Go! And Examine The Evidence — The Case For Christ Series

Go! And Examine the Evidence — The Case for Christ

Introduction

Church, for generations people have wrestled with the same question Jesus asked His disciples:

Luke 9:20 (NLT): “But who do you say I am?”

Your answer to that question determines everything about your eternity.

Today, I want to take us on a journey inspired by the investigative work of Lee Strobel in The Case for Christ. Strobel was not a Christian seeking reassurance—he was an award-winning atheist journalist determined to disprove Christianity. He used his skills in law, history, science, and eyewitness testimony to dismantle the gospel.

But in trying to disprove Christ, he encountered the overwhelming evidence for Christ.

This sermon is not about Strobel himself, but about the truth he uncovered:

Christianity stands up to scrutiny. Jesus Christ is exactly who He claimed to be.

1. Go! And Examine the Testimony — Can We Trust the Gospels?

As Christians, we do not follow cleverly invented myths. The Gospel accounts were written by eyewitnesses or their close companions. Strobel began here because any legal case begins with credible witnesses.

A. Eyewitness Evidence

Luke wrote: Luke 1:2 (NLT): “They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.”

The Gospels were composed while eyewitnesses were living—people who could refute inaccuracies if they existed.

B. Early, Reliable Documents

Modern scholarship—Christian and secular—recognises the New Testament as the best-attested collection of ancient documents anywhere in history.

Thousands of ancient manuscripts

Multiple independent sources

Archaeology confirming names, places, and events

This is not a blind leap into darkness—it is trust in reliable testimony.

Church, your faith is not fragile. You don’t need to fear the hard questions. The God who inspired His Word also preserved His Word.

Truth does not fear investigation.

2. Go! And Consider the Claims — Did Jesus Really Claim to Be God?

Many people say, “Jesus never said He was God.” But the evidence says otherwise.

A. Jesus Claimed Divine Authority

John 10:30 (NLT): “The Father and I are one.”

His listeners knew exactly what He meant—they tried to stone Him for blasphemy.

B. Jesus Forgave Sins

Only God can forgive sins. Yet Jesus said to the paralysed man:

Luke 5:20 (NLT): “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”

The Pharisees reacted:

Luke 5:21 (NLT): “This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins?”

Exactly.

C. Jesus Accepted Worship

Angels refuse worship. Apostles refused worship. But Jesus received worship as His rightful due.

D. Application

If Jesus really is who He claimed to be—the Son of God—then every word He spoke stands with divine authority. We cannot treat His teaching as optional or secondary.

3. Go! And Investigate the Cross — Did Jesus Really Die?

The resurrection cannot occur without a genuine death.

Strobel interviewed medical experts. Roman crucifixion was designed for certain death.

A. Historical Certainty

No credible historian—Christian, atheist, or otherwise—denies that Jesus died by crucifixion.

The Gospel writers describe:

Flogging that shredded tissue

Nails in the wrists and feet

Hours of suffocation

A spear thrust into the side producing blood and water

John records: John 19:34 (NLT): “One of the soldiers… pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.”

Modern physiology calls that pericardial effusion—a sign of death. Jesus did not faint, collapse, or “swoon.” He died.

B. Application

The cross is not a symbol of tragedy—it is the instrument of salvation. Jesus did not almost die for you. He died a real, physical, horrific death so you could know real, eternal life.

4. Go! And Examine the Empty Tomb — What Happened After the Cross?

This is the turning point. Every alternative explanation collapses under evidence:

A. The Tomb Was Empty

Even the enemies of Jesus acknowledged the empty tomb—they attempted to explain it away.

Matthew records the cover-up:

Matthew 28:12–13 (NLT): “The guards were bribed… ‘You must say, “Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body!”’”

The empty tomb was undeniable.

B. Hundreds Saw the Risen Jesus

Paul records:

1 Corinthians 15:6 (NLT): “He was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time… most of whom are still alive.”

You don’t cite alive witnesses unless you’re confident they can confirm your claim.

C. The Disciples Were Transformed

These men went from fearful cowards to fearless evangelists. Men do not suffer beatings, imprisonment, and martyrdom for a lie they invented.

Lies collapse under pressure.

Truth stands.

D. Application

The resurrection is not just an event in history—it is the power that changes history. It is the reason you can have peace, hope, forgiveness, and eternal life.

5. Go! And Respond to the Verdict — Jesus Christ Is Lord

After two years of investigation, Strobel concluded: “It would take more faith to maintain my atheism than to trust in Jesus Christ.”