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Defend Your Faith Lesson 4 Is Jesus the Divine Son of God? Presented by Chris Reeves * Park Road church of Christ * Gospel Meeting * April 15, 2013

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” – 1 Peter 3:15

Jesus Is the Divine Son of God Ready to give an answer (1 Peter 3:15) The importance of this question (John 8:24) Two facts and two alternatives The six practical lessons that come from this question (John 1:1,14,18; Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 4:11-12; Philippians 2:5ff; Hebrews 2:18; Revelation 5:8-14).

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” “No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” - John 1:1,14,18

“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” – Matthew 16:16-18

“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” – Acts 4:11-12

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” – Philippians 2:5-8

“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” – Hebrews 2:18 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” – Hebrews 4:15-16

“And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints … And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever” – Revelation 5:8,14

Presenting Your Case for Jesus Biblical testimony – He pre-existed as the Son of God (John 1:1; 8:58) – He was born the Son of God (Matthew 1:18-25) – He lived as the Son of God (Matthew 3:17; 17:5) – He died as the Son of God (1 Peter 3:18) – He was raised as the Son of God (Romans 1:4) – He commissioned as the Son of God (Mt. 28:18-20) – He ascended as the Son of God (Acts 2:36)

Presenting Your Case for Jesus Fulfilled prophetic testimony (Luke 24:44-46) Miraculous testimony (John 11:39-53; 12:9-10) Pauline testimony (Acts 9:1-19; 22:1-16; 26:1-23) External historical testimony (Jewish historians and Roman historians, circumstantial evidence)

Presenting Your Case for Jesus Jesus was a liar (John 7:45-46)

“And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man” – John 7:44-46

Presenting Your Case for Jesus Jesus was a liar (John 7:45-46) Jesus was a lunatic (Matthew 7:28-29)

“And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” – Matthew 7:28-29

Presenting Your Case for Jesus Jesus was a liar (John 7:45-46) Jesus was a lunatic (Matthew 7:28) Jesus was Lord (Matthew 14:33; 27:54)

“Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God” – Matthew 14:33 “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God” – Matthew 27:54

Jesus Claims to Be the Son of God ( What Are the Choices? ) LiarLunaticLord He knew his claims were false He was a liar, a hypo- crite, and a fool He did not know his claims were false He was deluded, a lunatic, and a fool He knew his claims were true, He is Lord You can accept him or reject him

Answering Objections to Jesus Objection #1: Jesus was a well-known religious leader, but just an ordinary man. The entire earthly life of Jesus from start to finish was far from ordinary. This was demonstrated in this lesson with evidence from the Bible, miracles, Paul, and external sources.

Answering Objections to Jesus Objection #2: Jesus only claimed to be the Son of God, but he was not actually the Son of God. He was made out to be (a lie) divine by his followers. If the Gospel writers lied, why did they do so to the point of death? Why did thousands believe them to the point of death? Why did they propagate their lies so soon during the lifetime of the eyewitnesses? There are indeed religious movements based upon liars and deceivers (Matthew 24:5,23-24). But, Christianity lacks the characteristics of these false movements (Acts 5:36-39).

“For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed” – Acts 5:36-37

Answering Objections to Jesus Objection #3: I don’t have enough evidence to believe that Jesus is the divine Son of God. This is held, but not for rational reasons. This is a subjective opinion and it is not based upon objective and logical truth. Often, the person is not against Christ per se, but against Christians (the Lord’s church) and what they stand for and teach.

Answering Objections to Jesus Objection #3: I don’t have enough evidence to believe that Jesus is the divine Son of God. The reluctance is often moral. To admit that Jesus is the divine Son of God is to admit that he has authority over my life; something many do not want. Pride and worldliness keep many from accepting Jesus, not a lack of evidence. Some people are afraid of the spiritual realm. Our world of physical materialism hides the need for something spiritual.

Answering Objections to Jesus Objection #3: I don’t have enough evidence to believe that Jesus is the divine Son of God. It is not intellectually fashionable to believe in Jesus in our modern society. “Scholars” and “scientists” do not accept Jesus, so I don’t either. To admit that Jesus is the divine Son of God is to admit that he is above all other religions; something many do not want in our “PC” culture of equality for all religions.

Defend Your Faith Are we impressed with Jesus the Son of God (Matthew 27:54)? Our eternal destiny is determined by our decision about Jesus (John 3:16-18; 8:24; 12:48; 20:30-31; 1 Jn.3:8; 4:15; 5:5,10,12,13,20). We must not only accept the fact of Jesus’ deity, but we must also confess Jesus as the Son of God and obey him (John 11:27; Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 4:15). Do you have the will to believe today (John 7:17)?

“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” – John 7:16-17