What are the 3 most commonly told stories in the world?

All photos courtesy of Unsplash 

When the film 'Titanic' was first premiered, millions of filmgoers watched in awe as “Titanic” disappeared beneath the waves. The film had a huge global audience; many people attended six or seven times, according to newspaper reports. A cartoon strip had a mom saying to her family: “I am going, uh, shopping. I will be back in about four hours, maybe.” The family exchanges knowing glances: “Titanic—again.”

Historians and statisticians report that the three most commonly told stories in the world are:- 

1. The life and death of Jesus Christ 

2. The American Civil War and 

3. The sinking of the Titanic. 

Especially with the first and third stories, one element has captured the world: the possibility that a person who goes down with the ship into the icy Atlantic and drowns—can someday live again. People wanted to believe that the ill-fated lovers, Jack and Rose, could actually be united again on the grand staircase of Titanic. That heroic dads who put their wives and children into lifeboats and then perished might someday experience the Bible’s promise of a Resurrection Morning.

Is what the Bible says about resurrection true? Did a dead person named Jesus come out of the tomb on that first Easter ‪Sunday morning‬? Or did His disciples steal the body, hide it, dry their tears, and then concoct this tall tale to beat all tall tales?  It is not just the fate of “Jack and Rose” which rests on Bible truth. All of us are intimately affected by what we read in the Bible of the possibility of us ever living again, it rests entirely and completely on the doctrine of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.‬

The Bible tells us that:- “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised and if Christ has not been raised, your preaching is useless and so is your faith. . . . For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for THIS LIFE we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.”

If we reject the doctrine of Christ’s resurrection or begin to doubt that He really did come out of that tomb, then we immediately have to also embrace—or at least wince and acknowledge—the reality that when we sink into our own "Atlantic Ocean" and close our eyes in death, that it is all over for us  . . . forever!

Do we want chocolate eggs and bunnies or the plain Word of God? Do we want Jesus the wandering poet or Christ the Risen Lord? Do we want our end to be when a ship goes down or the lights go out . . . or do we look forward to a wonderful and everlasting life in God’s eternal kingdom made possible by Jesus Christ breaking through the walls of that garden tomb?

"I AM the Resurrection and the Life", Jesus promises. Do we believe Him today? "He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die."

There in the ground, his body lay

Light of the world, by darkness, slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave, he rose again

And as he stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am his and he is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

Written by Peter Francis for Messages with Meaning (‪06/04/21‬)‬/Your542Day

Titan Rescue

Photos courtesy of Unsplash

On the morning of Sunday, 18th June 2023, Titan, a submersible containing five men, slipped slowly down into the cold North Atlantic waters. Their plan was to descend to the ocean floor, survey the wreckage of the ocean liner, the Titanic, and then return slowly to the surface. However, less than two hours into the dive, the submersible stopped communicating with the support vessel on the surface. The Titan did not reappear, and the US Coast Guard was informed. An unprecedented international rescue operation was launched, and all available resources were utilised in order to effect the rescue of the five men lost in the depths of the sea, before their emergency oxygen ran out.

Tragically, it was not to be. On the Thursday afternoon it was announced that debris had been located near the Titanic’s bow. The Titan had suffered a catastrophic failure and had been crushed by the unimaginable pressure. The five men had likely been killed in an instant. All of the effort expended in pursuit of a rescue proved to be utterly in vain; it would have made no difference if every resource and skill on Planet Earth had been applied: the passengers were already beyond rescuing, even before anyone knew they were missing.These tragic events serve as a parallel of our own condition. The Bible says that in our natural state we are at an insurmountable distance from God, “dead in trespasses and sins” Ephesians 2.1, in great danger of perishing eternally, and absolutely helpless to save ourselves. As soon as the crew of the Titan lost contact with the support vessel it was recognised that they would be unable to rescue themselves. Sadly, it was later discovered that no help on earth was sufficient to rescue them. Many people recognise that their sin is serious, deserving judgment, and that they need to be ‘rescued’ if they are ever to be in Heaven. But they think that through a great application of effort or resources, such as good works, prayers, or giving to charity, they will be able to rescue themselves. However, the Bible says that salvation is “not of works” Ephesians 2.9, and even the good things that we try to do are but “filthy rags” Isaiah 64.6, compared to God’s perfect standard.

Bridging the Gap

One aspect of history that always captures my interest is the story of the Titanic. If there was ever an enduring picture of a disastrous end, it is the story of the Titanic. The Titanic had a great start. It was the greatest ship ever built and had all the latest security features. It was said of the Titanic that "God could not sink her!"  The whole world knew about this man-made wonder, and still do today, and yet she sailed for only 5 days. However, the Titanic was doomed as it left for New York. This is because normal shipping practices were disregarded and this eventually led to tragedy. All the warnings and words of wisdom were ignored.  Captain Edward John Smith, remembered for his stoicism and fortitude in the face of adversity, sadly is remembered more for his failure to reach the destination of New York"

One of the fads of 1970s America was the motorcycle jump. This trend reached its high (and low) point on September 8, 1974. Thousands of spectators gathered around the Snake River Canyon in Idaho to see if Evel Knievel could jump across the chasm in a specially designed “sky cycle.” In the end, however, it was unsuccessful. Knievel made it only part of the way across the gulf before his parachute deployed and he dropped to the canyon floor below. Some spectators asked, “How far across the canyon did he get?” But that wasn’t the point. He didn’t make it all the way across, so he fell short of his goal.

Titanic Series 1 - John Harper's Last Journey

Titanic Series - 1 - John Harper's Last Journey

The story of a man who risked his safety to make sure others were going to be in heaven when this life is over. 

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved - Acts 16:31

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Titanic Series 2 - A Ship that was meant to be unsinkable!

Titanic Series 2 - A Ship that was meant to be unsinkable!

Here is the parallel.

God can be trusted; men can't always be trusted

Some things in life are unavoidable - you can avoid the judgement of God

Lifeboats were not available but salvation is available for all.

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