WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.000 Amen. 00:00:05.100 --> 00:00:07.400 This morning in our Old Testament reading, we read a longer section of Scripture. 00:00:07.400 --> 00:00:09.140 ! We read a longer section of Scripture. 00:00:10.140 --> 00:00:10.500 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.479 And the larger number that comes before the colon is a chapter. 00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:37.000 So chapter 20, verses 1 through 10. 00:00:37.880 --> 00:00:38.920 This is God's Word. 00:00:39.859 --> 00:00:44.939 Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, 00:00:45.539 --> 00:00:48.519 and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 00:00:49.079 --> 00:00:54.120 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, 00:00:54.120 --> 00:00:55.260 and said to them, 00:00:55.659 --> 00:00:59.799 They have taken the Lord out of the tomb. We do not know where they have laid him. 00:01:00.500 --> 00:01:03.859 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:05.319 Both of them were running together. 00:01:05.859 --> 00:01:09.180 But the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:13.140 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there. 00:01:13.480 --> 00:01:14.700 But he did not go in. 00:01:15.319 --> 00:01:18.620 And then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. 00:01:18.879 --> 00:01:24.620 He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:28.620 not lying with the linen cloths, but folded up in a place by itself. 00:01:28.620 --> 00:01:34.859 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed. 00:01:35.460 --> 00:01:40.620 For as yet, they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 00:01:41.080 --> 00:01:43.580 Then the disciples went back to their homes. 00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:44.600 Let's pray. 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:51.419 Lord, we're thankful for your testimony regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:01:51.559 --> 00:01:58.280 We pray that you might use that same spirit that raised him from the dead to speak now to our hearts. 00:01:58.939 --> 00:02:04.759 Allow us to see the truth of your word, that Christ is risen, and that he is risen indeed. 00:02:05.299 --> 00:02:07.799 And we pray this in Christ's name. Amen. 00:02:07.799 --> 00:02:07.920 Amen. 00:02:10.359 --> 00:02:13.500 Recently, I was shopping in a Walmart, and I was in a hurry. 00:02:14.319 --> 00:02:18.960 I was rushing because I was going to something else, and I needed to grab a few things. 00:02:19.259 --> 00:02:21.579 And I was going to go right in and then go right out. 00:02:22.319 --> 00:02:23.400 That chance, right? 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:25.759 It's Walmart, after all. 00:02:25.819 --> 00:02:26.859 It's chaos in there. 00:02:26.919 --> 00:02:27.579 It's anarchy. 00:02:28.120 --> 00:02:29.460 My home is anarchy. 00:02:29.680 --> 00:02:31.939 Walmart is definitely anarchy. 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:36.560 And as I walked through, I grabbed those few items that I needed. 00:02:36.659 --> 00:02:39.759 I was going to something, so I needed something for this and something for that. 00:02:40.539 --> 00:02:44.939 And I was only going to be in there for a minute, so I didn't get a cart, and I didn't get a basket. 00:02:45.139 --> 00:02:48.180 And so I grabbed in my arms, and I made my way to check out. 00:02:48.259 --> 00:02:52.120 And as I did, I bypassed the checkout line because I was in a hurry. 00:02:52.360 --> 00:02:55.139 And I went to one of those self-checkout kiosks. 00:02:55.479 --> 00:02:58.219 And I got all my stuff, and I paid for it. 00:02:58.400 --> 00:02:59.979 And then I went to grab the receipt. 00:02:59.979 --> 00:03:01.500 And guess what? 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:02.560 It was out of paper. 00:03:03.119 --> 00:03:04.239 I don't have time for this. 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:07.479 I made my way from the kiosk and went straight to the door. 00:03:07.959 --> 00:03:11.459 And at Walmart, and like some other grocery stores, what do they have at Walmart? 00:03:11.639 --> 00:03:17.479 They have a guy that stands there, or a gal, that stands there and checks to see if you have the receipt. 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:21.759 I didn't have time to wait around. 00:03:22.799 --> 00:03:27.799 And as I saw that man at the entryway, there were a bunch of slow walkers in front of me. 00:03:27.859 --> 00:03:28.759 And so what did I do? 00:03:28.759 --> 00:03:31.699 I made my way really quickly around those people. 00:03:32.139 --> 00:03:34.239 And remember, I didn't have a basket. 00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:38.299 And I sure wasn't going to pay the 10 cents for the plastic bag. 00:03:39.019 --> 00:03:45.459 So I'm in my gym clothes, my hands full of stuff, running towards the door. 00:03:45.799 --> 00:03:47.259 So what does the man do, sir? 00:03:47.819 --> 00:03:49.139 Let me see your receipt. 00:03:49.139 --> 00:03:56.879 Now, I'm not sure if it was all those factors combined, or he just didn't like the way that I looked. 00:03:58.119 --> 00:04:05.399 But as I explained myself, that very politely, I might add, that the receipt machine was broken and out of paper. 00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:07.579 He did not believe me. 00:04:07.580 --> 00:04:12.900 And as he did not believe me, he kept going on not believe me. 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:17.319 I explained to him that, sir, it was out of paper. 00:04:17.500 --> 00:04:18.480 Check the cameras. 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:21.139 Still, he did not believe me. 00:04:21.879 --> 00:04:24.120 And then I said, well, look at the transactions. 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:26.019 Go talk to customer service. 00:04:26.379 --> 00:04:27.840 Look at the video feed. 00:04:27.939 --> 00:04:28.639 I don't know. 00:04:28.840 --> 00:04:31.180 I didn't steal these items. 00:04:31.939 --> 00:04:32.920 I was emphatic. 00:04:32.920 --> 00:04:39.500 And my desperation was raising so much so that I just started to blurt things out. 00:04:40.540 --> 00:04:47.200 And every time, he matched my intensity with a promise to go get the police officer right outside. 00:04:47.740 --> 00:04:50.980 And I'm thinking to myself, I have kids. 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:53.020 I drive a minivan. 00:04:53.300 --> 00:04:54.660 I'm not going to steal anything. 00:04:55.740 --> 00:04:57.800 He did not care. 00:04:57.800 --> 00:05:07.240 Let alone the fact, who steals a loaf of Italian bread, a bottle of spaghetti, shirt starch, and windshield wiping fluid? 00:05:07.520 --> 00:05:07.840 Nobody. 00:05:08.420 --> 00:05:12.379 If I'm going to steal something, it's not going to be something that totals like $14. 00:05:13.420 --> 00:05:15.460 It did not matter. 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:25.699 And then I had the bright idea, I'm going to pull up on my phone and show him the transaction seconds before from this exact Walmart. 00:05:26.400 --> 00:05:27.240 It did not matter. 00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:28.840 He was unconvinced. 