The Importance of Truth and Fact in Christian Faith

In a world increasingly focused on individual opinions, it’s crucial to remember that human views aren’t the ultimate truth; facts are. Just as a colorblind person’s perception of a traffic light doesn’t change its actual color, our Christian faith shouldn’t be based on mere opinions but on verifiable facts. Our mission as Christians is to present the truth rationally, offering evidence and reasons for Jesus’ reality and worthiness.

Recognizing that something is real is one thing, but valuing it enough to commit to it is another. In the same way, while we demonstrate that Christ is real, we must also show that Jesus is not only true but also worth following because He satisfies the deepest human needs.

The Pivotal Role of Resurrection

First Corinthians 15 extensively discusses the topic of resurrection, highlighting its pivotal role in Christian faith. Without Christ’s resurrection, our faith is in vain, and our hope of salvation becomes mere wishful thinking. The importance of the resurrection is so central that it is integrated into the Apostles’ Creed, which Christians around the world recite regularly, professing Christ’s crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection.

Paul addressed a problem within the Corinthian church where some self-proclaimed Christians denied the bodily resurrection of the dead. He defended Christ’s resurrection and affirmed the promise of eternal life for believers. From this passage, we can consider three key aspects: the historical fact of Christ’s resurrection, the futility of Christianity without it, and the implications of the resurrection for us.

Historical Fact of Christ’s Resurrection: Eyewitness Accounts

Paul reminded the Corinthians of the gospel he preached, through which they were saved. He emphasized that Christ died for our sins and was raised on the third day, all according to the Scriptures and God’s eternal plan. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the twelve, and critically, to more than 500 people at once—most of whom were still alive at the time Paul wrote his letter. This meant that anyone could verify their testimony. In fact, under Israelite law, only two or three witnesses were required to establish a matter; the testimony of hundreds left no room for doubt.

Paul himself also bore witness. Once a persecutor of the church, he testified that he became an apostle only by God’s grace. Though he considered himself the least of the apostles, God’s grace transformed him, enabling him to labor diligently for the gospel. This reminds us that grace is never an excuse for complacency or worldly comfort, but rather an empowering force that strengthens believers for service and sanctification.

Debunking Theories Against the Resurrection

The belief in Christ’s literal resurrection has long faced objections, but none stand up to scrutiny.

• The Swoon Theory suggests Jesus only fainted on the cross and later revived in the tomb. Yet Roman crucifixion practices make this impossible. Soldiers broke legs to hasten death and pierced Jesus’ side to confirm His death. Even if Jesus had only fainted, the idea that He could recover without food, water, or medical care, push away a massive stone, and overpower trained Roman guards is beyond reason.
• The Theft Theory argues that Jesus’ disciples stole His body and fabricated His resurrection. But if this were true, why would they willingly endure persecution, imprisonment, beatings, and even martyrdom for something they knew was a lie? Historical records confirm that many disciples died for their testimony of the risen Christ. No one would give their life for a sham they themselves created.
• The Hallucination Theory claims the disciples merely imagined seeing Jesus. But hallucinations are individual and subjective. The fact that more than 500 people saw the risen Christ at the same time makes this theory impossible. A mass, identical hallucination contradicts all psychological understanding.

The Implications of the Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is more than just a historical fact—it is the very foundation of Christian hope. It proves that Jesus is who He claimed to be: the Son of God and Savior of the world. It assures us that sin and death are defeated, and it gives us the confidence that those who believe in Him will also rise to eternal life.

In a world that prizes personal opinion above truth, Christians are called to stand firmly on the unchanging facts of the gospel. Jesus Christ is not only real but also worthy of our full devotion. His resurrection is the ultimate evidence that He alone can satisfy our deepest longings and give us eternal life.

[AI-generated notes for this sermon]