Whose Report Will You Believe? | Pastor Chris

Whose Report will you believe?

We want to recommit to God’s heart for this Generation!

 

This is the most blank generation.......

• More than two in five have a diagnosed mental health condition 40%

• Nine out of ten Gen Z with diagnosed mental health conditions struggle with anxiety

• nearly eight out of ten (78%) are battling depression.

• Nearly three in five (57%) Gen Zers with mental health conditions are taking medication

• The generation started logging on social media sites on average when they were around 12-

years-old

• Bafflingly 1 in 5 (18%) had their own SM accounts when they were 10-years-old or younger.

• 85% of are worried about the future.

• 36% are Christians, while 48% are classified as non religious. (First in history where the non

religious clearly outnumber the Christians)

• 47% of Gen Z never attend service

• They run a higher risk of developing a substance abuse problem than previous age groups.

• Almost 1 in 4 12th graders have used illicit drugs.

• 4.2 million young people between the ages of 12-20 that reported concerns with binge

drinking behaviors.

But what does the Gospel say about the human condition.

What is the bible’s response to the broken and destitute.

Parable of The Good Samaritan - Luke 10:25-37

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what

must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all

your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was

attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him

half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man,

he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him,

passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was;

and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,

pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and

took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper.

 

‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you

may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of

robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

This Generation looks hopeless! But they aren’t here is why!

If the samaritan was not beaten do you think he would have been aware of his need for mercy?

If he was not stripped naked do you think he would have been needed covering?

If he was not rejected do you think he would have been aware of his need for acceptance?

It is because of what happened on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho that he realized he was

poor, naked, and rejected?

Revelations 3:15-17

15 I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! 16

So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My

mouth!

17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you

are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

The west is such a clear picture of laodicea we think we are great and righteous. That we can

redefine truth and redefine love and play God with unborn babies in the womb deciding which

ones live or die.

We think we are clean but we are NAKED, POOR, AND REJECTED.

 

So you know what I see when I see these issues intensifying.

I see a generation that is looking everywhere under every rock and behind every wall for

anything that will satisfy them.

Gen Z respondents were also two to three times more likely than other generations to report

thinking about, planning, or attempting suicide.

1 in 5 know someone who has died by suicide.

All of these kids are crying out for peace!

We have peace that surpasses all understanding

They are searching for joy in the midst of mental torment!

We know in his presence there is fulness of joy and at his right hand there are pleasures

forevermore!

 

They are dying for love and attention!

Our heavenly father said behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we

should be called children of God!

EVERYTHING THEY ARE LOOKING FOR WE HAVE!

Is this a time of trouble or a time of opportunity!

Whose report will you believe!

Parable of The Growing Seed - Mark 4

26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps

or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then

the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

Mark 4 in the parable of the Growing Seed God says that the kingdom of heaven is like a man that scatters seed on the ground and

the seed grows but he does not know how. But as soon as the grain is ripe he grabs his sickle because the harvest is right!

Grab your sickle!!!!!! THE HARVEST IS RIPE!!!!!

Parable of The Lost Coin - Luke 15:8-10

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp,

sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she

calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my

lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels

of God over one sinner who repents.”

This is how we should celebrate every time we bring one in!

We will make it easy for you! We as a body are committed to partnering with god for this

Generation! We are going to bring them in by Gods grace and when we do!

We want you to treat every soul that comes to the knowledge of christ like that hundred dollar

bill you been looking for for forever that you just found!

Come Forth | Breakthrough Service | Pastor Tre

Come Forth

John 11:1-44

 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister

Martha.  2  It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with

her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.  3  Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying,

“Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” 4  When Jesus heard that, He said, “This

sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified

through it.”

5  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  6  So, when He heard that he was

sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.  7  Then after this He said

to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8  The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the

Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” 9  Jesus answered, “Are

there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble,

because he sees the light of this world.  10  But if one walks in the night, he stumbles,

because the light is not in him.”  11  These things He said, and after that He said to

them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

12  Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.”  13  However, Jesus spoke of

his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. 14  Then

Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.  15  And I am glad for your sakes that I was

not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” 16  Then Thomas, who is

called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

17  So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four

days.  18  Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away.  19  And many of the

Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their

brother.