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:31.519 And so I said, I'm going to appeal to Caesar. 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:33.060 Get your manager. 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:37.680 The manager came up, and thankfully, cooler heads prevailed. 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:44.960 But in the midst of that, I said, I'm a trustworthy person. 00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:46.920 Surely, this man will know that. 00:05:47.160 --> 00:05:49.540 I'll even show you my driver's license. 00:05:49.540 --> 00:06:00.960 Except for if you are from certain areas of the country, namely the state of South Carolina, and you show your driver's license, it looks like it was made at a copier out back. 00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:04.039 And it did not help my case. 00:06:04.040 --> 00:06:12.240 But the manager came to his senses after the driver's license debacle and said, okay, you can just go. 00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:14.879 I needed that receipt. 00:06:15.060 --> 00:06:16.320 I needed proof. 00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:19.639 I needed confirmation that I had paid for the item. 00:06:19.639 --> 00:06:26.479 The resurrection of Jesus Christ is confirmation of the gospel. 00:06:26.480 --> 00:06:29.319 Doubt. 00:06:31.140 --> 00:06:31.580 Surety. 00:06:32.340 --> 00:06:33.540 Questioning things. 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:36.140 It's something that we all struggle with. 00:06:36.200 --> 00:06:38.160 We do it in every arena of the life. 00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:41.420 Whether it's things that are big, things that are small. 00:06:41.840 --> 00:06:44.380 Think of when you're in school and you take tests. 00:06:44.840 --> 00:06:45.200 Math. 00:06:45.280 --> 00:06:47.400 You don't know if the answer is going to work out. 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:50.640 You don't know how that test is going to go. 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:54.780 What about things that are a little bit bigger? 00:06:55.060 --> 00:06:55.540 Parents. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:58.040 We know that the struggle is real. 00:06:58.560 --> 00:07:00.680 We don't know if we've done enough. 00:07:01.080 --> 00:07:05.000 We don't know what the result is going to be when that child leaves your home. 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:09.500 What about health challenges? 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:15.199 Maybe you've gotten test results and you don't know what it means. 00:07:15.860 --> 00:07:19.000 We don't know to be sure what's going to happen. 00:07:19.500 --> 00:07:24.220 Whether it's those things that seem small or seem a little bit larger. 00:07:24.579 --> 00:07:26.240 What about ultimate things? 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:31.019 If you believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, you need to be sure. 00:07:31.019 --> 00:07:40.060 Because if not, you are one most of all to be pitied because you've staked your life on something that's a lie. 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:43.399 You have to be sure. 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:46.240 But yet we all struggle. 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:54.439 The resurrection provides confirmation that Jesus is who he says he is. 00:07:54.439 --> 00:08:00.379 It's confirmation of his death, that he achieved what he achieved. 00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:03.579 It seals the gospel. 00:08:04.600 --> 00:08:09.459 And this morning we're going to look at the reliability of John's witness to the resurrection. 00:08:10.519 --> 00:08:12.620 We're going to look at the reason for the resurrection. 00:08:13.240 --> 00:08:17.459 And then in the midst of that, we're going to talk about struggling through that. 00:08:17.459 --> 00:08:25.699 Because that question of surety and doubt that we all face, no matter what arena, great or small, is there. 00:08:26.339 --> 00:08:27.259 It's there. 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:28.959 It's there. 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:30.719 And that's okay. 00:08:31.139 --> 00:08:37.500 And as we walk through those things, hopefully the resurrection will provide us that surety. 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:40.299 The reliability of the resurrection. 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:43.859 Now there's much to be said about the reliability of the scriptures. 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:50.120 And when we come to a section of scripture like this, of John's gospel, we want to talk about all those things. 00:08:50.219 --> 00:08:53.939 We want to talk about how the New Testament is truthful. 00:08:54.079 --> 00:08:56.339 How the scriptures are truthful. 00:08:57.139 --> 00:09:01.500 We don't have time for that this morning in that level of detail. 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:03.779 But if you're interested in that, come talk to me. 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:05.519 I'd love to talk to you about that. 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:13.439 But John's gospel, specifically this section of John's gospel, is reliable. 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:16.980 Now if you know this, the Bible has a number of gospels in it. 00:09:17.079 --> 00:09:19.840 They're just history kind of books about Jesus. 00:09:20.699 --> 00:09:26.879 But in writing them, or reading them, you'll notice that the writers have a number of differences. 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:41.519 And as they have differences, they differ not just in content, but they differ in style, in nuance, in the purpose they're writing for, and to whom they're writing to. 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:46.960 All of that makes each of them slightly unique. 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:49.840 But in that, they're eerily similar. 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:57.780 And as we think about the gospels, we're going to talk about some of those differences, especially that arise here in this text. 00:09:58.420 --> 00:10:02.280 And in doing so, we're going to see that they actually work together. 00:10:03.560 --> 00:10:06.399 Verse 1 starts with the first day of the week. 00:10:06.560 --> 00:10:07.660 That's pretty innocuous. 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:12.660 Except when we start comparing it to all the other gospels. 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:15.660 We realize that every gospel has that. 00:10:16.040 --> 00:10:17.160 The first day of the week. 00:10:17.159 --> 00:10:18.139 Of course. 00:10:19.079 --> 00:10:21.339 The writer wants to tell us what day of the week it's on. 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:28.500 Except, whenever Jesus talked about what was going to happen after he died, he never talked about the day. 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:30.699 He would always talk about, what? 