epiphany

The Verdict, part 1
Introduction Illustration:  Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Newsweek Takes on the New Testament
Newsweek magazine has launched a frontal attack upon Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ," but the real target of the magazine's article is the truthfulness of the Bible itself. In "Who Really Killed Jesus?: What History Teaches Us," Newsweek's February 16 cover story, writer Jon Meacham labels Gibson's movie "controversial," "powerful," and "troubling." More seriously, he blasts the movie as anti-Semitic and potentially dangerous. Newsweek raises the specter of a new wave of anti-Semitism spreading across the world, directly due to the influence of "The Passion of the Christ."
Why would Meacham be surprised that Gibson turned to the Bible as the historical source for his movie? According to Newsweek, the Bible is simply not to be trusted. Mincing no words, Meacham describes the Bible as "a problematic source." In his words: "Though countless believers take it as the immutable word of God, Scripture is not always a faithful record of historical events; the Bible is the product of human authors who were writing at particular times and places with particular points to make and visions to advance."
Why was this guy chosen to write such an article?  Editor Mark Whitaker remarked that he had chosen managing editor Meacham to write this article because he is "an observant Episcopalian" who studied biblical history at the University of the South in Sewanee and "has remained a close follower of religious scholarship."
Meacham may be a follower of religious scholarship, but his interest seems directed only at scholarship of a liberal bent. Whitaker stated that Meacham "dusted off his old textbooks and spoke to Christian and Jewish leaders and experts" in the development of his story. It is too bad he did not consult more conservative sources.
People now as before are questioning the authenticity of the Bible and the real killer of Jesus.
Next week we will begin examining the authenticity of the Bible by reviewing the 
(1) manuscripts reliability
(2) internal evidences
(3) external evidences
You cannot use proofs, you have to use evidences.
Proofs do not authenticate the situation of history.  Only the evidences can authenticate history.
Today we will be able to view: The Indictment of Christ
Who is He?
Some called him a Liar
Some called him a Lunatic
Some call him Lord
Title:   The indictment of Christ:  Liar, Lunatic or Lord … an introduction to an agnostic sermon.
We will place the claims of God on trial.  Can we prove the evidences?  1 John 4; 1 Tim. 4
I. Jesus was
a. despised (v. 3a)
i. 3 He was despised and forsaken of men,
ii. 'He (is one who) ceases from men;' i.e., He is no longer regarded as a man
iii. Isa 49:7
1. 7 This is what the LORD says-- the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel--to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: "Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."
b. discounted (v. 3c)
i. He was discounted in such a way that people ran from His very essence.
1. They hid their face from Him, as a man with a disease would hide himself.
ii. 3 And like one from whom men hide their face
iii. Lev 13:45-46 45 "The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, 'Unclean! Unclean!' 
c. dismissed (v. 3d)
i. 3 He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
ii. Isa 52:13-15 The Exalted Servant (written at 681 BC)
1. 13 Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted. 14 Just as many were astonished at you, My people, So His appearance was marred more than any man And His form more than the sons of men. 15 Thus He will sprinkle many nations, Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him; For what had not been told them they will see, And what they had not heard they will understand.  (Hebrews 10 – one sacrifice of Christ is sufficient)
Transition:  He was dismissed by the people because of their disturbing feelings.
II. People were
a. disturbed because of their own status quo
i. They thought that they were something special and measured Him by their own status.
ii. v.2 - He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.
iii. He was considered ordinary due to appearance
1. Birth Appearance
a. He came in a manger and not on a steed.
2. Everyday Association Appearance
a. He associated with sinners and blasted the “righteous”
3. Physical Appearance
a. He was not materialistic.
b. He didn’t dress or look rich.
c. He was physically unattractive
iv. They were disturbed, so how did they react?
1. v. 9a,b - 9 His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death,
a. v. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked - rather, 'His grave was appointed,' or 'they appointed Him His grave with the wicked'
i. they intended (by crucifying Him with two thieves, Matt 27:38) that He should have His grave "with the wicked" (cf. John 19:31)
ii. the denial of honorable burial being accounted a great ignominy (note, Isa 14:19; Jer 26:23).
b. wanted to destroy Him (v. 8a)
i. The Sanhedrin wanted him gone.
1. They saw him as a liar and wanted Him gone.
ii. 8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away; 
iii. Acts 8:33
1. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth."
iv. He was taken away by oppression and a judicial sentence.
1. Isa 53:8
2. He was treated as one so mean that a fair trial was denied Him (Matt 26:59; Mark 14:55-59).
3. Both His betrayer and His judge declared His innocence.
v. These people simply wanted Him gone.
c. and were disinterested (v. 9c,d)
i. 9 c, d Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.
ii. They were not interested in what He was about.
1. The Romans were not interested because they saw no fault in Him.
2. Luke 23: 1 – 25
a. Caesar and Pilate did not see any crime, they only saw a man claiming to be deity.
b. They saw a Lunatic.
iii. He had done no crime, so the Sanhedrin had to bring about false accusers to condemn Him.
1. This was in hopes of getting people interested to get rid of Him.
d. defiant at His teachings (v. 5a, b)
i. Defiant at His teachings, insomuch that He was pierced by us for those teachings.
ii. Isa 53:5a, b But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities;
iii. Physical piercing reflective of that found in Psalm 22:16
1. The Cause for which He suffered, not His own, but our sins
a. Rom. 4:25 - He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification
b. 2 Cor. 5:21 - He made Him who knew no sin to be  sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
c. Heb. 9:28 - so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.
d. 1 Pet. 3:18 - For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,
2. He was bruised (NIV) - with crushing inward and outward suffering (note, Isa 53:10).
Transition:  This inward and outward crushing came from where?  Did the Jews do it, did the Romans do it, did we do it?  Who sent Him to the cross?
III. God was
a. delivering us because Christ was our suffering substitute
i. 10 But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, …11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied;
ii. God killed the Christ.
1. If God didn’t want Him there, then He would not have been there.
2. Christ was sent here for a mission, and that was to be the ultimate sacrifice.
b. determined to provide a way
i. 11 By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities.
c. not deterred from delivery.
i. 10 But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His  offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.
ii. Why was He not deterred?
1. Because God will see His offspring.
2. He will prolong His days
3. And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.
II. Invitation
a. How are you living your life?
i. Is He a liar, like the Sanhedrin sees Him?
1. Are you calling Him Lord and yet not obeying what His word says? (Luke 6: 46)
2. you are living a life that acknowledges His existence, but your walk calls His words false.
ii. Is He a lunatic, as the Romans see Him?
1. Do you completely dismiss Him altogether?
2. You may say that He exists, but has nothing to do with Him.
iii. Is He Lord, as Peter saw Him?
1. Are you truly connected to him as a vine is to a branch?
2. Luke 15: 4,5, 10
3. 4 " Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.  5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing:10 " If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

The Trial Begins: Opening Statements - A Look at the
Evidence
The Bible is a reliable record of actual events and conversations
If this is true, then what the Bible has to say about Jesus is true.
If this is true, then the claims that Jesus said is true.
If what He said about the rest of this book and God must be true.