20  Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but

Mary was sitting in the house.  21  Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here,

my brother would not have died.  22  But even now I know that whatever You ask of God,

God will give You.” 23  Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24  Martha said to

Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25  Jesus said to

her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he

shall live.  26  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

27  She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is

to come into the world.”

28  And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her

sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.”  29  As soon as she

heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him.  30  Now Jesus had not yet come into the

town, but was in the place where Martha met Him.  31  Then the Jews who were with her

in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went

out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” 32  Then, when Mary

came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if

You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33  Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping,

He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.  34  And He said, “Where have you laid him?”

They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35  Jesus wept.  36  Then the Jews said, “See how

He loved him!” 37  And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of

the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”

38  Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone

lay against it.  39  Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was

dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

40  Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the

glory of God?”  41  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was

lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard

Me.  42  And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing

by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”  43  Now when He had said these

things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”  44  And he who had died came

out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth.

Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

 Jesus Loved Lazarus

.  3  Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is

sick.

 Difficulty (sickness) can come for God’s glory to be revealed

4  When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the

glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

 Things are not always as they seem

14  Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.”

5  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  6  So, when He heard that

he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was

The words ‘therefore’ and ‘so’ are conjunctive adverbs. This means they

connect two separate ideas. (I have to pay these bills, therefore, I’m going

to work. I feel really bad, so I am going to the doctor)

 The ‘obvious’ path and the most effective path are not always the same

15  And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe.

21  Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would

not have died

32  Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His

feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have

died.”

37  And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the

blind, also have kept this man from dying?”

 The appointed time is not the only time

23  Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24  Martha said to Him, “I know

that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25  Jesus said to her, “I

am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he

shall live.

 What if God allowed Lazarus to go beyond the threshold of death to show

the extent of Jesus’ ability to reach?

THE PARABLE OF THE FATHER

THE GREATEST STORIES EVER TOLD

THE PARABLE OF THE FATHER

Luke 15:11-32

Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12  And the younger of them said to his father,

‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.

13  And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and

there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14  But when he had spent all, there arose a

severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15  Then he went and joined himself to a

citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16  And he would gladly have

filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

17  “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread

enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18  I will arise and go to my father, and will say to

him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19  and I am no longer worthy to be

called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’

20  “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him

and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21  And the son said to him,

‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called

your son.’

22  “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on

his hand and sandals on his feet. 23  And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be

merry; 24  for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began

to be merry.

25  “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard

music and dancing. 26  So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27  And

he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your

father has killed the fatted calf.’

28  “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.

29  So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never

transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I

might make merry with my friends. 30  But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured

your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

31  “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32  It was right

that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was

lost and is found.’ 

I. The Giving Father -  So he divided to them his livelihood

 You have not because you ask not

 Ask and it shall be given

 If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much

more will your heavelny Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. Lk

11:13

 It is the Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Lk 12:32

 He gives us all things richly to enjoy. 1 Tim 6:17

 Ex. David

2 Sam 12:7-8

Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel:

‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8  I

gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and

gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also

would have given you much more!

 He gives wisdom.James 1:5

 He gives the Desire of your Heart Psalm 37:4 -

Ps 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good

thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

II. The Idealism of Youth

13 the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted

his possessions with prodigal living

wealth without hard work

Good relationships without commitment

Life without restraint

 Because of advances in knowledge and technology I believe this can be the

generation that learns from the next

III. The Folly of Sin

14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to

be in want. 15  Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent

him into his fields to feed swine. 16  And he would gladly have filled his stomach with

the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him.

Sin takes you further than you want to go makes you stay longer than you planned

and causes you to spend more than you have.

Spent all - It’s insatiable. Keeps driving you to more

Always leads to Famine -

Eventually Results in Personal Lack - He began to be in want

Leads to Shameful levels of Degradation - Swine

IV. Real help not possible until You come to Yourself

17  “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have

bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18  I will arise and go to my father

You have to arise… no one can for you

V. The Power of Sonship

You can walk away and loose your status but when you come back You come back as

a Son.

When you come to him of back to him never come in Shame

Heb 4:16

It’s ok if you do he will lift your head up.

