reasons to believe and to hope… by rev. dr dave geisler

Reasons to believe and to hope…

By Rev. Dr Dave Geisler

www.meeknessandtruth.org

Titanic director James Cameron say “they aren't trying to undermine Christianity in their new documentary....”

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/02/26/jesus-tomb.html?ref=rss

New claims about Jesus Christ

Titanic director James Cameron

But if the bones of Jesus have been found…?

112/04/22 www.meeknessandtruth.org 3

Many Are Questioning The Biblical Story of Jesus

The DaVinci CodeThe Lost Gospel of JudasThe Lost Tomb of Christ

The Golden Compass

The death toll from the China earthquake has reached 60,560 and could rise to 80,000 or more, the Chinese

government said today. www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/24/china.chinaearth

quake?

The Tsunami of Hopelessness* Is their hope for my life?

The Kind of World We Live In Today

• An emphasis on religious pluralism

Dr. Norman Geisler

1. The woman is pregnant

2. The woman is not pregnant

All religious truth claims by definition are exclusive in some way.

It is not just Christian Truth that is narrow!

Christianity– by faith alone in Christ alone

Islam– by belief in Allah, his prophet Muhammad, and good works

Hinduism– by overcoming karma and incarnations with good works

Buddhism– by cessation of desire through eight-fold path

All Truth Is Narrow!

Exclusiveness not necessarily a bad thing!

Reasons to believe and to hope…Rom. 1:1-4 (NIV)

(Verse 1) Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God – (Verse 2) the gospel he promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures (Verse 3) regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, (Verse 4) and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reasons to believe and to hope…Rom. 1:1-4 (NIV)

Introduction:A snapshot of the Apostle Paul’s life…

(Rom. 1:1)

1. Paul’s connection to Christ (verse 1a) 2. Paul’s calling from Christ (verse 1b) 3. Paul’s commitment to Christ (verse

1c)

Reasons to believe and to hope…Rom. 1:1-4 (NIV)

Introduction:A snapshot of the Apostle Paul’s

life… (Rom. 1:1)

1. Paul’s connection to Christ (verse 1a)

“Paul, a servant (bond servant) of Christ Jesus,”

Reasons to believe and to hope…Rom. 1:1-4 (NIV)

Introduction:A snapshot of the Apostle Paul’s

life… (Rom. 1:1)

2. Paul’s calling from Christ (verse 1b)

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle”

Reasons to believe and to hope…Rom. 1:1-4 (NIV)

Introduction:A snapshot of the Apostle Paul’s life…

(Rom. 1:1)

1. Paul’s connection to Christ (verse 1a) 2. Paul’s calling from Christ (verse 1b) 3. Paul’s commitment to Christ (verse

1c)

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle” and set apart for the gospel of

God”

Reasons to believe and to hope…Rom. 1:1-4 (NIV)

Introduction:A snapshot of the Apostle Paul’s life… (Rom. 1:1)

1. Paul’s connection to Christ (verse 1a) 2. Paul’s calling from Christ (verse 1b) 3. Paul’s commitment to Christ (verse 1c)

• How could the Apostle Paul be so committed to what God had called him to do?

– He had a deep abiding conviction…that Jesus is the one and therefore there are reasons to believe and to hope.

Reasons to believe and to hope…Rom. 1:1-4

Three specific pieces of evidences…for the truth of the message he is proclaiming!

Reasons to believe: Footprints in the sand (Rom. 1-2-4)

Reasons to believe and to hope…Rom. 1:1-4

I. Reasons to believe: Footprints in the sand (Rom. 1-2-4)

A. The Old Testament scriptures point towards Jesus (Rom. 1:2)

(Verse 2) the gospel he promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures.

Everything in the Old Testament Points to Jesus!In Genesis, Christ is the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15)In Exodus, He is the Passover lamb (Ex. 12:3f)In Leviticus he is the atoning Sacrifice (Lev. 17:11)In Numbers he is the Smitten Rock (Num. 20:8,11)In Deut. he is the faithful prophet (Deut. 18:18)In Joshua he is the captain of the Lord of Host (Josh. 5:15)In Judges he is the Divine Deliverer (Judg. 2:18)In Ruth he is the Kinsman Redeemer (Ruth 3:12); In 1 Sam. he is anticipated as the Anointed One (1 Sam 2:10); In 2 Sam. he is the Son of David (2 Sam. 7:14)In 1 Kings and 2 Kings he may be viewed as the coming King. In 1 and 2 Chronicles he may be viewed as the builder of the

Temple (1 Chron. 28:20). In Ezra he is the restorer of the Temple (Ezra 6:14-15)In Nehemiah he is the restorer of Nation (Neh. 6:15)In Esther he is the preserver of the Nation (Esther 4:14)In Job he is the living redeemer (Job 19:25)In Psalms, he is the Praise of Israel (Ps. 150:6)In Proverbs he is the Wisdom of God (Prov. 8:22,23).

