His Last Week: The Resurrection - Pastor Ben Hodges

If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, Christianity crumbles.If He did, it changes everything.- Jesus really died. No one survives Roman crucifixion.- The grave was secure. Pilate posted Roman guards at the tomb to prevent tampering.- The body was missing. An empty tomb, with folded laundry, demands explanation.- Hundreds saw Him alive. Twenty years later, Paul wrote, “Go ask the eyewitnesses.”- Women were key witnesses. Fraudsters would not use women to testify.- The accounts of the Gospel writers varied, just like real eyewitnesses – but agree.- The disciples were radically transformed. They fled in fear, then preached with boldness.- They died for their claims, for what they believe is true. Not one recanted.- Jews changed the day of worship. Something earth-shattering happened that Sunday.- Christianity exploded. No power, money, media yet it spread like wildfire.If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, Christianity crumbles.If He did, it changes everything.What do you believe? Did He rise from the dead?- Many spend a lot of time trying to come to grips with their doubts. That’s respectable.- It might be time to grapple with what you believe, not just your doubts.- You may still have questions you cannot fully answer.- It might be time to embrace a truth that is bigger than your doubts.The simple question is: Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead?- As he predicted.- As the gospels report.- As the eyewitness claimed.- As the disciples believed and died for their belief.Do you believe it sufficiently to treat it as if it is true?What do you believe about Jesus and the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead?