Go! And Stand Firm in the Truth of Christ - 2 Timothy 2:8
Introduction:
Today we ask one of the most important questions of our faith: How do we know Christianity is really true? The world is filled with many voices, philosophies, and religions, yet we, as followers of Christ, stand on the firm foundation of truth. Our anchor verse today is 2 Timothy 2:8:"Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach." (NLT)
This is the truth that defines our faith! Christianity is not built on feelings, myths, or mere traditions—it is grounded in the historical reality of Jesus Christ. His life, death, and resurrection are not just spiritual truths but verifiable historical events.
Today, we will examine the truth of Christianity through three key areas:
The reliability of Scripture.
The evidence of the resurrection.
The transformation of believers.
Let us dive into God’s Word and stand firm in the unshakable truth of Jesus Christ!
I. The Reliability of Scripture
The foundation of Christianity is the Bible—God’s inspired, inerrant Word. If the Bible is unreliable, then our faith has no firm ground. But the truth is, the Bible is historically, prophetically, and archaeologically trustworthy.
2 Peter 1:20-21 says:"Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God." (NLT)
The Greek word for moved (phero) means "carried along." This tells us that the Holy Spirit guided the writers of Scripture so that they recorded exactly what God wanted them to write.
Supporting Evidence:
The Bible contains over 300 fulfilled prophecies about Jesus, written hundreds of years before His birth.
The Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered in 1947) confirm the accuracy of the Old Testament manuscripts.
Archaeology supports Biblical history. Cities like Jericho, Nineveh, and Sodom have been excavated, proving biblical narratives.
If the Bible is true, then we must believe and obey it! It is not just an ancient book but the living, active Word of God. We must study it, trust it, and live by it daily.
Dr. Voddie Baucham says, "I choose to believe the Bible because it’s a reliable collection of historical documents written by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses."
This statement is a powerful affirmation of the trustworthiness of Scripture. The Bible is not a myth or a collection of cleverly devised stories—it is a historically reliable, divinely inspired record of God's revelation to humanity.
2 Peter 1:16 (NLT) declares, "For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendour with our own eyes." The apostles were not passing along hearsay; they were eyewitnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, the Bible stands on a solid foundation of historical evidence. The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 (NLT), affirms the resurrection of Jesus by listing multiple eyewitnesses: "Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died." Paul appeals to living witnesses, reinforcing the verifiable truth of the Gospel.
Christianity is not based on blind faith but on faith grounded in historical fact. As J. Warner Wallace, a former cold-case detective, said, "The Gospels are the most reliable ancient documents we have, and they tell the story of Jesus in a way that can be tested and trusted."
God has preserved His Word with incredible accuracy throughout history, so we can confidently build our lives on it. The question is, do we fully trust in the authority of Scripture, allowing it to shape our lives, or do we merely acknowledge it without living by it? True faith is not just knowing that the Bible is reliable—it is submitting to its truth and living in obedience to Christ.
II. The Evidence of the Resurrection
The single most important event that proves Christianity is true is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15:17:"And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins." (NLT)
Historical Proofs of the Resurrection:
Eyewitness Testimony – Jesus appeared to over 500 people after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6).
The Empty Tomb – No one ever produced Jesus’ body. If the authorities could have, they would have crushed Christianity immediately.
The Changed Disciples – The once-fearful disciples became bold preachers after seeing the risen Christ. They were willing to die for the truth.
The Explosion of the Early Church – Within a few decades, Christianity spread across the Roman Empire, despite persecution.
Because Christ is risen, we have living hope! The resurrection is the ultimate victory over sin and death. When you face doubts or struggles, remember: our faith is not blind—it is based on a risen Saviour!
Lee Strobel, former atheist and author of The Case for Christ, said: "If Jesus conquered the grave, He can also change your life."
These words are a powerful reminder of the life-transforming reality of Christ’s resurrection. This truth is at the very heart of the Gospel!
The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event—it is the ultimate evidence of His divine power and His ability to transform lives. The apostle Paul declares in Romans 8:11 (NLT), “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”
This means that the same power that brought Jesus out of the tomb is at work in those who believe in Him! If He can defeat death itself, then no sin, no addiction, no pain, no brokenness is beyond His ability to restore and renew.
So, the question is: Will you let Him change your life? Will you surrender to the One who died for you and rose again? Because when you do, you will experience His resurrection power in your own life—bringing hope, joy, peace, and transformation!
III. The Transformation of Believers
Another undeniable proof of Christianity’s truth is the radical transformation in the lives of those who follow Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says:"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (NLT)
That is the promise of the resurrection! Jesus does not just give us a ticket to heaven—He changes us here and now. He takes the broken pieces of our lives and makes something beautiful out of them. If He conquered the grave, He has the power to conquer whatever is holding you back.
We see this transformation in the lives of the disciples. Before the resurrection, they were fearful, hiding behind locked doors. After they encountered the risen Christ, they became bold witnesses, even willing to die for their faith. Peter, who denied Jesus three times, became a fearless preacher of the Gospel. Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, became the greatest missionary of the early Church.
From the apostle Paul to modern-day believers, millions of lives have been changed by the power of the Gospel.
Examples of Transformed Lives:
Paul the Persecutor became Paul the Preacher (Acts 9:1-6).
John Newton, a former slave trader, was transformed by Christ and wrote Amazing Grace.
Your own testimony – how Jesus changed you.
If Jesus has changed your life, stand boldly in your faith! If you are struggling, trust that He is still working in you. Christianity is real because it transforms lives!
Tim Keller said, "Christianity isn’t just something you believe—it’s something that changes you."
His words powerfully encapsulate the transformative nature of authentic faith in Jesus Christ. Christianity is not merely an intellectual agreement with a set of doctrines—it is a radical encounter with the living God that reshapes every aspect of who we are.
The Apostle Paul makes this clear in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT): “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” True Christianity is a life-changing reality, not just a belief system. When we surrender to Christ, we are spiritually reborn, no longer enslaved to sin but empowered to live righteously by the Holy Spirit.
James challenges us in James 2:17 (NLT): “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” In other words, real faith is active. It is demonstrated in the way we live, the way we love, and the way we serve.
Tim Keller’s statement reminds us that the Gospel is not just an addition to our lives—it is a transformation of our lives. The presence of Christ changes how we think, how we act, and how we love. If someone claims to believe in Jesus but their life remains untouched, unchanged, and unchallenged by His presence, then it is time to examine whether their faith is truly alive.
The question we must ask ourselves is this: Are we merely believing in Christianity, or are we being changed by Christ? True faith will always lead to transformation.
Conclusion: The Call to Stand in Truth
Christianity is true because:
The Bible is reliable.
Jesus truly rose from the dead.
The Gospel transforms lives.
The world may try to shake our faith, but we stand on the unshakable truth of Jesus Christ!
Call to Action:
Commit to studying and obeying God’s Word.
Share the truth of the resurrection with others.
Live as a transformed follower of Christ.
Invitation to Salvation:
If you have never placed your faith in Jesus, I invite you today. Jesus died for your sins and rose again to give you eternal life. Come to Him in faith, repent, and receive His salvation.
Romans 10:9 says:"If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (NLT)
Come to Jesus today—He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!
Final Word:
Go! And Stand Firm in the Truth of Christ!
