Many Infallible Proofs
TEXT: ACTS 1:3
PRAYER
TITLE: MANY INFALLIBLE PROOFS
INTRODUCTION
Ø Christ is risen!
à This is what Easter is all about.
w It is NOT about new clothes it is about the resurrection.
à Back in the 1st century church shortly after Jesus was resurrected believers would greet one another by saying, “He is risen” to which you would respond “He is risen indeed”.
Ø Jesus Himself had promised there would be a resurrection.
à The Bible also declares it.
à Your preacher certainly believes it.
Ø But that is certainly not true for everyone.
à There are many today who doubt the resurrection.
à There were many in Jesus' day who doubted the resurrection.
à The doubters of yesterday and the doubters of today demanded proof of the resurrection.
à The Bible says in our text in Acts 1:3 that there are not one proof but MANY INFALLIBLE proofs.
Ø What exactly are these proofs?
à Glad you asked that.
à There are at least three infallible proofs for all of us to be aware of this Easter.
w First and foremost is the empty tomb.
w Second, there were actual eyewitnesses.
w Third, the resurrection was so powerful that it made for some energized disciples.
à Let us spend a moment looking at these infallible proofs.
BODY
1. FIRST LET US CONSIDER THE PROOF OF THE EMPTY TOMB
(a) This is obviously a big one!
(b) I mean after all, if there was a tomb with a body in it we would certainly be aware of it by now!
(c) The enemies of the Lord Jesus were well aware of the promise of the resurrection.
i. Let us turn and read Matthew 27:62-66.
Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
ii. The enemies were quick to inform Pilate of this promise.
A. They secured a squad of soldiers to guard the tomb.
B. Then they secured the tomb itself to prevent the promised resurrection.
iii. The friends of Christ however seemed to have forgotten the promise of His resurrection.
A. The women came to the tomb to anoint the dead.
B. Don't you think it strange that His enemies remembered while His friends forgot?
C. Matthew Henry the noted Bible scholar and writer of a wonderful Bible commentary said, “Hate is keener sighted than love”.
iv. But when the women arrived to perform the task of the embalmer they found the tomb empty.
A. Look at Matthew 28:1-8.
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
v. Why even the rough, cruel, barbaric Romans soldiers admitted the tomb was empty. Listen to Matthew 28:11.
Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
vi. You see, the truth of the matter is, the enemies of Christ knew very well the tomb was empty. Listen to Matthew 28:12-15.
And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
A. You see, they had to hold a meeting to determine how to deal with the problem of the resurrection.
B. They even resorted to bribery. Money solves many problems doesn't it? This is still happening today.
C. The very fact of these precautions and the resultant panic serve only to confirm the resurrection.
D. Sadly however, their lie still remains until this day.
APPLICATION: IF YOU ARE A DOUBTER TODAY IT WOULD HELP YOU TO CONSIDER THE FACT THAT THAT TOMB IS EMPTY
2. SECOND, NOT ONLY WAS THERE AN EMPTY TOMB BUT THERE IS THE INFALLIBLE PROOF OF THE EYEWITNESSES.
(a) This also is an important proof.
(b) In a court of law the eyewitness testimony means a lot.
i. In fact in many cases it is the eyewitness testimony that can convict when other things cannot.
(c) Well, who are we talking about? Who were the eyewitnesses?
i. How about the women who came to the tomb. We find their account in Luke 23:55 to Luke 24:11.
ii. But Peter and John were also eyewitnesses. This is found in John 20:1-10.
iii. You also have the disciples that were walking on the Emmaus Road in Luke 24:13-35.
A. They actually talked with the risen Lord Jesus!
iv. Please don't forget Thomas. I mean how can one forget the one called “doubting Thomas”.
A. We see him in John 20:24-29.
v. Paul mentions the fact in 1 Cor. 15:6 that there were above 500 brethren that saw Him.
vi. The very next verse in 1 Cor. 15 also mentions that James saw Him along with the other disciples.
vii. Finally in 1 Cor. 15:8 Paul mentions that he himself saw the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus.
(d) There is absolutely NO reason for any of us to doubt the eyewitness account of any of these people.
i. None of these had a bad testimony or a bad reputation.
ii. These were extremely credible eyewitnesses.
iii. They had absolutely nothing to gain by telling a lie.
APPLICATION: WE CAN TAKE GREAT COMFORT IN THE EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY
3. FINALLY IN ADDITION TO AN EMPTY TOMB AND EYEWITNESSES, YOU HAVE THE INFALLIBLE TRUTH OF ENERGIZED DISCIPLES
(a) Make no mistake about it the crucifixion was a devastating event for the disciples.
i. It was so devastating that they all picked up and hauled buggy! Listen to Matthew 26:56.
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
ii. There were others though that simply packed up and went home. We find this information in Luke 24:13-35.
A. It didn't turn out the way they thought that it would so they just quit and went home.
(b) Folks, the resurrection literally changed everything!
i. All of a sudden the fear that had been prevailing was instantly changed to faith that was enduring.
ii. Those who stood on the fence of doubt suddenly were changed into dynamic witnesses for Jesus.
(c) The resurrection changed cowards into champions.
i. Those that feared for their lives were suddenly those that laid those very lives on the line for Jesus.
ii. NO ONE would lay their life on the line for a lie!
iii. And as a result of their powerful witness countless thousands were saved by the grace of God.
iv. We meet in this place today as testimony of the fact of the power of the resurrection to change human lives.
CONCLUSION
Ø The greatest proof by far is the change Jesus makes in the heart.
Ø He wants to change us today as well. (2 Cor. 5:17)
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Ø But something truly amazing happens even today.
à You see, when you give your heart to Jesus it actually makes you another infallible proof.
Ø Let Him have your heart today.