Resurrection Day

CNG radio for today's culture and timeless truths come together is reason relevant content apologetics worldview and answers to the questions that you need to know need to know from Alex McFarlane ministries.

This is true for a new generation radio and now the man who preached in 50 states and 50 days, writer, and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarlane now after the Sabbath is the first of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb and the hold was a great earthquake and the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it, and his countenance was like lightning, his clothing, why does the snow and the guards scattered and the angel says in verse five of Matthew 28 do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen as he said, and now the first evidential apologetic ever.

Matthew 28 six. Come see the place where the Lord lay and go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead and indeed he is going before you into Galilee, so the women went quickly and told the others.

And while there were going verse nine of Matthew 28 Jesus met them and said, rejoice, so they came and they held him by the feet and worshiped him, and he said do not be afraid. Go and tell my brethren go to Galilee and there they will see me welcome to the program Alex McFarlane to hear so glad to have you with us on this Easter weekend program of truth for new generation and obviously that the subject of the day is the resurrection of Christ how Jesus rose from the grave in the world over.

Christians are celebrating what might be the most uniquely observed Easter into millennia of Christendom because for the first time ever of the churches the cathedrals the sunrise services. They won't be filled with millions of worshipers around the world people are going to be watching services online or listen to the radio work hearing, podcasts, and absent things on the Internet. Obviously, because of the worldwide coded 19 situation and let me say as we celebrate the resurrection this weekend, and the reality that mortality, sin, death, disease, our guilt before God. All of the things that have contributed to the downfall of the human condition and the lostness of souls, the spiritual and physical bondage that has permeated the human race throughout all of history. Jesus resolved it by paying our sin debt on the cross and rising from the grave and how we praise his name for that and on this program this morning we want to take a few minutes to talk about the resurrection, and I want to talk about some things that the resurrection guarantees the believer, the promises, the secure absolute things that you can know with certainty. If you're a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. You know, Hg Wells and his world history.

He said we understand that we are trying to write as if this book would be read by as many Jews, Hindus and Muslims and Buddhists and secular Americans and Western Europeans as anybody else, and he goes on, and Wells says basically were going to have to apologize for making Jesus Christ. Such a central figure throughout history and he he says the gospel writers Matthew Mark Luke and John. He says they were quote Christian propagandists so clearly you can tell that Hg Wells while he's a good historian. He doesn't have any special favoritism toward Christianity.

In fact, quite the opposite and yet he basically says to his non-Christian readers. Hey, forgive me for making Jesus Christ. Such a focal point of history, but the undeniable reality is that Christ is the focal point of history is not amazing that more recently, John Meacham, who's a historian he's a Pulitzer prize-winning historian, he's an invited fellow of the Society of American historians and he's a born-again Christian and he's a believer in Jesus Christ. And he quotes Albert Schweitzer, who again was not all that accurate in his handling of Scripture and Schweitzer.

While he did some good things in the medical world, but in terms of his book the quest for the historical Jesus Schweitzer, quoted by Meacham says this fact cannot be denied that Jesus and his resurrection are not only the focal points of the Christian faith are the focal points of history and Wilson is an English a biographer and respected writer and scholar and a and Wilson talks about this regarding the secularism of the modern world and the drift away from morality in Europe and America, but Wilson says this the strange fact is that Jesus remains even in a world where institutional Christianity would appear to be on its last legs were religious belief in the West, at least, would appear to be rapidly on the decline. Jesus remains doggedly. There and we remain aware of him, not as a mystical presence, not as a figure of legend Jesus is more real than Robin Hood or King Arthur, and indeed he is real because he is risen and Jesus's resurrection is the great proof the cornerstone the foundation and the guarantee of all that we believe not.

Paul in first Corinthians 1512 through 19. Paul says if Christ be not risen.

We of all men are most miserable.

We have no hope. And Paul points to the resurrection being really the crux the kingpin of the Christian faith because why Paul says if Christ is not risen, our preaching is vain were false witnesses are dead loved ones that we thought were saved warrant. We have no hope. And we are most miserable quit" but Christ is risen, and he says for those that live and believe in the U-2 will live again, stating we've got to take a brief break we can come back and talk more about the things that Christ's resurrection promises guarantees the believer don't go away from. I am a watchman ministries. Here's today's I am a watchman minute. Do you know you have incredible value in Christ.

