1. Why Jesus? Why Jesus? February 21, 2016

2. Why Jesus? Questions  Doesn’t science disprove or remove the need for God?  With so many religions, how can you tell which one is right?  Don’t they all basically say the same thing?

3. Why Jesus? Uniqueness of Jesus 1. Lived during verifiable history 2. Claimed to be God 3. Fulfilled prophecies 4. Rose from the dead 5. Changing lives today

4. Why Jesus? Lived During Verifiable History  27 New Testament books give accurate historical description of Jesus  Non-Biblical evidences  Tacitus – Roman historian born in 52 AD – wrote about Jesus that he was crucified by Pontius Pilate as the New Testament describes also  Flavius Josephus – Jewish historian born 37 AD – wrote about Jesus as a “wise man” who did amazing miracles, was crucified and then rose from the dead after 3 days  Seutonius, Pliny the Younger, Tertullian,Thallus, Plegnon  Jewish Talmuds – describe Jesus as hanged/crucified on the eve of the Passover, agree that Jesus performed signs and miracles  There is more historical evidence for Jesus Christ than for Julius Caesar.

5. Why Jesus? Claimed To Be God  No other main religious leaders – Moses, Paul, Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, Gandhi - claimed to be God  Jesus Claimed to be God  Mark 14:61 – Jesus was crucified because he claimed to be God - High priest asked Jesus "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." The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death.  John 10:30,33 – “I and the Father are one.”… “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”  John 8:58 - Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

6. Why Jesus? Jesus Fulfilled Messianic Prophecies  Over 300 specific prophecies in the Old Testament that Jesus fulfilled – most of which no person could control  Place of birth  Bethlehem – Micah 5:2  Time of ministry  483 years after decree to rebuild Jerusalem – Daniel 9:25; Ezra 6:3 (457 BC)  Born to a virgin – Isaiah 7:14  Tribe of Judah – Genesis 49:10  Spoke in parables; Performed Miracles – Ps 78:2-4; Isaiah 35:5-6  Betrayed – Psalm 41:9  How he would die – Isaiah 53:12; Psalm 22  Clothes divided – Psalm 22:18  No bones broken – Psalm 34:20  Pierced – Psalm 22:16  Rise from the dead – Psalm 16:10; Psalm 49:15

7. Why Jesus? Rose from the Dead - Evidence  Tomb is empty – discovered by women  Biblical and non-biblical historians testify  Disciples died for this truth – people don’t die for a lie  The Christian church was founded and grew as a result of this claim  Liar, Lunatic or Lord of All?

8. Why Jesus? Changing Lives Today  I believe in Jesus because he forgave my sin, changed my life, answers prayer and speaks to me  Many others’ lives have been changed  What about you?