An

understanding
of these ten
facts will help
you in life (and
in death)

FACING
THE
FACTS
Photo Credit: IStockphoto.com

Biblical Principles for Life and Service

Written by Sam Doherty - Copyright 2013 All rights reserved
Written by Sam Doherty - Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved
FACTS ARE STATEMENTS OF TRUTH. MANY OF
THEM, WHEN UNDERSTOOD, CAN HAVE A GREAT
INFLUENCE ON HOW WE LIVE, AND ALSO ON
HOW WE DIE. HERE ARE TEN OF THESE FACTS.

FACT 1: JESUS CHRIST CAME INTO THIS WORLD

ALMOST 2000 YEARS AGO.
This is an historical FACT RECORDED IN WRITING BY
THOSE WHO KNEW HIM like the apostles Matthew and John.
These records have been preserved for us in the Bible (Matthew
1v 18-23). They are historically sound and have never been
disproved. Also, a number of 1st century authors recorded
details of His life. We recognise this FACT by dating our
calendar years from the date of His birth - B.C. or A.D.

QUESTION 1: Do you accept this FACT?

FACT 2: JESUS CHRIST WAS (AND IS) THE SON OF

GOD.
The historical records WRITTEN BY MEN WHO KNEW HIM
give four reasons why we know that this is a FACT.
HE SAID He was (John 5 v17,18; 10 v30,31).
HIS SINLESS LIFE backed up what He said (1 John 3 v 5).
HIS MIRACLES showed He was (John 20 v30,31).
HIS RESURRECTION from the dead was the final proof
that He is the Son of God (Matt 12 v38-40; Romans 1 v4).

QUESTION 2: Do you accept this FACT? Has it made any

difference in your life?
FACT 3: JESUS CHRIST CALLED MEN AND WOMEN TO
FOLLOW HIM AND BE HIS DISCIPLES, AND HE STILL
CALLS THEM.
HE SAID that He would forgive the sins of those who would
trust Him as their Saviour and follow Him as their Lord, and
that He would give them eternal life (John 10 v27, 28). This
applied to those, like Peter and John, who did so when He
was here on earth; but HE ALSO SAID that it would apply to
anyone at any time (John 3 v16). This is a FACT.
Consequently many millions of men and women, teens, boys
and girls from every nation, class, colour and creed have
trusted Him and followed Him and have received forgiveness of
all sin and eternal life.
QUESTION 3: Are you one of these? Have you trusted Him
as your Saviour and Lord? Have you received forgiveness of
your sin and eternal life?

FACT 4: JESUS CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED AT THE AGE OF 33.

This is also a well recorded historical FACT (Mattthew 27 v35).
But how could this happen to the Son of God? He died on the
cross because He chose to do so. That was why He came to
this earth. The biblical historians recorded the explanations
THEY HEARD HIM GIVE concerning His death. He described
His death as a ransom for many (Matthew 20 v28); and He
claimed that the purpose of His death was to pay the price for
our sin so we would not need to do so (Matthew 26 v28). THEY
HEARD HIM SAY several times that He had come to save that
which was lost (Matthew 18 v11).
QUESTION 4: Do you believe what He said? As the Son of God,
all His STATEMENTS are completely true. They are all FACTS.
FACT 5: THREE DAYS LATER HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD.
His dead body lay in the tomb for three days. Then God the
Father, raised His body from death-never to die again. This is
recognised as one of the most authenticated FACTS of history
Many people witnessed the EMPTY TOMB (including those
who had been guarding it). His body was no longer there.
Many people (who had been convinced He was dead, and did
not expect to see Him again) saw Him and talked with Him
after His resurrection and SEVERAL HAVE RECORDED,
IN WRITING, THE DETAILS OF THOSE MEETINGS (Matthew
28 v16-20, John 20 v19-25). On one occasion He was seen by over
500 people at the same time, and most of them were still alive
when this FACT was recorded (1 Corinthians 15 v6). And no-one
denied it.
His disciples were CHANGED PEOPLE from that moment; no
longer fearful, no longer despondent, no longer defeated.
These disciples proclaimed His resurrection to everyone and
NO-ONE COULD DISPROVE IT (Acts 2 v32,33; 3 v15; 4 v10).
Many sceptics, who did not believe this FACT, have found on
careful examination that it is historically true.
.
QUESTION 5: Do you accept this as an historical FACT?
Have you considered the implications of doing so?
His resurrection proves that He is the Son of God, and that
WHAT HE SAID about Himself and His death was true.
His resurrection proves that death is NOT the end of
existence. Because He rose from the dead we will also do
so (1Cor 15 v20).
He is ALIVE TO-DAY - to save you and help you live for Him.
FACT 6: YOU ARE GOING TO DIE SOMETIME IN THE
FUTURE. DEATH IS A FACT. IT CANNOT BE AVOIDED
BY ANYONE.
But it is a FACT and equally true that death is not the end of
existence. We can be sure that there IS life after death
because JESUS CHRIST SAID there is (Luke 16 v22, 23; John 11
v25, 26); and He also SHOWED that there is by Himself rising
from the dead (Matthew 28 v9) the first or firstfruits of many to
do so. (1 Corinthians 15 v20). And deep in our hearts there is an
ASSURANCE that we are not finite creatures who come, live
and then disappear. Your departure from this life is
ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN. But you do not know when it will
take place. However we are so thankful that Jesus Christ
shows us how to prepare for it.

