Evidences of the Resurrection

With so many celebrating the Easter holiday this week, millions around the world - believers and non-believers - are reminded of Jesus' death, burial, and - most importantly - His resurrection.

The Significance of the Resurrection

Jesus’ resurrection is the single most important event in the Bible.  Our Lord’s victory over death is the very foundation of our faith.

1 Corinthians 15:17-19 …If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

As Paul pointed out, if Christ had not been resurrected, our faith would be useless.  We would still be in our sins.  Life would be as meaningless - and, therefore, hopeless - as unbelievers contend.  There would be no point to us being Christians.

However, as Paul goes on to state, Christ was resurrected.  He is risen.  We serve a living Savior who overcame death.

God Wants Us to be Informed

I think it’s a great misconception that faith ought to be blind.  Time and again, the Bible tells us that God wants us to be informed and search out evidences for ourselves.

Proverbs 3:13  (NIV) Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

Aside from that, Christians need evidence in order to convince others and lead them to the Truth.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear…

Keeping that in mind, let us examine 5 evidences that make the case for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Evidence #1 – Secular History

Many skeptics will point out that Bible evidence for the very existence of Jesus – including His death and subsequent resurrection – is questionable because of its inherent bias.  Of course the Bible, a book claiming to be the Word of God, would confirm itself as true a skeptic might say in questioning the validity of the Gospels.

Indeed, due to wars, pillaging, and simple deterioration of various writings and artifacts, there is a severe lack of information about the life of Jesus to be found. In fact, few writings from the time of Christ exist at all, even information about important secular leaders of the time such as Julius Caesar, and yet no historian would question the existence of Caesar!

However, Historian Darrell Bock notes that since He wasn’t a great political or military leader that “It is amazing and significant that Jesus shows up at all in the sources we have.”

The sources available today include the writings of Jewish and Roman historians, Roman officials, and pagan sources, none of which would have any reason to want to further the influence of Christianity.

It is through these early non-Christian sources that the following facts about Jesus’ life are confirmed:

• Jesus was from Nazareth

• Jesus lived a wise and virtuous life.

• Jesus’ enemies acknowledged that He performed unusual feats.

• Jesus was crucified in Judea under Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius Caesar at the time of Passover, being considered the Jewish King.

• Jesus was believed by His disciples to have died and risen from the dead three days later.

It’s truly as Paul said to King Agrippa, the things Jesus did were “not done in a corner!” (Acts 26:26)

Evidence #2 – The Empty Tomb

Establishing the reliability of the Bible through the verification of outside, secular sources, let’s examine some of the physical evidence detailed in the Scriptures.

John 20:1-7  Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.

Reading this section of verses, it would be easy for skeptics to argue that since believers of Jesus found the tomb empty that their testimony is biased and therefore unreliable.  However, it is important to note that even the enemies of Christ – the Pharisees and others – never denied that the tomb was found empty.

It is also significant that the first people to discover the empty tomb were women.  Taking into consideration historical norms of the Greco-Roman culture of the day this detail is especially noteworthy.  As sexist as it may sound today, in this ancient society the testimony of women was not considered reliable.

Therefore, if the Gospel writers were merely making things up surely they would not have reported that it was women who found the empty tomb.  Wouldn’t they have written that it was men instead that made this discovery so as to make their story more believable in that day and age?  However, we read in the Gospels what actually happened as reported by those who were actually there, regardless of the cultural taboos of the day.

Many have sought to explain away the evidence of the empty tomb with various theories such as the body of Jesus was stolen or that Jesus wasn’t actually dead to begin with.  These theories are all easily debunked however.

Take for example the “Stolen Body” theory:  Jesus’ enemies – namely the Pharisees of the Sanhedrin – actually feared that something of this sort would happen, that one of Jesus’ disciples would try to steal His body in order to make the claim that He had been resurrected.

The disciples, however, seem to have little to no motivation for doing this.  In fact, it would seem that the Pharisees had more faith in Jesus’ declaration that He would live again than some of His closest followers.  We read that many of the disciples weren’t even present at the tomb that Jesus was revealed to be resurrected (Luke 24:13).  This is further indicated a lack of faith by expressing disappointment that Jesus had not delivered on His promise (Luke 24:21).

