Confronting Unbelief: Embracing the Truth of Christ
Summary
In the Gospel of John, chapter 7, verse 15, we encounter a profound moment where the Jewish authorities marvel at Jesus' knowledge, questioning how He could possess such wisdom without formal education. This passage highlights the persistent issue of unbelief, a theme that resonates throughout the Gospel. Despite Jesus' divine wisdom and miraculous works, many of His contemporaries, including religious authorities, dismissed Him with contempt. This rejection is not just a historical event but a reflection of a timeless human condition—our tendency to let pride and prejudice cloud our judgment and prevent us from recognizing divine truth.
The tragedy of unbelief is that it blinds us to the solutions and peace offered through the Gospel. The world, filled with anxiety and problems, often overlooks the profound answers found in Jesus' teachings. The Jewish leaders, despite witnessing Jesus' authority and miracles, allowed their intellectual pride and preconceived notions to prevent them from accepting Him. They were more concerned with their status and learning than with the truth standing before them. This pride led them to focus on personalities rather than the transformative truth of Jesus' message.
Today, we face similar challenges. Modern intellectualism often dismisses Christianity as outdated, yet the questions Jesus posed remain relevant. How do we explain His unparalleled wisdom and authority? How do we account for the transformative power of His teachings and the enduring impact of the Christian Church? These are questions that demand honest reflection and humility.
Jesus' teachings about God, the spiritual nature of the law, and the condition of humanity are as vital now as they were then. He offers a way of salvation through His sacrificial death and promises new life and power to those who believe. The challenge is to set aside our pride and prejudices, to truly consider His claims, and to recognize Him as the Son of God, the light of the world.
Key Takeaways:
- The Tragedy of Unbelief: Unbelief is a persistent human condition that blinds us to the truth and solutions offered by the Gospel. Despite witnessing Jesus' wisdom and miracles, many dismissed Him due to pride and prejudice, a pattern that continues today. [02:26]
- Pride and Prejudice: The Jewish authorities' rejection of Jesus was rooted in intellectual pride and a closed-minded approach. They were more concerned with their status and learning than with the truth, a cautionary tale for us to remain open to divine wisdom. [16:04]
- The Relevance of Jesus' Teachings: Jesus' teachings about God, humanity, and salvation remain profoundly relevant. They challenge us to consider our spiritual condition and the transformative power of His message. [44:25]
- The Enduring Impact of Christianity: The Christian Church's survival and growth, despite persecution and internal weaknesses, testify to the divine power sustaining it. This invites us to consider the supernatural nature of its origin and endurance. [34:48]
- Facing the Big Questions: We are called to confront the big questions about life, death, and eternity. Jesus offers answers and hope, urging us to move beyond intellectual pride and genuinely seek understanding and salvation. [50:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to John 7:15
- [00:32] - Context of Jesus' Teaching
- [01:13] - The Problem of Unbelief
- [02:09] - The Tragedy of Rejection
- [03:33] - Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles
- [04:19] - The Reaction of the Jewish Authorities
- [05:37] - The Incredulity of Unbelief
- [07:35] - The Blindness of Prejudice
- [09:26] - The Unchanging Nature of Humanity
- [11:27] - The Revelation of Prejudice
- [15:48] - The Pride of Learning
- [21:37] - The Illogical Nature of Prejudice
- [25:46] - The Vital Questions Ignored
- [31:06] - The Phenomenon of Jesus Christ
- [36:16] - The Source of Jesus' Doctrine
- [41:33] - The Spiritual Character of God's Law
- [44:07] - The Way of Salvation
- [47:30] - The Promise of Eternal Life
- [50:19] - Facing the Big Questions
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 7:15
- John 1:11
- Matthew 5:21-22
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 7:15, why were the Jewish authorities astonished by Jesus' knowledge and teaching? What does this reveal about their expectations of religious authority? [00:12]
2. How does John 1:11 describe the response of Jesus' own people to His coming, and how does this relate to the theme of unbelief discussed in the sermon? [02:09]
3. According to Matthew 5:21-22, how does Jesus' teaching on the law differ from the traditional understanding, and what does this suggest about His authority? [41:33]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the Jewish authorities' focus on personalities rather than the truth of Jesus' message? [22:40]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that pride and prejudice can prevent individuals from recognizing divine truth, and what are the implications for modern believers? [15:48]
2. In what ways does the sermon argue that Jesus' teachings remain relevant today, and how should this influence a believer's approach to understanding the Gospel? [44:25]