You are called, chosen, beloved, his child, his air and in second Timothy 221 his chosen instrument you are left anointed, gifted and saved to serve the world.

They say you can't or you're not worthy. We are not trained but remember it is God not the world who called you. God loves you and wants to move through you. The darkness is falling on this world. There is much hurt and despair. There's a great need for believers for watchman to make a difference by helping and serving by watching and warning and by sharing and loving visit. I'm a watchman.com for free resources to help you grow in your spiritual walk. Be bold, be faithful, be a watchman, I am a watchman.com brain cannot not afraid to ask hard questions we care about a lot of things.

We are engage magazine.net online group of millennial's, brought together by a common goal to share truth apply Scripture and to get involved in are lost and hurting engage magazine.net host discussions that help you apply biblical worldview to your daily life engage magazine.net you know Alex is writing for many years.

One of his classic books is still great. Today is a basic introduction to the Christian faith. It's called Stan courtrooms must know for unshakable faith. This book will help you help your teens get off the roller coaster of doubt onto solid ground.

You'll read about the six pillars of biblical Christianity. They are one inspiration of the Bible to the virgin birth. Three. The deity of Christ for atonement.

Five. Christ's resurrection and six.

Christ's return know Alex mixes it up with humor and stories gleaned from decades of working with youth and encourages things to build a foundation of faith that will stabilize their lives and help them take a stand for Christ. Simple and straightforward. Stan courtrooms you must know for an unshakable faith available wherever Christian books are so no need to have a Bible degree from Liberty University to land, serve brain worship and obey God they can make life more vibrantly when you're ready for a religious studies degree find more than 60 ministry degree options that Dr. of Ministry one LeBlanc rate, forgive any courses at Liberty University where we train champions for Christ that a liberty.edu\explorer to learn more as limiting media\explorer to learn more timeless truths in a soundbite culture for a new generation radio will go back to the program as we record this. I do want to say. Our hearts go out to the people around the world. Bereaved. So many people having died from the complications related to the coronavirus and you know in the West. In much the world certainly in America, people are under quarantine and I'm hearing around the country. The quarantines or extending through the middle of May. The end of May. In many places and people talking about being stir crazy and things like that out.

Let me encourage you to use this time to read and to pray. Read God's word but read good books and that you know myself, keep us in prayer. If you would because I had a little over two dozen speaking engagements from the end of February to the end of June that are that are gone and not going to happen and that's ministry we wanted to do.

It's also income that is not going to come into our house.

Also, please keep us in prayer and maybe consider a gift to help us. I will say this, we've gone to doing many things online Monday Wednesday and Friday at 10 AM central time, 11 AM Eastern time were doing live webcast on her Facebook page, rev.

Alex McFarlane Re: the rev.

Alex McFarland and I'm doing much media and we probably just interestingly because of doing so much online in the month of March we were able to correspond with this many people and send the material help people that were coming to Christ are coming back to Christ in the month of March we saw as many people receive Jesus as their Savior as we may have may have seen in the entire year because we were doing so much online and everything. The ministry is about right now because we don't know when the speaking schedule can open back up and you know publishing we can do broadcasting we can do events right now.

We can't do it will resume our event schedule as soon as possible but pray for us contemplate supporting what were doing. If you would, and I rejoice with us that the gospel will not be hindered, and we live in such a time that we have that the Internet and the capabilities with media and absent software to continue to proclaim the gospel when the lost and equip the church but let me say a word about how the resurrection of Christ overcomes human feelings of futility and hopelessness. GK Chesterton.

He once said the one thing in the world that never makes any progress is progress, not nothing about this while people are saying that there are going stir crazy in our our hearts go out to those that can't get their hours in an art aren't able to work but but think about this. Everything in this world points to some kind of a future a river drifts along and goes toward the sea. Children dream about that what they're going to do when they grow up without we make plans we make New Year's resolutions, and we think about you know what were going to do in our day and tomorrow. Besides, come on the plants that spring and the gray leaves everything about this world points to what is called a teal Eos or design a purpose know the word of God in Jeremiah 2911 through 13 God was speaking to Israel, but I believe this is applicable to all people is that I know the thoughts I think toward you, thoughts of good, not of evil to bring you to a predetermined goal everything that this world has a teal Eos a purpose and there's nothing in life that that makes people more frustrated than the in the sense of futility or hopelessness or meaninglessness.

