What Do You Believe?
Illus. A Muslim in Africa became a Christian and some of his friends asked him, “Why have you done such a thing?” He answered, “Well, its like this: Suppose you were going down the road and suddenly the road forked in two directions. You didn’t know which way to go; and there at the fork were two men—one dead, and one alive—which one would you ask to show you the way?” (from a sermon by Bruce Howell, The Gospel Vs. Religion.)
Muslims believe that the Quran was verbally revealed by God to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel (Jibril), gradually over a period of approximately 23 years, beginning on 22 December 609 CE, when Muhammad was 40, and concluding in 632, the year of his death.
Illus. From biblical.com
The Bible was not written in one specific year or in a single location. The Bible is a collection of writings, and the earliest ones were set down nearly 3500 years ago. The first five books of the Bible are attributed to Moses and are commonly called the Pentateuch (literally “five scrolls”).
Moses lived between 1500 and 1300 BC, though he recounts events in the first eleven chapters of the Bible that occurred long before his time (such as the creation and the flood).
These earliest accounts were handed on from generation to generation in songs, narratives, and poetry.
In those early societies there was no writing as yet and people passed on these oral accounts with great detail and accuracy.
The earliest writing began when symbols were scratched or pressed on clay tablets. The Egyptians refined this technique and developed an early form of writing known as hieroglyphics. The Bible tells us that Moses was “educated in all the learning of the Egyptians”, so he would have been familiar with the major writing systems of his time. We also read that God gave Moses “two tablets of the Testimony, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God”(Exodus 31:18). All this leads to the conclusion that the earliest writings in the Bible were set down around 1400 BC.
The writings of the thirty or so other contributors to the Old Testament span a thousand years! They recount the times and messages from Moses’ successor, Joshua, to the last of the Old Testament prophets, Malachi, who wrote his little tract around 450 BC.
Then there is a 500-year period when no writings were contributed to the Bible. This is the period between the testaments, when Alexander the Great conquered much of the world and when the Greek language was introduced to the Hebrews. Indeed, they began to use Greek so much that the Hebrew language was replaced by Greek and by another language, Aramaic, which was spoken all over that area of the world at that time.
The New Testament was written during a much shorter period, i.e. during the last half of the first century AD.
The Quran, when challenged cannot defend itself the way Gods Holy Word can. The Bible is the most challenging and the most challenged book for its authenticity of all time. And never one time, has God's Word been disproven!
The Bible is the inspired word of God, not given in third party interpretation, but inspired and given directly by God himself. With the Ten Commandments being written, by none other than God himself, with His very own finger.
Both accounts take faith to believe, however one stretches mankind's mustard size limitations, far beyond its limits. Which one you might ask? The answer is both stretch our faith.
However, one represents the dark side of a religion of hate. And the other represents, everything Good that has ever been or will ever be. Not just represented, but guaranteed by the never ending, extravagant Love God has for His greatest creation, known as mankind.
Hebrews 11:6 NKJ
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Faith...faith in the Loving, selfless act of our Savior, Gods Only Son...is what makes the reality of the resurrection, real for millions of believers all across the globe today.
Biblical History, tells of the event and records the cruxifixction on paper, but it is our faith in the infinite number of miracles that sprang forth from Jesus resurrection, that writes those miracles down in the Lambs Book of Life, and let's us proudly proclaim:
"There's a new name written down in Glory and it's mine! Thank You Jesus for the Cross and the resurrection
John 20 1-2 MSG
1-2. Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone was moved away from the entrance. She ran at once to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, breathlessly panting, “They took the Master from the tomb. We don’t know where they’ve put him.”
It is interesting to note, that this same Mary is the woman who washed Jesus feet with her tears and dried them with her hair and anointed Jesus with her precious box of alabaster filled with very costly perfume,
Much to the dismay of all who were there that day, including Judas..who thought it was a waste of money to do such a thing
The same woman that Simon the Pharisee, said wasn't worthy to do such an act...was now the first one, out of all of Jesus followers to discover the miracle that had taken place!
God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him!
John 20: 3-10 Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter. Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn’t go in. Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there, and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself. Then the other disciple, the one who had gotten there first, went into the tomb, took one look at the evidence, and believed. No one yet knew from the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. The disciples then went back home.
11-13 But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus’ body had been laid. They said to her, “Woman, why do you weep?”
13-14 “They took my Master,” she said, “and I don’t know where they put him.” After she said this, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there. But she didn’t recognize him.
15 Jesus spoke to her, “Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?”
She, thinking that he was the gardener, said, “Mister, if you took him, tell me where you put him so I can care for him.”
16 Jesus said, “Mary.”
Turning to face him, she said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” meaning “Teacher!”
17 Jesus said, “Don’t cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went, telling the news to the disciples: “I saw the Master!” And she told them everything he said to her.
Again, the other two..Peter and John would have both been capable of telling the others what Mary had saw...but he chose Mary!
TBS. But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb...she was still seeking Jesus. The other two had left and she was still looking for Jesus, still hoping that she would find Him...and she did!
