Affirming the Historical Jesus: Faith and Evidence
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound question of whether Jesus Christ truly existed and if the New Testament is a reliable witness to His life, death, and resurrection. This inquiry is not just an academic exercise but a deeply spiritual journey that challenges us to consider the core of our faith. We began by acknowledging the skepticism that some may have about the historical existence of Jesus, a skepticism that even my own children faced in their school environment. Yet, as we delved into historical evidence, both biblical and extra-biblical, we found compelling reasons to affirm the reality of Jesus' life and His profound impact on history.
We examined the writings of ancient historians like Tacitus, who, despite not being Christian, acknowledged the existence of Jesus and the early Christian movement. This external validation, coupled with the New Testament accounts, provides a robust foundation for believing in the historical Jesus. Furthermore, we discussed the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, pivotal events that are well-documented and supported by historical evidence. The resurrection, in particular, stands as a cornerstone of our faith, challenging us to believe in the miraculous and the divine.
The resurrection is not just a historical claim but a transformative truth that invites us to experience new life in Christ. It compels us to consider the implications of Jesus' teachings and His call to follow Him. As we reflect on these truths, we are encouraged to deepen our understanding and to live out our faith with confidence and joy. The evidence points to Jesus being exactly who He claimed to be, and the question remains: Will you believe His message of life?
Key Takeaways:
- The Historical Jesus: The existence of Jesus is supported by both biblical and non-biblical sources. Ancient historians like Tacitus provide external validation of Jesus' life and the early Christian movement, affirming the reliability of the New Testament accounts. [55:06]
- The Crucifixion and Resurrection: The crucifixion of Jesus is a well-documented historical event, and the resurrection is a transformative truth that challenges us to believe in the miraculous. The resurrection is central to our faith, affirming Jesus' divinity and His victory over death. [57:01]
- The Reliability of the New Testament: The New Testament is a reliable witness to the life and teachings of Jesus. Its accounts are corroborated by historical evidence, and its message remains relevant and transformative for believers today. [58:07]
- The Call to Faith: The evidence of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection invites us to a deeper faith. It challenges us to trust in His message of life and to live out our faith with confidence and joy, knowing that we serve a risen Savior. [50:30]
- Living as Witnesses: As believers, we are called to be witnesses of Jesus' life and message. This involves not only understanding the historical evidence but also living out the transformative power of the resurrection in our daily lives. [51:28]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [44:14] - Opening Prayer and Announcements
- [47:32] - Introduction to the Message
- [48:41] - The Reality of Skepticism
- [49:24] - Questions About Jesus' Existence
- [50:15] - Evidence of Jesus' Identity
- [51:01] - The Importance of Understanding Our Faith
- [52:09] - Addressing the Bible's Bias
- [53:11] - Non-Christian Historians on Jesus
- [54:48] - The Historicity of Jesus
- [55:06] - Tacitus' Account of Jesus
- [57:01] - The Crucifixion and Resurrection
- [58:07] - The Reliability of the New Testament
- [59:08] - The Resurrection Account in Mark
- [01:02:28] - The Significance of the Resurrection
- [01:25:07] - Conclusion and Call to Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Mark 15:42-47
2. Matthew 28:18-20
3. John 20:19-23
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Observation Questions:
1. What historical evidence outside of the Bible was mentioned in the sermon to support the existence of Jesus? ([55:06])
2. How did the sermon describe the reaction of Jesus' followers after His crucifixion and before His resurrection? ([57:19])
3. What were the key points made about the reliability of the New Testament as a historical document? ([58:07])
4. According to the sermon, what role did women play in the resurrection account, and why is this significant? ([01:10:30])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the historical evidence presented in the sermon challenge or support your current understanding of Jesus' existence? ([49:24])
2. In what ways does the resurrection of Jesus serve as a cornerstone for Christian faith, according to the sermon? ([57:01])
3. How does the sermon suggest believers should respond to skepticism about the Bible's reliability? ([52:09])
4. What implications does the resurrection have for how believers live out their faith, as discussed in the sermon? ([01:02:28])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced skepticism about your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently after hearing this sermon? ([48:01])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of understanding our faith. What steps can you take this week to deepen your understanding of the historical evidence for Jesus? ([51:28])
3. How can the resurrection of Jesus inspire you to live with more confidence and joy in your daily life? ([57:01])
4. Identify one person in your life who is skeptical about the existence of Jesus. How can you engage them in a meaningful conversation about the historical evidence presented in the sermon? ([49:24])
5. The sermon mentioned the transformative power of the resurrection. What is one area of your life where you need transformation, and how can you invite Jesus into that process? ([57:01])
6. How can you be a witness to Jesus' life and message in your community this week? Consider specific actions you can take to share your faith. ([51:28])
7. Reflect on the call to faith presented in the sermon. What is one practical step you can take to strengthen your faith in Jesus' message of life? ([50:30])
Devotional
Day 1: The Historical Jesus: A Foundation of Faith
The existence of Jesus is not merely a matter of faith but is supported by historical evidence from both biblical and non-biblical sources. Ancient historians like Tacitus, who were not Christians, provide external validation of Jesus' life and the early Christian movement. This external evidence, when coupled with the New Testament accounts, offers a robust foundation for believing in the historical Jesus. Understanding this historical context is crucial for believers, as it affirms the reliability of the New Testament and strengthens the foundation of our faith. The historical Jesus is not just a figure of the past but a living reality that continues to impact lives today. [55:06]
"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, ESV)
Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus' existence is historically validated impact your faith today? Can you share this understanding with someone who may be skeptical?