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:32.500 The third day he would rise again. 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:37.839 And yet, in every gospel, it begins with very much the same language. 00:10:41.379 --> 00:10:44.539 And then, that's where the differences begin. 00:10:44.539 --> 00:10:48.179 Who is it that appears in that first verse? 00:10:48.559 --> 00:10:49.659 It's Mary Magdalene. 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:53.919 And the differences start there. 00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:56.779 The differences involve the number of people. 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:59.719 John's gospel records just Mary Magdalene. 00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:02.039 The other gospels say there's a bunch of women. 00:11:03.439 --> 00:11:10.279 John actually shows there's actually much more harmony in that than we at first might realize. 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:14.220 Because how does Mary speak in the very next verse? 00:11:14.539 --> 00:11:17.279 She says, we do not know. 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:20.699 Mary's the only character that's presented. 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:24.600 But John actually shows us that Mary is there with other people. 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:30.179 So that apparent contradiction is actually settled when we look at verse 2. 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:34.059 John might not have included them. 00:11:34.059 --> 00:11:38.179 But it's clear there's more than just one, and he knows it. 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:45.859 Now, if John was making up a story and knitting something together so that we might believe, that's his purpose in this, right? 00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:48.639 He wouldn't use Mary Magdalene. 00:11:48.839 --> 00:11:49.139 Why? 00:11:49.959 --> 00:11:51.699 He wouldn't use her because she's a woman. 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:54.759 Now, remember, this is a male-dominated society. 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:58.059 She couldn't even have been a reliable witness. 00:11:58.059 --> 00:12:00.899 And let alone, not Mary Magdalene. 00:12:00.959 --> 00:12:01.799 You're not picking her. 00:12:02.319 --> 00:12:03.959 She's a woman of ill repute. 00:12:05.599 --> 00:12:15.339 And in doing so, John, the actions of John show that he's more concerned with truthfulness than acceptance. 00:12:16.119 --> 00:12:22.839 He's more concerned with the reliability of what's gone on rather than crafting a story. 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:27.399 Her testimony wasn't even admissible in court. 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:31.139 Another writer has put it this way. 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:40.139 If this is not the work of a historian, it is very strange a more competent witness could not be found. 00:12:40.679 --> 00:12:43.959 Literally, John, you could pick anybody else, and we'd be good in court. 00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:47.360 And then pick another guy, and then we'd have two witnesses, and then we'd be awesome. 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:54.220 But instead, he picks a group of women, and he picks that woman to name. 00:12:54.220 --> 00:13:00.660 If you're building a conspiracy, I wouldn't pick Mary Magdalene. 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:13.980 Seeing that's happened, John then records what her thoughts are, or her actions, or what she's thinking about when she goes and tells other people. 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:18.860 At the end of verse 1, she only sees that the stone has been rolled away. 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:24.120 So in verse 2, she runs to retrieve all the disciples and inform them what? 00:13:24.180 --> 00:13:28.960 Not that he is risen, but his body has been taken from the tomb. 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:32.659 You see, in those days, grave robbing was actually a big issue. 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:39.740 So much so that if you move the stone, the Roman emperor had decreed that, hey, you're going to face the death penalty. 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:43.659 And she assumed that the body had been moved. 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:47.159 Now, this is where it gets interesting. 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:49.419 Mary is a follower of Jesus. 00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:56.259 She should have known that Jesus had said over and over and over again that he was going to rise from the grave. 00:13:56.940 --> 00:14:08.680 And yet, this picture is one of kind of confusion, doubt, maybe not even fully getting it. 00:14:08.679 --> 00:14:17.219 Instead of claiming that he had risen from the grave, she says that they had taken his body. 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:22.120 Why would John include this if he was making up a story? 00:14:22.299 --> 00:14:27.419 It surely doesn't make her, or as we'll see in a minute, him look all that great. 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:34.959 Now, if Mary and the other women came to Peter and then to John or to a group of disciples, we don't know. 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:40.399 The way it's phrased, it looks like that Mary went first to Peter and then she went to John. 00:14:40.479 --> 00:14:42.319 We get that even through the English. 00:14:43.079 --> 00:14:46.279 We don't know, but we do know that they respond by running. 00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:49.719 And apparently, the foot race doesn't go well for Simon and Peter. 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:50.919 He loses, right? 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:59.439 But what actually seems like a selfish detail shows the hallmarks of the work of a historian. 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:11.659 But either way, Peter, in Peter fashion, comes charging through the open tomb of his own accord, as verse 6 kind of tells us. 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:14.439 Simon and Peter came following him and went in the tomb. 00:15:15.319 --> 00:15:16.360 And what do they find? 00:15:16.459 --> 00:15:18.860 John finds cloths lying on the ground. 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:23.840 And then Peter sees not just the cloths, but some of them neatly folded. 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:33.860 If Jesus' body had been taken by robbers, would they have left the most valuable things, this linen cloths and the spices on them? 00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:35.000 Surely not. 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:40.519 And if they had left them in their haste, would they have taken time to fold them neatly? 00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:48.039 It's like if someone entered into your house, robbed you blind of all your electronics, and then folded your laundry. 