simply says that these persons were “two men” (verse 13).
These men were skeptical about Jesus’ resurrection.
Verses 19-21.
These men were not exactly believers in the resurrection – READ verses 22-24.
These men were somewhat skeptical.
They finally concluded, however, that the resurrection is true – verse 31. READ.
Two skeptical men eventually became believers.
These men realized that the person they were with was Jesus.
Perhaps some would say this passage is not too compelling.
Let’s look at the next reference on the chart.
Jesus also appeared to Peter (1 Cor. 15:5). READ.
Peter knew who the Lord was.
He had spent more than three years with Jesus.
He had been in the Lord’s “inner circle.”
He would have known things about Jesus that no else would have known.
Acts 1:2-3 says that Jesus spent 40 days with the apostles.
One of the apostles was Peter.
After spending more than a month with the resurrected Lord Peter was convinced.
He was so convinced he went to jail for his belief.
He was so sure that Jesus was raised from the dead that he was willing to be beaten and die.
If all we had was Peter’s eyewitness testimony this would be sufficient.
This would be enough to convince a court.
The testimony of Peter is compelling but this is not all the proof that we have.
The other apostles concluded that Jesus had returned from the dead.
This information is especially intriguing.
This is found in the next reference – Jn. 20:19-25. READ.
The gathering of the apostles presents us with a unique form of proof.
If we are married we have someone who can often help us.
If we see something we can turn to our spouse and say, “What did you think of that?”
Those who are married can usually get a second opinion about things.
There were originally twelve apostles.
On the occasion described by John Judas was gone; Thomas was not present.
The information in 25a (the other disciples) indicates that all 10 were present.
If this is correct, all these men had spent at least 3 years with Jesus,
All combined there was about 30 yeas of experience with the Lord.
This contact was not periodic.
These men had worked with Jesus day after day.
They knew many things about Him.
After meeting with the person who claimed to be Jesus they finally believed.
They were absolutely convinced that Jesus was no longer in the grave.
According to Jn. Thomas said he wouldn’t believe them.
Unless he saw for himself he wouldn’t accept their testimony.
Let’s read a little further in Jn. 20—verses 25-29. READ.
Thomas wanted a specific kind of proof.
He didn’t want to see Jesus.
He wanted to see where the nails had pierced the Lord’s body.
This man wanted to see the marks of the crucifixion.
This man wanted proof that was indisputable.
Did he get it?
The proof was so overwhelming that Thomas said, “My Lord and My God.”
Look at the proof we have for the resurrection.
Peter was able to confirm it.
Two unnamed disciples who were skeptics confirmed it.
The disciples who knew Jesus very well confirmed it.
A skeptical disciple from the apostolic band confirmed it.
Let’s skip to the next chapter in John’s gospel.
Jn. 21:1-14.
The people who were gathered together are described in verse 2. READ.
Verse 14 offers an additional thought. READ.
Jesus appeared over a space of 40 days and offered many types of proof.
The proof that we have looked at was offered to some of Jesus closest friends.
What about others?
Was there ever a time when Jesus appeared to many people at once?
What is the next reference on the chart? 1 Cor. 15:6.
This passage was written by Paul.
Paul was someone who believed in the resurrection.
He didn’t start out as a believer.
In fact, he firmly opposed the resurrection of Christ for a long time.
His mind was changed by some overwhelming evidence.
For our purposes this evidence is not going to be examined.
We will, however, look at what he told the Corinthians.
READ 1 Cor. 15:6.
Jesus appeared to about 500 people “at once.”
500 people can and often do have 500 different opinions.
If something is not true, convincing this number of people is very difficult.
Yet, these people were convinced.
Paul also said that when this was written many of these people were still alive.
Jesus didn’t appear to these people and then ask them to stay silent.
These people were given evidence so they could share it with others.
God created witnesses who could attest to the resurrection of Christ.
Some of the people who knew of the resurrection witnessed the Lord’s ascension.
This is described in Acts 1:3-11.
An ascension into the sky is pretty difficult to fake.
When we look at just some of the appearances of Jesus after the resurrection we have proof.
We have more than enough evidence to know that Jesus is no longer in a grave.
As we learned this morning He is alive and He is leading people.
For 2,000 years He has led people in the right way and He is still leading.
Are we following Him?
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RECIPIENT OF
PROOF |
REFERENCE |
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Two disciples |
Lk. 24:13, 19-21; 22-24; 31 |
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Peter |
1 Cor. 15:5 |
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The apostles minus Thomas |
Jn. 20:19-25 |
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The apostles with Thomas |
Jn. 20:25-29 |
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Seven people at the lake of Tiberius |
Jn. 21:1-14 |
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The 500 in Galilee |
1 Cor. 15:6 |
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Many at the ascension |
Acts 1:3-11 |