3. How does the enduring impact of Christianity, despite historical challenges, serve as evidence of its divine origin according to the sermon? [34:48]
4. What are the "big questions" about life and eternity that the sermon encourages believers to confront, and how does Jesus provide answers to these questions? [50:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when pride or prejudice may have clouded your judgment. How can you actively work to set aside these barriers to better understand and accept divine truth? [15:48]
2. Consider the relevance of Jesus' teachings in your life today. What specific teaching of Jesus challenges you the most, and how can you apply it to your current circumstances? [44:25]
3. The sermon highlights the transformative power of Jesus' message. Identify one area in your life where you seek transformation. What steps can you take to invite Jesus' influence into that area? [44:25]
4. How can you engage with the "big questions" about life, death, and eternity in a way that deepens your faith and understanding of Jesus' promises? [50:19]
5. The sermon discusses the enduring impact of Christianity. How can you contribute to the growth and vitality of your local church community in light of this legacy? [34:48]
6. Reflect on a recent situation where you dismissed a spiritual truth due to preconceived notions. How can you approach similar situations with an open mind and heart in the future? [22:40]
7. Identify a person in your life who may be struggling with unbelief. How can you support and encourage them to explore the teachings of Jesus with an open heart? [09:26]
Devotional
Day 1: The Blindness of Unbelief
Unbelief is a condition that can obscure our vision, preventing us from seeing the truth and solutions offered by the Gospel. In John 7:15, the Jewish authorities were astonished by Jesus' wisdom, questioning how He could possess such knowledge without formal education. Despite witnessing His divine wisdom and miraculous works, many of His contemporaries dismissed Him with contempt. This rejection is not just a historical event but a reflection of a timeless human condition—our tendency to let pride and prejudice cloud our judgment and prevent us from recognizing divine truth. The tragedy of unbelief is that it blinds us to the solutions and peace offered through the Gospel. The world, filled with anxiety and problems, often overlooks the profound answers found in Jesus' teachings. [02:26]
John 12:37-40 (ESV): "Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 'Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?' Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, 'He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.'"
Reflection: Consider a situation where you have been resistant to accepting a truth due to preconceived notions. How can you open your heart to see beyond your biases today?
Day 2: The Danger of Intellectual Pride
The Jewish authorities' rejection of Jesus was rooted in intellectual pride and a closed-minded approach. They were more concerned with their status and learning than with the truth standing before them. This pride led them to focus on personalities rather than the transformative truth of Jesus' message. Today, we face similar challenges. Modern intellectualism often dismisses Christianity as outdated, yet the questions Jesus posed remain relevant. How do we explain His unparalleled wisdom and authority? How do we account for the transformative power of His teachings and the enduring impact of the Christian Church? These are questions that demand honest reflection and humility. [16:04]
1 Corinthians 1:20-21 (ESV): "Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where intellectual pride might be hindering your spiritual growth. How can you practice humility and openness to divine wisdom today?
Day 3: The Timeless Relevance of Jesus' Teachings
Jesus' teachings about God, the spiritual nature of the law, and the condition of humanity are as vital now as they were then. He offers a way of salvation through His sacrificial death and promises new life and power to those who believe. The challenge is to set aside our pride and prejudices, to truly consider His claims, and to recognize Him as the Son of God, the light of the world. His teachings challenge us to consider our spiritual condition and the transformative power of His message. [44:25]
Matthew 5:17-18 (ESV): "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."
Reflection: Reflect on one teaching of Jesus that you find challenging. How can you apply this teaching to your life in a practical way today?
Day 4: The Supernatural Endurance of Christianity
The Christian Church's survival and growth, despite persecution and internal weaknesses, testify to the divine power sustaining it. This invites us to consider the supernatural nature of its origin and endurance. The enduring impact of Christianity is a testament to the transformative power of Jesus' teachings and the divine authority behind them. Despite challenges, the Church continues to thrive, offering hope and salvation to countless individuals. [34:48]
Acts 5:38-39 (ESV): "So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!"