00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:52.879 I'd say thank you, but it's not very likely. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:58.299 So what are we to make of this? 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:05.279 What is, really, what is John, what are John and Peter's responses in the midst of this? 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:23.740 If John is making up this story about a man being raised from the dead, he'd probably try to make it look like the other raising from the dead that's in the Gospel of John, just a few short chapters before this. 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:26.019 Lazarus is raised from the dead. 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:28.919 But he doesn't look like Jesus. 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:31.060 He's still wearing his cloths, right? 00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:32.779 It's very different. 00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:35.700 What's their response to this, though? 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:40.159 Their response is what verse 8 tells us. 00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:43.779 The other disciple who had reached the tomb first, that's John. 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:49.240 John does this weird thing where he only refers to himself in kind of the third person instead of saying, I. 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:52.799 The other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in. 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:54.220 He finally goes in. 00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:57.159 And he saw and believed. 00:16:57.919 --> 00:17:02.000 For as yet they did not understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead. 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:06.759 And then the disciples went back to their homes. 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:13.180 Their response in all of this is somewhat belief, but it's also confusion. 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:18.380 If you see in verse 9 and 10, they don't put all the pieces together. 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:22.620 In fact, I don't even know if Peter believes at this point. 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:23.600 He might not. 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:26.500 He's at least confused. 00:17:26.860 --> 00:17:27.740 So think about this. 00:17:27.820 --> 00:17:33.620 If John is building a conspiracy, his star witness is someone that can't be trusted. 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:41.880 And then the people that are supposed to go and change the whole world look a little bit like bumbling idiots. 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:47.980 It's not this picture of this roaring lion, faithful disciple. 00:17:48.820 --> 00:17:50.100 It's very different. 00:17:51.280 --> 00:17:56.840 It's not the picture you want of your most faithful followers that are confused. 00:17:57.840 --> 00:18:05.240 The picture is more like oddballs, weirdos, whose testimony that they don't even really believe, 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:07.360 and then they act like a bunch of chickens. 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:12.639 That's not how you want to build a conspiracy. 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:20.740 In fact, the recordings here of John is very much like the work of a historian. 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:26.560 They're not exactly the same as every other gospel, and they're excruciatingly painful in detail. 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:27.660 Think about the foot race. 00:18:27.780 --> 00:18:29.440 What does that accomplish in this narrative? 00:18:29.820 --> 00:18:34.440 It doesn't show us anything other than John won, and then he was too scared to go in. 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:37.000 But Peter won, and then he barged right in. 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:38.420 And then Peter was confused. 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:43.680 The record is painful in detail and oddly specific. 00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:48.900 And to top it all off, it doesn't make anybody really look good at all. 00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:52.480 Why would he use a woman who is unreliable? 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:57.279 Why would he make himself, why would he make Peter look just the same? 00:18:57.799 --> 00:19:00.740 The account of the gospel of John is reliable. 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:08.299 I have a family member who studied law at Oxford, or he's not from North Carolina like me, 00:19:08.380 --> 00:19:10.240 so he says, I read law at Oxford. 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:13.740 And in doing so, he was trained to be a lawyer. 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:19.920 And he visited me one time, and we spoke about the accounts of the gospels, 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:24.960 and he said, yeah, they kind of read like eyewitness testimony, but I don't believe it. 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:28.940 I don't believe it, but it reads like it. 00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:32.240 Surely this must be some kind of cover-up. 00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:35.700 After all, we're modern people. 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:37.799 The government might lie to us. 00:19:38.340 --> 00:19:39.960 The news might lie to us. 00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:44.400 Maybe the weatherman probably lies to us, if we're honest, after this last week. 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:49.220 But in doing so, we try to trick ourselves, 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:52.460 and we're actually not that well acquainted with a cover-up. 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:54.759 But the man, Chuck Colson, was. 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:58.839 If you know that name, he was a senior staffer in the Nixon administration. 00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:02.779 He had been a military officer, and then he worked for President Nixon. 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:11.319 He was known as Nixon's hatchet man, because he would step over his own grandmother to get Nixon into office, is what he said. 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.700 He said that about himself. 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:14.879 Definitely not a Christian. 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:19.060 He spent time in prison for his role in the Watergate scandal. 00:20:19.520 --> 00:20:22.720 But in the midst of all of that, as he was waiting for trial, 00:20:23.060 --> 00:20:26.300 he met with this man who was recently converted to Christianity. 