Jesus is Alive Again--A Really Big Deal

• Theory #1 – Jesus’ Body was stolen. Matthew 28:2-4, 11-15; John 20:8-9
• Theory #2 – The women went to the wrong tomb.
• Theory #3 – Jesus’ Resurrection was an hallucination. John 20:24-29
• The Truth – Jesus is alive again.
• Jesus predicted it. Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22-23; Matthew 26:32; Matthew 27:62-64
• Eye-witnesses saw it. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
• History supports it. Acts 2:22-24; 1 Corinthians 15:17; John 14:6; John 1:12

Jesus Died--A Really Big Deal!

2 Corinthians 5:21

• False Claim #1 – Jesus was not supposed to die. Matthew 20:28
• False Claim #2 – Jesus did not really die on the cross.
• False Claim #3 – Jesus was never actually crucified.

The Truth – Jesus died on the Cross in your place. 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:4-6

• The beneficiaries of Christ’s death are those who believe. John 1:12; John 3:16; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8
• The benefactor is God Himself. John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Hebrews 10:11
• Our substitute is Jesus Himself. Romans 3:23; Hebrews 4:15; Isaiah 53:4-6; John 10:18
• The benefit is becoming righteous in God’s sight. Philippians 3:9

Who is Jesus Really?

Matthew 26:57-68

• Claim #1 – Jesus Was Just A Good Moral Teacher.
• Claim #2 – Jesus Is A Myth. (“Myth” - an invented story, a fictitious person )
• Jesus is a myth can mean He never actually existed in history.
• Jesus is a myth can mean His uniqueness was a legend made up by His followers.
• Claim #3 – Jesus Is The Son Of God. Matthew 26:62-67; John 8:57-59 ; John 10:30-33
• Jesus is believable because of His sinless life. Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22
• Jesus is believable because of His miracles. John 2:18-22; John 11:23-27, 38-44
• Jesus is believable because of His fulfilled prophesies.

If Jesus is God’s Son then…

• God must exist and He can be known through Jesus.
• Jesus’ life gives us a clear picture of what is the best way to live and how to find true meaning and fulfillment in life.
• Jesus’ death gives us a clear path to experiencing God’s love and presence and to live with God forever.
• Jesus is alive here and now.

WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?
Matthew 16:15-17

Temptation – What Did Jesus Do?

Matthew 4:1-11

• Introduction

• “Temptation” means to try, attempt, put to the test, entice.
• Temptation is both an enticement to sin and a test which can enrich the spiritual life.  James 1:1-4, 13-15
• Temptation to sin is always based on a lie  John 8:44
• Temptation #1– Jesus, go ahead and meet your own physical needs (v. 3-4). John 5:19; Philippians 4:19
• The lie behind the temptation:
• Your physical needs should be priority one in your life.
• Or... you deserve to have your physical needs meet.
• Or... if you can meet your physical needs, there is no need to seek God in the matter, just go ahead and meet them.
• A sinful response: I will focus on making sure my physical and material needs are met and then look at God’s plan and will. Luke 12:15
• A Jesus-like response: I declare that living with God and for God takes priority over my physical well-being, since my life is more the just my physical existence. Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 10:32-35
• Temptation #2: Jesus, demand that God perform miracles in your life in order for you to trust Him (v. 5-7).
• The lie behind the temptation:
• God must perform miracles in your life for you to trust Him.
• Or… God must always keep you safe from harm for you to trust Him. John 16:33; John 15:20; 1 Peter 4:12-13
• A sinful response: I will not trust in a God that will not keep me safe or does not prove Himself by performing miracles for me.
• A Jesus-like response: I trust God with my life to do what is best and refuse to demand additional proof from Him. Job 1:21; Luke 16:31; John 20:29
• Temptation #3 - Jesus, grasp power, authority and success for yourself now, while here on earth (v. 8-10). Philippians 2:9-11 ; Matthew 23:5-7
• A lie behind the temptation: it is best for you to grab what you can get now and not wait for God’s plan to unfold.
• A sinful response: I am in charge of my life so I will accomplish all I can while I can. James 4:6
• A Jesus-like response: I declare my allegiance to God and His plan for my life. Deuteronomy 6:4-5