In this, the largest amphibious assault in history, at least 12,000 soldiers lost their lives in this epic battle in order to help free a continent held in the grip of tyranny. Let us never forget their sacrifice, or the freedom it secured.
In the same way, we must never forget those who gave their lives to ensure the gospel of Jesus Christ was taken to the ends of the earth. Of the original apostles of our Lord, only John died of natural causes. All the others died as martyrs. Peter, tradition tell us, was crucified head downward. James was killed with the sword, probably by beheading. Thomas was run through with a spear while taking the gospel to India.
I used to wonder why it was necessary for the disciples to die such horrific deaths. But then it occurred to me that by dying for their beliefs the disciples were communicating to all succeeding generations that the things they had heard and seen regarding the person and ministry of Jesus were really true. As it has been noted, people don't die for a fable.
The Bible we possess contains the record of the life, death and resurrection of the One to whom these disciples bore witness with their lives. And yet this Bible which has been treasured by followers of Christ for two thousand years is under attack. This is nothing new. The Bible has always been attacked, vilified, outlawed and even burned by those who reject its message.
But today the attacks are more subtle, more sophisticated. So-called biblical scholars in search of the "historical Jesus" claim that the Christ of Scripture bears little resemblance to the Jesus who actually walked the earth. Some claim the Bible has been corrupted in transmission, or that the Gospels were written so long after the events they describe that they are nothing more than myths and legends put forth by those intent on deifying a mere man, a man they say never claimed to be the Son of God.
Can the Bible be trusted?
I'm sure that you, like me, believe the Bible to be the Word of God. But can you tell people who question the truthfulness of Bible why you believe the Bible is the Word of God? This Sunday at The Bridge we will be answering the question; can the Bible be trusted? In this message we will provide solid, empirical evidence that Bible we possess is indeed trustworthy.
I don't believe it is hyperbole to say that the battle raging over the trustworthiness of the Bible is even more critical than the battle that commenced on the beaches of Normandy 70 years ago today. On this battle for the Bible rests not merely the temporal lives of men, but eternal souls.
Be sure to be with us Sunday at The Bridge at either our 9:30 or our 11:30 A.M. service.
Blessings,
Bo
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