SIX BIG TRUTHS ABOUT JESUS Presentation at the 2nd MEP Conference. Hotel Praia Mar Saturday, 8th October, 2005.

The Six Big Truths about Jesus 1.His Immaculate Conception 2.His Deity 3.That He died in our place 4.That He rose from the dead and ascended the Heavens 5.That He works in us trough His Spirit 6.That He will come back as judge

1. His Immaculate Conception. Exact fulfilment of the Scriptures Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah(33) Jesus believed (John 8.58 and 17.5) Qur’an “Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, He became man.”

Paul insists God Man Jehovah Witnesses It’s not enough Greatest preacher and master O Greatest Healer O Greatest Strategist Still not enough Jesus positions about him self do not leave any doubt 2. His Deity.

3. Jesus died in our place

How e Why Isaiah explained the diagnosis -..and the cure An illustration For what price Chocking Complete Singular Finished – it is finished

why was it necessary? Sacrificial system Jeremiah 31:31 “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself.” (2 Corinthians 5:19) A Contract “Ha Brit ha Ghadeshah” A refused forgiveness? Death

4. Jesus actually rose from the dead. Professor Joad’s question “if it is not true, we’re the most unhappy from men” “Without resurrection, our preaching and our faith are vain.” 1 Cor 15 Sir Edmund Clarke But questioned by some theologians Four good evidences

a. The Body Disappeared A made up story – stolen? Only two categories A.Friends – “They killed Him, but God gave Him life again and we are witnesses” B.Temple or Roman Authorities The body disappeared Perhaps the wrong tomb?? Perhaps ….?

The collapse theory – in fact he didn’t die? The Romans knew how to effectively kill Blood and Water – coagulum and serum = heart’s rupture Still breading when they took Him out of the cross?? Weakened by the whip and crucifixion 50 kilos of spices for the embalming CONCLUSION

b. The body had gone but not the clothes in the tomb “John saw the tomb and believed” John 20:8 What’s the difference between Him and Lazarus ?

John is very precise in John 20:7 As strips ceded to the weight of the spices of the embalming. The head and the body were rolled up separately. He didn’t resurged like Lazarus but He RESURRECTED

c. The Lord was seen by…. Mary Magdalene Emmaus Disciples The ten in the Cenacle The eleven By 500 in Galilee By James By Peter and by the group of disciples fishing In the moment of His Ascension By Paul on the road to Damascus

Possible Explanations? Invention Hallucination Fulfilment of a wish Strauss “It was his love that resurrect Jesus!” Only one remains – it was true!

d. Evidences Final Element All of those who have been with the Lord Resurrected were modified. Four examples is enough: Peter James Thomas Paul Sabbath on Sunday

Recapitulation The six big truths 1.His Immaculate Conception 2.His Deity 3.That He died for us 4.That He rose from the dead 5.That He now works among us

5. Jesus now works among us trough His Holy Spirit. Why isn’t there more evidences especially in the Western? Difficult - Alpha Nicky Gumble Disturber - Supernatural non familiar (99%) Difficult to discern - Pray and Plan Devilish Opposition -“Spiritual War”

Without the Lord acting among us trough His Spirit… No dynamics – only our ideas – not His’ No power No fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22 No spiritual gifts Eph 4:11

6. Jesus will come back as Judge. “The Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” John 5:22 All believers shall give account of themselves to God. Rom 14:12

There is good and bad news... “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish.” John 3:16 “Whoever does not believe stands condemned already.” John 3:18

The good news... “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned;” John 5:24 The believer shall not die. Spared, not based on our behaviour, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rom 3:23; but only because Jesus paid for our sins.

What should we do? Be sure that we have passed “from death to life” 1 John 3:14... Accepting the contract Ready to explain the reason for the hope. Praying for opportunities to speak We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. 2 Cor 5:17 – 21