The gospel writers preached facts about what they witnessed. If the facts aren’t enough, Christ never will be.

*I wrote this on my iphone. Please excuse errors.

Whenever I re-study the cross and resurrection, my faith grows even more.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John are level-headed preachers who document the facts of what happened. They don’t embellish. They don’t appeal to people’s emotions. They’re not worried about creating encounters or experiences. They don’t promise prosperity (how could they-they lost everything). They’re not even consumed with deliverance and salvation calls (I’m not dismissing the importance).

But pause and think about this. A common rebuttal to our faith is that the disciples were religious people and had an agenda to gain something. First of all, they gained nothing and lost everything. Second of all, if they wrote letters to gain something wouldn’t there be more “calls to action,” hyped up highlight reels, or exciting sales pitches to follow this new way they supposedly created?

Instead, here’s what you see at the end of the four gospels:

#1. Matthew:

Matthew shares the facts about the Jewish leaders bribing the guards with a fake story to spread about why the tomb was empty. Then he documents Jesus’ words (not Matthew’s) for the great commission. (Matt 28) Notice it’s “make disciples,” not necessarily believers. Interesting. And it’s about what we are supposed to do, not about what we’ll get when we come to a Sunday service. Talk about slashing the consumer mindset!

Who creates a new movement and instead of listing all the things you’ll gain from following, they share instead all you’ll have to give?

Your life.

Your belongings.

Your self.

#2 Mark:

Mark ends with making note that it was an ex-demon-possessed woman that Jesus first appeared to on Sunday morning, and detailing the doubt of the disciples when they hear of the empty tomb. He then points out Jesus rebuking the remaining 11 while reclining at the table for their “unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.” And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. (Mark 16:15)

What’s the gospel?!

Mark 16:16 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Wow. First…

Who shares details of an ex-crazy women being the first at the tomb?

Don’t you think they would have taken that detail out if they intended to create an appealing new movement? Remember, women in general were not looked at in high regard during those days.

And second, yes Jesus loves you. But do you love Him? If not, there’s a consequence. This isn’t about appealing to one’s senses. How many of you know you can have a conversation about condemnation, without personally condemning someone?

I see true love here. Jesus commands us to disclose the facts. To not is not true love.

#3. Luke:

Luke the doc ends his gospel with Jesus confusing two disciples on the road to Emmaus, then startling the rest as he appears to them, lets them touch his flesh and bones to help with their unbelief, eats broiled fish with them, and then uses Scripture to open their minds to why he suffered and rose again.

Again Luke also finishes with Jesus’ words “that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:47-48)

And Luke finishes with what the disciples do….

“And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” (Luke 24:53)

No embellished story lines.

No tug at one’s emotions.

No high emotion ramp ups.

No creating a fun environment so people don’t want to miss church.

No come and enjoy being fed, but instead…

Go out and do this! It’s your turn now. And they gladly and continually showed up to bless God.

#4. John:

Finally, John ends his gospel with more facts about the resurrection and reappearance of Jesus, including the story of doubting Thomas! Jesus literally had Thomas place his fingers on his pierced side (after walking through a wall) so that he too would believe.

Who includes embarrassing details like this if you’re truly attempting to create a new movement for people to follow?

If this is me, I’m only leaving in the reassuring stories!

John’s last paragraph is, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30)

The facts of miracles are written…

So that we believe in Christ…

And gain eternal salvation.

How many of you know that God converting us to become believers & followers of Christ is the greatest miracle of all?!

Not results.

Not outcomes.

Not achieved goals.

Why am I even pointing all of this out?

Because think for a moment about who most people follow today?

The most popular.

Most athletic.

Most money.

Most powerful.

Most loud.

Most trendy.

Most promoted.

The person the disciples promoted was literally betrayed, left, & fled by everyone.

Jesus was the most mocked.

He looked like the most powerless as He brutally died on the cross. The haters are documented, “He saved others; [but] he cannot save himself. (Matt 27:42)

There wasn’t anything trendy about him. He was counted among rebels as He was crucified between two criminals who also railed (reviled/jeered) at him.

He wasn’t the most loud. Over 6 hours of being crucified he only uttered 7 statements.

This is the Lord we choose to follow.

The disciples didn’t fabricate stories to woo the crowds.

They wrote history not drama.

Depicted facts not flamboyant descriptions.

Peter said, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16)

His majesty of who He was and what He did was enough.

The details they shared flipped their culture’s religion overnight.

Animal sacrifices became unnecessary because of Christ’s sacrifice.

The law of Moses became unbinding because it was fulfilled by Christ’s life.

The Sabbath was replaced by Sunday worship.

Circumcision was replaced by baptism & Communion.

And even though thousands joined them, thousands didn’t, and wanted to kill them.

Instead of retracting, there was an urgency to get the message out because their life was on the line.

Does that sound like a fun movement to create?

I still don’t even know what I’m fully trying to say.

I just remember when I first started teaching the Bible on Sundays that a heavy weight came over me, but then a supernatural peace. Delivering messages was not about the delivery of my pitch, tone, and inflection (although these do matter & help). It wasn’t about delivering motivational speeches and dynamic styles (although these are great qualities). It wasn’t about producing and delivering comfortable environments (although there’s nothing wrong with that). It became crystal clear that God intends for us to deliver facts like the disciples did.

I learned quickly that…

If the facts about Christ aren’t enough for someone, then Christ never will be.

Not sure who needed to hear this today. But if you did, then maybe it’s time to share this because chances are someone else may need to as well.

God bless,

Coach Theo