How Do I Look?

Paul Harvey: Incarnation & The Birds Listen to the story

Who Is Jesus? Was Jesus really God? How do you know? Is it just because your teachers, parents, priests have been telling you for 14 years? OK, let’s think for a moment… What if this ISN’T true? Why are we here? I am not trying to shake anyone’s faith, I hope that this lesson will actually make it stronger! For those who don’t have faith, consider it an intellectual exercise.

Logic - Arguments This is important in philosophy and some types of engineering. We must start with assumptions – if our assumptions are wrong, the entire argument falls apart. But we have to start somewhere! Assumption – The Bible isn’t completely wrong. If some stuff is repeated in different places, there’s a good chance that it is true.

Did Jesus Claim to be God? Look up the following Bible passages. What do they say about Jesus or what he is saying about himself? Luke 5: 20 – 26 1. Authority to forgive sins. 2. Equal with God. 3. Son of Man (prophecy Daniel 7: 13 – 14).

Did Jesus Claim to be God? Look up the following Bible passages. What do they say about Jesus or what he is saying about himself? Mark 14: 61 – 64 1. Son of God. 2. The Christ/The Messiah. 3. “I Am”. 4. Son of Man. 5. Deserving the same honour given to God.

Did Jesus Claim to be God? Look up the following Bible passages. What do they say about Jesus or what he is saying about himself? John 5: 21 – 23 1. Gives life. 2. Deserving the same honour given to God.

Did Jesus Claim to be God? Look up the following Bible passages. What do they say about Jesus or what he is saying about himself? John 4: 25 – 26 1. The Christ/The Messiah.

Did Jesus Claim to be God? Look up the following Bible passages. What do they say about Jesus or what he is saying about himself? John 14: 6 – 7 1. The way to Eternal life. 2. The truth. 3. Gives life. 4. One with the Father.

Did Jesus Claim to be God? Look up the following Bible passages. What do they say about Jesus or what he is saying about himself? John 10: 24, 30 – 33 1. The Christ/The Messaih. 2. Gives life. 3. Son of God. 4. One with the Father. 5. Equal with God.

Did Jesus Claim to be God? Look up the following Bible passages. What do they say about Jesus or what he is saying about himself? John 8: 51 – 59 1. Gives life. 2. Deserving the same honour as God. 3. Son of God. 4. The Christ/The Messiah. 5. “I Am”.

Did Jesus Claim to be God? What do the previous Bible passages say about Jesus or what he is saying about himself? Conclusion: Jesus claimed to be God.

The Trilemma

The Trilemma

The Trilemma

The Trilemma

What are the Qualities of a Liar? Not trustworthy, lies catch up to them, emotionally or socially needy people, try to impress others, don’t have many friends, lie for selfish reasons: money, fame, pleasure, power. Are these qualities exhibited by Jesus? No. Everything he said would happen did come true. He has many followers and did not need to lie to attract them. In fact, his statements often caused his followers to leave him (John 6:60-66). He never recanted his teachings, even unto his death. Would a liar suffer torture and death to keep a lie?

What are the Qualities of a Lunatic? “There are lunatics in asylums who sincerely believe they are God. The ‘divinity complex’ is a recognized form of psychopathology. Its character traits are well known: egotism, narcissism, inflexibility, dullness, predictability and an inability to understand and love others as they really are and to creatively relate to others”. Peter Kreeft & Ronald Tacelli Handbook of Christian Apologetics

What are the Qualities of a Lunatic? Lunatics use force or manipulation to keep control/power, have self- destructive behaviour, are selfish, lunatics are found out and in the end lose their fight and their followers scatter. Ask: Are these qualities exhibited by Jesus? No. Jesus was a benevolent man who showed signs of extreme love. He crossed social and cultural barriers. He did not want power or glory or fame. He preached humility, service to others, and selflessness. His followers continued to preach his teachings and were martyred because of it. Jesus became the most revered, worshipped, written about, and admired man of all time. Would a lunatic?

What are the Qualities of God? Promises come true, performs miracles, raise people from the dead, speak with confidence and assume complete authority, speaks as God, teachings would challenge people and have supreme wisdom and truth, would be the most sought out individual in the world. Ask: Are these qualities exhibited by the historical Jesus? Yes! Jesus predicted the impossible, and it came true. He performed miracles, raise people from the dead, was himself raised from the dead. He spoke with authority and claimed authority over everything. He is the most revered figure in history.

The Trilemma Thinking about we have just said, can you think of some words to describe historical Jesus? Caring , devoted, miraculous, sacrifice, loving… From this we can come to this logical conclusion: Conclusion: Jesus is indeed Lord.