Resurrection Fake News or Truth?
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Fake News
There has been a lot of talk lately about fake news.
Fake news has a long history according to Wikipedia
In the first century Octavian used a forged document called the Donation of Constantine which said that Constantine transferred Rome and the Western Roman Empire to the pope.
Benjamin Franklin wrote fake news about Indians scalping Americans on behalf of King George III.
In 1835 The New York Sun published articles about an astronomer and a fake colleague who had observed life on the moon.
During World War I there were stories being passed along in the allied papers that the Germans were taking the dead from the battlefield and rendering the fat to make nitroglycerin, candles, and soap. The stories were so widely believed that the Chinese papers published the stories.
During World War II
In 1932-1933 the New York Times printed articles from Walter Duranty who denied that the Russians were being starved to death. Walter Duranty recieved a Puiltzer Prize for his fake news.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fake_news#Historical_examples
Now you can turn on the TV News and you may here a fake news story that is later apologized for, if we can’t trust our news can we trust the story of the resurrection?
Let’s Pray
Did you know there is fake news in the Bible?
Turn to Matthew 28:11-15
Matthew 28:11-15
Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened.
And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’
“And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.”
And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.
So if the Jews were spreading fake news and it’s recorded in the Bible how can we trust the Resurrection Story?
Let’s look at the events that took place after the death and resurrection of Jesus
Mark 16:1-11
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him.
Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”
Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large.
Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed.
And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.
“But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’ ”
They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.
She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping.
When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.
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Mark 16
Why didn’t they believe it?
Lee Strobel said this in an interview,
“I don't think they had the motive or the opportunity to steal the body. Nor do I think they would make the false claim that Jesus returned from the dead because it meant that they would suffer and die for that claim. I don't think people are generally willing to knowingly and willingly die for a lie.
Also, you have the added feature of the empty tomb being discovered by women. Women in first-century Jewish culture were not given credibility in a court of law; their testimony was not considered reliable. So why [do the gospel writers] say that women discovered the tomb empty, even though it hurts their case in the view of their audience? I believe it's because they were trying to accurately record what actually took place.” - Lee Strobel
http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/2005/05/the-resurrection-of-jesus-an-interview-with-lee-strobel.aspx#SeLy5OYrr5B4crvA.99
Testimony #1 - We can believe that Jesus rose from the dead because of the testimony of one woman, Mary Magdalene.
Like Lee Strobel said, women had no credibility in the court of law - their testimony was considered unreliable. And yet Jesus chose to first appear to Mary who He had redeemed from demonic possession.
And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.
And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place.
While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.
But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.
And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.
One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?”
And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people,
and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him.
“But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.
“But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning,
and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.
“Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.”
And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
“Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?”
Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place.
While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.
But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.
And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.
One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?”
And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people,
and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him.
“But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.
“But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning,
and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.
“Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.”
And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
“Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?”
Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther.
Testimony #2 - We can believe in the resurrection because of the testimony of Cleopas and another follower on the road to Emmaus.
I love that Jesus explained everything concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. Can you imagine that conversation? That’s a long walk that I wish I could have been on.
Testimony #3 - We can believe in the resurrection because of the testimony of the eleven disciples.
Mark 16:14-18
Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
“He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
“These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Mark 16:14-
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I am a big fan of Top 10 Lists and Top 10 Videos - it drives my wife crazy - but we are going to look at the Top 10 Post Resurrections Appearances of Jesus
I am a big fan of Top 10 Lists and Top 10 Videos - it drives my wife crazy - but we are going to look at the Top 10 Post Resurections Appearences of Jesus
#10 - Jesus’ first appearance was to Mary Magdalene, a previously demon possessed woman.
John 20:11
But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb;
and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying.
And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher).
Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’ ”
Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her.
This appearance is a great because the first time Jesus shows Himself post resurrection was a to a woman.
---------
Lee Strobel said this in an interview,
“I don't think they had the motive or the opportunity to steal the body. Nor do I think they would make the false claim that Jesus returned from the dead because it meant that they would suffer and die for that claim. I don't think people are generally willing to knowingly and willingly die for a lie.
