Why I Believe

Last week we talked about why we do or don’t believe in the resurrection of Jesus. In this weeks blog I wanted to give you the reasons I believe in the resurrection. You may not agree with them all or think that any one argument is conclusive. But when you put them together, for me at least, I see no alternative than to believe Jesus rose from the dead. I believe because…

1. The Bible lives. Jesus said He came to give a rich and satisfying life Jn 10:10. Living according to His book does just that. If it works, it’s probably true. If it’s true about how to live, it’s probably true about how He lives.

2. The Apostles were smoking what they were selling. They said Jesus rose from the dead in three days. Then they told the world. Why would they lie, and carry their lie to their death without cracking? Mark was dragged behind horses; John boiled in oil; Paul beheaded; Peter and his wife crucified. This isn’t Scripture, this is history. Check out the rest of their stories at http://vimeo.com/4976791.

3. An eternal God makes more sense than eternal dirt. Rom 1:20-22 says it better than I can. If there is an eternal God, He can raise the dead. Are we all held together by chance, or is God involved? God says Jesus holds everything together (Col 1:17). He does, and He has for eternity. Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0-NPPIeeRk.

4. Supernatural stuff has happened. From over 300 O.T. Prophecies about Christ written over a thousand years before His birth coming true (one example Ps. 22:14-18), to the Hittite civilization being found (just as Scripture described http://www.hittites.info/), to chariot wheels found on the bottom of the sea, we know supernatural stuff has happened. http://bibleprobe.com/exodus.htm

5. Supernatural stuff still happens. Israel became a nation against all odds in 1948, like God said they would over 3000 years ago in Isa 10:21. If the Jewish people can come back and make a nation after thousands of years (how many Hittite, Moabite or Philistine nations have come back?), why can’t one guy come back from the dead?

6. Jesus has style. He could have risen from the dead and spoke to the Disciples in a dream. He didn’t have to return to Earth. But He did. And He tore the temple curtain in half without hands. And He walked through walls. And he raised a bunch of others from the dead to walk around Jerusalem and freak people out. And He had the stone moved. And He scared the army brats with angels. Style. And with style I believe He rose from the dead.

He is risen, indeed.

This coming Sunday we will be talking about what it means to be a Christ-follower. I hope you can come; it’s centered on the Sesame Street Hymn “Put Down the Duckie.” Trust me, you don’t want to miss it!