The Pharisees however, were taking no chances, so they took precautions and asked that the tomb be sealed and that Roman guards be stationed at the entrance of the tomb to prevent the stealing of Jesus’ body.  Based on Roman military protocol of the day, historians estimate the number of soldiers guarding the tomb being anywhere from at least 4 to a dozen to possibly even more.  On top of that, keep in mind that Jesus was put to death and buried during the Passover feast, at time at which there were thousands of Jews camping in the surrounding area.

Taking all of this into consideration, the notion that a group of disciples boldly snuck up on these soldiers, rolled away the 1-2 ton stone at the mouth of the tomb and stole Jesus’ body all without being seen or heard by someone is highly unlikely.

Evidence #3 – Post-Resurrection Appearances

It would be all-too-easy to refute the story of Jesus’ resurrection if no one ever saw Him again.  However, we have documentation that people not only saw the resurrected Jesus, but also touched, walked with, ate with, and talked with Him!

Jesus appeared to His disciples on numerous occasions following His resurrection.  Recall that Jesus was among them for 40 days after His resurrection.

Acts 1:1-3 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

The Apostle Thomas famously doubted that Jesus was actually alive again until encouraged by Jesus to touch Him.

John 20:24-28 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

Some of Jesus’ own disciples supposed that Jesus’ resurrection – if it took place at all – was going to be a sort of ghostly manifestation in keeping with the Jewish belief that the spirit lingered after the body died.  Taking this evidence into account, however we know that Jesus’ resurrection was not merely a spiritual resurrection, but a physical one.

In fact, hundreds of witnesses saw Jesus at one time following His resurrection!

1 Corinthians 15:6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.

Modern psychologists have confirmed that this could not be could be a case of “mass hallucination”, that all these witnesses merely imagined Jesus among them. His appearing to so many witnesses in the flesh confirmed that He was indeed alive once more!

In a court of law we find ourselves convinced by eye-witness accounts, people who were actually there.  Why then would we question the testimony of those who claimed to have seen the resurrected Jesus?

Evidence #4 – The Radical Transformation of the Disciples and Others

Consider for a moment the life and character of Peter and the other disciples as recorded in the earlier parts of the Gospels.

We read over and over that these eleven men were often proved to be fairly ignorant of the scriptures and slow learners (Even to the point that Jesus Himself actually got frustrated with them on more than one occasion!).  They would jump to brash conclusions and were downright self-righteous at times.  Additionally, they exhibited inconsistent faith time and time again and were even shown to be cowardly, fleeing for their lives as Jesus was being taken away.

How is it then that these same men would so suddenly become such knowledgeable and bold evangelists responsible for spearheading a religious movement that would go on to last some 2000 years and counting?  Something very real happened to them that transformed their lives!

Perhaps the best example of such a drastic 180-degree turn is that of Paul.  Previously known as Saul of Tarsus, Paul was once an extremely devout Pharisee and one of the harshest persecutors of the early church.  A religious zealot, Paul was responsible for having many Christians imprisoned and even put to death.

However, on the road to Damascus, Paul encountered Jesus.  While this was not Jesus in the physical form as we previously discussed, this was no mere subjective vision.  Paul’s travelling companions also perceived the bright light and voice of Jesus as He appeared to Paul (Acts 9:7, 22:9).  After meeting the Lord, Paul repented of his wicked ways and became a changed man.  He went on to become a great leader of the early church and wrote the bulk of the New Testament.

Many unbelievers claim that all religions – including Christianity – only exist to control the masses and that they are all ultimately based upon some kind of lie.   But by the world’s standards, what did the Apostles have to gain in preaching Christ?  In the physical sense they had nothing to gain and everything to lose!  The disciples never gained worldly riches from their evangelical work, and yet they were willing to face imprisonment, exile, torture, and even death in order to preach Jesus!  This simply isn’t something that anyone would be willing to do if it was all simply based upon lie.

