The Turning Point of History #14

Hosts Dan, Terry, and Brian discuss The Power of the Cross & the Resurrection!

They will help you live your life with purpose, change someone’s life for the better and leave a lasting impact on those around you. Everyone starts the race... but only the Fearless Finish Strong!
 
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Transcript

Dan Wheeler: 0:03

And he said, You know, I was writing this book from a very scholarly standpoint. I was using my mind it was all cerebral. But now I had to ask myself, did it really happen? Do I really believe it happened? And he said I do. And because of the resurrection, everything is going to be okay.

John Matarazzo: 0:20

Live your life with purpose, change someone's life for the better, and leave a lasting impact on those around you. Welcome to finish strong, the podcast designed to help you discover your unique purpose and develop a plan to leave a powerful legacy. In this episode, Dan, Bryan and Terry discuss the power of the cross and the resurrection.

Dan Wheeler: 0:40

In today's world, the cross is a big time fashion statement, isn't it? People wear it around their necks. But I wonder, do they really know the meaning of the cross? This week, we're looking toward Easter coming up when we talk about Good Friday. And what happened on the cross when Jesus was crucified. But it didn't stop there. Because the resurrection happened three days later. And because of the resurrection, the cross means everything. The Cross has become a focal point in history. It's how we measure our time. I'm Dan Wheeler, and I'm joined by Terry Steen and Brian Rowland, we are the fearless faith team and the name of this podcast is finished strong. Today we're talking about the cross the resurrection. And you and Brian the Cross has become that intersection of history. And when you look at a cross it looks like an intersection doesn't it?

Brian Roland: 1:47

It's true the cross? Is the focal point of what's going on in the world. I mean, think of it if there wasn't a cross, would we still be living under the law and still doing sacrifices today? I mean, you start thinking about that going, Wow, what's the cross what that has done for us. And what it has opened has opened us up to have direct communication with God the Father. And I believe the cross also gives us a revelation of the character of God, His love for lost sinners and the spotless Lamb of justice that was brought together so that we may have communion with Him.

Dan Wheeler: 2:26

I'm glad you brought up the Old Testament. Yeah, because that's true. Brian, in the Old Testament, they had to sacrifice for sins. Some people might not be familiar with that. But God said he was going to send the perfect sacrifice once and for all. And that was Jesus.

Brian Roland: 2:41

Yeah, it sure was. And the new it's the cross is also a place where all wounds of sin has healed. I mean, anxiety, depression, guilt, anger, it's all healed through the cross. And there's covered when you're going through tragedy and through suffering. So that's what all the cross does for us, and what God has done for us on the cross.

Terry Steen: 3:01

You know, Brian, when you talk about the sacrifice, you know, think back to Mel Gibson's movie, the passion, that is one of the most vivid, visual things you could watch. That gives you a sense of that, isn't it?

Brian Roland: 3:16

You know, it really is because it captures the pain, the rawness of it, how much he endured, and the crucifixion itself, the sacrifice, it is free, but it wasn't cheap. God gave His only son for us. And there's a song out there that I heard a quartet sing and not too long ago, and it's called even me, and that he died on the cross and for everyone, because john 316 tells us that we can believe in Him, He died for us, but it's for even me. And it may mean something for what he's had to had to go through and endure for us.

Dan Wheeler: 3:48

You know, I'm glad you brought up Mel Gibson's the passion guys, because, you know, we read about these verses, you know, he was bruised for our iniquities, and, you know, by his stripes, we are healed. But until I saw that movie I never imagined right, how cruel crucifixion is. And I remember I had to leave the theater at one point, just go on the lobby and catch my breath. It was hard to watch. Did you guys feel the same way?

Terry Steen: 4:16

No question. And you know, what's even more impacting to me is Jesus knew ahead of time, right? That he was going to go through that,

Dan Wheeler: 4:26

wow, think of that.

Brian Roland: 4:27

That's true. He went to the guard at a seminary and prayed as a human, because he knew there was going to be a door was going to take, but he accepted it as the Son of God, knowing that this is what God wanted the God the Father said, this had to be this way. And he accepted that. But he did go in there, saying that there's anything any way you could take this cup from me. But when God says no, this we have to do this. He did it as the Son of God. But what you were saying to Dan it's, it's amazing because everybody thought that was such a bloody movie and that no so bad, but this is what he is. Dude, it wasn't just stripes and crucifixion, he was flogged, he was beaten. I mean, they yanked on his beard, they spit out. I mean, they, they, they beat the heck out of when he hit the ground. I mean, they're they're taught him to get up kicking them. I mean, he went through so much that if you figure as a human, how can you endure all this, but he did it, he did it for you. And for me, that's what's so great about it. And the amazing things that had happened after the crucifixion right when he died, the Bible just tells us amazing things that happened, the veil that was in the temple, rent into just tore right up the middle. And that and that was one from the place of the Holy of Holies of holies. And that meant that we had direct communication with God, not through Jesus Christ, we no longer had to go through the sacrifice process to get to God and, and be forgiven of our sins,