It’s not a matter of proving anything it is a matter of examining the evidence
The trustworthiness of any historical account is judged on the basis of evidence, not proof.
Tomorrow you may go back to your regular routine of life and tell someone that I went to Epiphany Baptist Church yesterday.
They say prove it
I got a bulletin … that doesn’t prove anything
I got a tape … that doesn’t prove anything
Hey Fred didn’t you see me there yesterday at church… that doesn’t prove anything.
You can only prove what is observable and repeatable.
What is the evidence and we make a decision based on evidence
When drawing conclusions about evidence, probability takes precedence over possibility.
It’s possible you found the bulletin
It’s possible you got the tape
It’s possible you got to Fred earlier and talked him into saying what he said.
But is it probable?  No.
In the legal system you hear the phrase, probable cause, not the possible cause because there are 50 possibilities, but what is the most probable cause based on the evidence.  That is how it is determined and that is how we view history.
Illustration:
I had a friend that when he got out of High school his parents bought him a truck. It was a truck that had a real and distinguishable bumper on it.  Nowaday cars you can’t even tell where the bumpers are, but on this truck it had the good ole American steel wrap around with a rubber trim in the middle of the bumper.
Well he was driving it in town when he came to an intersection and a little Volvo came whipping around the corner and crashed into this truck.  The Volvo’s engine had fallen out on the ground.  The hood was all bent up and there were liquids all over the ground.  You could not even tell that the truck had been hit.  He never even took it in to be fixed.  The Volvo was totaled.
He drove the car to the other side of the road and waiting for the policeman to get there.  Well the policman got there and he pulled on the side of the Volvo and got out and started chatting with the driver of the Volvo.  My friend was on the other side of the road trying to get across to speak with the officer as well.  While he was trying to make his way over he noticed that the officer was talking to the driver and looking at the front of the Volvo then looked in front of the car, then looked at the front Volvo and looked in front of the car.  The policeman pulled out his notepad and kept looking.  My friend looked at the middle of the road and saw a dead opossum there, that had been dead there since the night before.  My friend walks up to the officer and he had a grin on his face and asked my friend, did this opossum do all that?
Is that possible for the opossum?  Yeah maybe for the bionic possible.
If the Volvo driver got out of the car and said, that my friend actually jumped out of his car with a sledge hammer and beat the Volvo then as a passerby came by he threw the hammer in the back of the passerbys truck and that’s how the Volvo is totaled.  Is it possible .. Yeah, but probable, no
When it comes to possibility you can look at any event in history and come up with any possible scenario, but the question is:
Ask: in light of the evidence what is the most probable situation?
16:04
We as 21st century people can realize
- We cannot easily dismiss activity in which we are 2000 years removed.
- We cannot accept nor dismiss activity of the past on our own.
- We must incorporate the evidences that we have.
o The evidences do not completely prove nor disprove anything, but it shows what is probable.
o It is impossible to disprove a square circle, but it is probable due to observable scientific methods that it does not exist.
o It is impossible to prove anything.
 Whose to say that JFK didn’t die in a Washington hotel being cut by a kitchen knife.
• You say that this didn’t happen b/c of the video footage and the witnesses.
• I say to you that the video was performed by actors and the witnesses could be drunks.
• When you use the same argumentation in this case scenario that people today use against the Bible, it is obviously absurd thinking.
• We are know that JFK died by an assaination gun in Dallas, just like we ought to know that God is there and the Bible is authentic.
You may say that we need to just accept it by faith.
- What is faith?
o It is the belief in the unseen, not blindly accepting aspects.
o Faith does not have to be an aspect of our life that is not educated.
 Why is that … 1 Peter 3: 15
o Reason for Apologetics (1 Peter 3: 15) - 1 Peter 3:15
 “15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”
o Apologetics – the art and discipline of defending.
 The purpose of apologetics is to make a rational appeal to those outside of Christianity to create and intelligent understanding of Christianity and to remove legal disabilities from it.
- Early Christian Apologetics
o Justin Martyr (100 – 165)– First Apology, Second Apology, Dialogue with Trypho, born of pagan parents, came to Christianity intellectually through research.
o Tertullian (160 – 225) was an outstanding apologist of the Western Church  His logical latin mind was devoted to the development of a sound Western theology and the defeat of all false philosophical and pagan forces opposed to Christianity.
At least three levels of apologetics can be identified. 
• The first & most common level is experiential, God working directly in our lives. 
• Personal encounter with God is a subjective but valid testimony of Christianity. 
• The other two levels of apologetics are more objective in nature. 
• These are the two formal branches of apologetics: evidential & presuppositional. 
• Evidential apologetics concentrates on the legal & historical evidences. Presuppositional apologetics emphasizes the claims of Christianity. 
• This branch considers philosophical claims which addresses meaning in life. 
Wind argument
Mother’s love argument
The Big Bang - a BIG problem
The Big Bang presents a big problem for the atheist (at least for those who have really thought about it). The Big Bang began about 14 billion years ago and will most likely continue to expand indefinitely, according to the latest scientific evidence. Even if it is found later that the universe contains enough matter to cause an eventual collapse of the universe, such a universe would end as the "Big Crunch" rather than expand to form another universe. For atheism to work, the universe must be eternal. Here is Andrei Linde's admission:
The first, and main, problem is the very existence of the big bang. One may wonder, What came before? If space-time did not exist then, how could everything appear from nothing? What arose first: the universe or the laws determining its evolution? Explaining this initial singularity-where and when it all began-still remains the most intractable problem of modern cosmology.6
Atheists' problem - Fine tuning of the universe
For example, recent supernova evidence has shown that the universe probably possesses a cosmological constant - a universal "repelling" force that accelerates the stretching of space as objects become further apart from each other. In order for the universe to contain stars and planets, this constant must be fine tuned to a level of a part in 10120. Such an extreme level of design is almost incomprehensible. In my discussion with atheists, several have told me that they are comfortable with the idea that such levels of fine-tuning could have occurred by chance in our single universe. Such a proposal is completely illogical, and, in fact, requires more blind faith than to believe that God designed the universe. In fact, in order to be a logic-based atheist (as opposed to a faith-based one), you must believe in the multi-universe theory. Not only that, but you must believe that there are more universes in existence than the number of all the subatomic particles that exist in our universe. Don't believe me? Here is what a recent article from Science says about this hypothetical "multiverse" spinning off an "infinity" of other universes:
Uncomfortable with the idea that physical parameters like lambda [cosmological constant] are simply lucky accidents, some cosmologists, including Hawking, have suggested that there have been an infinity of big bangs going off in a larger "multiverse," each with different values for these parameters. Only those values that are compatible with life could be observed by beings such as ourselves.7
Luck has no place in science, since all events must be probable (on the basis of all possible events) in order to actually occur.
Atheists' solution - untestable "science"
What scientific evidence exists to support the multiverse model? None! Not only is there no evidence, the physics of our own universe requires that we will never be able to obtain evidence about any other universe (even if it does exist). Therefore this belief is, and always will be, based solely upon blind faith (sounds like a new religion to me)! Why are some cosmologists "uncomfortable" with the idea that the cosmological constant (lambda) is so finely tuned? Simply because such fine tuning suggests design and (oh no!) a Designer. A hypothetical, untestable, complicated model of a super universe is the only alternative to belief in God. Such belief is not based upon science, since science requires that hypotheses be testable, but is based solely on the "hope" (i.e., belief) that there is no personal God to Whom we will be personally accountable.
