New Series for the end of 2015,And the beginning of 2016.Northside church of Christ

Why I Believe

In God

•There have been many figures in the world that have awoken the inspiration of many people in the world.•Good men with enormous intelligence and leadership.•But, even though they were smart, good, leaders and teachers,

they all faded away with time.•What is the difference between Jesus and all of them? What

makes Jesus so unique compared to all?• Jesus made claims that no one else has ever claimed in their

life.

• I am the life.• I am the Bread.• I am the Good Shepherd.• I am the door.• I am the water.• I am the light.• I am the Resurrection.• I am the Vine• I am the Son of Men.• I am the Son of God.• I am who I am!

•I am God

Jesus of Nazareth Is a Real Man of History• The N.T. Documents Establish the Historical Christ• Jewish Testimony Establishes the Historical Christ

−The Jewish Babylonian Talmud−Flavius Josephus, Jewish historian (A.D. 93-94)

• Roman Testimony Establishes the Historical Christ−Tacitus, Roman historian (A.D. 56-117)−Suetonius, Roman biographer (A.D. 120)−Pliny the Younger, Roman governor of Bithynia (A.D. 110-112)

• Hostile Testimony Establishes the Historical Christ−Celsus, a pagan philosopher (A.D. 178)−Lucian of Samosata, Greek philosopher (A.D. 115-120)

Jesus Is More Than Just a Man• Some view Jesus as just another man who lived• It is vitally important that Jesus is the Son of God • Eternal matters are contingent upon His deity:−The existence of the church (Matt. 16:16-19)−The inspiration of the Scriptures (Luke 24:44 + John 16:13-15)−The reconciliation of believers to God (Rom. 5:10)−The revelation of God’s will to man (Heb. 1:1-2)−The priesthood of Christ in our lives (Heb. 4:14-16)−The cleansing efficacy of Christ’s blood (1 John 1:7)−The destruction of the works of the devil (1 John 3:8)−The saving of the world from sin (1 John 4:14)−The promise and possession of eternal life (Jn. 3:36; 1 Jn. 5:12)

Jesus Is the Son of God, Based Upon Facts

The Miracles of Jesus attest to His deity (Acts 2:22) Jesus’ miracles prove His deity (John

20:30-31; Mt. 11:2-5) Jesus’ miracles could only be done by

God (John 3:2; 10:25-38) Jesus’ enemies even attested to His

miracles (Jn. 11:47; 9:16) Jesus showed power over disease,

nature, demons & death

Jesus Is the Son of God, Based Upon FactsThe Fulfilled Prophecies attest to His deity (Acts 2:25-30)−There are 332 Old Testament prophecies about the Son of

God• Born of Bethlehem in Judea (Micah 5:2)• Born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14)• Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:13)• Pierced hands and feet (Psa. 22:16)• Lots cast for His clothing (Psa. 22:18)• No bones broken (Psa. 34:20)• Buried with the rich (Isa. 53:9)• Body would be raised (Psa. 16:10)

Jesus Is the Son of God, Based Upon Facts

The Fulfilled Prophecies attest to His deity (Acts 2:25-30)Highly improbable that one man could fulfill all 332 prophecies•Odds of being struck by lightning: 1 in 700,000•Odds of winning Lotto 6/49 with one ticket: 1 in 20,000,000•Odds of one man fulfilling just 8 Messianic prophecies: •1 in 1017 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000 (100 quadrillion)

Jesus precisely fulfilled all 332 prophecies—He is the Son of God!

Jesus Is the Son of God, Based Upon Facts1. The Miracles of Jesus attest to His deity (Acts 2:22)2. The Fulfilled Prophecies attest to His deity (Acts 2:25-30)3. The Resurrection attests to His deity (Acts 2:24, 30-36)−Witnessed by the soldiers (Matt. 28:11-15)−Witnessed by the women who came early (Matt. 28:9-10)−Witnessed by two on road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)−Witnessed by the 11 apostles (John 20:26-31)−Witnessed by more than 500 at once (1 Cor. 15:6)−Witnessed by Saul of Tarsus (1 Cor. 15:8)−Jesus’ resurrection is a proven historical fact