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!

• Hebrews 9:14-28

• Hebrews 9:15 – Some translations render this as “testament” rather than “covenant,” but this is clearly talking about a covenant relationship.

• Hebrews 9:16 – The word here often translated as “testator” is translated as “appointed” or other words in other places. This gives the erroneous idea that this is a legal will.

  • In this text:
    • There is a covenant maker.
    • There is a mediator.
    • There is a blood sacrifice.
    • The mediator is the sacrifice.
    • The mediator died for the redemption of those who lived under a former covenant.
    • Is parallel to the first covenant.

• Hebrews 9:19-22 – Both the book and the people were sprinkled with blood in the Old Covenant. Today we must be sprinkled with blood in a spiritual sense (i.e., blood purified) to be acceptable

People (made in the image of God)?

• Genesis 1:27; 5:1-3
• Genesis 9:6
• James 3:9
• In a sense, all people are people of God because He created us all. But God is looking for more than that!

… who descended from Abraham?

• Genesis 12:1-3
• Exodus 19:5-6 – Among all the people, Israel would be His special nation. Through them, Jesus would come into the world.
• Galatians 3:16
• Matthew 3:9

… who knew what God says?

• Luke 10:25-28 – Obedience is required!
• Romans 2:17-21 – Jews knew the law, but were they obeying it?

… who participate in acts of worship?

• Isaiah 1:10-17
• Isaiah 29:13-14
• Hosea 6:6
• True worship is good, but many worship in vain.

… who avoid sin?

• Matthew 25:24-30
• Luke 10:30-32 – The priest and Levite failed to love their neighbor when they had opportunity.
• I Thessalonians 5:22; 4:1
• Ephesians 5:15

Those who truly love God!

More than simply being humans, God’s people are those who conform to His spiritual image.

• Romans 8:29
• Colossians 3:9-11
• Ephesians 4:22

Regardless of lineage, God’s people are spiritual Jews.

• Galatians 3:7-9

Deeper than external actions, God’s people are those who love Him and thus obey.

• Deuteronomy 10:12-20

If I want to be one of the people of God, I need to give my heart and life completely to Him.