I've often said if you want to torture a man set them on a shelf. That's what unemployment is it so hard and so demoralizing that's what I would say a welfare state is just so dehumanizing and debasing because when people have nothing to do and they just sit around and their dependent on something else. It can be very disheartening and very depressing. And when we it's bad enough if we feel like a day is wasted. But what about if you if you had the feeling that life had no purpose in life is not going anywhere. Life is hopelessness. That's why so many of the atheists like Friedrich Nietzsche said near the time of his death.

He said the days are intolerable, hopeless, but let me say this, folks, and now I wish I could shout it from every mountaintop and that the continent on the continent. The resurrection of Christ Jesus is as is the all writers would say spoiling of the grave he came out of the grave alive.

That shows that there is hope there is meaning there is purpose there's every reason to be excited encouraged and as the early disciples were at that empty tape joyful because what do we note, if Jesus rose from the dead. What can we know well for one thing, we have redemption. First Corinthians 15 three Paul said Jesus was crucified for our sins and it's been said that that stone was not rolled away so Jesus could be let out, but so that we could look in. If Jesus really rose and it is the most documentable fact of the ancient world of the things that are recorded about antiquity that one of the things we can know for certain. The best explanation in light of all the known facts is that Jesus rose from the dead and if Jesus rose your life has purpose and meaning it. It's not futility and it's not just a we live, we die as a McBeth said sound and fury full of sparks signifying nothing.

No, not life has meaning and purpose and you can be saved and let me say I know many listing to this broadcast are believers and followers of Jesus. The Bible calls that a disciple but if you're not saved, then we would say turn to Christ today, the born again and know the Lord and and as soon as you hear these words understand that Jesus loves you, Christ died for you and you can be born again and we urge you to do that today.

No state and because were going to talk about five other things, the resurrection guarantees the believer because of Psalm 1610, quoted by Peter in acts chapter 2 that the, the holy one of God would not be abandoned to the grave and the holy one, the Messiah would not see decay or decomposition. Jesus's resurrection was predicted in the Psalms preached by Peter at Pentecost, acts 229 to 32 and proclaim today. It's one of the great truths of reality and it can be a great truth in your life as well that Christ is alive stated were back after this. Christians don't necessarily agree with one another when it comes to questions of religious pluralism, homosexuality, the role of government apportioned in war. Too often, we manage these disagreements by ignoring them, yet were called to engage the world for the sake of Christ. How can we be effective if we avoid society's most pressing questions in 10 issues that divide Christians Alex McFarlane challenges us to drill down to the biblical core of 10 current issues such as social justice evil and suffering, photography, and environmentalism as he echoes the biblical invitation, this reason together only by engaging the Scriptures deeply thinking clearly and speaking truthfully can we, in God's family address our differences and discover the peace that comes with unity of purpose.

10 issues that divide Christians find this book and many others@alexmcfarlane.com.

If you're a Christian parent. You of course want to instill a biblical view of life in the hearts of your children, your pastor, you want to offer ministry that draws young families to your church.

This is Alex McFarlane encouraging you to check out my new book and video curriculum. The 21 toughest questions your kids will ask about Christianity. I interviewed hundreds of children ages 5 to 12 and we address actual questions from actual children. The spiritual issues that are on the minds of your kids everything the book and video lessons are great for groups of any size and was produced with the goal of equipping kids to stand strong for Christ in any situation. The 21 toughest questions your kids will ask the book study guide and video series. You'll find it@afastore.net that AFA store.net. Welcome back, Alex McFarlane, who supplied you with us on this day that we commemorate Christ's resurrection from the grave and you know over and over. We've done shows written books written articles done interviews about how none of the naturalistic theories that have ever been set forth to try to disprove the resurrection really accounts for all the known historical facts. Some people said well the disciples stole the body of the disciples mistakenly went to the wrong tomb or Jesus lied and faked his own death and wasn't really dead but pretended to have risen from the grave, which none of these naturalistic explanations take into account all the known facts, and in fact they really implode on each other and me. We think about Jesus having been arrested, beaten, dehydrated, probably three days 3 to 5 days without food and water and he's put in the tomb sealed with a one and 1/2 to 2 tons stone guarded by a dozen Roman soldiers in peak physical condition at their post guarding the Tim under penalty of death if they were to fail at their assignment Jesus in his weakened, beaten and bloodied wounded condition revives himself in the tomb shakes off roughly 75 pounds of cloth and burial spices moves that heavy rock by himself overcomes a cadre a dozen Roman soldiers gets across the Jerusalem incognito re-gathers his scattered followers and there in his bruised, beaten conditions as I am the resurrection and the life and they're willing to go out and die from it just doesn't make sense. Plus, it makes the greatest moral teacher in history out to be a deceiver and it it attributes a very high stupidity quotient to the disciples because while the disciples may not of had electricity and on many of the modern technological inventions that we've got. They weren't stupid. They knew the difference between a dead body and a person who was alive to the fact that they were willing to go out and preach the gospel and give their lives and die is because he really honestly truly had risen from the dead, and so the resurrection of Christ. If it happened, and the evidence is clear, compelling that it did than what we have we have redemption.