The fact is they knew that Christ truly had risen from the dead!

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Evidence #5 – The Birth and Growth of the Church

It was during the first century that the church was established and it wasn’t long before the movement exploded onto the scene.  This wasn’t merely some short-lived cult; it was a huge movement that came suddenly and hasn’t gone away since.  The church positively thrived in the first century and beyond.

From the beginning the Church saw a huge, instantaneous shift in the religious landscape of the day.  The Day of Pentecost was a major turning point.  Occurring 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection and just 9 days after His ascension into Heaven, thousands of Jews gathered in Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Pentecost.  Many of those present had been witnesses to Jesus’ ministry, His crucifixion, and resurrection.  Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Peter addressed the crowd.  Notice the reaction of this huge crowd after hearing the first Gospel sermon.

Acts 2:40-41 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

Following the church’s establishment, the Christian faith continued to gain incredible momentum.  It wasn’t long before Christianity would become the dominant religion of the Roman Empire, impressively overthrowing pagan practices that had went on for centuries.

In our modern era, we see movements spring up almost overnight thanks to our advanced transportation and communication technology.  However, Christianity spread like wildfire without the aid these modern devices.

Only something as compelling and persuasive and real as Jesus’ resurrection could account for this widespread conversion.

Responding to the Resurrection – “What Shall We Do?”

Regardless of the evidences we have discussed today, ultimately, it all comes down to faith…
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

However, God requires more than just mere faith.  There is a call for obedient action on our part.  Recall on the Day of Pentecost that the crowd was moved by Peter’s sermon.

Acts 2:36-38 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”  Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

Perhaps, like those gathered on the Day of Pentecost, you find yourself convinced that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior who overcame death through the resurrection.

Perhaps you likewise find yourself “cut to the heart” in recognizing that you are guilty of sin and that you desire God’s forgiveness.

If that is the case then you will want to know the answer that Peter gave to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost, for it is the same offer of salvation that Jesus provides to all of us today…

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit...”

Romans 8:11

Concerning Angels – Part 2

In the previous lesson we discussed the appearance of angels, learned what angels are and are not, and defined some of the roles that angels fulfill.

The subject of angels is a dense one.  I started out the previous lesson thinking it would be easy, only to find myself unsure of where to begin and conclude.  There is still more to learn about angels, and this lesson will continue to just scratch the surface.

The Fallibility of Angels

We’ve all heard of someone being referred to as being a “perfect little angel” – usually in mocking tone – the implication being that all angels are pure and holy.

However, this is not entirely the case.  In the previous lesson we discussed the fact that angels are somewhat similar to humans in that they are apparently sentient beings with free will. Therefore, like humans, angels are imperfect and just as capable of making mistakes.  Angels can turn away from God.

Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
In addition to turning away from God, we see that some angels actively work to turn humanity away from God.  

Concerning Demons

“Demon” (from the Greek word daimōn, translated “devil”) is another name for these fallen angels.  While the origin of demons is not explicitly discussed in the Bible, there are verses that speak of the fall of angels and their leader Satan.

Revelation 12:7-9 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,  but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them  in heaven any longer.  So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

After rebelling against God, Satan and his angels (as many as one third of all the angels – Revelation 12:4) were cast from Heaven.  Since that time, Satan has taken on the role of tempter and his primary goal is turning the hearts of men away from God (Genesis 3).  Like their leader the devil, demons actively seek to contaminate the human race, damage our relationship with God, and thereby condemn us to a fate similar to their own.

John 8:44  You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

There is not much said about demons in the Old Testament, but some Scriptures describe “distressing – or evil – spirits from God” (1 Samuel 16:15-16, 23) or “lying spirits” (1 King 22:21-23) that afflicted kings and prophets of the age.

In the New Testament they are usually called “unclean spirits” (Matthew 10:1, Mark 6:7), “wicked – or evil – spirits” (Luke 7:21, Acts 19:12-13), “deceiving spirits” (1 Timothy 4:1), or “spirits of divination” (Acts 16:16).