Everything in the Old Testament Points to Jesus!

• Luke 24:27 “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”

Everything in the Old Testament Points to Jesus!

“Go and report to John what you hear and see. The blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over me.” (Matthew 11:3-6 NASB)

* The Bible is a Jesus book from Gen. to Revelation!

Reasons to believe and to hope…Rom. 1:1-4

I. Reasons to believe: Footprints in the sand (Rom. 1-2-4)

A. The Old Testament scriptures pointed towards Jesus (Rom. 1:2)

B. Jesus was of the (Kingly) blood line of the Son of David (Rom. 1:3)

(Verse 3) regarding his Son, who as to his

human nature was a descendant of David,

Prophecy (Messianic)

1. Place of birth (Mic. 5:2)2. Time of birth (Dan. 9:25)3. Manner of birth (Is. 7:14)4. Sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12)5. Manner of death (Ps. 22:16)6. People’s reactions (mocking, spitting,

staring, etc.) (Ps. 22:7,8, 17)7. His side pierced (Zech. 12:10)8. Burial in a rich man’s tomb (Is 53:9)

J. Barton Payne in his Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecies (P. 665-670) lists 191 Prophecies that were literally fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ:

Some Reasons To Consider Jesus

• James Cameron is quoted in the documentary The Lost Tomb of Jesus as saying that the probability is very remote (about 600 to 1) that a family other than that of Jesus would have the same names as the family buried in the tomb.

Even though the Author he quotes (Dr. Andrey Feuerverger) has recanted those statistical conclusions. http://fisher.utstat.toronto.edu/andrey/OfficeHrs.txt

Statistical Probability• 8 prophecies all being fulfilled in the life

of Christ:I X 10 to the 17 power

Taken from Peter Stoner, Science Speaks

Statistical Probability8 prophecies all being fulfilled in the life of Christ:I X 10 to the 17 power

Taken from Peter Stoner, Science Speaks

“Texas is 1159 times the size of Singapore. So a 2 ft high pile of silver dollar in Texas would be equivalent to 0.7068 km of silver dollars in Singapore.

“This is equivalent to about 166 floors of a tall building. It is like taking the Republic plaza (66 floors) and staking it on top of the UOB Plaza (66).” - that is only 132 floors

Statistical Probability

• 48 Prophecies:I X 10 to the 157 power(more atoms then there are in the Universe)

Taken from Peter Stoner, Science Speaks

Mathematical Odds • You could win the Singapore Lottery “toto”

for billions and billions and billions of years in a row….

• A question we should consider…

Reasons to believe and to hope…Rom. 1:1-4

I. Reasons to believe: Footprints in the sand (Rom. 1-2-4)

A. The Old Testament scriptures pointed towards Jesus (Rom. 1:2)

B. Jesus was of the blood line of the Son of David (Rom. 1:3)

C. Jesus was revealed to be” or “determined to be” of the very nature of God by His resurrection. (Rom. 1:4)

Reasons to believe and to hope…Rom. 1:1-4

I. Reasons to believe: Footprints in the sand (Rom. 1-2-4)

C. Jesus was revealed to be” or “determined to be” of the very nature of God by His resurrection. (Rom. 1:4)

(Verse 4) and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

* To declare something as true in this context is to reveal or unmask its very nature.

How does the resurrection reveal or prove that Jesus is in fact God?

The Bodily Resurrection of Christ is the Cornerstone for the Christian Faith

“ And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” I Corinthians 15:14 (NIV)

What is the Evidence that Jesus really did die and rise from the Dead?

Fact # 1 Jesus’ Death By CrucifixionAccepted by almost all scholars of the N.T.

1. It is reported by both Christians and non-Christian ancient sources. (Josephus,Tacitus, The Jewish Talmud, and etc.)

2. Modern medical authorities have verified his death

Fact # 1 Jesus’ Death By Crucifixion* Modern medical authorities have

verified his death. “Clearly, the weight of historical and medical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead before the wound to his side was inflicted and supports the traditional view that the spear, thrust between his right rib, probably perforated not only the right lung but also the pericardium and heart and thereby ensured his death. Accordingly, interpretations based on the assumption that Jesus did not die on the cross appear to be at odds with modern medical knowledge.” JAMA March 21,1986, p. 1463

Fact # 2 The Disciples were willing to die for their belief that Jesus appeared to them.

New Testament Scholar Pinchas Lapide said,

“If the Disciples were totally disappointed and on the verge of desperate flight because of the very real reason of the crucifixion, it took another very real reason in order to transform them from a band of disheartened and dejected Jews into the most self-confident missionary society in world history.” Time, May 7th, 1979

He concludes that “a bodily resurrection could possibly have been that reason.” * People may die…

Fact #3 The Empty Tomb Accepted by 75% of all N.T. scholars

Fact #3 The Empty Tomb? 1. Jerusalem Factor

Jesus was executed buried and then his resurrection was proclaimed in Jerusalem.