Reflection: Think about the history of the Church and its impact on your life. How can you contribute to its mission and growth in your community today?
Day 5: Confronting Life's Big Questions
We are called to confront the big questions about life, death, and eternity. Jesus offers answers and hope, urging us to move beyond intellectual pride and genuinely seek understanding and salvation. The questions Jesus posed remain relevant, challenging us to reflect on our spiritual condition and the transformative power of His message. By setting aside our pride and prejudices, we can truly consider His claims and recognize Him as the Son of God, the light of the world. [50:19]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: What is one big question about life or faith that you have been avoiding? How can you seek God's guidance and wisdom to address it today?
Quotes
"Here is the Son of God in the world and yet the record that is given here in this Gospel According to St John as we are told in the very prologue is this he came un his own and his own received him not that is the terrible tragedy ah but you see it's the tragedy of the world still this world that is so full of trouble and care and anxiety overwhelmed by its problems and in spite of all the striving and the efforts no nearer to a solution the tragedy the Supreme tragedy is this that everything it needs and infinitely more is being offered it in this gospel but it doesn't believe it it dismisses it it with contempt even as his own contemporaries dismissed the Lord Jesus Christ and his teaching." [00:02:04]
"Now there is something about this I'm sure you'll all agree with me which is almost incredible but that you know is the story that is given to us everywhere in the pages of the four gospels take that example which I read at the beginning out of the fourth chapter of The Gospel According to St Luke where we have him at the very beginning of his ministry there he was he got up in the synagogue he read that portion of scripture and then he sat down and began to teach and they all had to Bear testimony to the gracious words that proceeded from his mouth well you said this is going to lead to some extraordinary result but you remember that the very people who were marveling and were amazed at the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth quite soon began to be filled with Fury with respect to him they nashed upon him with their teeth and there they took him to the brow of a hill and they did their utmost to push him over the brow that they might kill him he miraculously escapes from them but as far as they were concerned they were filled with hatred they were filled with wrath they were filled with bitterness." [00:05:26]
"Every sin every failure every tragedy in the world is due to the fact that men and women are in the wrong relationship to God and won't listen to this blessed person if I'm speaking to somebody at this moment as I am I know who is unhappy who is conscious of defeat and failure my dear friend you are whole trouble is due to the fact that you don't listen to this person it's this unbelief this thing that characterized these Jews these authorities these religious authorities when he was here in the world and and this is the point I'm making the very reasons that operated in them are the very reasons that are operating this evening now this very thing that we are looking at reminds us of a very vital principle in this matter that the world doesn't change and this is the root cause of so many fallacies today that men and women think that because they're living in the 20th century that some of things are different as we analyze these people we shall be analyzing a typical Modern Men there is no difference there is no change at all the things we are concerned about are things that are fundamental in human nature and they have been true from the very dawn of civilization ever since the fall of men so that if we were analyzing an Old Testament case it would be exactly the same the principles never change the form of course changes tremendously people didn't talk in the Time of Our Lord about the atom and scientific knowledge no no but they they use the same Principle as I'm going to show you it's the clothing that has changed the principles the facts have not and do not change at all." [00:08:46]
"Here they are they listen to him and they've got to admit that there is a phenomenon here there is something extra that we are told that they marveled but what they said was how Earth is men letters having never learned now what they're really saying is this this man they said has no right to any learning and to any knowledge why not well because he didn't belong to them he didn't belong to the schools they after all were the authorities and they'd undergone a prolonged training they were the experts here on the other hand was a man who was a carpenter that come from nowhere even from Nazareth he doesn't belong to the schools well how can he know anything it's impossible that a man who doesn't belong to the schools shall know anything this is impossible how is this man learning or letters having never learned and so you see this was the thing that infuriated them constantly about him they said this can't be right how can a fellow like this this fellow that's what they called him this Carpenter this son of Joseph and Mary who is this man to get up and talk in this authoritative manner now they had to admit that there was an element of authority but they say the things impossible this is all wrong how can this man know anything he's never had the training he's never had the learning now that you see is the position they had a feeling that it was an impertinence on his part to speak at all they say there's a type of man who has no right even to express an opinion about these things how can such a man rarely know anything at all now I say that this is nothing but sheer intellectual and Professional Pride and superiority." [00:16:08]