CURRENT STATUS AND RETURN STATUS

When you come back and before you leave

Robe - Clothed / Covered

Ring - Authority

Sandals -Firm Foundation

Fatted Calf - Supply and Joy

VI. The Misunderstanding

yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.

VII. The Paradox of the Saved

Complacency and Jealousy

Personal Initiative Required

Parable of the Good Samaritan | Pastor Jeremiah Andrews

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10: 25 – 37

25  On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26  “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27  He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your

mind’ [c] ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [d] ”

28  “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29  But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30  In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of

his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 

31  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 

32  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 

33  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity (Compassion) on him.

  34  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to

an inn and took care of him. 

35  The next day he took out two denarii [e]  and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will

reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36  “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37  The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

The Priest (A religious leader):

1. These were ordained by God to offer sacrifices–

2. Priests were to teach the Law–

3. Priests determined whether a person was sick or healthy–

The Levite (A religious leader):

Levites' principal roles in the Temple was associated with public worship. In this capacity, the Levites were musicians, gate

keepers, guardians, Temple officials, judges, and craftsmen (performing construction and maintenance for the Temple). Levites

also served as teachers and judges, maintaining cities of refuge in biblical times.

The Samaritan:

The Samaritans were considered “half-breeds” by most Jews. This was because of the influx of the Assyrians when they

conquered Israel, the Northern kingdom, in 722 B.C. They took a number of the Jews to Assyria as captive slaves, but they also

moved a great number of Assyrians into the conquered land. Thus, the Jews intermarried with the Assyrians and this affected

their religion, which became a mixture of Judaism and Assyrian idolatry.

The Samaritans built their own temple which the Jews considered pagan. The feud grew, and by the time of Christ, the Jews

hated the Samaritans so much they crossed the Jordan river rather than travel through Samaria.

Many Jews refused to travel through Samaria and would take the Eastern route by the Jordan River. They did this because of

their disdain for the Samaritans.

(John 4:9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman

of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.)

Question: Where am I in this parable?

Open Eyes (Seeing only):

Three people saw the need (vs 31-33)

All three assessed the situation and made a decision. Only one responded to the need.

James 2:15-18 15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in

peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what

doth it profit? 17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I

have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Open Heart (feeling the need):

Love is the fuel that activates compassion.

Do I have an open heart?

Do I lack compassion and choose to walk away? (It’s easier to let someone else deal with it)

The Samaritan was moved with compassion in his heart and responded to the need despite their differences.

Jesus was moved with compassion to act in many situations (Mat. 9:36, Mat. 14:14, Mat. 15:32, Mat. 20:34)

Open Hands: (Helping to meet the need)

Galatians 6: 10   As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the

household of faith.

Am I willing to do what I can to help someone in need?

I can’t do everything, but I can do something.

Where do I start? (vs 33-35) – Start where you are, and with what you have.

What resources do I have access to?

Learn what’s available and connect with others who can further assist in ministering to the need.

Mathew 25: 34- 40

34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared

for you from the foundation of the world:

35  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave

thee drink?

38  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the

least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Resurrection Sunday | Bishop Kyle Searcy

THE GREATEST “STORIES” EVER TOLD

RESURRECTION SERVICE 2023

Matthew 28:1-17

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the

other Mary came to see the tomb. 2  And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of

the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on

it. 3  His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4  And the guards

shook for fear of him and became like dead men. 5  But the angel answered and said to the

women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6  He is not here; for

He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7  And go quickly and tell His

disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there

you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 8  So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear

and great joy and ran to bring His disciples word. 9  And as they went to tell His disciples, behold,

Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.

10  Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there

they will see Me.” 11  Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city

and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12  When they had assembled

with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,

13  saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 14  And if

this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 15  So they took

the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the

Jews until this day. 16  Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which

Jesus had appointed for them. 17  When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

I. WHAT THE RESURRECTION MEANS

1. We can be Justified because sin has been defeated

2 Cor 5:21

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the

righteousness of God in Him

1 Cor 15:17

And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins

2. We too will rise

1 Cor 15:21-22

  Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be

changed— 52  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the

trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be

changed.

