WHY IS THE RESURRECTION SO DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE

A Message by Rev Dr Vincent Leoh on 23 March 2008
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INCREDIBLE!

“Why should it be thought INCREDIBLE by you that God raises the dead?”
Acts 26:8

I. TOO DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE (King Agrippa and Festus)

G.K. Chesterton once said that the Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.

God has done so many unimaginable miracles; why think it strange, or impossible, or unreasonable that He could raise the dead?

Do we find it incredible that God could find you a job, or sell your house, or sovereignly heal you?

I believe that God CAN do those things, but do I believe that He WILL do those things?

The problem is not that your problems are too large, it’s that our idea of God is too small. It is a lack of faith.

“The claim of resurrection is vital to Christianity. If Christ has been raised from the dead by God, then He has the credentials and certification that no other religious leader possesses. Buddha is dead. Mohammad is dead. Moses is dead. Confucius is dead. But, according to Christianity, Christ is alive.” R. C. Sproul

“After more than 700 hours of studying this subject and thoroughly investigating its foundation, I have come to the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most wicked, vicious, heartless hoaxes ever foisted upon the minds of men, OR it is the most fantastic fact of history.” (Josh McDowell)

II. TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE! (The Disciples)

There were 11 visible, physical appearances of Jesus! The Bible does record for us this story (Luke 24:36-49), and actually shows us that the disciples, for the third time, were having trouble believing. They were “troubled” (literally, ‘stressed’). In fact, as they looked at Jesus on Easter evening, one of their responses was, “No Way! This is too good to be true!” “Is it really Him in the flesh? Is He really back?”

Often the good news sound too good to be true, and many people find the Gospel hard to believe because it seems so incredibly wonderful !

1. Everything you have ever done was under the blood – forgiven and cleansed!

2. Simply believing in Jesus was all it took to go to heaven.

VISIBLE PROOFS 1 John 1:1- 4 “Heard, seen, touched, looked at, appeared!” It’s Real! It’s true! There is no need to doubt or wonder if this is all a myth, a too-good-to-be-true fable. On the contrary! Jesus was and is real, the story is true, and we can believe! And He really changes people.

III. TOO POWERFUL TO BE SILENCED! (Apostle Paul)

“King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand (I’m happy to be here standing) before you today as I make my defense…“ (:2)
“Happy” means fortunate or blessed (cf. Matthew Beattitudes – “Blessed are those…”) Here is Paul, he’s been in jail for two years at this point, and he feels blessed. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Paul considers himself fortunate! He sees this as a golden opportunity to present the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Paul: This is my story …
1. I was blind to God’s Truth (:9-11)
2. God spoke to me (:14)
3. God gave me a Task (:13-18)
4. I Believe that Jesus Christ is the One and Only Risen Savior of the World (:23)
5. I want everyone to believe what I believe (:29)

Festus says, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you insane!” (:24)
Actually it’s INSANE Not to be a Christian! It is insane to think you can go through a whole lifetime and reject the One person who loves you more than you will ever know.

Do you find it hard to believe? Is it a thing INCREDIBLE to you?

“For, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)