"Here is a person born in Bethlehem as a little babe in very great poverty born in a stable brought up in a place called Nazareth working with his hands as a carpenter and doing that until he was 30 years of age no advantages at all no natural advantages whatsoever then suddenly he bursts upon the then world with his astounding teaching with his amazing Miracles with all his glorious and wonderful Works without any training without any advantages read his words how do you rarely explain this person is this just a man you who believe in evolution how do you explain this person who lived nearly 2,000 years ago how do you explain him how is such a person thrown out as it were with every everything against him and yet standing out Supreme and alone in his teaching baffling the greatest minds of all the ages and the centuries and still doing so can you really dismiss this person can you really get rid of him with a contemptuous remark can you really get rid of him with a curse is Christianity to be dismissed so easily and then look at him I say this person who can thus speak and teach and who has such power and such might look at him dying upon a cross in apparent utter weakness the one who could raise the dead dying look at him buried in a grave but go and look at the grave empty on the morning of the third day look at him appearing to his followers who had lost all hope and lost all heart and were absolutely crushed and defeated look at him putting new life into them look at the transformation in them look at them there on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem look at the Christian Church coming out of it look at these simple artisans in the book of The Acts of the Apostles going around the world and turning it upside down these men were ignoramuses nothing nobody's even less than he was can you explain them can you understand them have you ever tried to have you ever confronted the whole story of the Christian church can you explain the fact that this little despised small sect so quickly became a dominating force in the whole history of the world and of civilization my dear friend what I'm asking you is this you see is this something that can dismissed as these people dismissed him and his teaching and as men and women are still doing so can't you see that it's your Prejudice that is blinding you can't you see that it's your pride you talk about your modern learning and knowledge but what about this what you make of him have you ever really considered him have you stood before him have you tried to understand him if you but did that you would soon come to the conclusion that there is only one way of explaining this person this is no M." [00:31:45]
"Have you ever tried to understand to explain him have you ever asked the right questions about him or have you just said there's nothing in Christianity all played out he was just a man of course is that your attitude or have you really faced the facts you're are the facts here is a person born in Bethlehem as a little babe in very great poverty born in a stable brought up in a place called Nazareth working with his hands as a carpenter and doing that until he was 30 years of age no advantages at all no natural advantages whatsoever then suddenly he bursts upon the then world with his astounding teaching with his amazing Miracles with all his glorious and wonderful Works without any training without any advantages read his words how do you rarely explain this person is this just a man you who believe in evolution how do you explain this person who lived nearly 2,000 years ago how do you explain him how is such a person thrown out as it were with every everything against him and yet standing out Supreme and alone in his teaching baffling the greatest minds of all the ages and the centuries and still doing so can you really dismiss this person can you really get rid of him with a contemptuous remark can you really get rid of him with a curse is Christianity to be dismissed so easily and then look at him I say this person who can thus speak and teach and who has such power and such might look at him dying upon a cross in apparent utter weakness the one who could raise the dead dying look at him buried in a grave but go and look at the grave empty on the morning of the third day look at him appearing to his followers who had lost all hope and lost all heart and were absolutely crushed and defeated look at him putting new life into them look at the transformation in them look at them there on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem look at the Christian Church coming out of it look at these simple artisans in the book of The Acts of the Apostles going around the world and turning it upside down these men were ignoramuses nothing nobody's even less than he was can you explain them can you understand them have you ever tried to have you ever confronted the whole story of the Christian church can you explain the fact that this little despised small sect so quickly became a dominating force in the whole history of the world and of civilization my dear friend what I'm asking you is this you see is this something that can dismissed as these people dismissed him and his teaching and as men and women are still doing so can't you see that it's your Prejudice that is blinding you can't you see that it's your pride you talk about your modern learning and knowledge but what about this what you make of him have you ever really considered him have you stood before him have you tried to understand him if you but did that you would soon come to the conclusion that there is only one way of explaining this person this is no M." [00:31:45]
