Truth Encounter: Face to Face with the Authentic Christ

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.