QUESTION 6: Are you ready for this departure when it

comes? Have you made preparations for your death?
If you were going on a holiday to another country you would
make all of the necessary preparation. You would arrange
accommodation, buy your air-tickets, change your currency,
pack your suitcases and make sure that everything was safe
and secure in your home. But your departure at death, and
your final and eternal destination, are so much more
important. Yet there are many people who dont think about it,
or purposely ignore it, and, as a result, make no preparations
for it. For such people Jesus Christ told the story of the man
who had everything a man could have. (Luke 12 vs16-20). He had
worked diligently so he could enjoy his life; but he had not
prepared for his death. And God said to him Fool! This night
your soul will be required of you. And he was not ready for
that. How sad!
FACT 7: WHEN YOU DIE YOUR SOUL WILL LEAVE YOUR
BODY.
Your body will be lifeless and will remain so until, one day, it will be
resurrected by God, and brought back to life again. But your soul,
the real you, will be alive. Where will it be? What will happen to it?
JESUS CHRIST GAVE THE ANSWERS to these questions to men
like Matthew and John who were with Him . And THEY HAVE
RECORDED THE ANSWERS for us. Matthew and John and
others HEARD HIM SAY on many occasions (Matt 7:13,14; 13 :41-43, John
3:36) that there were two possible destinations for the one who dies:-
eternal life and joy in Heaven
eternal separation from God, judgement and condemnation.
These are all STATEMENTS made by Jesus Christ the Son of God.
QUESTION 7: Do you accept and believe what He, the Son of
God, said? They are FACTS. Which of these two destinations
will be yours - for ever?

FACT 8: THE PERSON WHO TRUSTS JESUS CHRIST AS HIS

LORD AND SAVIOUR IN THIS LIFE GOES TO HEAVEN THE
MOMENT HE DIES AND WILL LIVE THERE FOREVER.
Your destination at death , and your eternity, depend upon your
relationship to Jesus Christ, TO-DAY, in this life. JESUS CHRIST
SAID this over and over again and this FACT has been recorded
by those like John WHO HEARD HIM SAY IT (John 5 v24). He died
on the cross to take the punishment for your sin and to give you
eternal life; but HE SAID, many times, that this would only happen
if you acknowledged Him, in this life, as your Lord and put your
trust in him as your Saviour (John 3 vs 15,16,18,36).
Question 8: Have you done this? Are you willing to do so now?
You can pray like this Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you for taking
the punishment for my sin on the cross. I ask you right now to
be my Saviour and Lord. I want to turn from my sin and I put my
trust in you. Amen

FACT 9: THE PERSON WHO PUTS HIS TRUST IN JESUS

CHRIST RECEIVES A NEW LIFE AND A NEW NATURE.
Trusting Jesus Christ has two results. JESUS CHRIST SAID
that all your sin would be forgiven and that you would receive
eternal life (John 10 v28). But HE ALSO SAID that your present life
and nature would be changed (John 3 v3,10v10). He will give you new
desires to read the Bible, to pray and to live a life which pleases
Him. You will not be perfect, but you will be different! It is difficult
to understand why so many people have rejected such a FACT
and opportunity and have refused to trust Jesus Christ.
QUESTION 9: Are you satisfied with your life? Do you want
the new life and nature Jesus Christ gives to those who trust
Him?

FACT 10: JESUS CHRIST WILL RETURN TO OUR EARTH

AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE.
He has promised to do so. His disciples HEARD HIM SAY so
many times and HAVE RECORDED what He said (Matthew 24
v27, John 14 v3). He will come back in glory and power, to judge
and set up His kingdom (Matthew 24 vs30,31), and to raise our
bodies and reunite them with our souls.(John 5 v28,29).This is a
FACT. It WILL happen. He did not say when He would
return. (Matthew 24 v36). But HE WILL and it could be to-day!
QUESTION 10: Are you ready to meet Him?
 A YOUNG MAN FACES THE FACTS

Sam had just graduated from university and had commenced his
career as a school-teacher. He was engaged to be married; and
he was a promising player on one of the countrys leading rugby
teams. The future looked very bright.
Then he met Fred, a man who was different from anyone he
had met before. They had many conversations together, and
during those talks, and over a period of time, Fred presented
Sam with the FACTS which have been outlined in this booklet.
Most of these FACTS were quite new to Sam. He did not accept
them, or believe them; but instead spent many hours arguing
against them. But the more he argued and disputed the more
uneasy he became. Was it possible that these FACTS were true?
He decided to read right through the New Testament for himself,
and to ask God to show him clearly if what was outlined in these
FACTS was true. Over a period of time he read the whole New
Testament twice. God spoke to his heart and convinced him that
these were FACTS, that they were true and he needed to do
something about it.
As a result Sam knelt beside his bed one evening and prayed a
prayer similar to the one at the top of the previous page. That
prayer was answered by God, all his sin was forgiven and he
received eternal life. He started a new life which proved to be
fulfilling, worthwhile and happy for many years to come- with the
special added bonus of Heaven to come at the end of it.

I KNOW THIS STORY IS TRUE BECAUSE I AM SAM.