Believing the Truth - John 20:1-9,14-18

The most of us are sports fans, and have played or had loved ones that played in games. Many games have ‘one particular play’ that either won or lost the game. Think about it! Was it a home-run in the last of the 9^th; or a strike-out? Maybe it was A 3-pointer, when 2 down in the last seconds; or a steal when ahead by only one point with a few seconds to go. Or it may have been a kick-off return all the way when the game was tied with only seconds left. Were you excited? We should be excited about the greatest and least expected play ever made. The game was LIFE, and man had definitely lost—until Jesus arose as winner over death, hell and the grave. DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT JESUS AROSE FROM THE DEAD?

Last Sunday our lesson was entitled ‘Knowing the Truth’ and I did not think to tell you that although that was a very important recommendation, it only contained one third of the necessary ingredients to make life everlasting and glorious. Today we will examine the second step in the process of performing a miracle; which is ‘Believing the Truth.’ To complete this process, I would entitle the final step by saying that you must also; ‘Act on the Truth’ or ‘Personally Accept the Truth.” What is the subject? Salvation. How is one saved? It is so simple that many will overlook the importance of; 1. Know the truth. 2. Believe the truth. And three is to receive or act on the truth. You see; it is as simple as one, two, three. Please do not be one of those that miss the way. I often wonder why more people will go to hell than heaven; you see, the bible says that wide is the way that leads to hell and many will enter; but narrow is the way to heaven and few there be who will enter therein.

You may never have thought about it, but I really believe that it is very difficult for some people to believe the bible to be total truth. Here are some of the stumpers that cause people to doubt.

1. God always has been. 2. God created everything that is from nothing. 3. He made man from dust. 4. He made woman from a rib. 5. The flood. 6. Sin entered the world and all have sinned. 7. God loves unconditionally. 8. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a virgin. 9. The many miracles such as water turning to blood, Noah’s three days in the seminary—‘what a lesson he learned,’ and many others like the resurrection. 11. The ascension. 12. A hell that burns with fire and brimstone forever and that people will be there. I would list thirteen, but still wonder if it is an unlucky number.

I have close friends [and relatives] that I love very much that have expressed doubts that cause them problems. I think that we would really be surprised if we knew how many of our neighbors have some serious doubts about things that true believers take for granted. Some just don’t believe that Balaam’s donkey talked to him; or that a pile of wood soaked in water can create spontaneous combustion as it did when Elijah challenged Baal. The bible says that Elijah called fire down from heaven…well, that’s much like spontaneous combustion, isn’t it? You would think that people exposed to extensive bible teachings would have no problems, but this is not so. Should you be disturbed or bothered by this? Yes, but don’t despair because, if you will remember, the disciples that had walked and talked with Jesus for three and one half years, and seen Him perform miracles were all skeptical when they heard of His resurrection, and one, Thomas, just did not believe it had happened. Believing the truth is not always easy—even for an eye-witness.

Do you realize that not a single one of the disciples stuck with Jesus all the way to the Cross? Ever wonder why? I think it was because they sincerely believed very strongly that he was truly the promised and real Messiah. They were all Jews, and they thought the Messiah would be the ‘Super Human’ ‘New King of Israel” and that no man or nation would be able to destroy him. When He died, they were dumfounded; disappointed, gave up and went fishing. Even though they had observed all of his miracles, they were not able to comprehend his having the ability to die and, being physically dead, still have the spiritual life and power to restore his own life. The truth is that he did.

The author of our commentary on this date tells us that “The good news for any who doubt the resurrection or who are looking for effective ways to share the story of Jesus’ resurrection, is that Scripture provides sound answers and guidance. First-person accounts of Jesus’ resurrection appearances provide a firm and trustworthy foundation for believing this central truth of our faith.” Unfortunately, some just do not believe; and true belief can only come through your simple faith. I believe the reporters [writers of scripture] told the truth. However personally, I can and do, just view the wondrous universe and all of the handy work of God and see enough to believe that God is real and completely in charge. How can you watch the changes that take place as the four seasons come and go; as you watch plants borne anew each spring; grow, mature and furnish food during the summer; wither and die in the fall and winter; only to arise and repeat the cycle the following year—and not believe in a Higher Power? God and His handy-work are so obvious that even the most infantile mind has no problem seeing Him at work every day of our lives.

John is not the only reporter that wrote about the resurrection, all four gospels tell the same story and with no contradictions; Paul and many others confirmed the fact. If you believe God’s Word—and you must—it happened as it is written. Oh, dear friends, please believe! Your faith does not have to be great. If it is only the size of a mustard seed, it is big. You can use it and move mountains; you can move anything that stands in your way as you seek to live and die in Christ.

Verses one through 8 tell us that He arose on the first day of the week, Sunday to us because the Sabbath ended at sundown on Saturday. Mary Magdalene visited the tomb early while it was dark but she was able to see that the grave was open and that Christ was missing. Devastated at her finding, she immediately reported to others who hurriedly went to see for themselves and they verified this great truth. John and all of the other writers told the same story and about how hundreds of others saw Him, talked to Him, ate with him, even felt of his scars left from the nails in his hands and spear that pierced his body. For forty days they listened to his final message to mankind and then stood in amazement and watched Him disappear from physical sight into the heavens.

There is no doubt that his death on the Old Rugged Cross is the one and only sacrifices that substituted for our sins—by his stripes we are healed—but neither death, hell nor the grave could defeat Him. His resurrection is the one and only event that separates him from others that have claimed to be God. They died and are still in their graves. He arose! He lives! Christians trust in a risen Savior who is alive, sitting at the right hand of God, on the throne in heaven today, and is now interceding for each one of us. What does this mean? It means that He is the one that will be present at our death and tell God to either accept us into heaven or reject us forever—depending on whether or not we believed in Him. Surely by now you can understand that your belief in Christ and acceptance of Him is the most important thing in your life. I hope you can understand why I have discussed the importance of your faith; why I have listed things that may cause you to doubt; and assured you that the bible is true. Here again are the three essentials to gain heaven and shun hell. 1. Know the truth. 2. Believe the truth. 3. ACCEPT THE TRUTH. HALLELUJAH, CHRIST AROSE FROM THE DEAD!