“THIS WEEKEND THE WORLD OF CHRISTIANITY CELEBRATES THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON, EVENT AND HAPPENING THAT EVER OCCURRED IN HUMAN HISTORY DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS? IT IS THE LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF A MAN NAMED JESUS.”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about this  one man and his SOLITARY LIFE…

… No one knows who wrote this, but its awe-inspiring words ring its truth to every generation that hears it. Permit me to quote a description of the one called, Jesus Christ.

"Here is a young man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman.  He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.  He never wrote a book. He never led an office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put his foot inside a big city. He never traveled 200 miles from the place where He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself.

While He was still a young man, the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on this earth, and that was His coat.

When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Twenty centuries wide have come and gone, and today He is the central figure of the human race and the leader of the column of progress.

It is far within the mark to say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that have ever sailed, and all the parliaments that have ever sat, and all the kings that have ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth more than this ONE SOLITARY LIFE!"   -Anonymous.

Indeed, why has this “One Solitary Life,” had the greatest impact on human history since this man Jesus Christ walked the earth? Well, we'll answer this after our second pause for another moment of music…

… Twenty centuries ago, something unique and virtually impossible as we know it happened! No man has described it better, than the words of the apostle Paul who declared in Scripture,

1 Cor 15:20-22 (NIV)  But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Yes, friends this weekend celebrates what happened centuries ago which changed the course of human history. What is it? It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Now I realize that since this fantastic event of Christ resurrection from the dead, there have been scoffers who ridicule this as a ridiculous fairy tale. Yet for these 2000 years, no man has ever been able to disprove the genuineness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In fact, the reality of Christ's resurrection from the dead is the best attested fact of history! Its reality is more probable than the existence of say, George Washington, Shakespeare, or General Napoleon. Moreover, Christ’s resurrection from the dead is the most important truth any human being can ever know.

I wonder listening friend, have you ever considered this truth and what impact it can have for you? Have you ever looked into it, or understood its meaning as it relates to you? Yes, I realize that man's wisdom laughs at the thought of a man rising from the dead. Why even in the days of the first century when the church was born, men laughed at the resurrection of Christ. As Paul the apostle preached the resurrection in the city of Athens , the philosophers of his day responded. Listen to the account of Paul’s words and theirs recorded in the Bible …

Acts 17:30-32 (NLT)  God overlooked people’s former ignorance about these things, but now he commands everyone everywhere to turn away from idols and turn to him. 31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” 32 When they heard Paul speak of the resurrection of a person who had been dead, some laughed, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.”

Yes the majority laughed as they do today. But when Paul was standing before the Roman officials in Caesarea , he again preached the resurrection of Christ to some Roman rulers.  One, the governor of Palestine , a man named Festus who responded,

Acts 26:24 (NIV)  …  “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

As Paul's preaching of the resurrection of Christ continued, King Agrippa, who was also in this audience cried out,

Acts 26:28 (NIV) …  “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

Without a doubt, the rejection of Christianity's grand theme and glorious message has for centuries been paramount. However, we need to understand “why” men reject the most attested to fact of history.

Historically, the pagan Gentiles objected to this truth, because acceptance of it would have invalidated every other religious belief they had!   Yes, even to this day the followers of other religions have no leader who can be compared to Jesus Christ who alone rose from the dead. The great Mohammed, the wise Confucius, the mystic Buddha, the infamous Lenin, or Stalin and a host of other founders and leaders of great world religions and philosophies --  well they died and their bodies rotted becoming once again the dust of the earth.

But think friend, if Christ truly rose alive from the dead, as the Scriptures proclaim, then all the religions of the world apart from Christianity also fall into the dust! 

So you see why the ancient pagan Gentiles simply could not accept Christ's resurrection, without turning from their false beliefs and worship. Why even today, men are quite willing to accept Christianity, but only as one of many acceptable faiths, or rather simply as a philosophy or way of life. In fact, the majority of Americans today still fall into this category.

Our nation enjoys and accepts the social goodness of the laws of Christianity, the ancient Judeo-Christian faith. And. regardless of the secular push to eradicate our nation’s heritage, the  Bible, the Ten Commandments, The Beatitudes, and the Golden Rule are not products of any other religious heritage, they are exclusive to Christianity! Now think, if Christ was raised from the dead as the Christian faith joyously proclaims, then there is no other faith worthy of man's adoration and service! 

Yet in the days of the first century, this ONE SOLITARY LIFE that was raised from the dead, found others who rejected this truth for one simple reason - to accept it would require their lives to completely change! Paul the apostle hammered home this call in his preaching of the resurrection of Jesus Christ when he spoke to the Athenians. Listen to a portion of his speech,

Acts 17:29-31 (NIV)  “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”

Yes the intellectual agnostics of his day, who embraced many human philosophies, rejected the truth of the resurrection because to believe it, meant that this ONE SOLITARY LIFE raised from the dead, was indeed therefore coming again to judge the world of sinners. If it is true Christ was raised from the dead, then it is equally true that all men are therefore responsible and accountable to God!

The atheists and agnostics didn't really want a practical faith, only a philosophical faith that did not disturb their rebellious lifestyles. Herein we see the same dilemma down through the centuries. Many today also reject to acknowledge Jesus Christ and His resurrection for the simple reason, to accept Him and this fantastic truth would mean a complete change in one's faith and lifestyle! However, the cross at Calvary and the empty tomb is proof of God's eternal declaration that all men are sinner under judgment and accordingly all die for their sins. Now equally, the resurrection of Christ from the dead, declares that only a righteous man not under the law and penalty of death, can live and be raised from the dead. The success and absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ proves He is the One worthy of our worship and praise, for only God could accomplish such a thing!

