Beyond the Weekend

June 11 | The Question

June 11, 2019

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

He [God] has given proof of this to everyone by raising him [Jesus] from the dead. Acts 17:31b

Read: Acts 17:28-31

Listen: Acts 17

TODAY’S MESSAGE

If the common responses to religion are pluralism or atheism, then we’re left with an important question, “Why choose Christianity?” If they all teach the same thing, then one path is just as good as any other. It really makes no difference if I choose Islam, Hinduism or Buddhism. If none of them do, then I gain no advantage by selecting any of them. But if we think of it logically—they can’t be all right if they contradict each other. Ultimately, we are left with a choice.

One of the unique aspects of Christianity is that Christianity focuses on a historical event—the resurrection of Jesus. in Acts 17, Paul wrote about the resurrection of Jesus. He said, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins…But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead…” (1 Corinthians 15:17-20).

Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Lee Strobel spent years investigating the resurrection of Jesus. He wrote, “…the truth or falsity of all world religions—and the ultimate meaning of life itself—comes down to just one key issue: did Jesus, or did he not, return from the dead? The answer to that fundamental question would settle everything.”

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Choosing Jesus is both a one-time and a daily decision. At some point we need to say “Yes” or “No” to Jesus and his offer of salvation. That’s a one-time decision. But we also need to “choose” Jesus every day. This is where we say, “Today I choose to follow Jesus by the way I live. I trust that he loves me, cares for me and provides for me.” To remind you of this daily decision, download today’s lock screen or write the words “I Choose Jesus” (or just the initials ICJ) on a 3 x 5 card and place it where you’ll see it several times during the day.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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