Even evolutionists now admit that such ideas amount to nothing more than metaphysics. In a recent discussion of the origin of life, the The Origin-of-Life Foundation, Inc.® made the following admission:
"Appeals to multiple or "parallel" cosmoses or to an infinite number of cosmic "Big Bang/Crunch" oscillations as essential elements of proposed mechanisms are not acceptable in submissions due to a lack of empirical correlation and testability. Such beliefs are without hard physical evidence and must therefore be considered unfalsifiable, currently outside the methodology of scientific investigation to confirm or disprove, and therefore more mathematically theoretical and metaphysical than scientific in nature. Recent cosmological evidence also suggests insufficient mass for gravity to reverse continuing cosmic expansion. The best cosmological evidence thus far suggests the cosmos is finite rather than infinite in age."8
According to Paul Davies:
"Whether it is God, or man, who tosses the dice, turns out to depend on whether multiple universes really exist or not….If instead, the other universes are…ghost worlds, we must regard our existence as a miracle of such improbability that it is scarcely credible."
Theistic solution - measurable design
On the other hand, the deist says that God designed the universe with just the right laws of physics. Note that neither hypothesis is testable, but that the God hypothesis is much simpler. The naturalistic explanation requires the presence of a complicated, unproved super universe that has the capacity to randomly spew out an infinite number of universes with different laws of physics. How does this hypothetical super universe know how to do this? Why would it even want to do this? Ultimately, why should there be any universe at all? None of these questions are logically explained by naturalism. Only an intelligent Being would be motivated and expected to produce any kind of universe such as what we see. If we use Occam's razor, which states that one should use the simplest logical explanation for any phenomenon, we would eliminate the super universe/multi-universe explanation in favor of the simpler God-designed universe model.
Absolute Proof of God's Existence
Yes, you can get absolute proof of God's existence. One way to get proof is to die. I do not recommend this method if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. All who die get to see God. However, those who have rejected Him through their lives on earth are separated from God at the judgment, since He cannot have contact with those who insist upon holding onto their sinfulness.
An easier (and less risky) way to get proof of God's existence is to see if the promises of the Bible are true. The Bible says that if you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior that He will come into your life and that you will have a personal relationship with Him. But you need to believe first, so you can get started below. Once you believe, do the experiment and test the promises. You won't regret it.
I. Is God there?
Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274) a Dominican monk– “If the existence of God were demonstrated, this could only be from His effects” – Paul the Apostle states – The invisible things of Him are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made (Romans 1: 20)
Thomas’ Five Ways (Summa Theologica)
a. God’s existence can be demonstrated through five observances:
i. Argument of Motion
Prime (First) Mover
- this is how Aristotle approaches his understanding of God
- God is the supreme mover and the final cause of creation and movement.
1. Motion is evident.
a. For motion is nothing else than the reduction of something from potentiality to actuality.
2. Whatever is in motion has been put into motion by another
a. Nothing can be placed in the state of actuality from potentiality except by something in the state of actuality
3. It is impossible that a thing should be both mover and moved, i.e., that it should move itself.
4. Therefore, whatever is in motion must be put in motion by another.
5. This cannot go on to infinity, because then there would be no first mover, and, consequently, no other mover; seeing that subsequent movers move only inasmuch as they are put in motion by the first mover; as the staff moves only because it is put in motion by the hand.
6. Therefore it is necessary to arrive at a first mover, put on motion by no other; and this everyone understands to be God.
ii. Argument of Efficient Causation
1. There is no case known of a thing to be the efficient cause of itself, which would mean it would have to be prior (in existence) to itself.
2. It is impossible to go on to infinity past with this thought.
a. There must be a an initial cause to all effects.
3. If there is not a first cause, then there will be no ultimate effect.
4. There essentially needs to be a first cause to all effects
a. Therefore God
iii. Argument of Possibility and Necessity
1. In nature there are things that are possible to be and not to be.
2. If everything is possible not to be, then at one time there could have been nothing in existence.
a. Therefore, if at one time nothing was in existence, it would have been impossible for anything to have begun to exist; and thus even now nothing would be in existence – which is absurd.
b. Therefore not all beings are possible, but there must exist something that has necessary existence.
3. Now it is impossible to go on to infinity past in necessary thing which have their necessityh cause d by another, as has been already proved in regard to efficient causes.
4. Therefore we cannot but postulate the existence of some being having of itself its own necessity, and not receiving it from another, but rather causing in others their necessity.
a. Therefore God.
iv. Argument of Gradation – Rene Descartes adheres here in his Third Meditation. (Ontological Argument)
1. Among beings there are some more and some less good, true, noble, and the like.  But “more” and “less” are predicated of different things, according as they resemble in their different ways something which is the maximum.
2. Now the maximum in any genus is the cause of all in that guenus; as fire, which is the maximum of heat, is the cause of all hot things.
3. Therefore there must also be something which is to all beings thate cause of their being, goodness, and every other perfection; and this we call God.
4. For example, I have this idea called perfection, since I myself am not perfect, something perfect must have put it in my perspective.
v. Argument of Governance
The special argument based on the existence of order or design in the universe (also called the teleological argument)
1. We see things which lack intelligence, such as natural bodies, act for an end, and this is evident from from their acting alw2ays, or nearly always, in the same way, so as to obtain the best result.
2. By their design they achieve their purpose.
a. A tree naturally grows and with its leaves filter the carbon dioxide of the air into breathable oxygen.
3. Now whatever lacks intelligence cannot move toward an end, unless it be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence. – as the arrow  is shot to its mark by the archer.
4. Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God.

The Proper Cure for the Disease
John Warwick Montgomery tells us a parable:
• A great king (God) had a son (mankind) who had grown up out of contact with his father. While journeying in a distant province the son fell seriously ill. The doctor accompanying him (reason) was incapable of treating the disease, but the king, learning of his son's plight, sent instructions (the gospel) for the healing of the boy. However, the king's numerous enemies also discovered what had happened, and they likewise sent remedies - purporting to come from the king - which were actually poisonous (non-Christian religious and philosophical options). The son's solution to this dilemma was to evaluate the remedies by three tests: first, what each remedy revealed about his father (comparison being made with the likeness to the father possessed by the son himself); second, how accurately each remedy pictured the nature of the disease; and thirdly, how sound the various curative methods appeared to be. With the help of the doctor, the son finally made his decision in terms of the remedy that best satisfied all three tests. (1) 
Montgomery proposes three tests. The first test is "What each remedy revealed about the son's father. Evidence from the creation (2) strongly argues for the existence of a god who is personal, powerful, eternal, wise, and moral. The Bible declares all of these attributes of God.