As disturbing as it may sound, Satan and his demons have some degree of power in our world.  Satan is even sometimes called “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31) or “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4).  While he does not have complete rule over this world – God is still above all – it is unsettling to realize that in some way that the devil rules over the people of this world.

The book of Job describes an instance in which Satan was allowed by God to do anything but kill him (Job 1:6-12).  In our time Satan and his followers are more subtle in their work.  They utilize deceit as a means to manipulate mankind into rebelling against God by appealing to the lusts of the flesh (1 John 2:16).

Some pagan worshippers apparently had dealings with demons.  Whether this was done unknowingly or intentionally is unclear.  Regardless, it is certain that demons delight in the making false idols to draw away worship from the true God (Leviticus 17:7, Psalm 106:37).  I wonder how many false religions today owe their existence to the work of fallen angels?

Another tactic employed by the devil and his infernal cohorts is the twisting of the very word of God (Satan himself actually quoted Scripture in an attempt to corrupt Christ – Matthew 4:5-6) and the enabling of false teachers to spread their perverted gospels.

Revelation 16:14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Therefore, as Christians we are warned to be aware of spiritual threats…

1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God.

1 Peter 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

But we are also encouraged with the knowledge that God has the ultimate power over all.

James 2:19  You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

1 John 4:4  You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

What about Demonic Possession?

Of course we cannot discuss demons without delving into the topic of demonic possession…
During a demonic possession, an unclean spirit would personally attack a human with various afflictions.  Demons could cause diseases such as muteness (Matthew 12:22), deafness (Mark 9:25), blindness (Matthew 12:22), and bodily deformations (Luke 13:10-17).  Additionally, we read of demons capable of inflicting mental problems (Matthew 8:28, Acts 19:13-16) such as ranting and raving (Mark 1:23-24, John 10:20), uncontrolled fits (Luke 9:37-42, Mark 1:26), and antisocial behaviors (Luke 8:27, 35).

Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, He healed people who had been possessed by demons (Mark 1:22-28, Mark 5:1-16).   Through such miraculous acts, Jesus established His power over Satan and his demonic forces.  Jesus needed only to issue a simple verbal command to expel demons.  Meanwhile, His disciples would invoked Christ’s name (Luke 9:49) or prayed (Mark 9:29) to cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit.

A question that often comes up while discussing demonic possession is whether or not such things still happen in the modern age.  It is worth noting that the Gospel writers would often distinguish between sickness and demonic possession and point out that not all diseases were caused by demons.
For example, in Matthew 12:22 a man was brought to Jesus “who was demon-possessed, blind and mute…” in this instance the infirmities of this individual appear to be caused by the demon.  However, in John 9, Jesus healed a blind man who was “blind from birth”.  Apparently this was a natural, rather than supernatural affliction.

The point being that it is unclear whether or not some of the diseases and mental illnesses we see today are caused by demonic possession.  However, it’s worth pointing out that the age of miracles has apparently ended (1 Corinthians 13:8-13) and the ability to cast out demons is listed among the miraculous abilities (Mark 9:38-41).  Therefore, if mankind no longer has the ability to cast out demons, then perhaps it can be assumed that God no longer allows people to be afflicted by demons in this way.

Interestingly enough, following the book of Acts there is no mention of exorcisms in the latter part of the New Testament.  It’s almost as if that particular threat from the demonic realm was phased out altogether.  Perhaps the power of demons is significantly limited now that they are bound in Hell…

2 Peter 2:4  For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;

We know that some will still claim even to this day to have the ability to cast out demons in Christ’s name.  However we are warned against such false teachers by Jesus Himself.

Matthew 7:21-23  Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Should we fear demons today?  Not if we are in Christ!  Christ’s power over demonic forces is just as potent today as it was when He walked the Earth.

James 4:7  Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Angel Worship

While it’s obvious that seeking communicate with demons or otherwise dabbling in the occult is forbidden by God (Deuteronomy 18:10-11, Leviticus 19:31), one might think that conversing with righteous angels might be an acceptable practice.  I’ve heard of some individuals seeking to direct prayer to their “guardian angel”.