Terry Steen: 5:47

the symbolism of that. It's unbelievable. It really is. You know, everything that I've heard says that the veil was six inches thick. Yeah, not that it mattered for God to rip a veil, whether it was two inches, six or a foot. But I mean, from a human standpoint to think about that is a pretty incredible book

Brian Roland: 6:09

trying to rip apart a phone book. Oh,

Dan Wheeler: 6:11

yeah, yeah. And the thing that that allowed us to go to God, anytime we want, we have access to the Holy of Holies. In the Jewish temple, there was that veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the main sanctuary, and only the high priests could go in there. But now, we all have access to Christ. Yeah. Because of that veil being torn that was so symbolic.

Brian Roland: 6:36

Well, not just that, but Terry, I think you were talking to about the amazing things that happened, not just with the veil, but there was other things too. Yeah,

Terry Steen: 6:44

yeah, definitely. There was the earthquakes. It got pitch black dark. In reality, when it happened, there were literally people that came out of their graves and walked around and came back to life again. So whether you believed Jesus was the Son of God or not, you had to know. Something historical and incredible was happening had that moment.

Brian Roland: 7:14

Yep, that's true.

Dan Wheeler: 7:15

Yeah. And you know, there there are other historical references to Christ, and a crucifixion and him as a person in history outside of the Bible. I was reading about Josephus, and tacitus, and plenty, and they all refer to Christ and his followers. And later we're going to talk about the fact that so many the the apostles gave their lives for the cause of Christ. So obviously, they saw the risen Christ, but but it's fascinating. And Terry, like you said, it's almost as if, you know, God gave these signs with the earthquakes and the darkness that came over the earth that this was indeed his son. In fact, one of the soldiers said, Indeed, he was the son of God.

Terry Steen: 8:02

Yeah, he acknowledged it, didn't he? Yeah. And that no, and that makes me think about that scripture in Galatians, is in the sixth chapter, the 14th verse, and I wanted to read that real quick. It says, may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. Dan, what does that mean to you?

Dan Wheeler: 8:30

Well, it means that we have to know that we're temporarily in this world but we're not of the world. We're living here and we have all the natural desires, the desires to be successful. The desires to earn a living the desires to have possessions Yeah, but those things have to pale in comparison to Jesus Yeah, you know, there's there's an old song we used to sing turn your eyes upon Jesus, look, full on his wonderful face. And the things of verse shall go str ngely dim.

Brian Roland: 9:04

Yeah,

Terry Steen: 9:05

yeah.

Dan Wheeler: 9:05

In the light of His glory and grace. And you know, guys, once we formed fearless faith, that happened in my life, so many things that I had worked for, and that I thought, I love just, you know, they weren't important anymore. And of course, you know, Beth had passed, and I saw the way she was seeing heaven and where she was going for eternity and she wasn't afraid. And I realized, boy, this earth is temporary, you know, money, you can lose it. Just like that. Real Estate, your home, you know, things happen. Yeah, but but we need to be working for eternity. And that's what that verse means to me. Yeah. And the crucifixion is, as you said, it's it's symbolic to us but to some of the disciples. It was more than symbolic, wasn't it? they actually were crucified for their belief in Christ. to me that's the strongest evidence that christ rose from the dead wood these guys have gone through what they did then obviously judas iscariot when he realized what he had done that he had betrayed christ for money he went out and hung himself but then yeah peter and and even paul or crucified and repeater was crucified upside down he said he wasn't worthy to be crucified the way the lord was so many of them were pierced through by swords by by government for standing up and preaching christ crucified because christ was a threat and that early church was a threat but would they have done that would they have given their lives traveled the world to preach the message and then have died a martyr's death right yeah you know there's a special place in heaven for for people who give their life for the cause of christ

Terry Steen: 10:56

You better believe it and then i go on and think about how depressed those guys were that day how they saw their leader crucified but yet you go into scripture and you read that it was a triumphant day and that's hard to put those pieces together like in colossians 215 it says in having disarm the powers and authorities he made a public spectacle of them triumphing over them by the cross he triumphed that day he won a victory that day he overcame the cross you'll remember they were so shocked at how quickly jesus died but many of the scholars say well it wasn't because he wasn't like the other thieves on the cross they were wanting to live as long as they could jesus knew he was fulfilling god's command and he gave himself he gave up his life he allowed that last breath to be taken proactively if i could say it that way and gave his life to triumph over sin and that is pretty neat

