Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?

“ I came to the conclusion long ago … that all religions were true and also that all had some error in them, and whilst I hold by my own, I should hold others as dear as Hinduism. So we can only pray, if we are Hindus, not that a Christian should become a Hindu … But our innermost prayer should be a Hindu should be a better Hindu, a Muslim a better Muslim, a Christian a better Christian.” (Young India, Gandhi ) Gandhi

Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord? Was Jesus merely a good moral man, with a profound moral message? Jesus seemed to regard His person and His teachings as inseparable. Jesus' claim to deity was central to His “moral” teaching.

“Why don't the names of Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius offend people “Why don't the names of Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius offend people? The reason is that these others didn't claim to be God, but Jesus did.” Josh McDowell

Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord? Jesus cannot be ignored!

“I am an historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.” H.G. Wells

Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord? Jesus cannot be ignored! If He spoke the truth, we must recognize His authority and the judgment that awaits. If He lied, He is either a hypocrite, a demon, or a fool. Which is He, a Liar, a Lunatic, or Lord?

The Boldest Claim John 5:17 “17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” John 5:17

The Boldest Claim John 5:17 “My Father” – a claim of a close personal relationship with the Divine “is working till now…” – the Jews felt that only God could continue work on the Sabbath “I Myself am working” – a claim of divine right

The Boldest Claim John 5:17 “18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.” John 5:18

3 Specific Claims to Deity The Boldest Claim John 5:17 3 Specific Claims to Deity The power of Life John 5:21 The authority to Judge John 5:22 The honor of God John 5:23

The Boldest Claim John 5:17 24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:24 Teaching and person connected

Four Undeniable Witnesses John 5:33-47 The Testimony of John Accepted as a prophet in the likeness of Elijah The people responded to his message with baptism “I myself have seen and testified that this is the Son of God” John 1:34

The Testimony of His Works Four Undeniable Witnesses John 5:33-47 The Testimony of His Works The miracles of Jesus simply confirmed the message of the prophets Isaiah 35:5-6 These works provided an external and undeniable witness Acts 2:22 Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah. New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Is 35:6.

The Testimony of the Father Four Undeniable Witnesses John 5:33-47 The Testimony of the Father God had spoken His witness of Jesus identity It was only through hardness of heart that this testimony could be ignored

The Testimony of Scripture Four Undeniable Witnesses John 5:33-47 The Testimony of Scripture The claim of the Law and the Prophets was being fulfilled before their eyes One could not reject the Christ and accept scripture

Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord? Conclusion The teachings of Jesus could not be separated from His claims of Deity None of these witnesses testified merely to a “good man” or a teacher of “morality” Who is Jesus in your mind, Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?

Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?