He Holds The Future

He Holds the Future
Matthew 28:1-6
The Hinge of History!

• The FACTS of Resurrection
• The FATHERS Interjection
• Our FAITHS Introspection

Is the New Testament reliable?

Evidence for Resurrection

• Living Witnesses:
• The New Testament accounts of the resurrection were being circulated within the lifetimes of men and women alive at the time of the resurrection.
• Those people could certainly have confirmed or denied the accuracy of such accounts.
• The writers of the four Gospels either had themselves been witnesses or else were relating the accounts of eyewitnesses of the actual events.

I claim to be an historian. My approach to Classics is historical. And I tell you that the evidence for the life, the death, and the resurrection of Christ is better authenticated than most of the facts of ancient history . . .
--- E. M. Blaiklock, Professor of Classics Auckland University

The FACTS of Resurrection

1. Broken Roman Seal
2. Empty Tomb
3. Large Stone Moved
4. Roman Guards Go AWOL
5. Grave clothes Tell A Tale
6. Jesus' Appearances Confirmed
7. REAL PROOF: The Disciples’ Lives

There exists no document from the ancient world, witnessed by so excellent a set of textual and historical testimonies . . . Skepticism regarding the historical credentials of Christianity is based upon an irrational bias.
---Clark Pinnock, Mcmaster University

Hundreds of Witnesses!

If the New Testament were a collection of secular writings, their authenticity would generally be regarded as beyond all doubt.
--- F. F. Bruce, Manchester University

The FATHERS Interjection
Two Earthquakes!

• Matthew 27:50-54 > Access
• Earthquake!
• The earth shuddered at the death of Jesus!
• The veil of separation was rent from top to bottom.
• Matthew 28:1-6 > Resurrection
  • 2nd Earthquake:
    • The stone is rolled away
    • Life breaks forth and the dead are raised

Our FAiTHS Introspection

• Jesus is Lord over life’s question marks
  • Over uncertainties
  • Over seasons of confusion and disorientation
  • Over ignorance about where I’m headed.
  • All these piled up clouds of anxiety are scattered to the winds by the wild, sweet cry of joy that echoes through the centuries: He is alive! He is risen as He said!

“Anyone who can descend into death, conquer hell and the devil, touch bases with the earth and earthlings, and then spring heavenward into the glorious rule at the right hand of All Power on high deserves my vote of confidence about handling my future – and whatever it holds.
--- Jack Hayford

If you see God as creator,
you will admire Him.
If you see God as wisdom,
you will learn from Him.
If you discover God’s strength,
you will rely on Him.
But when He saves you,
you will worship Him!
--- Unknown

What is your response?

• John 20:26-31 - And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
• Psalm 73:25-26 - Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
• John 6:68-69 - But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

When Christ died He left a will in which He gave His soul to His Father, His body to Joseph of Arimathea, His clothes to the soldiers, and His mother to John. But to His disciples, who had left all to follow Him, He left not silver or gold, but something far better - His PEACE!
--- Matthew Henry