"Have you ever tried to understand to explain him have you ever asked the right questions about him or have you just said there's nothing in Christianity all played out he was just a man of course is that your attitude or have you really faced the facts you're are the facts here is a person born in Bethlehem as a little babe in very great poverty born in a stable brought up in a place called Nazareth working with his hands as a carpenter and doing that until he was 30 years of age no advantages at all no natural advantages whatsoever then suddenly he bursts upon the then world with his astounding teaching with his amazing Miracles with all his glorious and wonderful Works without any training without any advantages read his words how do you rarely explain this person is this just a man you who believe in evolution how do you explain this person who lived nearly 2,000 years ago how do you explain him how is such a person thrown out as it were with every everything against him and yet standing out Supreme and alone in his teaching baffling the greatest minds of all the ages and the centuries and still doing so can you really dismiss this person can you really get rid of him with a contemptuous remark can you really get rid of him with a curse is Christianity to be dismissed so easily and then look at him I say this person who can thus speak and teach and who has such power and such might look at him dying upon a cross in apparent utter weakness the one who could raise the dead dying look at him buried in a grave but go and look at the grave empty on the morning of the third day look at him appearing to his followers who had lost all hope and lost all heart and were absolutely crushed and defeated look at him putting new life into them look at the transformation in them look at them there on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem look at the Christian Church coming out of it look at these simple artisans in the book of The Acts of the Apostles going around the world and turning it upside down these men were ignoramuses nothing nobody's even less than he was can you explain them can you understand them have you ever tried to have you ever confronted the whole story of the Christian church can you explain the fact that this little despised small sect so quickly became a dominating force in the whole history of the world and of civilization my dear friend what I'm asking you is this you see is this something that can dismissed as these people dismissed him and his teaching and as men and women are still doing so can't you see that it's your Prejudice that is blinding you can't you see that it's your pride you talk about your modern learning and knowledge but what about this what you make of him have you ever really considered him have you stood before him have you tried to understand him if you but did that you would soon come to the conclusion that there is only one way of explaining this person this is no M." [00:31:45]
"Have you ever tried to understand to explain him have you ever asked the right questions about him or have you just said there's nothing in Christianity all played out he was just a man of course is that your attitude or have you really faced the facts you're are the facts here is a person born in Bethlehem as a little babe in very great poverty born in a stable brought up in a place called Nazareth working with his hands as a carpenter and doing that until he was 30 years of age no advantages at all no natural advantages whatsoever then suddenly he bursts upon the then world with his astounding teaching with his amazing Miracles with all his glorious and wonderful Works without any training without any advantages read his words how do you rarely explain this person is this just a man you who believe in evolution how do you explain this person who lived nearly 2,000 years ago how do you explain him how is such a person thrown out as it were with every everything against him and yet standing out Supreme and alone in his teaching baffling the greatest minds of all the ages and the centuries and still doing so can you really dismiss this person can you really get rid of him with a contemptuous remark can you really get rid of him with a curse is Christianity to be dismissed so easily and then look at him I say this person who can thus speak and teach and who has such power and such might look at him dying upon a cross in apparent utter weakness the one who could raise the dead dying look at him buried in a grave but go and look at the grave empty on the morning of the third day look at him appearing to his followers who had lost all hope and lost all heart and were absolutely crushed and defeated look at him putting new life into them look at the transformation in them look at them there on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem look at the Christian Church coming out of it look at these simple artisans in the book of The Acts of the Apostles going around the world and turning it upside down these men were ignoramuses nothing nobody's even less than he was can you explain them can you understand them have you ever tried to have you ever confronted the whole story of the Christian church can you explain the fact that this little despised small sect so quickly became a dominating force in the whole history of the world and of civilization my dear friend what I'm asking you is this you see is this something that can dismissed as these people dismissed him and his teaching and as men and women are still doing so can't you see that it's your Prejudice that is blinding you can't you see that it's your pride you talk about your modern learning and knowledge but what about this what you make of him have you ever really considered him have you stood before him have you tried to understand him if you but did that you would soon come to the conclusion that there is only one way of explaining this person this is no M." [00:31:45]