We can read of instances in which mankind encountered angels and began to worship them.  In such cases we can read of the angels actually rebuking them for doing so!

Revelation 22:8-9  Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.  Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

It’s important to make clear that the worship of anything/anyone other than God is forbidden by Scripture!

Colossians 2:18  Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind…

Humanity and Angels within the Spiritual Hierarchy

How often after a loved one has died have we heard somebody seeking to comfort us by saying “Heaven has gained another angel”?  We must realize that humans do not become angels after they have died! As we have studied in both parts of this series of lessons, angels are created beings distinctly different from mankind.

For further proof of this truth we can look to the words of Christ Himself when He was discussing marriage in the afterlife.

Matthew 22:29-30  Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.

Notice that while making this point Christ differentiates between angels and human souls.  Humanity and angels are distinct and unique creations!

Within the spiritual hierarchy, we read that mankind is ranked just below the angels…

Psalm 8:4-6  What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?  For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

…And yet, as we just read, the psalmists said that mankind holds a favored position.
Isn’t it amazing to consider that humanity actually possesses a few distinct advantages over the angels?

First, we know that mankind is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).  This cannot be said of the angels (whose appearance we discussed in the previous lesson).

Additionally, we see that mankind was actually made privy to knowledge withheld from the angels through the revelation of the Gospel.

1 Peter 1:12  To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

We tend to think of the angels as always being positioned above humanity, holding some unattainable degree of righteousness over us.  However, it’s incredible to realize that Scripture tells us humanity will actually be charged with judging the angels!  Obviously not just any humans, but rather it will be the Saints – the Church – that will take on this role.

1 Corinthians 6:3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels…?

What an awesome responsibility for mankind to take on, exercising authority over some of Heaven’s original inhabitants!

The Eternal Fate of Angels

So what happens on the Day of Judgement and beyond?

The righteous angels will accompany Christ when He returns.

Matthew 25:31  When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.

From there, the “holy angels” will enjoy the pleasures of the “new heavens” (2 Peter 3:13).

As for the demons, those fallen angels…

Jude 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day...

And there they will remain in torment.

If any of this sounds familiar, that is because the eternal fate of angels is more or less identical to our own destiny…

One final point to consider:

When it comes to deciding how one will spend eternity, it appears that humanity have a privilege that angels never had. To my knowledge there is no Scriptural evidence of fallen angels ever repenting or even having a chance at repentance...  Once they turned their back on God, there was no chance of rejoining Him.  It’s almost as if the angels were given one chance to choose whom they would serve, whether it be God or Satan.

That is the same choice that we face every day of our lives, isn’t it?

On that last day Jesus will judge the nations…

Matthew 25:41  Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels…

Will that be our eternal fate?  Or will we be those “on His right hand” who gladly hear Him say…

Matthew 25:34 …Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…

Reaching Across Generations

Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.  And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers…

If you’re not already familiar with the term millennial, this is “the name given to the generation born between 1982 and 2004…  The last generation to be born in the 20th Century.”

Reportedly, millennials currently outnumber the “Baby Boomer” generation, making them the (currently) largest age-demographic in the United States.

However - despite their large numbers - millennials are generally characterized in various media as being “misunderstood” and there is a lot of research that goes into characterizing the “typical” millennial as an – apparently – atypical generation with their own strengths and weaknesses.

A Snapshot of Millennials, According to their Press:

Millennials grew up in an electronics-filled and increasingly online and socially-networked world. They are the generation that has received the most marketing attention. As the most ethnically diverse generation, Millennials tend to be tolerant of difference. Having been raised under the mantra "follow your dreams" and being told they were special, they tend to be confident. While largely a positive trait, the Millennial generation’s confidence has been argued to spill over into the realms of entitlement and narcissism.  

There’s hardly a day that goes by in which I don’t come across some article trying to figure out millennials:

Companies worry about appealing to millennials with their products and advertising.  Business owners fret over creating a workplace that accommodates the unique needs of millennials.

Even churches seem to be unsure of how to reach out to millennials, leading to many congregations scrambling to re-brand themselves so as to attract this younger demographic.