00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:28.640 And Colson mocked this man. 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:33.540 When he did, the man gave him a challenge. 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:35.740 He said, read this. 00:20:35.860 --> 00:20:38.740 And he gave him a C.S. Lewis book. 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:46.180 And Colson realized that all of his objections to Christianity were actually not that well thought out. 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:54.940 And he realized that his objection to the Christian faith did not stand. 00:20:55.859 --> 00:21:02.599 And Colson will write in his autobiography about his participation in the biggest cover-up of all time. 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:09.879 He says, these men, the most powerful men in the world, if you think about it, their cover-up didn't stand. 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:12.639 And they were only threatened with jail time. 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:18.379 And yet, some allege that the Christian faith is a cover-up. 00:21:19.659 --> 00:21:21.079 Think about these people. 00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:23.519 They're not the most powerful men in the world. 00:21:24.399 --> 00:21:26.919 The time frame is thousands of years. 00:21:27.679 --> 00:21:30.480 They faced death, and some did even die. 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:33.279 And it's endured. 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:37.160 John didn't write as part of a cover-up. 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:41.500 But he falls in line with the whole purpose of this letter. 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:46.720 The whole purpose of Scripture is to remind and tell the story of Jesus. 00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:50.380 It's to tell of what he has done. 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:52.380 It's to answer the question, 00:21:53.120 --> 00:21:54.180 Who is Jesus? 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:56.620 And his work on the cross? 00:21:56.619 --> 00:22:00.979 That story, that old, old story. 00:22:01.459 --> 00:22:05.259 But not just that question, but what do you think of Jesus? 00:22:06.239 --> 00:22:11.879 How do you respond to those events on that Good Friday and Easter Sunday? 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:15.740 It's what he says of himself. 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:18.940 It's what he says of his death. 00:22:19.560 --> 00:22:21.940 It's what he says of the resurrection. 00:22:23.080 --> 00:22:26.140 Is Jesus' testimony reliable? 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:28.700 Is John's testimony reliable? 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:32.620 It is because it's confirmed by the resurrection. 00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:38.879 The Easter story, the resurrection of Jesus is reliable. 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:40.659 But what's the reason for the resurrection? 00:22:40.859 --> 00:22:41.619 What does it accomplish? 00:22:42.679 --> 00:22:44.359 It accomplishes this. 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:46.699 John 20 doesn't stand alone. 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:48.239 It comes after John 19. 00:22:48.479 --> 00:22:49.019 Of course. 00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:53.159 It's the final act in the death of Christ. 00:22:53.419 --> 00:22:56.559 One that begins a few chapters earlier, 00:22:56.559 --> 00:23:02.039 and then continues as Jesus is betrayed by those closest to him, 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:05.119 sentenced unjustly, 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:07.039 and then dies on a cross. 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:11.619 He truly died. 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:15.839 And chapter 20 confirms for us 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:18.679 that Jesus did defeat death. 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:22.899 That's the part that Mary and Peter and John 00:23:22.899 --> 00:23:25.480 and none of them got at this point. 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.179 Verse 9. 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:31.079 For as yet they did not understand the scripture 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:34.039 that he must rise from the dead. 00:23:34.639 --> 00:23:37.019 The gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, 00:23:37.139 --> 00:23:38.659 is that God has sent his son, 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:42.059 both man and God in the same person, 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:44.279 to die a death he didn't deserve 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.519 because he was sinless, 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:47.539 so that he might pardon sin 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:50.740 and that any of us that would have faith in him 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:54.659 wouldn't face death. 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:58.420 It confirms that the gospel is true. 00:23:58.540 --> 00:24:01.680 The resurrection seals the gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.440 that message. 00:24:04.080 --> 00:24:06.519 The gospel also does something else. 00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:09.400 It actually depends upon the resurrection. 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:11.040 Paul will say later, 00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:11.900 he's an apostle, 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:14.500 a follower of Jesus many years later, 00:24:14.560 --> 00:24:18.040 will say that if the resurrection is not true, 00:24:18.040 --> 00:24:20.040 then the whole thing falls apart. 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:23.740 The theologian J.R. Packer says this, 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:26.399 Christianity rests on the certainty 00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:27.819 of Jesus' resurrection 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:30.299 as an occurrence in history. 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:32.599 All four gospels highlight it, 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:35.159 focusing on the empty tomb 00:24:35.159 --> 00:24:37.220 and resurrection appearances. 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:39.599 Acts insist upon it. 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:41.980 And Paul regarded the resurrection 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:43.940 as indisputable proof 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:45.839 that the message about Jesus 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:48.439 as judge and savior is true. 00:24:49.379 --> 00:24:51.980 The resurrection confirms his message 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:55.959 and the resurrection confirms his death 00:24:55.959 --> 00:24:59.519 and it confirms his rising 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:02.220 and it confirms salvation for Christians. 