Also, you have the added feature of the empty tomb being discovered by women. Women in first-century Jewish culture were not given credibility in a court of law; their testimony was not considered reliable. So why [do the gospel writers] say that women discovered the tomb empty, even though it hurts their case in the view of their audience? I believe it's because they were trying to accurately record what actually took place.” - Lee Strobel
http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/2005/05/the-resurrection-of-jesus-an-interview-with-lee-strobel.aspx#SeLy5OYrr5B4crvA.99
The fact that Mary was the first to see Jesus is a really big deal. The authors of the Gospels certainly received pushback for using a woman’s testimony as proof of the resurrection.
#9 - Jesus appears on the Road to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-27
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him.
And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.
And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place.
While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.
But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.
And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.
One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?”
And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people,
and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him.
“But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.
“But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning,
and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.
“Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.”
And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
“Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?”
Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
How amazing must it have been to hear Jesus teach how He fulfilled the scriptures. What an experience that must have been!
#8 - Doubting Thomas
John 20:24-29
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
We do not have the luxury of putting our fingers in the scars of Jesus, or touching the scar on His side. But we are blessed because we did not see, and yet we believe!
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
#7 - Breakfast with Jesus
John 21:1-14
After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way.
Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.
But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.”
And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.
But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.
So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.”
Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.
This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.
After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way.
Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.
But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.”
And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.
But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.
So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.”
Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.
This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.
So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.”
He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.”
Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!”
Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”
So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?”
Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”
Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”
John 21:1-
When I was at the Sea of Galilee this was the story that had the most impact on me. Somewhere on that shoreline Jesus ate breakfast with the disciples. What a breakfast that must have been.
John 21:
#6 - More than 500 witness the resurrected Christ!
1 Corinthians 15:6
After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;
1 Corinthians 15:
Paul tells us that more than five hundred people saw Jesus! Can you imagine. We can’t even fit that many people in this sanctuary. That’s more people than attend an average wedding!
Jesus was making His resurrection known to many! Jesus’ resurrection was not an isolated event with crazy demon possessed woman, or just His close followers, but to a multitude of people!
#5 - A personal visit by Jesus to James and the apostles
1 Corinthians 15:7
then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;
1 Corinthians 15:7
#4 - Over 40 days of appearances and the promise of the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:3-11
To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me;
for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them.
They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
#3 - The Conversion of Saul to Paul
Acts 9:1-9
After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
John 20:26-
Acts 9:1-9
Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;
and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”
The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Quite possibly one of the most significant appearances of Jesus was the conversion of Saul to Paul. This event led to most of the New Testament being written because of this event. Lives forever were changed because of this event. We will never know how many Christians would have been killed had Paul not met Jesus on the Road to Damascus.
#2 - The Rider
Revelation 19:11-16
Revelation 19:11-
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.
He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.
From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
#1 - Jesus is Coming Soon
Revelation 22:6-7
Revelation 22:6-
And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.
“And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Conclusion
This Top 10 List Is Not Fake News
#6 - More than 500 witness the resurrected Christ!
#1 - Jesus is Coming Soon
We’ve always been on the brink of World wide destruction since the advent of the atom bomb. Even as I write this I wondered - what if North Korea shot off their nuclear weapon and we responded tonight.
This Top 10 list would never be shared. It would be too late. Jesus could come back.
What if this is the last sermon I ever preach. How important is the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Think about this - how many people do you know that would be eternally lost if Jesus comes back this week?
How many of your neighbors?
How many members of your family?
Life is short. It’s precious. Our days are numbered. There may be some of you here can’t wait much longer to make a decision to follow Jesus. Because it is Jesus that said, “Behold, I am coming soon.”
Last Sunday, on Palm Sunday 45 Christians were killed while they worshiped Jesus in their church. That is a little less than the number of people here. Can you imagine? Our brothers and sisters in Christ were executed last Sunday.
According to The Center for the Study of Global Christianity, between 2005-2015 900,000 Christians were martyred. That’s 90,000 Christians each year.
Imagine every person in Greeley being executed this year.
Just in the years that Angelica and I have been married 900,000 Christians have been killed because they simply worshipped Jesus.
One day it might be us.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/04/14/christian-persecution-how-many-are-being-killed-where-are-being-killed.html
It’s Easter Sunday. Today is the day you need to follow Jesus. Come forward. Do not wait till it’s too late. Jesus is coming soon.
Let’s Pray.