It’s All Been Done Before:  The Generation Gap

Before we go any further I’d like to point out what you have probably already realized…
Basically, what we have here is an older generation not fully understanding the up-and-coming generation and vice-versa.  But hasn’t this always been the case?  And won’t it continue to be long into the future?

There will always be a divide between the younger and older generations…  The younger generation will inevitably feel that the older generation is “out of touch” while the older generation will usually claim that the younger generation is disrespectful at best, flat-out rebellious at worst.  The older generation may feel threatened by new approaches and ideas while the younger generation thinks conventional wisdom is antiquated and useless.

In other words:  This isn’t a new problem.

Ecclesiastes 1:9  That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.

All of this isn't to say that this is a problem we should ignore.  Indeed, we ought to be concerned about the spiritual well-being of all, but I wonder if some approach this issue in the wrong way...

Attempts to Appeal to the Younger Generation

In an attempt to bridge the generation gap, various churches use a variety of strategies in an attempt to appeal to younger generations.  They may try:

• Making Worship More Exciting – Churches sometimes will attempt to appeal to younger generations by creating worship “experiences”.  In these churches, the “traditional” is replaced in favor of the “alternative”.  Sitting in a stuffy pew singing hymns is replaced by a concert-like atmosphere where everyone is engaged and caught up in the emotion of the music and ambience.

• Offering Social Activities – Another strategy churches will employ is creating recreational community centers.  They build huge complexes to offer organized sports and other programs to appeal to those seeking “fellowship”.

• Altering the Message – Sometimes churches will go as far as to soften their stance on issues to appeal to younger generations.  Preachers may take on the role of motivational speakers whose lessons primarily consist of anecdotes, occasionally peppered with the more “uplifting” verses from the Bible.  Maybe they won’t preach about Hell because they want to play up the positive.  Perhaps they will avoid discussing God’s disapproval of homosexuality because it doesn’t sound “tolerant”.

The problem with all these approaches is three-fold:

First, most people – young or old – are wise to nearly every trick of this kind.  They can see right through the bait-and-switch and may even come away insulted by the shallow effort.

For example, I'm reminded of an awkward situation years ago during the my Freshman year of college:  An older gentleman came to address the student body during a convocation, bringing what started out as a decent message on resisting the pressures of the world.  But then, in an attempt to convince us that he was "hip" he proceeded to put on a baseball cap…  Only to make a point of turning it backwards.  And then he began to rap.  Yes, a sixty-something man rapped to an audience of college students about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  I’m pretty sure it was an uncomfortable situation for everyone involved.

Nobody appreciated being pandered to, this technique usually turns away the ones to which its mean to appeal to and alienates everybody else in the process.

A second problem is if these tactics do work then what what’s the true motivation for those attending such churches?  What happens when the music is no longer appealing or another organization offers a better sports program?  What’s really the focus of a church if it’s comprised of people who come merely for the entertainment, free food, etc.?  It’s unlikely that in such congregations that God is being glorified.

Third – and most important – these methods deviate from Scripture.  While such churches try to promote the Gospel, they actually stray from God’s Word in doing so!

• Worship in Spirit and Truth – Worship may appeal to the emotions, but that should be a happy byproduct, not the primary focus.  God is meant to be at the center of worship, not us.  Additionally, we know that God has given specific instructions for worship.

John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

• True Fellowship – Fellowship is more than just merely hanging out with other Christians.  The term actually refers to a very deep spiritual relationship between brothers and sisters in Christ.  Christian fellowship should involve confessing sin to one another (James 5:16), edifying and encouraging each other (Romans 15:2), and bearing each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).

• God’s Changeless Word – The Bible remains just as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago.  Jesus Himself is unchanging (Hebrews 13:8).  Therefore God’s Word does not change with any new societal norms or popular man-made doctrines.  If we alter Scripture in any way we allow ourselves to become false teachers.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

What does the Church Really Have to Offer?

The young, old, black, white, male, female, whoever, whatever the demographic…  They’re all souls in need of a Savior.

Whether they realize it or not, they’re all looking for fulfillment.

