Introduction

• I Peter 2:12

React to events like a Christian

• Matthew 5:13-16
• Matthew 5:10-12 – Christians react differently to events.
• Acts 5:40-41 – They rejoiced after being beaten! They were happy to be persecuted for the sake of Christ.
• Philippians 1:12-14 – Good was coming out of Paul’s imprisonment.

Admit to past sin

• Galatians 1:23-24 – People glorified God because of the change they saw in Paul.
• I Timothy 1:13-15 – Paul’s life was an example of how Christ came to save sinners.

Say things that bring out the spiritual side

• Titus 2:7-8
• Every day is an opportunity to put something spiritual in someone’s mind.
• Acts 9:1; Romans 1:7 – Paul’s speech changed when he became a Christian.
• I Peter 4:11

Invite someone to learn about Jesus

• John 4:7-30, 39-42 – The Samaritan woman was one of the most effective personal workers in the New Testament. All she did was say, “Come see!”

• Hebrews 10:1-27
• Hebrews 10:1-4 – Under the Law of Moses, sins were remembered every year and the debt was rolled forward. When Jesus came, the debt was paid in full, never to be charged again.
• Hebrews 10:5-10 – Animal blood could never accomplish what Jesus’ sacrifice was able to do. The message of the Old Covenant was that Jesus was coming to take away sins. He took away the first covenant so He could establish the second. Note that in verse 10, “will” is God’s will – it’s not referring to a legal will and testament. It’s simply saying that Jesus came to do God’s will.
• Hebrews 10:11-14 – See Romans 15:25. The last enemy Christ will destroy is death.
• Hebrews 10:15-18 – The verse quoted here is Jeremiah 31:31-34. Jeremiah prophesied that God would make a new covenant with man.
• Hebrews 10:19-25 – Let us be sure that we are encouraging others to good works (Ephesians 2:9). As Christians, we should not be constantly complaining. In verse 25, the word translated “forsaking” means “abandonment.” The purpose of assembling is to encourage each other to love and good works (Colossians 3:16).

Introduction

• Titus 1:1

The journey may surprise us

• Genesis 37:2-11, 28, 36; 39:20; 40:14, 23; 41:1; 46:29-30 – There was nothing obvious about how Joseph’s story would work out!
• I Corinthians 10:13 – How will God keep this promise in various circumstances? It could be something we don’t expect. It could be through external factors or through my own practice and training.

Some promises have conditions attached

• Genesis 12:5-7 – God made this promise to Abram while he was standing in the land of Canaan! See Acts 7:5.
• Joshua 23:14-16 – The land promise was contingent on them continuing to serve God.
• Colossians 1:21-23 – The promise of salvation has conditions!
• Hebrews 3:1-14; 4:1, 11 – Stay faithful! Don’t fall away.

God can work out the details

• Genesis 17:19
• Genesis 22:2 – Abraham trusted God to work out the details.
• Hebrews 11:17-19
• I John 5:14

Conclusion

• God’s word is a solid foundation. Let us be thankful for His promises!

Parent and child, continued:

Exercise tender love, continued

Listen

• I Peter 5:6-7 – God wants us to pray to Him.
• Listen to your children, even if what they are saying seems insignificant to you. It is significant to them!

Teach

• Deuteronomy 6:7-9 – The Israelites were told to teach their children all the time – not just once in a while.
• Proverbs 1:8; 6:20
• If we don’t teach our children about spiritual things, it is neglect!
• Joshua 4:4-7 – God set up memorials in part to help teach children. When children would see the memorials, it would give the parents an opportunity to teach them about God.
• II Timothy 3:16-17

Exercise tough love

Ephesians 6:1-4

• Obey your parents!
  • Romans 1:30
  • Obey your parents because this is right (Ephesians 6:1).
  • To teach your children not to obey, let them whine and throw a tantrum, then reward them by giving them what they want.
  • Colossians 3:20
  • I John 5:3

Introduction

• Luke 1:1-4, 31
• Luke 3:23-28 – Jesus was real – here is His family!
• Luke 4:14-15
• Luke 19:37 – Jesus performed miracles and gained notoriety.
• Luke 22:54 – Jesus was arrested.
• Luke 23:1, 4, 20, 24, 33, 46 – Jesus was crucified.
• Luke 24:1-7 – Jesus rose from the dead!
• Luke 24:46-53 – Jesus ascended into heaven!
• Acts 1:1-4 – Luke wrote a sequel.
• Acts 2 – The gospel is preached at Pentecost.
• Many doubt the veracity of the New Testament.

Hostile and secular writers

Tacitus, Annals XV.44 (AD 110-120)

• He mentioned Jesus as a historical figure who was executed by Pilate. He also mentioned the persecution of Christians.

Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars (AD 120)

• Reference to Claudius persecuting Jews (see Acts 18:1-2).

Pliny the Younger, Letter 96 (AD 110)

• Reference to persecution of Christians.

Lucian of Samosata, The Death of Peregrine (AD 125-180)

• Reference to Christians, their beliefs, and their “crucified sage.”

Mara bar Serapion, Letter (AD 70)

• Reference to Jesus as a real person.

Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews (AD 93-94)

• Born AD 37
• Pharisee at age 19
• Later, a historian for the Romans.
• He made reference to Jesus, His brother James, His miracles, and His resurrection (see Matthew 13:55).

Christian writers

• Clement of Rome (AD 30-100)
• Polycarp (AD 69-155)
• Ignatius (AD 70-110)
• Justin Martyr (AD 100-165)
• Quadratus (AD 125)
• Irenaeus (AD 130-202)
• Aristides (2nd century AD)
• Clement of Alexandria (AD 150-215)
• Tertullian (AD 160-215)
• Origen (AD 185-253)

Conclusion

• Further reading: Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
• There is ample evidence for Jesus if we will look for it!