Exploring the Foundations of Belief in Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: The Gospels as Historical Testimony

The Gospels are often dismissed as mere legends, but recent scholarship has shown that they are credible historical documents. Written close to the events they describe, they bear the marks of eyewitness accounts rather than myth or legend. This reliability provides a solid foundation for understanding Jesus' life and teachings. By examining the Gospels with an open mind, one can find a trustworthy account of Jesus' life, which challenges the notion that they are simply stories. This understanding invites believers to engage with the Gospels as authentic testimonies of Jesus' impact on history. [11:56]

Luke 1:1-4 (ESV): "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught."

Reflection: How does viewing the Gospels as historical testimony change the way you read and understand them? What steps can you take to study them more deeply this week?

Day 2: The Paradox of Genuine Faith

Believing in Jesus offers profound personal benefits, such as meaning and hope, but these benefits are only realized when one believes in Jesus because He is true, not merely for the benefits themselves. This paradox highlights the importance of genuine faith, where the truth of Jesus' identity and teachings is the foundation of belief. It challenges individuals to examine their motivations for faith, ensuring that their belief is rooted in the truth of who Jesus is, rather than the personal gains they might receive. [17:58]

James 1:6-8 (ESV): "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

Reflection: Reflect on your motivations for believing in Jesus. Are there areas where you seek Him more for personal benefits than for who He truly is? How can you shift your focus to a more genuine faith?

Day 3: The Unparalleled Character of Jesus

Jesus' character is marked by freedom from cultural hierarchies, profound wisdom, and a unique combination of traits that are rarely found together. His life challenges us to consider Him as more than just a moral teacher, but as someone with divine authority. This unique character invites believers to explore the depth of Jesus' personality and teachings, recognizing the divine nature that sets Him apart from any other historical figure. By understanding His character, one can appreciate the profound impact He has had on individuals and societies throughout history. [25:00]

Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: Consider the unique traits of Jesus' character that stand out to you. How can you emulate these traits in your daily life to reflect His divine nature to others?

Day 4: The Astonishing Claims of Jesus

Jesus made claims that assert divine authority, such as forgiving sins and being the truth. These claims compel us to consider Him as either a charlatan, a lunatic, or truly the Lord, challenging us to confront the implications of His identity. By examining these claims, believers are invited to explore the depth of Jesus' teachings and the radical nature of His assertions. This exploration encourages a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and the transformative power of accepting Him as Lord. [28:30]

John 10:30-33 (ESV): "I and the Father are one.” The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”

Reflection: How do Jesus' claims challenge your understanding of His identity? What steps can you take to explore these claims more deeply and their implications for your faith?

Day 5: The Evidence for the Resurrection

The resurrection is supported by eyewitness accounts, a radical shift in Jewish worldview, and the empty tomb. These elements together provide a compelling case for the resurrection as a historical event, inviting believers to explore its significance. The resurrection is a cornerstone of Christian faith, offering hope and assurance of life beyond death. By examining the evidence, individuals are encouraged to deepen their understanding of this pivotal event and its implications for their faith journey. [33:52]

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (ESV): "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me."

Reflection: Reflect on the evidence for the resurrection. How does this evidence strengthen your faith in Jesus? What can you do to share the significance of the resurrection with others in your life?

Sermon Summary

In our gathering tonight, we explored the profound question: Why can we believe in Jesus? This inquiry is particularly relevant in a world filled with diverse worldviews and perspectives on Jesus, a historical figure whose life and teachings have shaped history. We began by addressing the reliability of the Gospels, the primary sources of Jesus' life. Contrary to the belief that these texts are mere legends, recent scholarship suggests they are credible historical documents. The Gospels were written close to the events they describe, and they bear the marks of eyewitness accounts rather than myth or legend.

We then delved into why Jesus matters. The paradoxical personal pragmatics of Christianity reveal that belief in Jesus offers profound personal benefits, such as a deep sense of meaning, identity, and hope. However, these benefits are only realized when we believe in Jesus because He is true, not merely for the benefits themselves.

The core of our discussion centered on three reasons to believe in Jesus: His character, His claims, and the evidence of His resurrection. Jesus' character is unparalleled, marked by freedom from cultural hierarchies, profound wisdom, and a unique combination of traits that are rarely found together. His claims, however, are astonishing, as He asserted divine authority, the power to forgive sins, and the right to receive worship. These claims compel us to consider Him as either a charlatan, a lunatic, or truly the Lord.

Finally, we examined the evidence for the resurrection, which is a cornerstone of Christian faith. The resurrection is supported by numerous eyewitness accounts, a radical shift in Jewish worldview, and the empty tomb. These elements together provide a compelling case for the resurrection as a historical event.

In conclusion, the journey to belief in Jesus is deeply personal and transformative. It involves engaging with the historical evidence, experiencing the relational aspect of faith, and ultimately finding a compelling reason to trust in Jesus as Lord.

