Alive!

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: To and From the Cross

TITLE: Alive!

Scripture:  John 11:25-26

 

“If Jesus rose, you have an intellectually feasible argument that everything Jesus said could be true. If he didn’t, all of Christianity falls….The defining and distinguishing characteristic of true Christianity is accepting the Resurrection really did happen.” Atheist Antony Flew

 

I.    LET’S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS NEEDED                                                            

 

The events of the 1900’s brought the demise of (hope).  Anxiety and fear gave way to (desperation). Disillusionment gave way to (hopelessness). (Pessimism) became the dominant attitude.

“Many Christians, while believing in the resurrection and rehearsing that belief every Easter Sunday, effectively stick it back in the drawer for the rest of the year because they are at a loss of what to do with it.” Allberry

II.   LET’S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS PROVIDED                                          

 

The heart of the Christian faith is (the gospel).  Romans 1:16; I Cor. 15:3-8

Christianity is rightly seen as a (life-changing experience), but it will only do that if you accept as facts certain events in history.

To borrow Paul’s words, our faith is built on 3 truths: the (death, burial, and resurrection) of Jesus. The resurrection is built on 3 more pieces of evidence: the (empty tomb), the (eyewitness testimony), and the ongoing existence of the Christian movement.

“It is impossible to account for the early Christian belief in Jesus as Messiah without the resurrection.” N.T. Wright

Next Week: Theme: Victory! Series: To and From the Cross

Guest speaker: Will Reed on “Religion”

 

 

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