4/3/2021 - Resurrection Day

PNG radio for today's culture and timeless truths come together it's recent relevant content apologetics worldview and answers to the questions that you need to know now 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 day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the two and behold, it was 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, what is 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 and let me say as we celebrate the resurrection this weekend, and the reality that mortalities 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 cells.

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 were going to talk about the guarantees of the resurrection. This glorious Easter weekend and was so glad that you're listening. You know, Hg Wells and his I would say magnificent work. The outline of history Hg Wells there really eight books in it and that you can find it is a two-volume set. He kind of qualifies. What he's writing and I would encourage you to be a reader of history. Please read history, even apart from the history that is found very much on the Internet. I would strongly encourage you to build a good Christian library and you know John Wesley, the founder of Methodism said do it. At least this is attributed to him. Those who read, lead, and Wesley and many others have believed that one of the Christian responsibilities of stewardship is to attend to the life of the mind Hg Wells. He says when he is writing 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 it out. 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 a 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 a 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 were 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. The guarantee of all that we believe now 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 quote unquote because in all of history in all of history. Only one person under their own power has come out of the grave alive.

Now Lazarus was raised from the dead by the decree of Jesus Christ. But Jesus beat death conquered the grave came out of the tomb alive or resurrected under his own power and he says for those that live and believe in me you to will live again, stating we've got to take a brief break were going to come back and talk more about the things that Christ resurrection promises guarantees the believer don't go away. Join Alex McFarlane for spiritual awakening in our times studying the book of acts. June 25-27 in the Billy Graham training center at the Cove near Asheville, North Carolina. Acts records the first days of the early church tells the story of a powerful spiritual awakening among Jews and Gentiles alike. The book of acts also contains personal lessons about revival for believers like us today in the seminar.

Alex will examine God's principles for spiritual renewal and evangelism that work in every age, including ours, you also discover how you can personally walk in the power and joy of the Holy Spirit, regardless of your circumstances to register for spiritual awakening in our times studying the book of acts with Alex McFarlane June 25-27 go to the Cove.org seminar packages include options for seminar meals and lodging. Register online@thecove.org welcome to the podcasts I hear you. We are so excited that you joined us, and this is just going to be a great new podcast dealing with issues around race issues around friendship and how do we deal with the tough issues and also excited to be here with my good friend Alex to do with you Adele in on the I hear you podcast we talk about race. We talk about culture. We talk about politics, and sometimes we agree, sometimes we disagree, but we find resolution and common ground near what's really cool. Not only do we learn new things. We make friends would grow and that's good for all of us with just two friends why why one black and we just invite everyone to come and joy to share with us is a big difference between hearing and listening and show love and look forward to it.

An audience thank you so much for giving us a chance, I hear you with Alex and Odell every get you podcast timeless truths in the soundbite culture for a new generation radio neglected program Alex McFarlane to thank you for listening to truth for a new generation. You know I read a book last fall, the assault on America how to defend our nation before it's too late and I talked about the need for the restoration of a moral compass and talk about the founders and how they they really wove morality into their their conception of this culture. This government, this nation and up the book I give God the praise but it was number one in three categories on Amazon still selling very well and you know it's funny some of the things that are predicted in the book are in the news like every day and it's funny because one of the publishers that was going to publish this book said no waits too much over the top. Alex these things like felons being given voting rights and opening the borders to hundreds of thousands of of illegals and and giving 12 to 15 million current illegals.

Voting rights. Yeah, it's called HR one and it's happening and so I take new joy in that.

But you know it's not hard to see where we are and where were going, if we really don't have a revival of morality and turn to God and I want to invite you to something really special. In fact, out, I would ask you to please just right now.

Today or within the next day or so. Go online and register for this. I'm going to be at the Cove, the Billy Graham training center in western North Carolina June 25-27. Will you be talking about the book of acts we can go to the New Testament book of acts written by Luke, the apostle but were going to talk about revival and spiritual awakening in my book the assault on America.

The subtitle is how to defend our nation before it's too late and there is a way and there's a pathway there's a roadmap to a spiritual awakening and we can talk about that you'll be with people from all of the country will pray together look forward to visiting with you Randall Murphree of the American family Association.

He'll be there. The AFA Journal and were going to study the book of acts, and so go to the Cove.org THECO the E. The Cove.org register, it will fill up please go to the website. The Cove.org and I would love you to be there as we go through the book of acts only 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. 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 is 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 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 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 and stay tuned because were going to talk about five other things, the resurrection guarantees the believer because of some 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 proclaimed today. It's one of the great truths of reality and it can be a great truth in your life is well, that Christ is alive stated were back after this. America today is like a patient struggling to live yet is being forcibly euthanized by her quote doctors, the life force within the patient fighting for survival is the honest citizens like yourself team of quote caregivers are the local and national leaders actually contributing to the demise of the patient economy is crashing crime is exploding. The Constitution is being abolished the assault on America how to defend our nation before it's too late by Alex Farland has one single purpose to get you prepared the real source of America's current problems that no one else is talking about and what you can do now to face tomorrow.

Regardless of what tomorrow brings.

The assault on America how to defend our nation before it's too late. Available now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and local Christian bookstores are you tired of liberal agendas ruining our country but you don't know what to do about it. That's why truth and liberty coalition was founded.

We want to equip you to take back our country impact the world. Here's how we do it educate broadcasts conferences in our website resources that form equip and motivate unified by collaborating with like-minded organizations like the family research Council, the family policy and my faith. Mobilize by providing practical tools you can use to impact your local community as Christians we are called to make disciples of together we can change the course of our country for good joint truth and liberty to connect with believers in organizations not only want to see change in our nation but a community that is actually doing something about it. Join us online for our broadcast describe the relevant updates on our website. Truth and liberty.net back Alex McFarland here. So glad 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 are. 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 we 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 tomb 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 many of the modern technological inventions that we've got. They weren't stupid. They knew the difference between a dead body in a person who was alive.

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 has for years been 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 and tell 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 hardened 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. Now think about this. It's worth that your walk.

Your witness and you'll be rewarded in heaven, he 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. I mean 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, together with the assessment of the only one who ever did honoring 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 Burrell, 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