Day 2: The Crucifixion and Resurrection: Cornerstones of Belief
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are pivotal events in Christian faith, well-documented and supported by historical evidence. The crucifixion is a testament to Jesus' sacrifice, while the resurrection is a transformative truth that challenges believers to embrace the miraculous. The resurrection is central to our faith, affirming Jesus' divinity and His victory over death. It invites believers to experience new life in Christ and compels them to consider the implications of Jesus' teachings and His call to follow Him. This transformative truth is not just a historical claim but a living reality that invites us to live with confidence and joy. [57:01]
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you allow the truth of the resurrection to transform your daily life and interactions with others today?
Day 3: The Reliability of the New Testament: A Trustworthy Witness
The New Testament is a reliable witness to the life and teachings of Jesus, corroborated by historical evidence. Its accounts are not only historically validated but also spiritually transformative for believers today. The New Testament provides a comprehensive narrative of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, offering insights into His teachings and the early Christian movement. This reliability invites believers to trust in its message and to live out their faith with confidence. The New Testament remains relevant, challenging believers to engage with its teachings and to apply them in their daily lives. [58:07]
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of the New Testament to strengthen your faith and witness to others?
Day 4: The Call to Faith: Embracing Jesus' Message of Life
The evidence of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection invites believers to a deeper faith. It challenges them to trust in His message of life and to live out their faith with confidence and joy. This call to faith is not just an intellectual exercise but a spiritual journey that invites believers to experience the transformative power of the resurrection. As believers reflect on these truths, they are encouraged to deepen their understanding and to live as witnesses of Jesus' life and message. This involves not only understanding the historical evidence but also living out the transformative power of the resurrection in their daily lives. [50:30]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your faith and live out the message of Jesus in your daily interactions?
Day 5: Living as Witnesses: Reflecting the Transformative Power of the Resurrection
As believers, we are called to be witnesses of Jesus' life and message. This involves not only understanding the historical evidence but also living out the transformative power of the resurrection in our daily lives. Being a witness means embodying the teachings of Jesus and reflecting His love and grace to others. It challenges believers to live with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to sharing the message of Jesus with others. This call to witness is an invitation to participate in the ongoing story of Jesus' impact on the world and to be agents of His transformative power. [51:28]
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you be a more effective witness of Jesus' love and message in your community today? What specific actions can you take to reflect His transformative power?
Quotes
The evidence points to Jesus being exactly who he said he is and the question that I want each of us to think about today is will you believe his message of life will you believe I'm going to open us with a word of prayer heavenly father I thank you so much that we can open the Bible. [00:50:30]
Overwhelming evidence both from Biblical and extra biblical accounts is that Jesus was given the death sentence by the Romans and that the method was crucifixion so he's a real person and he was crucified the third historical given that we have today is that Jesus had followers that while he was alive were following him. [00:57:01]
The words of Plenty the Bible human history they show us what has happened the evidence points to Jesus being exactly who he said that he is and the question really is will you believe his message of life will you believe and so where does that leave us now we could focus in on did Jesus do miraculous Works. [00:58:07]
The Book of Mark 15 we read this this all happened on Friday the day of preparation the day before the Sabbath as evening approached Joseph of arthea took a risk and went to pilate and asked for Jesus's body Joseph was an honored member of the High Council and he was waiting for the kingdom of God to come. [00:59:08]
The other gospels which aren't contested in this point they will say that he appeared to them many times and that as he was getting ready to ascend into heaven what did he say he said all authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to me therefore go and make disciples of all Nations baptizing them. [01:01:02]
It's important to understand this idea of being raised from the dead for starters because it it asks us the question if Jesus rose from the dead as the scriptures say we have to ask ourselves what kind of person would God choose to raise from the dead if God were to raise someone from the dead who would it be. [01:02:28]
If he didn't rise again then it becomes very difficult to believe the rest of the Gospel but if he did praise the Lord at that point we have confirmed that everything he said everything that he did all his claims are true a few years back uh I had a a friend that periodically was coming with someone else to uh to church here. [01:04:55]
The problem is is that they don't have a lot of good ones and so today I want to share with you kind of the the main really the only objections that people can make without leaving their brains at the door cuz literally there's some that it's like unless you're stupid and desperate this doesn't work okay. [01:05:41]
The Roman centurians were expert executioners they knew when someone was dead it was just a thing like this was their job they killed people they watched people people die they check if people are dead never mind the fact that uh by the nature of crucifixion and I've shared this before this is very small cross. [01:15:44]
The fact of the matter is in my opinion and the opinion of many scholars there is no good reason not to believe that Jesus rose from the dead there's lots of good evidence for the reliability of the New Testament witness which includes Paul's insistence that there were still people alive in his day that could fact check with him. [01:25:07]
I truly hope that it'll cause you to give God praise because he is good he is mighty he is worthy of all the glory and praise so heavenly father today I ask that you would move in our hearts and help us to conduct ourselves as those who bear the image and the name of Jesus Christ today Jesus as we go from this place. [01:27:47]
The broken find their healing the orphan has a home in the power and the presence of our God the hurting find their comfort the Restless find their peace in the power and the presence of our God how great is the Father's Love yeah how great the grace that covers us every story is ritten in the image of his heart. [01:29:04]
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