Key Takeaways

1. The Reliability of the Gospels: Recent scholarship challenges the notion that the Gospels are mere legends. They are written as eyewitness accounts, close to the events they describe, providing a reliable historical basis for understanding Jesus' life and teachings. [11:56]
2. The Paradox of Belief: Believing in Jesus offers profound personal benefits, such as meaning and hope. However, these benefits are only realized when we believe in Jesus because He is true, not merely for the benefits themselves. This paradox highlights the importance of genuine faith. [17:58]
3. Jesus' Unique Character: Jesus' character is marked by freedom from cultural hierarchies, profound wisdom, and a unique combination of traits. His life challenges us to consider Him as more than just a moral teacher, but as someone with divine authority. [25:00]
4. The Astonishing Claims of Jesus: Jesus made claims that assert divine authority, such as forgiving sins and being the truth. These claims compel us to consider Him as either a charlatan, a lunatic, or truly the Lord, challenging us to confront the implications of His identity. [28:30]
5. The Evidence for the Resurrection: The resurrection is supported by eyewitness accounts, a radical shift in Jewish worldview, and the empty tomb. These elements together provide a compelling case for the resurrection as a historical event, inviting us to explore its significance. [33:52]
** [33:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction and Purpose
[01:40] - Why Believe in Jesus?
[02:27] - Format of the Evening
[03:29] - Introduction of Dr. Timothy Keller
[04:25] - The Broader Topic of Belief
[05:07] - Trusting the Gospels
[07:27] - Challenging the Legend Theory
[09:38] - Eyewitness Accounts
[12:24] - Why Care About Jesus?
[18:54] - Reasons to Believe in Jesus
[25:00] - The Character of Jesus
[28:30] - Jesus' Claims
[33:52] - Evidence for the Resurrection
[35:39] - Transition to Q&A
[36:21] - Addressing Questions and Doubts
[50:36] - The Inclusivity and Exclusivity of Jesus
[55:11] - The Fairness of Hell
[59:54] - Trusting Biblical Interpretations
[68:00] - Why Didn't Jesus Stay?
[79:36] - Personal Testimony and Conclusion

Sermon Clips

The real question is can we really trust the sources of what we know about the about Jesus which is from the Gospels it's in the New Testament Matthew Mark Luke and John can we trust them and I would say that most people in the modern modern United States would say the the Gospels are filled with legends. [00:05:07]

The last 20 years I you need to know this the last 20 years scholarship has really called all that into question all of it in spite of the fact that probably most universities have held on to this idea and certainly the media has held on to this idea there are three or four reasons why we should not trust that model of understanding how the Gospels are written. [00:07:27]

The Gospels are not written as in that or the New Testament is not written as as fiction Paul keeps saying if you read the Gospel of the letters of Paul Paul keeps saying what I received I've delivered to you see that's the language of passing on a rabbis teaching word-for-word without change and in the Gospels you have constant of names of people who have nothing to do with the plot. [00:09:38]

The simple fact is because the Gospels are written so were not were written so close to the events because there were lots and lots of eyewitness is still around because they are actually written with all the marks of being eyewitness accounts not oral tradition not legends you put all that together there is great great reason to believe that the Gospels are not legends. [00:11:56]

The paradoxical personal pragmatics of Christianity the paradoxical personal pragmatics now if you've never heard that before it's because about 35 minutes ago I made it up so I just want you to know you were present at this historic moment but the the paradoxical personal pragmatics occurred to me as just about three or four hours ago. [00:17:58]

If I believe that - at the bottom of my heart with every fiber of my being and I came together once a week with other people who believed it's it - to make sure that that runs through my veins that means I now have a meaning of life that suffering can't take away from me I've got a satisfaction that has nothing to do with ups and downs of circumstances in my life. [00:20:00]

If I believe in him only because I'm trying to have a better life because I want better health outcomes not because I think it's true it won't help you at all so believe it's true not because it helps you it will help you believe because you think it'll help you not because I think it's true and will help you at all that's the paradox. [00:25:00]

Jesus combines high majesty with the greatest humility he joins the strongest commitment to justice to astonishing mercy and grace he reveals a transcendent self-sufficiency and yet entire trust and reliance upon his Heavenly Father we're surprised to see tenderness without any weakness boldness without harshness humility without any uncertainty accompanied by an entire in confidence. [00:28:30]

If you have a man with those kinds of claims claiming to be God you have to say he's a charlatan or he's mentally deranged on the other hand look at his life charlatans and deranged people do not have such beautiful lives they just don't on the other hand if you have this beautiful man in his character you would never imagine to be claiming something like this. [00:33:52]

The historical evidence of the resurrection is extremely you Stream least wrong and there's three parts to it number one there were hundreds of eyewitnesses that actually saw him alive some people say well how do you know that well because when Paul was writing in first Corinthians 15:20 25 years later he said most of those eyewitnesses are still alive. [00:35:39]

The resurrection was a first installment on the power that God's going to use at the end of time to renew the world brought into the present now and can come into your life if you believe in the risen Lord he brought that into the present I know this sounds wild and he wanted to know why have I heard that before but it it's it's definitely in the scripture. [00:50:36]

The main argument for the truth of Christianity is Jesus the main way you get convinced that Christianity is true is getting to know Jesus by reading and studying and reading about him and getting to know him especially in a community of people and that's why I urge you to do one person tried to summarize Jesus's astounding claims and into one little paragraph. [01:19:36]

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