Hello All,
Tonight, I sit here knowing that I represent a minority of people on this Earth, who are still fully convinced that Jesus Christ is God, has come in the flesh, accomplished the work of salvation through His life, death and subsequent resurrection. His life is our example. His death was our punishment. His resurrection is our promise that we will experience the same!
500 people saw Jesus after His resurrection, most of whom were alive when the New Testament was written. Most of the 12 disciples suffered violent deaths, which could have been avoided if they had just recanted their faith. Today, millions of Christians have experienced the peace that comes with knowing Christ. Alternately, millions of Christian missionaries remain in hiding for fear of the loss of their lives, all because they believe and trust in a living Christ. THIS NIGHT, there are some who will die for the name of Jesus. Can they all be delusional!?
Is He real? Does He live? Is belief in Him necessary for entrance into His fulfilled Kingdom? I answer all of these with my most resolute yes. I will bank my eternity on the truth of the claims of Jesus to be God, to be the Savior of the World (for those who believe) and to be the King of Peace, who will rule forever.
But what about all those great minds who have spoken against the truth of the resurrection? What about those scholars and scientists who propogate a belief that it's all false?
Those who have tried to discredit Jesus and the resurrection, upon honest examination, have failed. In fact, many of these have become the greatest apologists for the faith they once attacked! A great example is Frank Morrison, who wrote "Who Moved The Stone?", an avowed rationalistic skeptic bent on refuting the resurrection.
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Dr. Frank Morrison, a lawyer who had been brought up in a rationalistic environment, had come to the opinion that the resurrection was nothing but a fairy-tale happy ending which spoiled the matchless story of Jesus. He felt that he owed it to himself and others to write a book that would present the truth about Jesus and dispel the mythical story of the resurrection. Upon studying the facts, however, he, too, came to a different conclusion. The sheer weight of the evidence compelled him to conclude that Jesus actually did rise from the dead. Morrison wrote his book--but not the one he had planned. It is titled, Who Moved the Stone? The first chapter, very significantly, is, “The Book That Refused to Be Written.” From Bible.org
I remember that Saul of Tarsus ran into Jesus when he was trying to persecute Him. He later became Paul the Apostle, the most brilliant mind of his time. His story is repeated over and over again. Some of the most articulate, educated men have come out fighting, looking for blood, hoping to stop the claims of the resurrection. Many have tried, ALL HAVE FAILED!
Greater men than exist today have tried and have failed to stand up to the veracity of the resurrection. Today, the resurrection stands as truth. That was a PERIOD!
I stand therefore, not based solely on my own beliefs and thus my own intelligence. I stand here tonight, not convinced just because I "feel" it. I stand here on the shoulders of men who have come before me, who have lived their lives and died, believing, and thus, banking on the truth of Jesus' claims. I stand here tonight on the shoulders of giants who have looked into the truth of the resurrection and have then bowed the knee to the One that they found, risen and powerful, alive and well!
Tonight, I stand on a faith that is based on reasonable proof and reliable witnesses. Yes, there is an element of faith, but that is true in any belief system. For the athiest and the agnostic, their faith is a rejection of mine, but it is faith nonetheless, without much in the way of reason. I will take my step of faith over theirs ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!!
Tonight, I bow my knee to Jesus Christ, the Author, Finisher and Object of my faith. I trust Him more today than ever before. I implore you to do the same. But if you will not, and if the world wills not, as for me and my house, Jesus will ever be exalted as the Risen King Of Kings and Lord of Lords.
This same Jesus loves YOU, whoever you are. He is real. He is alive. He. Is. God. He died to satisfy God's wrath upon the sin that separates us from Him. For those who trust in Jesus, that penalty is waived and the gift exchange is eternal life with Christ.
If you would,
Acknowledge that you are a sinner.
Trust in Jesus, who lived a perfect life, died a violent death and rose on the third day.
Repent from any known sin.
Receive His love and forgiveness.
Then,
The resurrected Christ will reign in your hearts, as He reigns in Heaven today.
That's the promise of God. That is the purpose of Christ's resurrection!
Happy Resurrection Weekend!
Blessings...To Our Friends,
Frank Sanchez