00:25:03.659 --> 00:25:05.500 If Christ has not been raised, 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.779 your faith is futile 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:08.379 and you're still in your sins, 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.419 Paul will write. 00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:13.800 Your faith rests on the resurrection. 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:16.440 It's essential to the Christian faith. 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:19.620 No resurrection, no salvation. 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:22.340 No resurrection, no guarantee. 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:25.860 No resurrection, no pardon for sin. 00:25:26.840 --> 00:25:29.980 No resurrection, no right standing before God. 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:32.400 It's essential. 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:35.920 I wish I had known when I became a father 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:38.680 that all of my life would be preparing 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:41.759 for the furied, frenzied, 00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:43.259 night before events, 00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:44.500 putting things together. 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:47.019 It doesn't matter whether it's Legos, 00:25:47.120 --> 00:25:48.700 which sometimes happen the day after, 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:50.420 whether it's Christmas morning 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:53.220 or even putting stuff in an Easter basket 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:54.060 to give children. 00:25:55.100 --> 00:25:56.900 I find myself the night before 00:25:56.900 --> 00:25:58.940 trying to assemble various things 00:25:58.940 --> 00:26:01.340 and if you've ever put together a Lego set 00:26:01.340 --> 00:26:02.840 and ripped open the bag 00:26:02.840 --> 00:26:05.299 and heard that terrible sound 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:07.180 of that one piece hitting the floor 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.980 and then going who knows where. 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:11.660 But when you assemble that Lego, 00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:14.279 whether it's an Avengers spaceship 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:16.600 and you realize it's not all black, 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:20.180 but I've had to borrow a Kelly green piece 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:22.279 from another set to assemble it 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:23.259 so it's all black 00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:24.980 and then there's one green piece. 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.840 Or a small kitchen 00:26:26.840 --> 00:26:28.660 where I've dropped a screw 00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:30.279 and lost a screw. 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:31.680 Instead of them being silver, 00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:33.680 there's one that's copper instead. 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:35.480 Maybe you've even lost that screw 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:37.960 and you've held that thing together with tape 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:39.640 and you present it and say, 00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:41.120 it still works. 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:45.220 That kitchen might work, 00:26:45.860 --> 00:26:47.360 but the gospel doesn't work 00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:49.980 if we pull out the resurrection of Christ. 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:52.380 It is essential. 00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:56.080 We cannot pick and choose 00:26:56.080 --> 00:26:58.140 what we discard 00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:59.860 and what we believe. 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.900 It's very tempting though. 00:27:04.280 --> 00:27:06.380 We want all the benefits of Christ. 00:27:06.540 --> 00:27:07.920 We want all the sayings, 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.500 the example, 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:09.140 the love, 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:09.800 the kindness, 00:27:10.220 --> 00:27:11.040 the gentleness, 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.100 all of that. 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:14.740 And we want to throw away the weird stuff. 00:27:15.100 --> 00:27:16.000 And if we're honest, 00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:17.840 the resurrection is a little bit 00:27:17.840 --> 00:27:18.700 of the weird stuff. 00:27:19.360 --> 00:27:21.819 We can rally behind helping others, 00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:22.880 being humble, 00:27:23.140 --> 00:27:24.440 as long as we're talking about other people. 00:27:25.580 --> 00:27:27.279 We can get behind that stuff. 00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:30.920 We don't get any of that 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:32.220 without the resurrection. 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.500 It's essential. 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:37.620 If we agree with the critics who wrote, 00:27:38.100 --> 00:27:39.460 a historical fact 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:41.840 which involves the resurrection from the dead 00:27:41.840 --> 00:27:43.620 is utterly inconceivable. 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:46.140 We parrot back the question, 00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:47.620 do we really need the resurrection? 00:27:47.619 --> 00:27:49.859 Do we really want the resurrection? 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:52.459 We know magic doesn't exist. 00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:56.439 We don't need mythologies. 00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:58.319 But remember, 00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.479 without the resurrection, 00:27:59.739 --> 00:28:01.179 there's no gospel at all. 00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:04.019 That's why we need the resurrection. 00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:06.759 The French reformer 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.779 that you were supposed to learn about 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.279 in high school, 00:28:08.399 --> 00:28:08.919 John Calvin, 00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:10.000 said this, 00:28:10.399 --> 00:28:12.799 the resurrection is the most important article 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:13.559 of our faith. 