We have righteousness Romans chapter 4 says that in the eyes of God, the one who turns from sin to Christ. The believer is declared righteous and think about that you may have lived a life of sin and were all sinners but maybe maybe someone hearing this broadcast is for years and really doing things you know are wrong. Sin has had a hold on your life if you will turn to Christ because of this resurrection. Not only are your past sins forgiven not only presently you're in right relationship with God. But when you stand before the father. One day as we all will in the eyes of Almighty God. God will see you as the saints righteous. Why because we earned or deserved note but the righteousness of Christ is accredited to you if you believe in Jesus because he rose from the dead, but do you know with redemption and righteousness and the reassurance that we have. There's a responsibility in Mark 16 seven after the empty tomb was discovered. The angel said go until Jesus told his disciples, going to all the world and so with redemption comes a responsibility but do you know what there's reward in heaven for serving Jesus Christ.

If Jesus rose there is not only meaning and purpose in this life. There is encouragement through that the tough times the dark times. But there's understanding that there's going to be rewarded in heaven. You might think. Sometimes your life is very hard and and things don't go riding hope deferred makes the heart sick as the Bible says you did not first Corinthians 1558 says this is the great chapter on the resurrection process because Christ rose the steadfast stay at it, dear friend.

Hang in there. It's worth it for Christ. He arose, the tomb was left empty so that your life could be made full.

And Paul says, for as much as you know your labor in the Lord is not in vain. It really matters. Think about this. It's worth that your walk.

Your witness and you'll be rewarded in heaven. You will in one day. Altogether the believers throughout the centuries will lather crowns the feet of Jesus and will say all glory and honor to the Lamb who gave his life for us so there will be rewards in heaven. Now I want you to think about this.

We talk about this often, but doctrine and destiny doctrine are truths we believe destiny is where we headed. If Christ rose what can we know well, God exists, God has acted in history.

Jesus is God incarnate. He said that we would know this by his resurrection from the dead. Scripture is inspired. Remember, Jesus affirmed the old, he made provision for the note. He told his disciples in John 1426 and 27. You are my appointed witnesses and the Holy Spirit will remind you of all things whatsoever I have told you. John 1035 Jesus said the Scripture cannot be broken.

So the Bible is God's true word and Jesus's resurrection proves that the assessment of Scripture by the only man who ever rose from the grave means the Scripture must be authentic. Coming to the critic.

The skeptic, the atheist, the doubter, the denier of Scripture.

I think we can rightly say well conquer your grave and then I might consider your dismissal of Scripture. But until you can walk on water. Heal the sick, and rise from the dead, to go with the assessment of the only one who ever did I want to read this poem so beautiful. It's called the name of Arielle Paul nearly hundred years old. Oh, that thy name may be sounded overall the earth and state of the dead awaken and praise date and the dumb lips sing to the sound forth is a song of triumph wherever man's foot has trod the despised derided message the foolishness of God. Jesus dishonored and dying a fellow on either side. Jesus, the song of the drunkards, Jesus, the crucified name of God's tender comfort name of his glorious power name that is song and sweetness. The strong everlasting tower Jesus the lamb accepted Jesus the priest on his throne. Jesus, the King was coming Jesus by name alone. TMG radio is made possible by the friends of Alex McFarlane ministry, PO Box 10231 is borough NC 27404. That's PO Box 10231, Greensboro, NC 27404 call us at 877 yes God one that's 877 yes, God, and the number one or give online@alexmcfarlane.com while you're there, listen the program archives. Read Alex's blog invite Alex to speak at your event or contact Alex with a question or comment, Alex McFarlane.com. Thanks for listening today and join us again next time. As we bring you more true for a new generation TMG radio