Is this the Christ?
Introduction
Generally:
Churches are seeing diminishing numbers
There is a trend to a loss of young people
Why?- multi-faceted causes
Anti-Christian teaching in Uni
Examples
Have we failed to answer these questions/issues
Persuasive secularism
Humanism
Anti-theism?
Examples
They say God is dead and religion is a waste of time
But things seems to be changing
Examples
Could the tide by turning? / Is there a new climate?
John 7:26 – key text
Do the leaders know this is the Christ?
They should have known he was from God
We need to ask the question – who is Jesus Christ?
Quote from C S Lewis
Liar, lunatic or Lord?
Not just a good man with moral teaching
You cannot be neutral
Either "mad, bad or God"
Jesus had given a promise of living waters (7:37-42)
Overview
Who is the Christ?
What difference does it make if our leaders believe in Him?
How should we respond to some of the questions of our secular age
Who is the Christ?
There was confusion (7:12)
Jesus had gone to the feast
The question was ‘who is the Christ?’
Some said He was good
Some said He was a deceiver
Many were impressed by Him (7:15)
Example of His teaching (7:21-24)
The question comes – do the rules know He is the Christ (7:26)
It was a tense time
He was staying away from Galilee (7:1)
Many did not speak openly of him because of fear (9:22)
There was confusion
People wondered if He was to be killed (7:20)
Some are saying people are seeking to kill Jesus (7:25)
Jesus’ doctrine is clear
He has been sent from God the Father (7:16)
He knows God and has been sent by God (7:29)
Many had seen His miracles
Who is Jesus?
Sent from God
With the power to perform miracles (including resurrecting people from the dead)
The authority of the Father
He sought His Father’s glory
The one who provides rivers of living water (7:37)
The feast was celebrating God’s provision in the wilderness
The Jews were living in a spiritual desert
God would send the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
Luke 4:18
Challenge: who is Jesus Christ to you?
Has He satisfied your deepest longing?
Can you say you are satisfied, found, alive, with a quenched thirst
Example #1
Example #2: Ray Comfort
What do you think of Jesus Christ?
Do you know He is Lord and Saviour who can meet your deepest needs?
You must make a decision – liar, lunatic or Lord?
What difference does it make if our leaders believe in Him?
Do the rulers know that He truly is the Christ?
Great good may result – examples
7:44,51
Acts 5:34-39
Further examples
We are not dependent on this
When society is changed – it is rarely from the top down … but from the bottom up
Examples
We are to be thankful when we seeing things changing
Example of Jordan Peterson, Tom Holland, Glen Scrivener
Further examples
We put our confidence in God
Acts 2:22-24
Acts 4:25-28
How should we respond to some of the questions of our secular age
Time does not permit to look at this
Closing Remarks
Tell your own story – what God has done in your life
Have full confidence in the Bible
Do not fear, present your testimony, speak of Christ
Know the Bible – the power of God until salvation
Walk in holiness and loving God
Be genuine
Be kind – Example of Ray Comfort
People will notice your reaction