Rooted in Resurrection: The Call to Believe

Introduction:

Define belief as not just an abstract concept but as foundational to our Christian identity. Introduce the idea that belief is the root from which our faith grows and flourishes.

"Have you ever been really sure about something? How do you know you can believe it's true?"

"Can anyone tell me what it means to believe in something or someone?"

News, Politics, Covid Vaccines,

1. The Reality of the Resurrection

One of the most important things we believe as Christians is the resurrection of Jesus. We believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins and then He was resurrected from the dead. Resurrection means you come back from the dead. You and I’ve never met someone who came back from the dead…..in fact most people never meet someone who has been resurrected.…

I want to read a story of a time when Jesus’ disciple were hanging out after Jesus had died on the cross.

John 20:24–29 ESV

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Thomas doubted very reasonably that Jesus was alive and he doubted until Jesus showed up and let Thomas touch him.

Can you relate to Thomas? Would you have immediately believed your friends that Jesus had resurrected from the dead?

For the followers of Jesus accepting that Jesus had come back to life it took both belief and proof. They had to see the proof and accept it was real. They had to believe.

But why was it important that Jesus was resurrected?

It was important because that’s exactly what the Messiah was supposed to do.

In the Old Testament there were a bunch of verses that talked about the Messiah coming.

You have to remember the Bible isn’t like book written today by Tui T. Sutherland … (Modern Children’s book writer) who sits down and writes a book over the course of months to a year. Parts of the Bible were written over 1500 years. Especially the parts that talk about the Messiah…they were written hundreds of years before Jesus was born!!!!

Discuss the prophecies of the Old Testament pointing to Christ's resurrection (e.g., Psalm 16:10, Isaiah 53).

Psalm 16:9–11 ESV

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

This passages talks about the Messiah and how God will not abandon Him

This next passage talks both about how Jesus would suffer and how God would preserve him.

Isaiah 53 ESV

1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

We have to remember when reading prophecy…verses that talk about the future. These verses can be hard to understand. We wish they would just say “Jesus will die and a cross and be resurrected 3 days later.” But the reality is these verses and a bunch other say the messiah would come, suffer, and be raised back to life.

And it isn’t just these verses in the Old Testament that are important.

The bible points ahead to the resurrection happening and there is tons of evidence that it actually did happen.

Eyewitness Testimony

: Strobel points to the New Testament accounts as being based on the eyewitness testimony of those who saw the risen Jesus. He argues that the presence of multiple accounts of these appearances provides corroborative evidence for the resurrection.

Early Church Creeds

: He references creeds that scholars date to within a few years of Jesus’ life, like the one found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, which summarizes the gospel message and includes the resurrection. This early creed is seen as evidence that the resurrection was not a later legend but a belief that was central to the faith from the very beginning.

Empty Tomb

: The fact that Jesus' tomb was found empty is presented as a significant piece of evidence. Strobel points out that the site of Jesus’ tomb was known to Christians and non-Christians alike, and if the tomb were not empty, the authorities could have easily refuted the resurrection claim by producing the body.

Transformation of the Apostles

: Strobel highlights the transformation of Jesus’ disciples from fearful, hiding individuals to bold proclaimers of the resurrection, even to the point of facing martyrdom. He argues that this dramatic change is best explained by them actually having witnessed the resurrected Christ.

Conversion of Skeptics

: He notes the conversion of skeptics like Paul, a former persecutor of Christians, and James, the brother of Jesus, who were both converted to the faith after what they believed were post-resurrection appearances of Jesus.

The Existence of the Church

: The rapid growth and spread of the early Christian church, despite significant opposition and persecution, is presented as being best explained by the early Christians' belief in the resurrection.

Women as the First Witnesses

\: In the cultural context of the time, women's testimonies were not highly valued. Strobel argues that the Gospels' portrayal of women as the first witnesses to the resurrection is likely to be true, as this would have been an embarrassing detail to invent.

Lack of Contradictory Evidence

: Strobel notes that despite the early spread of Christianity in Jerusalem, where the events occurred, there's no historical evidence of any sort of countermovement to refute the disciples' claims of the resurrection.

For all these reasons and more we believe that Jesus really did rise from the dead.

2. Belief as Trust:

"What are some things you trust in every day? Like a chair to sit on, or your parents to take care of you?"

"Believing in Jesus is a bit like trusting someone to catch you when you fall. Have you ever trusted someone to catch you?"

"If you have a toy or a blanket that's really special, you trust it to help you feel safe. How do you think believing in Jesus makes us feel safe?"

Differentiate between mere mental agreement with facts and the biblical concept of belief, which encompasses trust and reliance (Hebrews 11:1).

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Link the belief in the resurrection to the core of the Gospel message — Christ's death and resurrection for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Ok, here’s why believing and trusting in the resurrection of Jesus is so important.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

It means that Jesus really did die to take the punishment for our sins and then he rose to defeat the power of sin in our lives.

Jesus took the punishment you and I deserve and then He rose to defeat the power of sin in our lives.

Discuss the nature of faith as a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

We trust in God not because we are just that good. We choose to trust in God as he opens our eyes. We are saved as a gift.

and the role of the Holy Spirit in revealing truth and cultivating belief (John 16:13).

John 16:13 ESV

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Application:

Our belief in Jesus can give us peace to know He will lead us through whatever 2024 brings. Doubts are common. It’s actually healthy to recognize when you have doubts. Then it’s good to deal with those doubts and hold onto what you believe.

Invite responses of belief, possibly through a prayer of commitment or reaffirmation of faith.

Encourage practical steps to nurture belief, such as daily reading of the Gospels, joining a Bible study, or engaging in community evangelism.

Conclusion:

Emphasize that the resurrection is not just a past event but a present reality that offers hope, power, and transformation.Highlight how belief in the resurrection empowers us to live boldly for Christ (Romans 8:11).

Romans 8:11 ESV

11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Close with an affirmation of the resurrection’s centrality to our faith and an invitation to live in the light of this truth.