Montgomery's second test is "How accurate each remedy pictures the nature of the disease." Many of the liberal and humanistic religions stress the basic goodness of man's nature. They say corruption comes from society. This goes contrary to the facts of history and logic. History reveals that man is not basically good; he is basically selfish and sinful. The liberal view is also illogical because society is a group of individual people. To blame the situation of the world on society is to blame it on people. This is exactly what the Bible teaches: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
Montgomery's third test is "How sound the various curative methods appear to be." If God has revealed Himself in propositional form, that revelation would have certain properties due to His infinite knowledge and moral perfection:
1. It would be entirely true - His infinite knowledge would prevent errors and His truthfulness would keep Him from deception. 
2. It would be a coherent unity therefore not self- contradictory. 
3. It would contain God's will for man and provide the motivation to live according to that will (3). 
God has revealed Himself in the Bible without error. The Bible itself claims this inerrancy (2 Timothy 3:16-17 (4); Matthew 5:18 (5); etc.). Let's look at some of the proofs for the Bible's claim to be the infallible word of God.
I. Authenticity of Scripture
a. The Bibliographical Test (Manuscript’s Reliability)
1. The Bibliographical test evaluates the textual transmission of a document. 
2. Unparalleled reliability is evidence of God's work of preserving revelation. 
Criticism of the Bible 
• Many claim the Bible has been copied so many times it is no longer accurate. 
• Is this claim really true? 
• Let's compare the Bible's manuscript quantity, age & accuracy to other literature. 
Manuscript Quantity 
• The table below compares copy age & quantity of the Bible to other literature. 
 
  
• The greater the quantity, the better the document has been preserved. 
• The second best preserved piece of ancient literature is Homer's Iliad. 
• The quantity of Bible manuscripts surpasses the Iliad by a factor of 38. 
• This attests to the reliability of the Bible & God’s preservation of His Word. 
Consider the time span between the original writing & the oldest existing copy. 
• The shorter the time span, the better the document has been preserved. 
• The best OT manuscript (Isaiah) is roughly the same as the Iliad (500 years). 
• The time span of a complete NT manuscript is 250 years, half that of the Iliad. 
• The best of the NT (parts of John) has a time span of 50 years. 
ii. The Bible's Uniqueness and Unity
The Bible was written by over 40 authors who came from just about every walk of life conceivable, including fisherman, kings, a butler, priests, and a tax collector. The 66 books of the Bible were written over a 1,500 year span in three languages on three continents with one theme and no contradictions. C.J. Sharp captures this miracle well:
• "If a fragment of stone were found in Italy, another in Asia Minor, another in Greece, another in Egypt, and on and on until sixty-six fragments had been found, and if when put together they fitted perfectly together, making a perfect statue of Venus de Milo, there is not an artist or scientist but would arrive immediately at the conclusion that there was originally a sculptor who conceived and carved the statue. The very lines and perfections would probably determine which of the great ancient artists carved the statue. Not only the unity of the Scriptures, but their lines of perfection, suggest One far above any human as the real author. That could be no one but God (16)." 
• The Bible’s manuscript reliability attests to God’s preservation of His Word. 
b. External Evidences
i. Extra Biblical Sources
1. Historicity of Jesus
A case in point is the historicity of Jesus. Although many atheists state that Jesus never lived, He is mentioned by many contemporary, non-Christian historians. Let us look at the evidence.
2. There are over 39 extra-biblical sources that attest to over one hundred facts regarding the life and teachings of Jesus. 
3. Josephus- Jewish historian (37 A.D.–100 A.D.) recorded the history of the Jewish people in Palestine from 70 A.D. to 100 A.D. In his work Antiquities, he states:
Now there was about this time, Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the gentiles. He was the Christ and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him. For he appeared alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct to this day.{2} 
4. Pliny the Younger, Emperor of Bythynia in northwestern Turkey, writing to Emperor Trajan in 112 A.D. writes:
They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang an anthem to Christ as God, and bound themselves by a solemn oath not to commit any wicked deed, but to abstain from all fraud, theft and adultery, never to break their word, or deny a trust when called upon to honor it; after which it was their custom to separate, and then meet again to partake of food, but ordinary and innocent kind.
5. Tacitus. In 115 A.D. he recorded Nero's persecution of the Christians, in the process of which he wrote the following:
Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judea, . . . but even in Rome.{3}
ii. Archeaology
1. Archaeological evidence
The Rocks will Cry My name – Luke 19: 40 - Luke 19:40
40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
Illustration:  Nelson Glueck, a respected Jewish archaeologist claims: "It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever contradicted a biblical reference ." (6)
The Mormon claim for inspiration of the Book of Mormon has been categorically condemned by the Smithsonian Institute because of the fallacies shown by archaeology; this is not so with the Bible.
c. The accuracy of the Gospels has been supported by archaeology. The names of many of the Israelite cities, events, and people described in them have now been located. Here are a few examples.
i. Ancient Cities found
The Gospels mention four neighboring and well-populated coastal cities along the Sea of Galilee: Capernaum, Bethsaida, Chorazin, and Tiberias. Jesus performed many miracles in the first three cities. Despite this testimony, these cities rejected Jesus and therefore were cursed by Him (Matt. 11:20-24; Luke 10:12-16). These cities eventually disappeared from history and their locations remained missing for centuries. Their demise fulfills the prophetic condemnation of Jesus.
Only recently has archaeology recovered their possible locations. Tell Hum is believed to be Capernaum. (A "tell" is a mound or elevated land that has arisen by repeated and long-term rebuilding of the same site. Layers of civilizations can be found at different strata). The locations of Bethsaida and Chorazin still remain unconfirmed, but the present site at a tell 1.5 miles north of the Galilean shoreline is believed to be Bethsaida, while Tell Khirbet Kerezah, 2.5 miles northwest of Capernaum, is thought to be Chorazin. 
John's accuracy has also been attested to by recent discoveries. In John 5:1-15 Jesus heals a man at the Pool of Bethesda. John describes the pool as having five porticoes. This site had long been in dispute until recently. Forty feet underground, archaeologists discovered a pool with five porticoes, and the description of the surrounding area matches John's description. In 9:7 John mentions another long disputed site, the Pool of Siloam. However, this pool was also discovered in 1897, upholding the accuracy of John.
The Shroud of Turin
The Gospels record that after His crucifixion Jesus was wrapped in a long linen cloth and placed in the tomb (Matt. 27:59). John records that when Peter investigated the empty tomb, he found the burial cloth folded neatly next to where Christ once laid (20:6-7). 
A linen shroud called the Shroud of Turin, on display at the Vatican, has been claimed to be that burial cloth. It is 14.25 feet long and 3.5 feet wide. On it is an image with pierced wrists and ankles believed to be that of Christ. 
The shroud first appeared for public display sometime after 1357 in Lirey, France. A knight named Geoffrey de Charny brought the shroud to France. In 1453 de Charny's granddaughter gave the shroud to the Duke of Savoy who then in 1578 brought it to Turin, Italy. In 1983, it was willed to the Vatican. 
In 1898, Secondo Pia photographed the shroud and believed the image was a negative image like that of a photograph. This added to the mystery of the shroud since photography had not been invented during medieval times. In 1973 a group of experts confirmed the fact that no pigment of paint was found even under magnification. For many, this was proof of the shroud's authenticity.