00:28:14.219 --> 00:28:14.959 Without it, 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:16.740 the hope of eternal life 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:18.319 is extinguished. 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:20.240 No resurrection, 00:28:20.840 --> 00:28:21.720 no gospel. 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:23.180 No resurrection, 00:28:23.840 --> 00:28:24.920 no faith. 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:26.900 No resurrection, 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:27.960 no hope. 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:30.660 The resurrection is reliable. 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:32.000 We need it 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:32.680 because 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:34.980 all of Jesus' actions, 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:36.620 everything that he said, 00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:38.619 and everything that we hold dear 00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.759 in the Christian faith 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:41.559 depends upon it. 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:43.419 But if we're honest, 00:28:43.459 --> 00:28:44.419 that doesn't minimize 00:28:44.419 --> 00:28:46.599 the fact that we all struggle with doubt 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:48.559 and we might wrestle with this. 00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:51.519 We might wrestle with the resurrection. 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:54.139 The beauty of the gospel of John, 00:28:54.219 --> 00:28:55.500 if you spend time reading it, 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:57.579 is you realize that it's raw 00:28:57.579 --> 00:28:58.519 and it's honest. 00:28:59.199 --> 00:29:00.679 It doesn't whitewash people. 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:02.000 John paints himself 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.640 in not the best light. 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:07.799 He refers to himself 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:09.220 as the beloved disciple 00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:10.819 because he doesn't want 00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:11.980 to insert himself 00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:14.319 because he wants us to focus 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:16.839 on what Jesus has said and done. 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:18.380 But that doesn't minimize 00:29:18.380 --> 00:29:20.839 the fact that John struggles himself. 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:22.680 Think about how 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:24.079 he's written about himself. 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:26.119 He lost the foot race. 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.400 He was scared. 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:29.200 He didn't understand. 00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:30.799 And then he believed 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.759 but didn't understand. 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:33.019 how all of scripture 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:34.319 came to this moment. 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:36.000 It's a struggle for him. 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:37.200 It's a struggle for us 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:38.339 if we're honest. 00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:41.559 If you're new to Christianity 00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:43.900 or exploring the claims of Christianity 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:45.859 or you got roped into here 00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:47.680 with the promise of a lunch afterwards, 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:48.259 I'm sorry. 00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:49.259 I hope your lunch is good. 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.960 But I stand with you. 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:55.259 I remember what it was like 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:57.640 to not believe the Christian faith. 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:59.359 And sometimes when we come 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.799 to something like this, 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:02.339 we can sing these songs 00:30:02.339 --> 00:30:03.279 and we don't know them. 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.180 We don't know the words. 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.240 We don't know the tunes. 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.379 We don't know the men, 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:06.940 women part. 00:30:07.159 --> 00:30:09.139 That might seem odd to us. 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:10.700 All of this might seem weird 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.359 and confusing. 00:30:12.119 --> 00:30:13.079 We're glad that you're here. 00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:14.779 Know that Christianity 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:16.099 is not a thing 00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:17.559 that just you do 00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:19.039 because your parents did. 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.279 It's not a club 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:21.180 that you enter into. 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:23.720 But you have to wrestle 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.799 with the resurrection yourself. 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:28.240 It's okay to ask questions. 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:30.119 It's okay to be honest 00:30:30.119 --> 00:30:30.899 about doubts. 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:35.720 It's okay to look out 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.399 and say, 00:30:36.919 --> 00:30:38.139 hey, I'm not sure 00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:39.500 the Christianity thing 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:41.019 is actually going to benefit me. 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:42.460 I've been there with you. 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:44.259 There's real cost. 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:46.259 Both in your family, 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.859 in your job, 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:49.299 your neighborhood, 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:52.079 people might think it's weird. 