Brian Roland: 12:19

especially the fact that the bible also talked about that not a bone will be broken and they were going around and breaking the legs of these guys on the cross so that they would sag and suffocate but nothing ever happened like that the christ no bone was ever broken he gave himself up willingly

Terry Steen: 12:33

yeah

Dan Wheeler: 12:33

and it was all predicted in the old testament even the way he would die you know and isaiah we read a lot about that they that we're in darkness would see a great light and that christ would be wounded and bruised for us so that we could have eternal life and you know if christ had stayed on that cross or if he had stayed in the tomb then hope would have ended there right like you said terry that's why the disciples were so depressed i mean yeah christ jesus had told them in you know many ways that he was going to rise again after the third day but they didn't get it and they just thought it's over they saw him crucified they they saw his him take his last breath but because of the resurrection i mean you think of life you think that you know god brought life back into christ's body and and can you imagine the earth probably rumbled done stone was rolled away and then when when martha walked into the tomb because she saw the stone had been rolled away there was an angel sitting there and he said he's not here he has risen as he said you think of that moment and she got so excited ran back and told the other disciples and then jesus actually appeared to them but he overcame death so that we might live if he'd stayed in the tomb that he was like any other religious leaders you know you can find their graves their tombs where they're buried and troy but then never found the body and there's no way they could have hid that body the way the romans were after christ they had the you know the tomb guarded protected and there was no way that we're gonna let that body get away so you think about that power though you know and i often think it's kind of weird when you see christ hanging on the cross because he didn't stay there you know short lived short lived but because he lives we live and we can face tomorrow so it's great that he overcame death so that we know we have that great hope and people need to find jesus and experience that resurrection power and brian the bible tells us there is power in the resurrection

Brian Roland: 14:57

it certainly does over in philippians 3:10 Eve says, I want to know Christ This is Paul talking, and say yes to know the power of thi resurrection and participatio in his sufferings becoming lik him in his death, which h really did. But he wanted t know that power. And when think about the cross, and i the resurrection, it's our tru north. This is what's given u our true north. And we hav protection from all the man false doctrines that are ou there today, especially toda that are floating around. Sata hated the cross, and th resurrection because it's seale his doom. I think that's why h tries to undermine anything tha has to do with the cross today you think about it, every fals teaching diminishes Christ and sacrifice on the cross. And i tries to turn to human ability And Satan wants to plant doubt And when he does, that, he' trying just to lift the pride And that takes us away from th cross. But when we had tha cross as our true north, becaus he died on and then th resurrection from that. That' what we have everything. I mean that's what the cross is about First Peter to 24. And 25 show us that through Christ's deat on the cross, those who turn t him are delivered from both th penalty and the power of sin. S that's what the cross does fo us and the power of it

Dan Wheeler: 16:17

Yeah. You know, Jesus was talking to Martha and

john, Chapter 11: 16:22

25. And well, i verse 24, Martha answered an said, I know that he will ris again in the resurrection at th last stage, he said to her, I a the resurrection. And the life Yeah, he who believes in me wil live even though he dies, an whoever lives and believes in m will never die. Contrary becaus he rose.

Terry Steen: 16:44

Yeah, yeah. You know, I think back to that time, and he was very selective as to who he showed himself to. And you can imagine that the 12 disciples are a little bit tick that Mary and Martha, because they, yeah, got to see him first. Yeah, he chose to show himself to them, right. And so I'm sure as those days unfolded, that there were a lot of question marks a lot of emotions going on, and they're going what is all of this about?

Brian Roland: 17:20

One thing I was gonna say, Terry, which really leads into that is that he was seen by more than 500 people at the same time, all at the same time. And it's just to have that happen after his resurrection just proves that he rose from the dead. And he did what he said he was going to do,

Terry Steen: 17:36

yeah, it's wild.

Dan Wheeler: 17:38

I watched a very moving interview the other day, guys, I read a book called The reason for God by Dr. Timothy Keller. I've read it like three times, and I've been kind of keeping up with him. And I saw that he was diagnosed with cancer. And he did an interview with morning, Joe, Joe Scarborough, of all people on msnbc. And and, and Joe said, you know, my wife and I attended Redeemer Presbyterian Church, where you minister, Dr. Keller, and you always inspired us. But he said, How are you dealing with the fact that you've been given the diagnosis of stage four, pancreatic cancer? And, and Dr. Timothy Keller said, Well, I had to take the advice I've been given to people for 45 years. And I had to really look at the resurrection. He had just, he was working on a book on the resurrection of Christ at the time, he received the diagnosis and diagnosis. And he said, You know, I was writing this book from a very scholarly standpoint. I was using my mind, it was all cerebral. But now I had to ask myself, did it really happen? Do I really believe it happened? And he said, I do. And because of the resurrection, everything is going to be okay. My wife's going to be okay. And I'm gonna be okay. And I thought that was so powerful. Just like the verse you read Brian and Philippians, three ton that I may know him and the power of his resurrection.