Therefore it would have be impossible for Christianity to get off the ground if Jesus’ body were still in the tomb.

Why? Because Christianity is not based on a

religious ideology.

Christianity Is Based On A Historical Event

“ And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 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 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.” I Corinthians 15:14 -19(NIV)

* You can take Buddha out of Buddhism…

Fact #2 The Empty Tomb? 1. Jerusalem Factor2. Jesus’ enemies validated the fact of the empty tomb

“ When the chief priest had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, ‘you are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were sleeping.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble. So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.” Matt. 28:12-14 (NIV)

You would not claim that the body was stolen if the body was still in the tomb.

* Little boy, homework, and dog

Fact #2 The Empty Tomb?

1. Jerusalem Factor2. Jesus’ enemies attested to the empty tomb

Geza Vermes, Prof. Jewish Studies Oxford Univ.

“When every argument has been considered and weighed, the only conclusion acceptable to the historian must be that …the woman who set out to pay their last respects to Jesus found to their consternation, not a body, but a empty tomb.”

What Things Can Both Christians and Non-Christians mostly agree on?• Jesus died due to crucifixion• History records that his tomb was empty

* Almost all scholars agree on this point.

* 1 Cor. 15:3-8 speaks bout the 500 witnesses.

Fact #3 Something occurred that convinced a number of people both friend and foe of Jesus that he had been resurrected and had appeared to them

Fact #3 Something occurred that convinced others that he had been resurrected and

had appeared to them.

– He appeared to believers•Clement of Rome (Clement was a

Disciple of Peter) - Martyred•Polycarp (He was known to be

disciples of John) – Martyred

Fact #3 Something occurred that convinced others that he had been resurrected and

had appeared to them.

- He appeared to unbelievers• Paul

• JamesHe was an unbeliever through Jesus’ crucifixion. (neither James, nor any of Jesus' younger brothers, apparently believed in Jesus during his lifetime (see Mark 3.21, 31-5; John 7. 1 - 10). Yet he became a leader in the early church.

Paula Fredriksen, Ph.D. (Historian of ancient Christianity at Boston University.

“I know in their own terms what they saw was the raised Jesus. That’s what they say and then all the historical evidence we have afterward attests to their conviction that that’s why they saw. I’m not saying that they really did see the raised Jesus. I wasn’t there. I don’t know what they saw. But I do know that as a historian that they must have seen something.”

Reasons to believe and to hope…Rom. 1:1-4

I. Reasons to believe: Footprints in the sand (Rom. 1-2-4)

C. Jesus was revealed to be” or “determined to be” of the very nature of God by His resurrection. (Rom. 1:4)1. The death of Christ by Crucifixion,

2. The willingness of the disciples to die for their beliefs, and the empty tomb.

3. The post-Resurrection appearances

Reasons to believe and to hope…Rom. 1:1-4

I. Reasons to believe: Footprints in the sand (Rom. 1-2-4)

II. More reasons to believe…and to Hope

““And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”Spirit, who lives in you.”Rom. 8:11 (NIV)Rom. 8:11 (NIV)

1.1. What is my conviction about Jesus What is my conviction about Jesus being the being the One?One?

Some Reasons To Consider Jesus

how much more should we seriously consider Jesus Christ’s claims to deity when the astronomical probability that one other person other than Jesus could fulfill even 48 of the 191 biblical prophecies is one chance in 1 x 10 to the 157 power?

If Titanic Director James Cameron is convinced that it is worthy of his time to develop a documentary about Jesus because a statistician has told him that the probability that some other family would have the same names as the family buried in the tomb is 600 to 1 against that possibility, (and that statistician has since recanted those predictions), ,.thenRemember this is more atoms than there are in the

Universe!

Why Are So Many Questioning The Biblical Story of Jesus

The DaVinci CodeThe Lost Gospel of JudasThe Lost Tomb of Christ

The Golden Compass

Why are so many prone to discount the evidence of Jesus

from History?“ For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4: 3-4 N.I.V.)

Can We Afford To Risk Not Caring What Jesus Says!

If you were not sure if you should follow Jesus or or other great religious leaders, consider this perspective.

If you follow Jesus and you are wrong, you may have many other life times to get it right.

Yet if you follow other paths and you are wrong, you do not have any more chances to get it right. (Heb. 9:27)

Wouldn’t it be wise then to choose Christ first?

Reasons to believe and to hope…Rom. 1:1-4

Introduction:A snapshot of the Apostle Paul’s life… (Rom. 1:1)

I. Reasons to believe: Footprints in the sand (Rom. 1-2-4)

A. The Old Testament scriptures pointed towards Jesus (Rom. 1:2)

B. Jesus was of the blood line of the Son of David (Rom. 1:3)C. Jesus was revealed to be” or “determined to be” of the very

nature of God by His resurrection. (Rom. 1:4)

II. More reasons to believe…and to Hope!

Reasons to believe and to hope…

By Rev. Dr Dave Geisler

www.meeknessandtruth.org