Matt. 28: 1-15 The Risen Lord
Intro: Evidence in the OJ Simpson trial. Seemingly, ignored by the jury.
OJ’s blood found at Nicole’s gate, his driveway, front hall, and in Bronco.
Victim’s blood on right glove found behind his house and in his Bronco and on his socks in his bedroom.
Left glove found at Nicole’s house.
Foot print at Nicole’s was of a size 12 Bruno Magli shoes. Rare shoes and OJ had had them in the past.
DNA - blood matching OJ’s DNA found near Nicole’s body (matching only 1 out of 170 Million)
The jurors seemed to turn a blind eye to this evidence and gave the verdict of “not guilty” after only a few hours of deliberation.
Prop: God wants us to seriously consider the evidence about Jesus, the Risen Lord.
I. Ten Historical Facts accepted by Historians of the Resurrection:
1. Jesus died by Roman crucifixion
Swoon theory of the 19th Century has been abandoned.
(Jesus just fainted, revived in cool tomb, he would have been weak and could not have “given to the disciples the impression that he was a conqueror over death and the grave).
2. Jesus was buried.
3. The disciples became discouraged, having lost hope after His burial
4. Jesus’ tomb was found empty a few days after his burial.
There is both Jewish (Josephus) and Roman sources which speak of the empty tomb. Dr. Paul Maier wrote that this evidence from Roman sources is called “positive evidence from a hostile source, which is the strongest kind of historical evidence. In essence, this means that if a source admits a fact decidedly not in its favor, then that fact is genuine.”
Read Tom Anderson’s comments in The Resurrection Factor, p. 66.
5. A few days after Jesus’ death, his disciples had experiences, which they believed were literal appearances of the risen Jesus.
6. Because of these literal experiences, the disciples lives were completely transformed to the point of being willing to die for their belief.
Look at what happened to them: Peter went from denying Christ to boldly preaching about Christ on the day of , eventually martyred.
7. The disciples gave public testimony concerning the resurrection of Jesus in Jerusalem, where Jesus was crucified and buried shortly before.
8. The Christian Church had its beginning at this time.
9. Sunday became the primary day of worship.
10. A few years later an avowed enemy of Christianity, Saul of Tarsus, was converted to Christianity because of an experience which he also believed to be an appearance of the risen Jesus.
Read Testimony of History: in The Resurrection Factor, p.10-12.
II. The Resurrection was God’s approval of the Person and Teachings of Jesus
1. The Person of Jesus Christ:
a. Deity
“Son of Man”89X in NT - Mark 2:10-11; 10:45
Most of these are by Jesus Himself, always with Definite Article before it, clear reference back to OT where the phrase is used well over 100 times, referring to the one who has dominion over the earth. Ruler of earth and authority to execute judgment.
“Son of God” 50X in Bible - Mark 13:32; Matt. 11:27
indicates a supernatural relationship with God the Father, tells of his being God’s representative to do God’s will in this world and the vehicle of God’s grace to guilty mankind. Refers to his Power and authority to give life,
“Lord” - Rom. 1: 3,4; Phil. 2: 7-11; Matt. 22:43-44
claim of equality with the Father and deity (Ps. 110:1)
“Christ” = “Messiah” - 1 Cor. 15:3...; Rom. 1:3,4
Anointed One, the deliverer who had been prophesied
“God” - John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8
It matters what you think of Jesus Christ...more than just a man....
Christ claimed to be more, and the Bible claims He was more.
God vindicated the full Deity of Christ by the Resurrection
2. The Primary Teachings of Jesus Christ
a. Kingdom of God/Heaven (108 times in N.T. by Jesus)
12 times in Matt. 13
Read: Matt. 13:36-51
b. One way: John 14:6
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
The exclusiveness of Jesus as the only way to God is emphatic.
Conclusion: Just like in the OJ Simpson trial - “trial of the century” we have a preponderance of evidence. Lets not ignore it, but give some serious thought at to what it all means. It means that
1). The Resurrection of Jesus Christ did occur
2). That God approves of Jesus and His teachings.
3). It means that there really is a heaven and hell, and the only way to get to heave is by having a personal relationship with Him. Being a church member (Baptist, Methodist, Catholic...) will not get you to heaven. It means we are not good enough to get our selves there...
Explain purpose of the invitation:
Stand and Sing #185 Jesus Paid It All