Terry Steen: 19:07

You know, Dan, you say, Do you know that everything will be okay. And I have a funny feeling that there are people that if they have listened this long to this podcast, there's some curiosity there. There may be some understanding as to what the cross means and Jesus being crucified, and they've heard the story. It's hard to not know the Easter story and what it represents if you live in our country to some degree, and I'm sure there are people that are thinking, Well, I know in my head, I know in my head that Jesus was on the cross and He died, and he died for sin. And then three days later, he was resurrected. But what does that mean to me? And it's one thing to have the head knowledge it's one thing to understand the story it's another thing to have the heart knowledge it's another thing to believe that that story was for us personally right and so i'm sure there's people that are saying well what's the next step how can i have the heart knowledge and i would like to if we can just take a couple minutes before we close and i would like to pray for those people i would like them to understand that all they have to do is accept and believe that jesus died for them personally that they were born a sinner and jesus took their sin away by dying on the cross he was that sacrifice and then he rose again seated at the right hand of the father and he's there making intercession for us to god and he is now our lord we now as we accept christ want him to lead our lives want to be obedient to him and it is so simple to do it's just saying a little prayer and i'd like to just pray that prayer in before we close this morning and it would go something like this dear jesus i realize and understand that you died for my sins and then you rose again you're not dead any longer father and i believe that and i accept that and i understand that i am a sinner but you have forgiven me and i accept that forgiveness and know that once i accept that that i'm a child of yours and have eternal life i'm going to be able to go to heaven and be with you and now i want to make you the lord of my life i want to do what you would have me to do i want to listen to your voice and i thank you for all that you went through on my behalf in your name amen

Brian Roland: 22:05

amen

Dan Wheeler: 22:07

Boy we want you to know that all three of us, four of us are producer john, we're doing this because jesus has risen from the dead and he has brought us back to life and given us a purpose and a reason for living and maybe you're feeling like you don't have a purpose maybe you need to know that there's something more maybe you're looking at the world today and you're seeing young people committing suicide just giving up saying there's no hope we want you to know there's hope and his name is jesus and he is not like any other leader of any other religion he's the only one that said i'm not a way i am the way the truth and the life that's right no one comes to the father but through me if you want your life to have purpose and meaning than pray that prayer invite christ into your heart there's no more important decision that you'll ever make there's nothing more important than knowing your creator in psalm 139 in the bible we read about how god knew you when you were formed in the womb he has a plan for you so please give your life to christ and watch his resurrection power work through you guys i'm so glad that i know where i'm going and that i have a reason for living how about you

Brian Roland: 23:36

yeah oh

Terry Steen: 23:36

yeah oh yeah and if anyone else has prayed that prayer with us we would love for them to email us or contact us through our website we have an email address at fff at fearless faith.org and we'd love to have them email us let us know you could just go to f faith.org and contact us there there's a place to contact us yeah or we have a facebook page fearless faith with three flames brian final thoughts i know that the lord has has changed you in many ways

Brian Roland: 24:15

he has changed me in many ways and and i love this quote that by by timothy keller it just it really hits home because if we believe the resurrection resurrection is true we have nothing to fear nothing to worry about i've seen it then you saw it terry we've seen it and it's john i'm sure he's seen this in people and and as people pass that with it they know that unbelieving the resurrection they know where they're going they're happier they're joyful and i'm happy for him

Dan Wheeler: 24:42

Well thanks guys John Matarazzo our producer we've been asking people to give us five star reviews some people are having trouble doing that it's usually pretty easy if you scroll down after listening to the podcast right

John Matarazzo: 24:54

yeah if you go to the podcast page especially apple podcasts you will be able to find And we're gonna try to put a link to make that even easier so that you can just help this podcast grow. And we thank everybody that has done the five star reviews and we just appreciate everybody that's listening.

Dan Wheeler: 25:11

Well, on behalf of John and Terry and Brian, I'm Dan Wheeler and I want to say the cross and the resurrection will make a huge difference in you. Thanks for joining us, and I hope you'll catch us next time.

John Matarazzo: 25:25

Thank you for listening to finish strong for more information about finish strong and fearless faith. Check out their website, f faith.org. Make sure that you rate and review this podcast to help more people accomplish their God given purpose so that together we can finish strong