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.

Parent and child, continued

Introduction

• God identifies Himself as our Father.

Exercise tender love

Forgive

• Isaiah 1:18; 59:1-2, 9, 15-16, 20 – When we were at our worst, God forgave us.
• Hebrews 10:29 – Sin is an insult to God. But even so, He offers us forgiveness.
• Should we not follow God’s example and be willing to forgive?
• We teach our children to own up to their mistakes and apologize, which is all part of the path to forgiveness.
• Acts 26:20

Encourage

• I Thessalonians 2:5-12
• Parents should help and encourage their children.
• II Corinthians 7:16 – Would you say this to an unruly child?
• II Corinthians 8:7 – Paul is anticipating success!
• III John 1:1-4
• Look for ways to encourage your children!