Sermon Tone Analysis

Video

Luke 16:

Introduction:

Introduction:

The empty tomb is one of the most compelling reasons to believe in Jesus.

And the events surrounding it are pretty incredible!

Such facts as:

The roman guards who were eye witnesses of the stone being rolled away by the Angel of the Lord, were not executed for their derelict of duty according to Roman tradition.

The Pharisees knowing something supernatural took place, covered for them before Pilate.

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The eye witnesses who saw Him i His resurrected state, over 500 besides His disciples.

Many still alive when disclosed this in 1 Corinthians.

Or, the many dead people who came out of the graves after Jesus’ resurrection.

(Matthew 27:53)

The brutal torture and death of the apostles who went to the grave defending a lie?

But, then again there are skeptics, who because of their dismissing the earliest of historical writings about Jesus, deny His very existence.

They say, that there are no credible historical documents.

Yet, in my humble opinion, I believe the absence of historical documentation refuting the existence of Jesus and His resurrection, is the most compelling reason for His existence.

The roman empire as well as the Jewish religion was turned upside down during the first century, but no-one could refute the Christian claims or allegiance to Jesus of Nazareth, because everyone knew the historicity of Jesus and the Christian sect, otherwise the written evidence against it would be paramount in refuting it even now.

Something else for you to think about; Jesus is mentioned by Jewish and Roman historians and Christian writers within 3 to 4 decades of His resurrection.

Contrast that to King Arthur AD 400, where nothing was written about him for nearly 300-400 years.

How then do we know he existed?

Now, I could pursue this course of apologetical reasoning to convince you of the veracity of Jesus of Nazareth and His resurrection, but even the best argument will not make you believe.

What I really want to know is, do you believe the law of Moses and the prophets?

What I really want to know, is do you believe the law of Moses and the prophets?

Luke 16

I.

There’s no reason to believe in Jesus if you don’t believe the law.

The apostle Paul wrote in the book of Galatians that the law was our educational tutor to bring us to Christ.

What was he talking about?

That as he said in Romans, I did not understand sin until I understood the law.

The law, condemned me!

The law, drew a line in the sand that said do not cross.

But I crossed it, and so did you!

The law pointed out how bad I really was and how holy God is, and revealed to me the hopelessness of trying to keep the law, because the Bible says that none are righteous enough.

The law also provided a picture for the cure for my sin once and for all, found in the sacrifices of the temple, which were only a shadow of better things to come.

How can it be that people will not hear the law of Moses, and yet say they believe in Jesus?

What are they trusting, if they don’t trust that they even need a Savior?

Aren’t they really saying that they believe Jesus existed, which is not the same as believing in Him?

Truly, Jesus can do nothing for you if He can’t save you from your sin!

If you can’t believe that you are without hope as the law spells out, then you can’t believe in the one who alone can give hope!

Why is that?

Because,

II.

There’s no reason to believe in Jesus if you don’t believe in the prophets.

They foretold of the coming King who would:

Be born of a virgin in Bethlehem, and be a light to shine upon the gentiles.

Die for the sins of the world.

Bring peace and healing to the broken hearted.

Be of the tribe of Judah, and sit upon the throne of David.

Be crucified and have His death described before crucifixion was even invented.

Die for the sins of the world as the spotless Lamb of God.

Rise from the dead as the life giver.

The only savior (reference that with when God says that He alone is the Savior).

The one who is coming again to judge the world.

How can you believe in the promised one if you won’t believe the ones who foretold His coming?

Again, this goes hand in hand with the previous point.

Jesus is more than a mere man, He is the supernatural Son of God, second person in the Godhead, and the prophets foretold His coming!

It makes sense then that you can’t believe in one without the other.

III.

If you believe in both, then there’s great reason to believe in the Resurrection.

Because in the resurrection;

Jesus has provided for your every need.

Has made a place for you in His Father’s house.

You inherit the kingdom as heirs to the throne of grace.

Jesus has taken away the penalty of sin which is eternity in hell and the lake of fire.

Jesus has given you everlasting life.

Will take away every tear from your eyes.

Has taken away the guilt of sins that are past.

Gives you the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

Is going to make a new heavens and a new earth.

As the apostle Paul says:

Hebrews

Is God speaking to you this morning?

Is anyone persuaded?

Turn from sin to God, and believe the good news of Jesus Christ, that He has died for your sin and rose from the dead to give you new life!