This past Sunday night’s service was nothing short of amazing. I truly believe God has something unique in store for GaP ministry at New Life Church and I am excited to be apart of it. I am so grateful for all those that came together to help serve or per take in the service in anyway.
Sunday night I built a case for the resurrection and encouraged our young adults that we have logical and historical evidence to believe that Jesus really did rise from the dead. I feel very passionately about understanding this issue. One because we must understand what and why we believe what we do and two because we must be ready at all times to defend and give an account for the faith we have (1 Peter 3:15).
The resurrection is the epic center of the christian movement and is the most important thing to a believer. If Christ hadn’t raised from the dead then He must not be the Son of God and if He isn’t the Son of God how can He be trusted to give us eternal life? Christ resurrection means everything to the christian (1 Corinthians 15:17-19).
It is normal for doubts to arise in the minds of believers because how can we be certain that this isn’t more then a legendary story or inspiring Sunday school lesson. Could it have really happened? Could a man who lived 2000 years ago really have been the Son of God who raised from the dead? These are the questions that everyone undoubtedly has to face. So can we be certain? Simply put…yes!
The answer lies in the 5 E’s of evidence: Execution: Jesus was really killed. Empty Tomb: Jesus body really was place in a tomb but three days later the tomb was empty. Eye Witness accounts: over 500 people saw, talked, touched, and ate with Jesus after He resurrected including Paul, Peter, James, and Thomas who’s lives were radically transformed as a result of seeing Jesus post-death. Early Records: the gospel accounts date back to just 20 or so years after the resurrection way to soon for legend to arise. There is also records of Flavivus Josephus a non-christian Jewish historian who wrote about people claiming Christ raised from the dead just 5 years after it happened! Lastly Emergence of the Church: the very start and survival of the church is a miracle when you think it started out by just 12 men and now is the largest religion on earth. Especially when you take in to account that it came out of Judaism, one of the most ancient and traditional religions ever. For these Jews to change their way of life they must have encountered something miraculous.
I wish I had more time to pick apart each evidential piece more in depth. It truly is exciting to know and understand that there is logical and historical information that supports the case of the resurrection. Sir Lionel Luckhoo was an atheist lawyer who may be the most successful lawyer who ever lived. He was knighted twice by Queen Elizabeth and was recorded in the Guinness World Record book for winning the most consecutive straight cases (244!). Luckhoo like many others wrestled with the idea of Jesus resurrection and decided to use his skills as a lawyer to find out just how credible it was. His conclusion can be summed up by his own statement; “I say unequivocally that the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt.” Shortly after his research Lionel became a christian.
I end with this thought. What if there truly is more to this life? What if there is more then what we can smell, taste, touch, hear, and see? Jesus resurrection holds the key to eternal life. It is the credentials He has to back up the claims He made. It is the promise that if He resurrected and lives eternally so will we if we follow Him. You can live your whole life according to your wisdom and standards but only Jesus holds the power to a resurrected life. Trust Him, follow Him, Love Him.
Thanks for reading!
Terry Butler