The most extensive study was undertaken in 1977. An international team of Swiss, American, and Italian scientist studied the shroud for five days at the Savoy Royal Palace at Turin. They used six tons of equipment and 2.5 million dollars for their research. It has been one of the most intensely studied artifacts of all time. 
The study could not determine the authenticity of the fabric. Experiments that followed proved the image contained blood as well as aragonite, a particular calcium carbonate that is found in Jerusalem's first century tombs. Swiss criminologist Max Frei found forty-eight samples of pollen, of which seven could have come from plants in Palestine. The weave of the cloth was herringbone twill, a style that existed in ancient times. 
ii. The Bible and Science:  Archeaology (The Bible & Science: Harmony Expected)
1. Archaeology & history confirm the authenticity of the Bible & the reality of God. 
2. Modern science, however, has largely adopted an anti-supernatural position. 
3. Given this premise, it has rejected any form of miracle, especially big miracles. 
4. Its major difficulty with the Bible, therefore, is the creation & flood. 
5. While archaeology supports these events, scientific models vary greatly. 
6. Of course, Genesis 1-9 accounts for only 0.7 % of the total content of the Bible. 
7. Given the harmony of the Bible & history, harmony is also expected with science. 
3 Evidence Charts

The Verdict Sermon Series
Title:  The Trial Continues – Internal Evidences Authenticating Scripture.
Next Week:  What did the witnesses say?
Illustration:  A preacher and a priest were hammering a sign in the ground that said The End is Near...turn around now.  A driver yelled Get a job you religious nuts.  The driver drove past and went over the hill.  About that time the preacher and priest heard a splash.  The preacher asked should the sign say bridge is out.
Internal Evidences
Introductory Assumptions 
• Aristotle's dictum is a ground rule for this test. 
• This means a document is not assumed fraudulent unless it disqualifies itself. 
• Contradictions & factual inaccuracies are the basis for disqualification. 
i. Internal evidence examines a work's internal consistency for authenticity. 
ii. God's work of inspiration prevails over the Bible's finite & fallen authors.
I. The Reality Testimony (Supernatural Not Mythical)
a. Mythology is built around mythical people, places & events.
i. While the Bible speaks of the Supernatural, it differs from mythology.
ii. Supernatural events are in the context of historical people, places & events.
iii. It reports otherwise insignificant events for the sake of recording (Jn 8:6).
iv. The Bible's historical content distinguishes it from mythology.
Science disproves the mythological claims:
Recent scientific evidence is adding to the evidence supporting the reliability of biblical chronology from the scriptures. This study demonstrated the reliability of the Biblical record regarding the Egyptian plagues and demise of Jericho.
Drs. Hendrik J. Bruins and Johannes van der Plicht reported in the prestigious British journal, Nature (14), that the destruction of Jericho was dated to 1580 (+/- 13 years) B.C. (using 14C dating). This date is significant, since several archeologists have insisted that Jericho was destroyed by the Egyptians between 1550 and 1300 B.C. The recent study discredits the Egyptian theory, since the date is much too old.
What is even more exciting is that scientists, using 14C dating and tree rings, have found evidence of a volcanic eruption from the Aegean island of Thera, which recently has been dated to 1628 B.C. (15). This would place the eruption at 45 years prior to the destruction of Jericho, at a time which coincidentally corresponds to the time of the plagues the Lord unleashed upon Egypt. Check out Exodus 10:
• Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even a darkness which may be felt." So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. (Exodus 10:21-22) 
Even the researchers commented that the 45 years difference in events was "rather striking."
b. How Supernatural is it? (The Ugly Facts)
The Bible describes things an advocate of a religion would want to conceal.
i. A patriarch lies with his daughter-in-law thinking she was a harlot (Gen 38).
ii. Gruesome rape, abuse & bodily dismemberment is depicted (Jdg 19:22-30).
iii. Warrior, king & Biblical author David succumbs to adultery & murder (2 Sam 11).
iv. The cowardly actions of the disciples are revealed (Mk 14:50-52, Lk 22:54-62).
v. Sharp disagreements between apostles are noted (Acts 15:36-40, Gal 2:11-21).
vi. Gross failure of the church is not hidden (1 Cor 5, Rev 2-3).
vii. The inclusion of ugly facts supports the claim that the Bible is not fraudulent.
II. The Authentic Testimony (Five Factors of Credibility)
a. In the legal system, the credibility of witnesses depends on five factors.
i. These same five factors can be utilized to examine authors of the Bible.
Illustration:  This week I went to the hospital to visit someone.  The nurses questioned my ministers tag.
1.  Honesty of the Witness 
• Were the authors sincere, did they believe they were telling the truth? 
o In this case, honesty deals with sincerity not the correctness of the message. 
o Character & motive are considered in evaluating honesty. 
• Regarding character, were the authors good or bad people? 
o Their character is evidenced by their lack of hostility toward Judas & Pilot. 
o It is improbable that corrupt individuals could have created a perfect Jesus. 
• Regarding motive, what would be their earthly or heavenly incentive? 
o Failure would result from opposition to pagan, religious & political powers. 
o No heavenly reward could be expected by promoting a false message. 
• Therefore, Good character & lack of motive testify to the authors sincerity. 
2. Ability of the Witness 
• This criteria first examines the witness' power of observation & memory. 
o As Hebrews writing in Greek, the authors were above average in intelligence. 
o A tax collector (Matthew) & physician (Luke) required above average minds. 
o Their dignity & coverage of the ugly facts do not portray undue fanaticism. 
o The authors preached & later documented the message between 50-90 A.D. 
o Their message was common knowledge among others (Acts 2:22, 1 Cor 15:6). 
o Continued preaching acted as a corrective to inaccuracies (Act 18:24-26). 
o The message was not forgotten in this context but rather solidified. 
• The ability of the witness also considers their opportunity to observe. 
o An author's errors are lessened the closer they are to the actual events. 
o Matthew & John were disciples of Jesus (Mk 3:13-19). 
o Luke drew from eyewitness accounts (Lk 1:1-3). 
o History holds that the Apostle Peter dictated to Mark his gospel. 
• Therefore, the gospel writers are intelligent, sound witnesses of the life of Jesus. 
o As witnesses, they had outstanding ability & occasion to recall the facts. 
3. Number & Consistency of the Witnesses
• The gospels differ in style, level of detail & the quantity of events reported.
o Variation of this sort is typical of authentic parallel historical accounts.
o This type of variation in reporting testifies against conspiracy. 
• The four gospels have been paralleled along with the rest of the Bible. 
o Comparison of parallel accounts demonstrates outstanding consistency. 
o Information from parallel texts typically clarifies & completes the record. 
The Consistency of the prophetic word fulfilled through paralleled New Testament passages…
Prophecies display the Bibles consistency with itself.
I am not sure if you have studied it or not, but there are several contradictions between the book of Mormon and the Bible, but there are a huge number of contradiction between the book of Mormon and the Mormon's other religious documents.  The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price detail out more of the cultic behaviors and requirements of Mormons.  It gets very weird.
