Raised to Life

Living Streams Church

Podcast App

Raised to Life

Resurrection Sunday

April 9, 2023 • Ryan Romeo • Acts 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:3–6, 1 Corinthians 15:14

Our faith hinges on one main thing. Did Jesus rise from the dead? We know the story of Jesus is miraculous and beautiful, but is it true? There are virtually no historians, Christians or otherwise, who deny Jesus lived and was crucified. Much of what we know of ancient history is told through one or two sources. Not only is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus backed up extensively in the 27 books of the New Testament, but they are backed up by 5 ancient sources outside of the Bible. There were non-Christian historical accounts, Josephus, Tacitus, Lucian, Mara Bar-Serapion, and even the Jewish Talmud, which is critical of Jesus.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians confirming Jesus’ resurrection around 22 years after Jesus’ crucifixion. In this passage he references an early Christian creed (1 Corinthians 15:3-6). This creed can be dated to nearly 6 years after the death of Jesus, which is incredibly close historically. Other historical documents that are widely credited, are written several hundred years after their event, while the Bible was written within a few decades of Christ’s crucifixion. We can be sure by many proofs, that our faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is true.

This Didn't Go As Planned

April 2, 2023 • Ryan Romeo • Mark 11:1–10

Jesus was at the height of His ministry. He had been going around to all the towns and villages, proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and affliction. He just raised Lazarus from the dead and people were referring to Him as Son of David. As the fervor around Jesus began to build, He walked into His triumphant entry. Jesus’ triumphal entry was full of risk because it drew attention to Himself as the new King. The political expectations on Jesus began to build. The palm branches they laid on the ground were a symbol of revolution to overthrow tyranny. The crowds called Jesus, The King who Comes in the Name of the Lord. The lavish, populace welcome was based on their expectation on Him. Political expectations on Jesus led to disappointment. These expectations would move their shouts of “Hosanna!”, a one-word prayer meaning, rescue, save, intervene, to “Crucify Him!” Even though this had been prophesied (Zechariah 9:9) and Jesus even told His disciples what to expect (Mark 10:32-34), it still surprised them. Sometimes our expectation of what we think God will do, hinders us from seeing what He actually wants to do.