00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:54.779 Remember 00:30:54.779 --> 00:30:56.759 that that doesn't matter 00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:58.019 if it's true. 00:30:58.980 --> 00:31:00.359 If it's true, 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.700 it demands everything 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:03.819 and we can't explain stuff away. 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.440 Yeah, 00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:05.559 maybe 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:08.460 we struggle with those doubts. 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:11.059 Maybe it might seem irrational. 00:31:11.419 --> 00:31:12.419 But is it irrational 00:31:12.419 --> 00:31:13.759 to think 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.700 that Jesus 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:16.180 fell asleep 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:18.759 and then in his emaciated state 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.579 dehydrated, 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:20.759 he rolls away a stone? 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:21.559 Is that rational? 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:23.000 Is it rational 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.480 to think 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.519 that the Roman soldiers 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.980 would face the death penalty 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:27.180 to help out 00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:29.519 a bunch of oddballs? 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:31.359 Is it rational 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:31.859 to think 00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:32.440 that the Jews 00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:33.420 would steal the body? 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.180 In fact, 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:34.819 they should have brought 00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:35.519 the body out 00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:36.740 and held it before everyone 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.160 to say, 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:38.400 he's really dead. 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.359 It's all a lie. 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:41.279 Is that rational? 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:44.859 What about 00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:46.259 if it wasn't really him? 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:48.099 It was just some other guy. 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.500 Is that rational 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.940 when then John records 00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.819 he comes back 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.440 to Mary 00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:54.279 who doesn't look so good 00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:54.980 in this text 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.599 and says, 00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:57.059 that's really you 00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:58.119 or Thomas. 00:31:58.519 --> 00:31:59.940 I'm not really going to believe 00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:01.400 but recognizes it's him 00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:01.980 and says, 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:02.640 I won't believe 00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:03.460 until I can touch 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.359 with my own hands. 00:32:04.839 --> 00:32:05.519 It's okay 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.500 to struggle with doubt. 00:32:06.619 --> 00:32:07.160 It's okay 00:32:07.160 --> 00:32:08.460 to struggle with that. 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:11.339 It's okay 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.220 to ask questions. 00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:12.720 It's okay 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.640 to wrestle with it. 00:32:13.640 --> 00:32:17.820 The Christian C.S. Lewis writes, 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:18.640 there's a tendency 00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:19.380 in our day 00:32:19.380 --> 00:32:21.240 to only believe 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:22.180 something is good 00:32:22.180 --> 00:32:23.360 and something is true. 00:32:24.060 --> 00:32:25.600 But what if it was both? 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:27.480 What if it was good? 00:32:28.640 --> 00:32:29.280 The resurrection 00:32:29.280 --> 00:32:31.020 secures the good news. 00:32:31.860 --> 00:32:33.280 What if it was true? 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:36.620 May we believe it 00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:38.799 as John will say. 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:40.179 The resurrection 00:32:40.179 --> 00:32:41.399 of Jesus Christ 00:32:41.399 --> 00:32:42.419 confirms 00:32:42.419 --> 00:32:43.899 the gospel 00:32:43.899 --> 00:32:45.439 of Jesus Christ. 00:32:45.859 --> 00:32:46.359 Let's pray. 00:32:50.739 --> 00:32:51.339 Lord, 00:32:51.419 --> 00:32:52.000 we thank you 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:53.000 for your word 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:53.599 on this 00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:54.699 Resurrection Sunday. 00:32:54.939 --> 00:32:55.459 We ask 00:32:55.459 --> 00:32:56.439 that you might work 00:32:56.439 --> 00:32:57.319 faith 00:32:57.319 --> 00:32:58.399 into our hearts 00:32:58.399 --> 00:32:59.599 to believe it. 00:32:59.939 --> 00:33:01.059 Whether we've believed it 00:33:01.059 --> 00:33:02.359 for a long, long time 00:33:02.359 --> 00:33:03.219 or we're struggling 00:33:03.219 --> 00:33:03.879 with doubts 00:33:03.879 --> 00:33:04.500 this morning, 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:06.339 may you show us 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:07.220 by the power 00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:08.299 that raised Christ 00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:08.960 from the dead 00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:10.440 that now lives 00:33:10.440 --> 00:33:11.500 in your people 00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:13.440 to believe your word 00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:15.079 and to see the truth 00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:16.940 of John's testimony 00:33:16.940 --> 00:33:17.880 to the resurrection. 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.339 We pray 00:33:19.339 --> 00:33:20.200 in Christ's name. 00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:20.759 Amen.