"Have you ever tried to understand to explain him have you ever asked the right questions about him or have you just said there's nothing in Christianity all played out he was just a man of course is that your attitude or have you really faced the facts you're are the facts here is a person born in Bethlehem as a little babe in very great poverty born in a stable brought up in a place called Nazareth working with his hands as a carpenter and doing that until he was 30 years of age no advantages at all no natural advantages whatsoever then suddenly he bursts upon the then world with his astounding teaching with his amazing Miracles with all his glorious and wonderful Works without any training without any advantages read his words how do you rarely explain this person is this just a man you who believe in evolution how do you explain this person who lived nearly 2,000 years ago how do you explain him how is such a person thrown out as it were with every everything against him and yet standing out Supreme and alone in his teaching baffling the greatest minds of all the ages and the centuries and still doing so can you really dismiss this person can you really get rid of him with a contemptuous remark can you really get rid of him with a curse is Christianity to be dismissed so easily and then look at him I say this person who can thus speak and teach and who has such power and such might look at him dying upon a cross in apparent utter weakness the one who could raise the dead dying look at him buried in a grave but go and look at the grave empty on the morning of the third day look at him appearing to his followers who had lost all hope and lost all heart and were absolutely crushed and defeated look at him putting new life into them look at the transformation in them look at them there on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem look at the Christian Church coming out of it look at these simple artisans in the book of The Acts of the Apostles going around the world and turning it upside down these men were ignoramuses nothing nobody's even less than he was can you explain them can you understand them have you ever tried to have you ever confronted the whole story of the Christian church can you explain the fact that this little despised small sect so quickly became a dominating force in the whole history of the world and of civilization my dear friend what I'm asking you is this you see is this something that can dismissed as these people dismissed him and his teaching and as men and women are still doing so can't you see that it's your Prejudice that is blinding you can't you see that it's your pride you talk about your modern learning and knowledge but what about this what you make of him have you ever really considered him have you stood before him have you tried to understand him if you but did that you would soon come to the conclusion that there is only one way of explaining this person this is no M." [00:31:45]
"Have you ever tried to understand to explain him have you ever asked the right questions about him or have you just said there's nothing in Christianity all played out he was just a man of course is that your attitude or have you really faced the facts you're are the facts here is a person born in Bethlehem as a little babe in very great poverty born in a stable brought up in a place called Nazareth working with his hands as a carpenter and doing that until he was 30 years of age no advantages at all no natural advantages whatsoever then suddenly he bursts upon the then world with his astounding teaching with his amazing Miracles with all his glorious and wonderful Works without any training without any advantages read his words how do you rarely explain this person is this just a man you who believe in evolution how do you explain this person who lived nearly 2,000 years ago how do you explain him how is such a person thrown out as it were with every everything against him and yet standing out Supreme and alone in his teaching baffling the greatest minds of all the ages and the centuries and still doing so can you really dismiss this person can you really get rid of him with a contemptuous remark can you really get rid of him with a curse is Christianity to be dismissed so easily and then look at him I say this person who can thus speak and teach and who has such power and such might look at him dying upon a cross in apparent utter weakness the one who could raise the dead dying look at him buried in a grave but go and look at the grave empty on the morning of the third day look at him appearing to his followers who had lost all hope and lost all heart and were absolutely crushed and defeated look at him putting new life into them look at the transformation in them look at them there on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem look at the Christian Church coming out of it look at these simple artisans in the book of The Acts of the Apostles going around the world and turning it upside down these men were ignoramuses nothing nobody's even less than he was can you explain them can you understand them have you ever tried to have you ever confronted the whole story of the Christian church can you explain the fact that this little despised small sect so quickly became a dominating force in the whole history of the world and of civilization my dear friend what I'm asking you is this you see is this something that can dismissed as these people dismissed him and his teaching and as men and women are still doing so can't you see that it's your Prejudice that is blinding you can't you see that it's your pride you talk about your modern learning and knowledge but what about this what you make of him have you ever really considered him have you stood before him have you tried to understand him if you but did that you would soon come to the conclusion that there is only one way of explaining this person this is no M." [00:31:45]
