Questioning Jesus? How to Handle Your Doubts

Summary

This message challenges listeners to explore the truth of Christianity, highlighting the questions people like Theophilus have had about Jesus' existence and the validity of the Bible. The speaker emphasizes the importance of investigating the evidence of prophecy and history that point to Jesus’ divine identity. Through both Old Testament prophecies and historical facts, the speaker builds a case for the reality of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The message encourages both believers and non-believers to engage with these truths, and it invites individuals to find personal transformation in Jesus, using history and personal testimony as key evidence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Many people have had questions about the truth of Jesus and Christianity, just like Theophilus in the Bible.
• 😀 Doubts and questions don't make you a bad Christian; they make you human, and it's important to explore them.
• 😀 Luke carefully investigated the life of Jesus and wrote an orderly account to help Theophilus and others understand the truth.
• 😀 The Gospel of Luke was written to provide historical evidence that Jesus' life and ministry were real and significant.
• 😀 The word 'fulfilled' in the Bible indicates that Jesus' life fulfilled ancient prophecies about the Messiah.
• 😀 Eyewitnesses of Jesus' life were alive to confirm the truth of the stories being told about Him.
• 😀 The journey to investigate Jesus' life was significant and difficult in ancient times due to limited resources.
• 😀 Prophecies from the Old Testament, such as those in Isaiah, Micah, and Psalm, were fulfilled by Jesus' life, confirming His divine identity.
• 😀 The historical facts, including the actions of Jesus' disciples and the spread of Christianity, further validate Jesus' resurrection and divine nature.
• 😀 Personal stories and testimonies, like the speaker's own, demonstrate how Jesus can transform lives, not just history.
• 😀 Both prophecy and history point to the divine identity of Jesus, confirming that He is the Savior-King, as He claimed.
• 😀 The ongoing global spread of Christianity and the endurance of the Church prove the truth of Jesus' prophecy that the gates of Hades would not overcome it.

Q & A

Why does the speaker suggest that questioning Christianity doesn't make you a bad Christian?

The speaker emphasizes that questioning or having doubts is part of being human. These doubts don't make someone a bad Christian; rather, they reflect the natural process of seeking truth. What matters is how individuals respond to their questions and doubts.

Who was Theophilus, and what role did he play in the development of the Gospel of Luke?

Theophilus is a person who had questions about the truth of Christianity. He asked Luke to investigate and confirm whether the stories about Jesus were true. Luke then wrote the Gospel of Luke to provide Theophilus with a detailed, investigated account, which has since become part of the Bible.

Why is it significant that many people undertook to write about Jesus' life in the ancient world?

In the ancient world, it was difficult and expensive to write things down due to limited access to paper and ink. The fact that many people were willing to document the events surrounding Jesus' life indicates that these events were of great importance and not just a passing story.

What does the word 'fulfilled' mean in the context of the Gospel of Luke?

The word 'fulfilled' refers to the prophecies from the Old Testament that were realized through the life and actions of Jesus. These prophecies predicted aspects of the Messiah’s life, and the fact that Jesus' life fulfilled them is a key point in supporting the truth of his divine identity.

How does the speaker explain the consistency of the eyewitness accounts of Jesus' life?

The speaker explains that the eyewitnesses of Jesus' life shared the same story, which is crucial for the credibility of the accounts. Since the people who saw Jesus firsthand were still around to verify and confirm the stories, it helps to establish that the accounts were truthful and not fabricated.

Why does Luke's careful investigation matter for believers today?

Luke's thorough investigation provides a solid foundation for believers to trust that the events surrounding Jesus’ life are historically accurate. It ensures that the faith is built on reliable evidence and not just on myths or unfounded stories.

What role do prophecy and history play in proving Jesus' divine identity?

Both prophecy and history serve as evidence of Jesus’ divine identity. Prophecy points to specific predictions about the Messiah that were fulfilled in Jesus' life, while history, particularly the actions and sacrifices of Jesus' followers, confirms that something extraordinary occurred during his lifetime.

How does the speaker relate personal faith to the historical and prophetic evidence of Jesus?

The speaker shares their personal story of transformation, showing how the historical and prophetic evidence of Jesus’ life convinced them of His divine identity. This personal testimony reinforces the message that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection were not only significant in history but also deeply transformative on a personal level.

What does the speaker suggest as the assignment for Christians in relation to their faith?

The speaker encourages Christians to be like Luke—doing the work of investigating Jesus' life and knowing why they believe what they believe. This preparation helps Christians to share their faith confidently and effectively when others have questions about Jesus.

What is the significance of the prophecy Jesus made in Matthew 16 about building His church?

Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 16 that He would build His church, and that the gates of Hades would not overcome it, is significant because it demonstrates the enduring power and influence of Christianity. Despite attempts to suppress it, Christianity has continued to grow and spread for over 2,000 years, confirming the truth of Jesus' words.