Sorry ladies... but It is common knowledge, in those days a man's report or documentation of events, was considered to be a much more accurate and dependable account of historical relevancy.
Sharia law is still that way to this very day. But God wasn't then and still today is not concerned whether your a man or woman. God always looks at the willingness of the heart first!
God is a rewarder, of those who will diligently seek Him...
Whether your a man or woman has nothing to do with it,
your background has nothing to do with it,
your upbringing has nothing to do with it,
Your job, your heritage, your circumstances and even the mess
you've made with your life..have nothing to do with it,
but your faith has everything to do with it!
God is a rewarder of those who will diligently seek Him!
John 20:19-20 Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side.
All the miracles they had seen up to this point and believe me, they had seen thousands of them..failed in comparison as to the miracle Mary had already seen and the one that was standing in front of them...
all the rumors had been put to rest, the Risen Saviour was standing right in front of them and seeing was believing!
20-21 The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”
22-23 Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”
He was telling them all, everyone was worthy of forgiveness...whoever would come and seek Him, was not only worthy of forgiveness..but the reward of eternal life as well.
The disciples, whether they saw it coming or not..had all been elevated to the next level in their walk with the Son of God!
24-25 But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.” But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.”
(There are still Thomas's today, still for whatever reason that don't believe. I want you to realize something. As much faith as it takes to believe in the resurrection...it requires infinitely more faith to not believe, than it does to believe!)
26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”
27 Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”
28 Thomas said, “My Master! My God!”
Jesus is always willing to go the extra mile, to meet us where we are at! Grace will find you where you are at, and miraculously be there to meet you, before you ever arrive.
Luke 15:4-7 MSG
4-7 “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
TBS. That God is a patient God..Jesus didn't reprimand Thomas or any of the disciples when they questioned His resurrection.
Because truthfully, I imagine each and everyone of them questioned what Mary told them and if it was really true..or if it was to good to be true!
He could have said a lot of things to them..
He could have said, "oh ye of little faith" He had said it to them before!
But what He did was...Love them unconditionally, He was patient with them..all the while Loving them!
And God is still a patient and loving God to you and I. The same could be said of you and I over and over. But He doesn't say oh ye of little faith...He says child, hook your little faith to my ability and there is nothing that we can't accomplish together! Amen??
2 Peter 3:8-9 MSG
8-9 Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.
I want to close with the last verse of our text
John 20:29 Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”
All the blessings we enjoy today stem from this premise..better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing. Those better blessings are for you and I, those are the blessings Psalms 68:19 says God unloads each and every day for His Children to enjoy!
Hebrews 11:6 NKJ
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Every blessing we enjoy was and is made possible by what Jesus accomplished on the cross for us!
Because of what He did for us..
We can have,
Forgiveness for our sins
Eternal life
Health and Healing in our bodies
Prosperity and abundant life
Joy and every other Blessing only God can think of!
And not only have, but have as much or as little....we get to choose!!
All of those fantastic blessings, are rewards of diligently seeking God and believing
What Jesus amazing Resurrection accomplished for you!
All those miracles are promises God wants to give you in your life, that His word declares over and over, you can have!
Illus. Phillip Yancy
Living in Colorado, I climb mountains. Colorado has 54 mountains rising above 14,000 ft and every summer I climb some of them. On a summer weekend in the mountains, I see casual hikers who have no idea what they are doing. In sandals, shorts, and T-shirts, carrying a single container of water, they start up a trail at mid-morning.
They have no map, no compass, and no rain gear. They also have no apparent knowledge of the lightning storms that roll in many summer afternoons, making it imperative to summit before noon and head for the safety of the timberline (the elevation in a mountainous region above which trees do not grow).
My neighbour, who volunteers for Alpine Rescue, has told me hair-raising stories of tourists who must be rescued from certain death after wandering off a trail, falling, or simply being exposed to a sudden hailstorm or 30-degree drop in temperature.
Nevertheless, regardless of the circumstances, Alpine Rescue always responds to a call for help. Not once have they lectured a hapless tourist, "Well, since you obviously ignored the most basic rules of the wilderness, you’ll just have to sit here and bear the consequences. We won’t assist you."
Their mission is rescue, and so they pursue every needy hiker in the wilderness, no matter how undeserving. A whistle, a cry, a flashing mirror, a bonfire, an "SOS spelled out in pine branches, a message of distress from a cellphone - any of these signals will cause Alpine Rescue to mobilize teams of medically trained searchers.
God is the same way, no matter where you may venture or how unprepared you are, in mess you've gotten yourself into.
He is willing, ready and able to respond at a moments notice. There are many ways to get God's attention, however there are five words that will get his attention immediately, "Lord Help Me I Believe!"
That's what Easter is all about, Jesus death and resurrection is all about the opportunity to become a believer! Are you a believer this morning?
If not just say Lord Jesus, I believe you died and rose again for me, come into my heart
and give me everything you have for me. If that's you this morning I want you to come forward.
Let's all take this moment to say thank you Lord for saving my soul, thank you Jesus for the Cross.
Let's pray
