Who is Jesus?

Who Is Jesus?

Bible Readings:Colossians 1:13-23 (Page 833)John 2:1-11 (Page 751)

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Tuesday, 17 March 2015

• Start with the creation. (Paul, Acts 17)

• Start from within their culture if possible;e.g. ancient Chinese belief in Shang Di - the Supreme God Who made all things.

• God made everything good.

• The first man and woman were deceived and disobeyed God.

• Death, sickness and sorrow entered the world.

• Disobedience (sin) separated man from God the source of life and happiness.

• God loves people and does not want to lose anyone.

Telling People About Jesus. Where do you Start?

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• God sent Jesus to tell people the truth about Him.

• Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice for everyone’s sin.

• Jesus took our sin upon Himself and gave us His goodness and eternal life.

• Jesus died a cruel death on a cross but God raised Him to life three days later and many people saw Him and talked to Him.

• God caused all these truths to be recorded in the Bible.

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• Your own personal story.

• Why you know Jesus is alive and has changed your life for good.

• Invite them to ask God to show them how much He loves them.

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• Ask what they know of the Prophet Isha in the Koran.

• Be aware that many Muslims have been told things about Christians which are not true.

• Never speak against the Koran. Invite them to look at some verses in your Holy book about Isha (Jesus).

• Invite them to ask God to show them how much He loves them.

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People with different religious backgrounds - Muslims

Telling People About Jesus. Where do you start?


• Learn a little about what Buddha taught and what people who say they are Buddhists actually believe.

• Buddha’s teaching about karma is very close to the Old Testament teaching about sin.

• When talking to Hindus we need to know something of what Hindus believe.

• Be a good listener.

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People with different religious back grounds - Buddhists and

Hindus

Telling People About Jesus. Where do you start?


1. Jesus was fully human.

2. Jesus was more than a great teacher.

3. Jesus overcame death.

4. Your personal experience.

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Four Great Facts About Jesus

Telling People About Jesus.


• Jesus was born and lived in this world at a definite time and place in history.

• “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:1–7, NIV84)

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1. Jesus was fully human


• Jesus had all the normal human feelings and experiences; e.g. Jesus in the Temple.

• On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” (Mark 11:15–17, NIV84)

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1. Jesus was fully human


• Jesus did things that only God can do.

• “Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then He told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. . . . .This, the first of His miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples put their faith in Him.” (John 2:7–11)

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2. Jesus was more than a great teacher



• Jesus did things that only God can do.

• “Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:23–27)

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• Jesus said things that only God can truly say.

• “Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9)

• “But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:61–62,

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• Jesus died on the cross.

• Jesus’ body was sealed in a tomb for three days.

• The tomb was found empty and many saw Him, talked to Him and even touched Him after He rose from death.

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 Paul’s testimony and personal experience.

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3. Jesus overcame death: John 20



• You know that Jesus is alive today

• We can know Him spiritually.

• He has changed your life for the better.

• Millions of people in every land for 2000 years have had a personal spiritual experience of Jesus.

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4. Your own personal experience



1. Jesus was fully human.

2. Jesus was more than a great teacher.

3. Jesus overcame death.

4. Your personal experience.

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Telling People About Jesus


Spiritual

Who is Jesus?