"Have you ever tried to understand to explain him have you ever asked the right questions about him or have you just said there's nothing in Christianity all played out he was just a man of course is that your attitude or have you really faced the facts you're are the facts here is a person born in Bethlehem as a little babe in very great poverty born in a stable brought up in a place called Nazareth working with his hands as a carpenter and doing that until he was 30 years of age no advantages at all no natural advantages whatsoever then suddenly he bursts upon the then world with his astounding teaching with his amazing Miracles with all his glorious and wonderful Works without any training without any advantages read his words how do you rarely explain this person is this just a man you who believe in evolution how do you explain this person who lived nearly 2,000 years ago how do you explain him how is such a person thrown out as it were with every everything against him and yet standing out Supreme and alone in his teaching baffling the greatest minds of all the ages and the centuries and still doing so can you really dismiss this person can you really get rid of him with a contemptuous remark can you really get rid of him with a curse is Christianity to be dismissed so easily and then look at him I say this person who can thus speak and teach and who has such power and such might look at him dying upon a cross in apparent utter weakness the one who could raise the dead dying look at him buried in a grave but go and look at the grave empty on the morning of the third day look at him appearing to his followers who had lost all hope and lost all heart and were absolutely crushed and defeated look at him putting new life into them look at the transformation in them look at them there on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem look at the Christian Church coming out of it look at these simple artisans in the book of The Acts of the Apostles going around the world and turning it upside down these men were ignoramuses nothing nobody's even less than he was can you explain them can you understand them have you ever tried to have you ever confronted the whole story of the Christian church can you explain the fact that this little despised small sect so quickly became a dominating force in the whole history of the world and of civilization my dear friend what I'm asking you is this you see is this something that can dismissed as these people dismissed him and his teaching and as men and women are still doing so can't you see that it's your Prejudice that is blinding you can't you see that it's your pride you talk about your modern learning and knowledge but what about this what you make of him have you ever really considered him have you stood before him have you tried to understand him if you but did that you would soon come to the conclusion that there is only one way of explaining this person this is no M." [00:31:45]
"Have you ever tried to understand to explain him have you ever asked the right questions about him or have you just said there's nothing in Christianity all played out he was just a man of course is that your attitude or have you really faced the facts you're are the facts here is a person born in Bethlehem as a little babe in very great poverty born in a stable brought up in a place called Nazareth working with his hands as a carpenter and doing that until he was 30 years of age no advantages at all no natural advantages whatsoever then suddenly he bursts upon the then world with his astounding teaching with his amazing Miracles with all his glorious and wonderful Works without any training without any advantages read his words how do you rarely explain this person is this just a man you who believe in evolution how do you explain this person who lived nearly 2,000 years ago how do you explain him how is such a person thrown out as it were with every everything against him and yet standing out Supreme and alone in his teaching baffling the greatest minds of all the ages and the centuries and still doing so can you really dismiss this person can you really get rid of him with a contemptuous remark can you really get rid of him with a curse is Christianity to be dismissed so easily and then look at him I say this person who can thus speak and teach and who has such power and such might look at him dying upon a cross in apparent utter weakness the one who could raise the dead dying look at him buried in a grave but go and look at the grave empty on the morning of the third day look at him appearing to his followers who had lost all hope and lost all heart and were absolutely crushed and defeated look at him putting new life into them look at the transformation in them look at them there on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem look at the Christian Church coming out of it look at these simple artisans in the book of The Acts of the Apostles going around the world and turning it upside down these men were ignoramuses nothing nobody's even less than he was can you explain them can you understand them have you ever tried to have you ever confronted the whole story of the Christian church can you explain the fact that this little despised small sect so quickly became a dominating force in the whole history of the world and of civilization my dear friend what I'm asking you is this you see is this something that can dismissed as these people dismissed him and his teaching and as men and women are still doing so can't you see that it's your Prejudice that is blinding you can't you see that it's your pride you talk about your modern learning and knowledge but what about this what you make of him have you ever really considered him have you stood before him have you tried to understand him if you but did that you would soon come to the conclusion that there is only one way of explaining this person this is no M." [00:31:45]
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I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 24, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?