Prophetic evidence
Yet another reason Christians believe God is the ultimate author of the Bible is the predictive prophecies in the Bible. This aspect is unique to the world's religions because if one predicts something will happen and it does not, they are proven to be phony. The Bible is literally filled with detailed prophecies that have been fulfilled with 100% accuracy. Here is a list of 85 Messianic prophecies (click here for a more complete list) along with their fulfillment through the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus:
# Prophetic Scripture Subject Fulfilled
1 Genesis 3:15 seed of a woman Galatians 4:4
2 Genesis 12:3, Genesis 22:18 descendant of Abraham Matthew 1:1, Acts 3:25
3 Genesis 17:19, Genesis 21:12 descendant of Isaac Luke 3:34, Luke 3:23-24
4 Genesis 28:14, Numbers 24:17 descendant of Jacob Matthew 1:2, Luke 3:23-24
5 Genesis 49:10 from the tribe of Judah Luke 3:23-24, Luke 3:33
6 Isaiah 9:6, 11:1-5, Jeremiah 23:5-6 descendant of David Matthew 1:1, Luke 3:23-24
7 Isaiah 11:1 descendant of Jesse Luke 3:23-24
8 Ezekiel 37:24 will shepherd His people Matthew 2:6
9 Isaiah 9:7 heir to the throne of David Luke 1:32-33
10 Micah 5:2 His pre-existence Colossians 1:17
11 Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:1 eternal existence John 8:58, 11, 14, Ephesians 1:3-14, Colossians 1:15-19
12 Psalms 45:6-7, Psalms 102:25-27 anointed and eternal Hebrews 1:8-12
13 Psalms 110:1 called Lord Matthew 22:43-45
14 Isaiah 33:22 judge John 5:30
15 Psalms 2:6 king Matthew 27:37
16 Micah 5:2 born in Bethlehem Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:4-5, 7
17 Daniel 9:25 time for His birth Matthew 2:1, 16, 19, Luke 2:1-2
18 Isaiah 7:14 to be born of a virgin Matthew 1:18, 24, 25, Luke 1:26-27, 30-31
19 Psalms 72:9 worshipped by shepherds Luke 2:8-15
20 Psalms 72:10 honored by great kings Matthew 2:1-11
21 Jeremiah 31:15 slaughter of children Matthew 2:16-18
22 Hosea 11:1 flight to Egypt Matthew 2:14-15
23 Isaiah 40:3-5 the way prepared Matthew 3:1,2, Luke 3:3-6
24 Malachi 3:1 preceded by a forerunner Luke 7:24, 27
25 Malachi 4:5-6 preceded by Elijah Matthew 11:13-14
26 Psalms 2:7, Proverbs 30:4 declared the Son of God Matthew 3:17, Luke 1:32
27 Isaiah 9:5-6, Jeremiah 23:5-6 God's name applied to Him Romans 10:9, Philippians 2:9-11
28 Isaiah 11:2, 61:1, Psalms 45:8 anointment of Holy Spirit Matthew 3:16, 17, John 3:34, Acts 10:38
29 Isaiah 9:1-2 Galilean ministry Matthew 4:13-16
30 Psalms 78:2-4 speaks in parables Matthew 13:34-35
31 Isaiah 56:7, Jeremiah 7:11 temple becomes a house of merchandise instead of prayer Matthew 21:13
32 Psalms 69:9 zeal of Jews for the temple instead of God John 2:17
33 Deuteronomy 18:15, 18 a prophet Matthew 21:11, Acts 3:20, 22
34 Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah 35:5-6 blind, deaf, and lame are healed by the Messiah Luke 7:22, Matthew 9:35, 11:3-5
35 Isaiah 40:11, 42:2-3, Isaiah 53:7 Messiah will be meek and mild Matthew 12:18-20, Matthew 11:29, Hebrews 4:15
36 Isaiah 53:9 Be sinless and without guile 1 Peter 2:22
37 Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 49:1 will minister to Gentiles Matthew 12:18-21Luke 2:32
38 Isaiah 61:1-2 to bind up the brokenhearted Luke 4:18-19
39 Isaiah 53:12, Isaiah 59:16 to intercede for the people Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25
40 Isaiah 53:3, 8:14, 28:16, 63:3, Psalms 69:6, 118:22 rejected by His own people, the Jews John 1:11, 7:5,48, Luke 23:18, Acts 4:11, 1 Peter 2:6-8
41 Psalms 118:22 Be rejected by the Jewish leadership Matthew 21:42, John 7:48
42 Psalms 2:1-2 plotted against by Jews and Gentiles alike Acts 4:27
43 Psalms 110:4 priest after the order of Melchizedek Hebrews 5:5-6
44 Zechariah 9:9 enter Jerusalem on donkey Mark 11:7, 9, 11, Luke 19:35-37
45 Haggai 2:7-9, Malachi 3:1 entered the temple with authority Matthew 21:12, Luke 2:27-38
46 Psalms 8:2 adored by infants Matthew 21:15-16
47 Isaiah 53:1 not believed John 12:37-38
48 Zechariah 13:7 sheep of the Shepherd scattered Matthew 26:31, Mark 14:50
49 Psalms 41:9, 55:13-15 betrayed by a close friend Matthew 10:4, Luke 22:47-48
50 Zechariah 11:12 betrayed for thirty pieces of silver Matthew 26:14-15
51 Zechariah 11:13 betrayal money used to buy Potter's field Matthew 27:6-7
52 Psalms 35:11 accused by false witnesses Mark 14:57-58
53 Isaiah 53:7 silent to accusations Matthew 27:12, Mark 15:4-5
54 Isaiah 50:6 spat on Matthew 26:67, 27:30
55 Isaiah 50:6 beaten Matthew 26:67, 27:26, 30
56 Micah 4:14 struck on cheek Matthew 27:30
57 Isaiah 49:7, Psalms 35:19, Psalms 69:4 hated without reason John 7:48, 15:24-25
58 Isaiah 53:5 wounded and bruised Matthew 27:26
59 Isaiah 53:5 vicarious sacrifice John 1:29, , 3:16, Romans 5:6, 8
60 Daniel 9:24-26 cut off, but not for Himself Matthew 2:1, Luke 3:1, 23
61 Isaiah 53:12 crucified with malefactors Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27-28
62 Zechariah 12:10, Psalms 22:16 pierced through hands and feet Luke 23:33, John 20:25-27
63 Psalms 22:7-8 sneered and mocked Matthew 27:31, Luke 23:35
64 Psalms 109:24, 25 fell under the cross Luke 23:26
65 Psalms 69:9 was reproached Romans 15:3
66 Psalms 38:11 friends stood afar off Luke 23:49
67 Psalm 109:25 people shook their heads Matthew 27:39
68 Psalms 22:17 stared upon Luke 23:35
69 Psalms 22:16, 69:21 given vinegar for His thirst Matthew 27:34, John 19:28-29
70 Psalms 109:4, Isaiah 53:12 prayer for His enemies Luke 23:34
71 Psalms 22:17-18 soldiers gambled for His clothing Matthew 27:35-36, John 19:23, 24
72 Psalms 22:1 forsaken by God Matthew 27:46
73 Psalms 31:5 committed Himself to God Luke 23:46
74 Exodus 12:46, Psalms 34:20 no bones broken John 19:32, 33, 36
75 Psalm 22:14 heart broken John 19:34
76 Zechariah 12:10 His side pierced John 19:34
77 Amos 8:9 darkness over the land Matthew 27:45
78 Isaiah 53:9 buried with the rich Matthew 27:57-60
79 Psalms 3:5, 16:10, 49:15 to be resurrected Mark 16:6-7, Acts 2:31
80 Isaiah 44:3, Joel 2:28 sent the Holy Spirit John 20:22, Acts 2:16-17
81 Isaiah 55:3-4, Jeremiah 31:31 establishes a new covenant Matthew 26:28, Luke 22:20, Hebrews 8:6-10
82 Psalms 68:18, Psalms 110:1 His ascension to God's right hand Mark 16:19, Acts 1:9, 1 Corinthians 15:4, Ephesians 4:8, Hebrews 1:3
83 Psalms 29:11, Micah 4:3 peace proclaimed by disciples Luke 2:14, John 14:27, Acts 10:36
84 Isaiah 60:3 "Light" to Gentiles Acts 13:47,48
85 Isaiah 11:10, 42:1, 49:1-12 the Gentiles will seek the Messiah Romans 11:25, 15:10
Although some of these prophecies are vague and could have been deliberately fulfilled, many are very specific: 16. Place of birth (Micah 5:2). 17. Date of birth (Daniel 9:25). 18. Manner of birth (Isaiah 7:14). 62. Manner of death (Zechariah 12:10; Psalm 22:16 prophesied before the invention of crucifixion). 76. Piercing in side (Zechariah 12:10). 78. Burial (Isaiah 53:9).