1 Thess 4:14

  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him

those who sleep in Jesus

3. Death is Conquered

1 Cor 15:55-57

“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56  The sting of

death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57  But thanks be to God, who gives

us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ

4. Scripture is True

Job 19:25-26

For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; 26 And

after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God

5. We Don’t Have to Grieve Like Everyone Else

1 Thess 4:13-14

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have

fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14  For if we believe

that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep

in Jesus

6. We have an Eternal Intercessor (Arbitrator)

Heb 7:25

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God

through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them

II. LYING STORIES ABOUT THE RESURRECTION

1. Swoon Theory- He didn’t die He just fainted

a. Roman Law made sure nothing like that would happen

b. John saw blood and water come out of his side after he was pierced with a

spear John 19:34-35. This proves that his lungs collapsed and de died from

asphyxiation.

c. The body was totally wrapped and covered with about 100 pounds of spices

and placed in a tomb.

d. How could a half-dead man move the stone?

e. His post resurrection appearances persuaded everyone including “Doubting

Thomas” that he was alive John 20:19-29.

f. How were the roman guards overpowered by a swooning corpse?

2. Hallucination Theory - They all imagined it

a. There were too many witnesses. Hallucinations are private.

b. Hallucinations usually last for seconds or minutes. This one was 40 days

Acts1:3.

c. Hallucinations usually happen only once- this one many times. John 20:19;

John 21:14; Acts1:3.

d. The disciples didn’t expect a resurrection or believe it at first. Luke 24: 36-43

e. Hallucinations don’t eat. The resurrected Christ did. Luke 24:42-43;John

21:1-14.

f. The disciples touched him. Matt 28:9; Luke 24:39.

g. Hallucinations don’t speak to 11 people at once.

3. Conspiracy – The disciples made it up or stole the body

a. This is contrary to the character of the disciples.

b. There was no advantage or reward for such a lie. They suffered terribly for

being a witness of the resurrection.

c. The Jews would have to immediately produce the body to refute them.

d. The death of the apostles.

Peter crucified upside down

Andrew crucified on Saint Andrews cross

James killed by Herod.

John boiled in oil, then died of natural age.

Philip was hanged

Bartholomew was flayed to death with knives.

Matthew was killed in Ethiopia

Thomas was killed with a spear in India

James was crucified in Egypt

Thaddeus Was killed with arrows in Persia.

Simon the zealot was crucified.

4. Myth

a. The style of the Gospel is radically different from a myth.

b. There was not enough time to come up with a myth.

c. The empty tomb was discovered by women.

5. Wrong Tomb

a. Roman soldiers or the Jews would have solved that immediately by showing

the correct tomb.

III. EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION

1. The Broken Roman Seal. Matthew 27:63-66

2. The Empty Tomb. Matthew 28:6

3. The Large Stone Moved. John 20:1

4. Roman Guard Goes AWOL. Matthew 27:65

5. The Empty Graveclothes. John 11:44

6. Eyewitnesses of His Appearance

7. Transformation of the Disciples

8. Transformation of K.C.S. and Y.O.U.

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

Matthew 25:14-30

14  “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own

servants and delivered his goods to them. 15  And to one he gave five talents, to another two,

and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a

journey. 16  Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made

another five talents. 17  And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18  But he

who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19  After a long time

the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20  “So he who had received five

talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents;

look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21  His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and

faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.

Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22  He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord,

you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23  His lord

said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I

will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24  “Then he who had

received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you

have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25  And I was afraid, and went

and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26  “But his lord answered

and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and

gather where I have not scattered seed. 27  So you ought to have deposited my money with the

bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28  So take the

talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29  ‘For to everyone who has, more will

be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will

be taken away. 30  And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be

weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I. THE SECOND COMING

1. Like Lightning be ready

2. Fig Tree

3. Days of Noah

4. Two Servants

5. 10 Virgins

II. THE TALENT PARABLE

1. Far Country

2. Talents distributed according to Ability

3. Unspoken Expectation for Increase

4. The Reckoning

5. The Reward

6. The Reset

III. THE PRINCIPLE

1. Given Opportunity

2. Decisions

3. Reckoning

4. Reward?

5. Reset