Ah, herein is the “rub.” The world of gentiles and the nation of Israel rejects this infinite God man Jesus Christ as their Lord God and Savior. In a parable Jesus Christ predicted this,

Luke 19:14 (NIV)  “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’

You see friend, this is the crux of the crisis that surrounds the dramatic message of the Christian faith we celebrate at Easter. The resurrection of Christ stand unique among all the religions of the world, for its message is the glorious truth -  "CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD!"

Now I know that if you are not a Christian today, listening to these words seems strange, or even quite disturbing. The enemies of Jesus Christ have attempted to deny, deride, dilute or destroy this dynamic message for centuries.  Atheists, Agnostics, even liberal or shall we say phony Christians today say it is not important to believe in Christ's resurrection, or it simply didn't occur. Yet all of these people as well meaning as some may be, have not personally been confronted with the Lord Jesus' own words concerning it. Therefore, listen to God's Word to you today, this Easter weekend, concerning belief in who Jesus is, and what He has accomplished through His fantastic resurrection from the dead,

John 8:21-24 (NIV)  Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.” 22 This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?” 23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”

Here you’ve heard the most astounding words Jesus ever spoke. What did He say to those who refused to believe in Him? He said, if you do not accept my resurrection from the dead as absolute proof that I am God come in human flesh, there is no means of saving you from the terrible judgment of your sins to come!

Oh friends, the celebration at Easter of the resurrection of Christ from the dead is the central message of the Christian faith; and, it is the only hope for a world dying for its sins. We whoa re Christians must continue to preach this truth, live this truth, and we must die if necessary for it too. As a result, God promises all who accept and believe it, they will also one day be raised from the dead too. Hear this wonderful promise made to you today,

1 Cor 15:51-58 (NLT)  “… let me tell you a wonderful secret God has revealed to us. Not all of us will die, but we will all be transformed. 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, the Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies. And then we who are living will be transformed so that we will never die. 53 For our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die. 54 When this happens—when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die—then at last the Scriptures will come true: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord! 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Yes, still many scoff at the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, but when they do, it is not because they have researched the issue and found it false. The reliability of the resurrection account is the most attested to fact and reality of history.

You know many years ago, one of the greatest lawyers who ever lived, decided to debunk the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Simon Greenleaf, the world's most authoritative expert on the law of evidences set out on this daunting task.  However, to his utter amazement upon examining every detail, every record, and evidence of the Resurrection, he came the conclusion that if this issue ever went before a court of law, it would have to be declared the most incontestable truth ever to come before any court in the world! Now imagine that -  Simon Greenleaf - the world's most authoritative expert on the law of evidences, who's writing today are still the foundational teaching for all law in the western world, a man who was in fact hostile to Christianity was turned to sure belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Needless to say, his life was forever changed as a result of his encounter with Christ! But now, the fact remains for you and for me to embrace the same truth today!  Remember this, Jesus Christ Himself promised all who follow Him,

John 11:25 (NIV) … “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

John 14:19 (NIV)  Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

So you see, when Christ was raised from the dead in the first century He transformed the lives of the most discouraged, and despondent disciples who ever lived.  The apostles and their followers upon seeing Christ alive, remembered His words, and they went forth as flaming evangelists, turning their world upside down. Wherever they went they preached the Resurrection of Christ, and hundreds, and at times thousands of souls were saved!  But perhaps the greatest truth of their faith in Christ's resurrection came when each of them faced death on account of their faith. However, history declares they willingly gave their lives standing upon the truth that CHRIST IS ALIVE AND RISEN FROM THE DEAD!

I wonder dear listener, how has this absolute and glorious truth affected you? Today, Christ is not calling us to die for Him, but He is calling all of us to live for Him!

If you have believed in the resurrection, you too should have experienced a changed life! That is, a life that has dramatically turned from sin and darkness, to the living vibrant and committed life that basks in the  light of Christ, who was but ONE SOLITARY LIFE!

I don't know about you, but as I believed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I also firmly crowned Him the absolute ruler of my life, and I am joyously living in the light of God’s promise of my resurrection to come. Looking back, I can definitely say believing and acting upon this truth truly changed my life! Now, the fact is I'm a Christian for over thirty years! My life before I trusted the Lord Jesus as my God and Savior, was filled with self. I lived for myself and my own personal happiness. However, the truth is by doing so I never found lasting happiness and contentment. Rather the opposite. My life was also filled with unhappiness, unrest, and a aching emptiness surrounded me. I often tried to assuage this by filling my life with material things and pleasure, but all these temporal things wore off, and I was soon back in the doldrums of despair. But one day along the road of my life, Jesus came by. I saw through the preaching of the Word, through the testimony of true Christians – that my real happiness could only be found when I yielded my heart and life to the One who created me and died for me - Jesus Christ, my God! Well, since then, Christ has more than given me the most satisfying joyful life filled with true contentment, that I could ever have hoped for! 

What more can any Christian say? Except to go forth and declare the same dynamic message to all around them. Perhaps the words of the angel at the tomb, should forever be our watchword who declared,

Mat 28:6-7 (NIV)  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee . There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

Friends, may the power of this fantastic message, still relevant to all living today, and the joy of this resurrection truth and Christ's life transforming power, be yours today by faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord God and Savior. Hallelujah, Christ is risen from the dead!

…Yes, this one Solitary life, has changed our world forever! But He could only do that, by breaking the bonds of death, and bringing to us, a sinful humanity, the full and forever forgiveness of sins, and the present and now promise of life eternal.  Yes, Christ's empty tomb is our guarantee of our full salvation and acceptance by our Creator God and King. May this truth be your guide and stay, and may its power ever keep you in the joy and happiness of it.