These prophecies are documented several hundreds of years before Christ:
5 Charactereistics that can pull your essence into a box of individuality from anyone else.
Out of 6.3 billion people, there are only 5 characteristics that can pull you out.
- USA
- Tennessee
- Springfield, 37172
- 5136 Concord Road
- David Evans
If we need a 6th it would be SS#.
Jesus fulfilled 109 specific prophecies – we have given you 85 very distinct and precise ones.
The Bible made several prophecies of the complete destruction of cities. Many of the cities it said would be rebuilt and several it claimed would never be rebuilt - The Bible is 100% accurate in both categories as archeology shows.
• Therefore, The credibility of the witnesses is supported by their number & consistency. 
4. Testimony Relates to Human Experience 
• In general, the gospels record the ordinary events of life. 
o The texts do not describe imaginative things like ancient undersea kingdoms. 
o Miracles are the only major objection to the anti-supernaturalist. 
• Prophecy regarding Jesus & His resurrection are clear evidences of miracles. 
o Other miracles can be accepted based on the truth of these verifiable miracles. 
o Miracles in the context of ordinary history can therefore be accepted. 
• Therefore, author credibility is therefore not diminished by the inclusion of miracles. 
5. Testimony Relates to Concurrent Circumstances 
• Each event is intimately related to preceding, surrounding & following events. 
o False witnesses, therefore, tend to focus on a single fact. 
o They are not free to discuss other facts because lack of supporting events. 
• While false witnesses are restrained, truthful witnesses are candid & natural. 
o True witnesses are able to answer all the questions. 
o The authors fit the portrait of true witnesses candidly detailing events. 
• In addition, the gospel accounts are supported by external sources in history. 
o As seen last week, this is true of the New Testament & the Bible as a whole.
Summary & Conclusion 
• The honesty of the witnesses is evidenced by good character & lack of motive. 
• As witnesses, the authors had outstanding ability & occasion to recall the facts. 
• The credibility of the witnesses is supported by their number & consistency. 
• The gospels record the ordinary events of life relating to human experience. 
• The gospels relate to concurrent circumstances in detailed accounts & in history. 
• The internal evidence of the gospels supports their authenticity. 
• The gospel's internal evidence substantiates the claims about Jesus & His life. 
III. The Personal Testimony (Survival in the Face of Persecution)
A final indicator of the reliability of the Bible comes from the lengths disciples of Jesus went through to proclaim the gospel. In spite of extreme persecution, people were willing to die for Jesus, who predicted the persecution of the church:
• "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name." (Matthew 24:9) 
An example of fulfillment of this prophecy came at the hands (and writings) of Pliny the Younger, an non - Christian as governor of Pontus/Bithynia from 111-113 AD. He wrote to the Emperor Trajan regarding the early Christian church, their devotion to Christ, and how he persecuted, tortured, and murdered them:
• "They asserted, however, that the sum and substance of their fault or error had been that they were accustomed to meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing responsively a hymn to Christ as to a god... Accordingly, I judged it all the more necessary to find out what the truth was by torturing two female slaves who were called deaconesses. But I discovered nothing else but depraved, excessive superstition.... Meanwhile, in the case of those who were denounced to me as Christians, I have observed the following procedure: I interrogated these as to whether they were Christians; those who confessed I interrogated a second and a third time, threatening them with punishment; those who persisted I ordered executed. For I had no doubt that, whatever the nature of their creed, stubbornness and inflexible obstinacy surely deserve to be punished."(22) 
Pliny readily admits that they "were denounced to me as Christians" ("they will deliver you to tribulation") and executed ("and will kill you") just for "the nature of their creed" ("on account of My name."). This is a chilling fulfillment of prophecy, which testifies that early Christians knew the truth of the gospel and were willing to die for it

The verdict sermon series, part 4
Title:  Do the Witnesses Validate Him?
1 John 1 – 4
Movie illustration:  Contact (ch. 38 2:12:12 – 2: 15:55)
I. Prophets of old authenticate His message
a. Luke 24: 44
b. Luke 18: 31 – 33
i. There will be a Messiah (Genesis 3: 15, Isaiah 9, Jeremiah 23)
ii. He would be born of the virgin (Isaiah 7, Matthew 1)
iii. He would be born in Bethlehem, come up out of Egypt and be raised in Nazareth (Micah 5, Hosea 11, Judges 13, Matthew 2)
iv. He will be the descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Jesse, David. (Genesis 12, 21, 28, 49; Isaiah 11; 2 Samuel 7)
v. He will be born 483 years after decree to rebuild (Daniel 9: 25 – 26)
vi. He will be visibly anointed by God (Isaiah 11, 61)
vii. He will perform healings (Isaiah 53)
viii. He will perform miracles (Isaiah 35)
ix. He will be sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zech 11)
x. He will be despised, betrayed, sold, forsaken, beaten, spit upon, hit in face, given gall and vinegar, numbered with criminals, no bones broken, pierced, buried with the rich, Crucified.
II. People of the day authenticate this message
a. John 1: 29 – 30
i. John the Baptist – ultimate contemporary
1. Who was John the Baptist
b. John 4: 39
c. John 11: 27
d. James 1: 1
III. The blood of the persecuted authenticate His message
a. 2 Peter 1: 14 – 15
b. Vines Expository Dictionary – Martur – One who can or does positively declare and affirm what he has seen or heard or knows.
c. Webster’s Dictionary – Martyr – One who chooses to die rather than renounce religious principles.
d. Jesus Freak Story
IV. The One that sent Him validates His message
a. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3: 16 – 17; Mark 1: 9-11; Luke 3: 21 – 22)
b. Matthew 17: 5; Mark 9: 7; Luke 9: 35
c. John 12: 28 – 29
V. Invitation have John Worth – Turkey missionary come up for laying on of hands.
a. Have rest of congregation pray for Wise family and Jeremiah’s upcoming surgery.
