The Resurrection – The Best Starting Point for the Gospel – Magnificent Obsession

Where is the best place to begin explaining the Gospel to a non-Christian?  In Memphis a lady suggested to me that we should always begin with creation and Genesis – this is the Ken Ham approach.  But we can begin at many different points.  For me the key is the resurrection.  If Christ is risen then everything is changed.  Here is this weeks Premier ‘thought for the day”

https://theweeflea.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/day-06-david-robertson-thought-of-the-day.mp3?_=1

Here are some quotes from the chapter of Magnificent Obsession on which it is based.

Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection not in words alone, but in every leaf in springtime Martin Luther.

Today, I would say the claim concerning the resurrection is more impressive than any by the religious competition–  Anthony Flew

The claims can be stated once more in terms of necessary and sufficient conditions. The actual bodily resurrection of Jesus (not a mere resuscitation, but a transforming revivication) clearly provides a sufficient condition of the tomb being empty and the ‘meetings’ taking place. Nobody is likely to doubt that. Once grant that Jesus really was raised and all the pieces of the historical jigsaw puzzle of early Christianity fall into place. My claim is stronger: that the bodily resurrection of Jesus provides a necessary condition for these things; in other words; that no other explanation could or would do. All the efforts to find alternative explanations fail, and they were bound to. N. T Wright The Resurrection

Resurrection makes Christianity the most irritating religion on earth – Tim Keller

“Let us, however, consider this settled; that no one has made progress in the school of Christ who does not joyfully await the day of death and final resurrection.” Calvin Institutes 3:10:5.

`”Accordingly, he alone has fully profited in the gospel who has accustomed himself to continual meditation upon the blessed resurrection” Calvin Institutes 3:25:1

“The resurrection, therefore, is the place to begin if you are looking for a satisfying faith on which to base your life. Do not waste a lot of time investigating every religion under the sun from animism to Hinduism. Examine the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus instead. If he is risen you need look no further.” Michael Green

Three crosses stand upon a hill. So black against the sky and still

So still and black against the sky The three of them, and we stand by

After the pain, the blest relief

After the doubt, the firm belief After the dark,

the dread and sinister The moment comes when angels minister

The sap is rising in the trees

A scent of spring is in the breeze Good Friday passes.

After gloom Christ bursts in glory from the tomb.

If there is no Resurrection – you’re following a Dead Christ

Premier Thought for the Day 5 – The Difficult Doctrine of the Cross