People from all walks of life turn to the various religions of the world looking for answers.  Others turn to self-help books, exercise, or diets to help them find value in themselves.  Many others rely on their career and pursuit of status.  Fame, money, drugs, sex – isn’t ironic that the people who seem to have the most in life often seem to be the most miserable?

It’s as if everyone is born with a God-shaped void in their heart and they keep looking for the square peg to put into the round hole.

When churches resort to gimmicks to advertise and draw people in, they’re announcing to the world that they have nothing truly different to offer…

I think such churches forget the single most valuable asset they have to offer:  access to Jesus Christ Himself!

The world is dying for fulfillment and we can lead them to Him!

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

What sets the church apart from everything else in the world is our relationship with Christ, our devotion to God’s Word, our emulation of Jesus through the loving of all.  If this isn’t what the world sees when they see Christians, we need to work to change that!

The Obligations of the Younger Generation

I think in some ways the younger generation feels that they deserve to be pandered to.  However, Scripture reveals that young people have obligations when it comes to serving God...  Some more difficult than others to accept!

The “come as you are” approach is prevalent among many churches today who tweak Scripture to attract socially-conscious youth.   Indeed, God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11) and accepts any and all regardless of gender, social status, etc. (Galatians 3:28).

However, the Bible teaches us that God doesn’t want us to remain as we are.  Unfortunately, this seems to be the message that many preach today, the idea that we don’t need to change to have a closer relationship with God.

Acts 17:30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent…

We must understand that God seeks to transform us and therefore repentance should be taught as a central theme of the Bible (Isaiah 30:15, Matthew 3:8, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17).  If anyone tells you any different, they are misleading you!

So perhaps sometimes it isn’t the church making changes isn’t the problem…  I’ll be bold enough to suggest that maybe the younger generation needs to make some changes if they truly desire to have a relationship with Christ!

Young people:  If a relationship with Christ is indeed what you desire, submit to God’s will instead of your own.

Direct your passion and zeal toward Godly pursuits!

Ecclesiastes 12:1  Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

And - finally - don’t reject the teachings of older Christians who have your best interests at heart!

Deuteronomy 32:7  Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; Your elders, and they will tell you…

Don't forget:  We will all - if God so blesses us - become the older generation at some point!

The Obligations of the Older Generation

The older generation doesn't get a pass - They too have responsibilities!

Indeed, anyone – young or old – should seek to submit to God’s will…  And not attempt to alter it in some misguided attempt to play a numbers game as we discussed earlier.

Likewise, some criticisms directed at the older generation are justified.  Perhaps the older generation could learn something from the younger!

For example, older generations tend to get in the mindset that the way things have always been done are the only way.  Obviously, we ought to submit to God’s unchanging Word, but we must also re-examine from time to time to make sure we aren’t caught up in traditions we ourselves have created (Matthew 23:4, Mark 7:8-9, 1 Timothy 4:3)!

Matthew 15:3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition..?”

Sometimes we impose dress codes, or refuse to change the time of services, or otherwise seek to impose rules with no Scriptural basis but rather based on habit or "the way we’ve always done things."  Not all change is bad and some is actually necessary, therefore the older generation should not be so resistance to making such changes!

Obviously, the older generation is obligated to train up the younger, passing on their knowledge of God’s Word through instruction and example.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Perhaps part of the problem is that the some of the older generation fell short in this duty.  Perhaps this is why many young people have either left the church or never even joined to begin with!

It's certainly a great responsibility to bear, but God is with us and through His strength the older generation has the opportunity to have a profound impact on the younger generation!

Psalm 71:18  Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.

Psalm 145:4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.

Each generation should build upon the foundation put down by the other!

Generational Unity in Christ

We know that Christ unifies us regardless of our nationality, social status, and gender…

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

But recall that God also unifies us into a single generation!

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…

As we can see, every generation has an obligation not only to God, but also to each other.

Let us look beyond our differences and reach across generations to build each other up, always respect one another in Godly love, and seek to forge genuine relationships with the goal of encouraging and edifying one another.  

Psalm 27:1