Faced with the testimony of the tomb guards, the grieving women, the doubting apostles, and, finally, doubting Thomas, only the fact of the resurrection can explain the radical transformation from despair to determination in the lives of Jesus' followers. The New Testament faces each of us with a choice-either declare the resurrection a fraud and curse Jesus as the ultimate religious hoax, or confess that it is ultimate truth and devote our entire lives to bringing this light into the lives of others. Dave invites us to hear Christ's marching orders for the believer.

Truth Encounter: Face to Face with the Authentic Christ

Lighting the Eternal Flame (Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:45-9)

Whatever you might believe about faith--whether you ignore it, tolerate it, or hate it -no one can escape the historical and present day fact that since a Sunday sunrise in AD33 there has been an ever increasing multitude of witnesses who believe that Jesus escaped the prison of death. We are challenged to face this momentous choice: Declare the resurrection a hoax and curse Jesus; or bow before Him as the Author of Life.

Resurrection - The Fulfillment (John 19:38ff; Luke 23:50-24:44)

When a carpenter hits his thumb with a hammer, or your boss gets word that your firm just lost its biggest account, what expletives do you hear? Why is it consistently Jesus Christ's name that is used in secular society for a curse? Dave Wyrtzen challenges us to consider this: What comes out of our mouth when we are angry and upset reveals the reality of what is deep inside our personality.

Crucified in Our Place (Mark 15:16ff)

Do you remember back when Noriega dreamed he was the Emperor of the South. Mocking justice, the drug broker embellished his luxury and worshiped his demons while his wounded nation pumped out its life blood. The American night attack sought to end this gangster's reign of terror in Panama. Dave Wyrtzen contrasts this night attack with another night arrest that executed the worst travesty of justice this world has ever known.

The Arrest and Trial (Mark 14:43-15:20)

"If it doesn't feel good, don't do it! Avoid anything that generates boredom, discomfort, or pain. If your internal vibrations are troubled as you contemplate whether or not to do something, do not proceed.” The ultimate objective in life is to keep yourself “feelin’ good!'” Jesus Christ did not "feel like" going to Calvary and becoming a martyr. Come with Him to Gethsemane to observe the Savior's greatest moment of vulnerability where He faced ultimate pain.

The Battle of Olivet Hill (Mark 14:32-42)

Obviously, there is no peace on earth! Look at the religious wars, wars in the Middle East, the economic and political factions, and the drug wars! Often there is no peace in our hearts! If Jesus promised peace, why is there so little of it? Discover why even believers wrestle with depression, discouragement and the absence of peace.

The Father and The Son's Gift (John 14:15-31)

If someone threatened your life, would you spend your time fleeing or feasting? Jesus Christ knew that the religious leaders were setting a trap for him; and he knew that the crowd would yell, 'Crucify him,' yet instead of fleeing, he arranged a quiet Passover meal with his friends. This fellowship meal has become the most famous supper of all time. Many of us partake of Holy Communion in our churches, but sometimes this can become a ritual without meaning.

The Lord's Supper (Luke 22:1-38)

Speculation often swings between the prophets of doom with their cries that it is the end of the world, to the promoters of the dawning of a new age. As the news reports multiply concerning famines, earthquakes, and strange celestial happenings, how can we discern who to believe? Does anyone actually know how history will end?

Expecting the Unexpected (Matthew 24: Mark 13)

Jesus’ triumphal entry signaled the beginning of the momentous time before the cross; a week that began with the praise of the crowd, but ended with the shouts, "Crucify him, crucify him." In between, the Messiah faced the plotting of his enemies, the preparation of His disciples, and the agony of a friend's betrayal. Imagine you only had one week to live. What would you include in this week, who would you spend time with, what would you share with your loved ones?

The Messiah Tested (Luke 20)

Entrances are important. A presidential candidate waits until every detail is in place before making his public appearance on the convention floor. A herald sounds his trumpet before a king enters his court. On Palm Sunday the ultimate King made his big entrance on to the stage of the city of Jerusalem. But instead of trumpets and hype, this King rode humbly on a small young donkey.

All Hail King Jesus (Matthew 22:1-11)

A pure, personal devotion to the living God generates a contagious excitement about worship, and a practical concern to help others in distress. But religion, when it degenerates into the rigid keeping of rules, rituals, and traditions, becomes hateful, and can even murder. John 11:45-54 challenges you to think hard about the implications of the word “religion.”

Deadly Power Of Religion (John 11:45-54)

It only makes sense that if God sent His Son into the world, you would expect the Father to give His Son a proper introduction. The agnostic cries for God's voice to identify His Son and this is the tragic cry of many in the modern world. The truth is that the Ultimate Being in the universe has spoken, and clearly identified Himself! When God did speak from heaven, what did He say?

The Transfiguration (Matthew 17; Mark 9)

We can try to ignore it, deny it, and believe we can escape it, but death is a bounty hunter who never quits. The temporariness of our physical life can send fear tremors through our body; especially, when we face surgery, a lump that could be malignant, or the scream of a siren warning us that another life might have been unexpectedly extinguished. What has Jesus done to extract the teeth out of this giant fear of death, and when will He conquer this curse forever?

Jesus' Power Over Death (John 11:1-44)

In ancient Babylon the air was believed to be full of malevolent spirits, seeking to bring sickness and death upon humans. In the secular city of the modern world the air for many years was viewed as simply a gas. A demon? Only the figment of the pre-scientific imagination. Faced with demons "everywhere" or demons "nowhere," what should the follower of Jesus Christ believe about Satan, demons, possession, and exorcism?

Jesus' Power Over Demons (Matthew 8:28-34)

Tornados, earthquakes, drought, and hurricane plagued coastlines. The weather bulletins cry out the warning -severe storm, hurricane boasting 130 mile per hour winds. Everyone in its potential path of destruction rushes to purchase plywood, hurriedly boards up the windows, and prays that the chaos of nature will not overwhelm them. Where is God when these prayers seemed to go unanswered, and nature rumbles haphazardly leaving behind destruction, and death?

Jesus' Power Over Nature (Matthew 1:13-36)

Becoming like Him needs to be the goal of your life. Listen and rediscover the biblical Jesus. He is the incomparable, God-man, the Son of God.

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Truth Encounter: Face to Face with the Authentic Christ

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