Opening Illustration
> >The Guys' Rules 
> > > At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down. 
> > > 
> > > Finally, the guys' side of the story. 
> > > 
> > > (I must admit, it's pretty good.) 
> > > 
> > > We always hear "the rules" 
> > > 
> > > from the female side. 
> > > 
> > > Now here are the rules from the male side. 
> > > 
> > > These are our rules! 
> > > 
> > > Please note... these are all numbered "1" 
> > > 
> > > ON PURPOSE! 
> > > 
> > > 1. Learn to work the toilet seat. 
> > > 
> > > You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. 
> > > 
> > > We need it up, you need it down. 
> > > 
> > > You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down. 
> > > 
> > > 1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon 
> > > 
> > > or the changing of the tides. 
> > > 
> > > Let it be. 
> > > 
> > > 1. Shopping is NOT a sport. 
> > > 
> > > And no, we are never going to think of it that way. 
> > > 
> > > 1. Crying is blackmail. 
> > > 
> > > 1. Ask for what you want. 
> > > 
> > > Let us be clear on this one: 
> > > 
> > > Subtle hints do not work! 
> > > 
> > > Strong hints do not work! 
> > > 
> > > Obvious hints do not work! 
> > > 
> > > Just say it! 
> > > 
> > > 1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every 
> >question. 
> > > 
> > > 1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. 
> > > 
> > > That's what we do. 
> > > 
> > > Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for. 
> > > 
> > > 1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. 
> > > 
> > > See a doctor. 
> > > 
> > > 1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. 
> > > 
> > > In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days. 
> > > 
> > > 1. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't expect 
> >us to 
> > > act like soap opera guys. 
> > > 
> > > 1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us. 
> > > 
> > > 1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the 
> >ways 
> > > makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one. 
> > > 
> > > 1. You can either ask us to do something 
> > > 
> > > or tell us how you  want it done. 
> > > 
> > > Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it 
>yourself. 
> > > 
> > > 1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during 
> > > commercials. 
> > > 
> > > 1. Christopher Columbus did not need directions and neither do we. 
> > > 
> > > 1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. 
> > > 
> > > Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a 
>fruit. 
> >We 
> > > have no idea what mauve is. 
> > > 
> > > 1. If it itches, it will be scratched. 
> > > 
> > > We do that. 
> > > 
> > > 1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like 
> >nothing's 
> > > wrong. 
> > > 
> > > We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle. 
> > > 
> > > 1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an 
>answer 
> >you 
> > > don't want to hear. 
> > > 
> > > 1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear 
> > > 
> > > is fine...Really. 
> > > 
> > > 1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to 
> >discuss 
> > > such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, 
> > > 
> > > or monster trucks. 
> > > 
> > > 1. You have enough clothes. 
> > > 
> > > 1. You have too many shoes. 
> > > 
> > > 1. I am in shape. Round is a shape. 
> > > 
> > > 1. Thank you for reading this. 
> > > 
> > > Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;  but did you know 
> >men 
> > > really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Title:  Who does Jesus claim to be?
John 14: 6 (NAS)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
I. We’ve got somewhere to go
a. When He says He is the way, I ask where are we going?
i. Like Jennifer always did on the road trips.
1. Where are we going …. When are we getting there
b. Ethic (Kingdom in principle)
i. We have a personal place to go
1. A lot of people miss this step … (Jude 4 – using the grace of God for a license for immorality)
ii. Romans 12: 1 – 2
1. 1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
2. 1 John 5: 2
a. By this w3e know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.
c. Humane (Kingdom out)
i. We have a neighborly place to go
ii. Matthew 22: 37 – 39
1. 37 And He said to him, " `YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 "The second is like it, `YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
iii. 1 John 4: 20 – 21
1. 20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.
d. Missiological (Kingdom out)
i. We have a methodical place to go (a mission to fulfill)
ii. Matthew 28: 18 – 20
1. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All R1164 authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go R1165 F614 therefore and make R1166 disciples of all R1167 the nations, baptizing R1168 them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I R1169 am with you always, F615 even to the R1170 end of the age."
iii. 1 Corinthians 9: 19
1. 19 For though I am free R341 from all men, I have made myself a R342 slave to all, so that I may win R343 more.
II. We’ve got something to know
a. As a philosopher there is one task – search for the truth.
b. There is a truth / paradigm for us to realize and until we realize it this equation will not be fulfilled and neither will we.
c. This church exists o be an epiphany to reveal this truth to all (people, other churches)
d. Relative and Absolute truths
i. Your individual truth about your ‘wiring’ can only be found through the absolute truth of your creator.
ii. BUT
iii. We allow our relative truth to become our personal absolutes
1. Oprahisms
2. Seinfieldisms
iv. We sometimes don’t like truths b/c it exposes our true self
1. John 3: 19 21 (NAS)
a. 19 "This is the judgment, that the R150 Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their R151 deeds were evil. 20 "For R152 everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 "But he who practices R153 the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."
e. There are absolute truths for us to adhere to.
i. It is our task to search for these truths.
f. Jesus says that He is the way to these absolute truths / complete knowledge
i. Colossians 2: 9 – 10 (NAS)
1. 9 For in Him all the fullness R102 of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made R103 complete, F50 and He R104 is the head over F51 all rule R105 and authority;
III. We’ve got an experience before us
a. Daddy and little girl with pearls illustration
i. A little girl wanted a set of pearls at a convenient store.  She did all kinds of chores to raise $2.50 to get these convenient store pearls.  She got them and wore them everywhere.  She’d even sleep in them.  Her dad each night would come in and tuck her in to sleep.  And ever since she got the pearls he would ask her “Darling will you give daddy the pearls.”  And she would say oh no daddy I love these pearls.  He would say ok, daddy loves you, good night.  After a month of this the girl did say okay daddy I love  you and want you to have them.  The dad took the pearls and opened a velvet case that he was holding and replaced the convenient store pearls with real pearls that he handed to his daughter.  Sometimes the Lord wants part of our life so that He can bless us with much more.
b. Cat and Dog theology
i. Our lifestyles can rob us of our abundant life
ii. John 10: 10 (NAS)
1. 10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may R644 have life, and have F116 it abundantly.
IV. Invitation
a. Sermon equation
i. Way + Truth + Life = purpose in life
1. People expect that they can live like hell and still receive gifts of heaven.  It doesn’t work that way.
2. Matthew 7: 21, 23
3. 21 "Not R237 everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. … 23  "And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; DEPART R240 FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
b. You have to live the Way of Christ, Truth of Christ, and the Life of Christ to receive the heavenly gifts that we are so familiar with.
c. Anne Graham Lotz – Weekend Today Show – April 11, 2004 – “God so big.  He has made salvation possible to us.  If He can do that, I must ask myself what else can He do in my daily life.”