Proof of Jesus

Introduction

1 John

If your Christianity were called into question by those around you, could you prove that you have interpersonal relationship with God; that you know God, that God not only exists but that he exists in your life?

The world is so far removed from this kind of awareness of God that they say to us, “Prove It.”

We are going to take the next several weeks and determine how we can Prove to this world not only that God exists but that he exists in me.

Happiness

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Thomas Jefferson

What is joy?

Happiness is a feeling that comes and goes. If a person is happy all the time they are probably not being honest about their situation all the time.

But happiness is the pursuit for many people today.

It’s even encouraged by friends and family saying, “you deserve to be happy.” “Do what makes you feel good.”

So people live their lives in pursuit of happiness. I want you to stop and think about how selfish this can become and even sometimes dark as you are more concerned about your moments of happiness.

This has become the greatest reason for marriage and the greatest reason for divorce.

Happiness for some can be evil things causing harm in others in their personal pursuit of happiness.

Life is not always happy or even the pursuit of happiness when you begin to consider other people.

Being happy all the time is a very juvenile thought.

As children we want to be happy all the time, but as an adult we learn how to balance the ebb and flow of life.

Taking the good with the bad. The celebration along with the heart ache.

Joy

Joy is different.

Joy is a state of being and contentment that exists no matter what the circumstance.

Philippians 4:11 ESV

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

Philippians 4:10–13 ESV

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11–13 ESV

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Phil 4:10-11

Paul’s joy was not wrapped up in his circumstance but in his ability to handle any circumstance in Christ.

Joy might cause you to sacrifice for someone else even if it puts you in harms way.

You might jump into shark invested waters to save a drowning child.

Joy is what drove Jesus to endure the cross for you and for me.

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Joy is the goal of the Christian life not happiness.

Jesus came to give us his joy.

His desire is that he be the source of our joy.

A well of joy that never runs dry.

A state of being that transcends the circumstances of this life.

“The joy of my life is determined by the fellowship I have with God through Jesus.”

Jesus is Real

Jesus is Real

Jesus is the Beginning.

1 John 1

1 John 1:1 ESV

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—

The history of Jesus doesn’t start at the mark of his physical birth.

Jesus

He was “in the beginning.”

Genesis 1:1 ESV

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Creator of all things

Colossians 1:15–16 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Colossians 1:17–18 ESV

17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Col 1:17-

The alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.

John 1:1–3 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:1

Jesus is the Word

The Word became Flesh

This eternal being stepped out of eternity and took on flesh.

God became flesh so that we could know him in a real since.

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

Confirmed by Eyewitnesses

1 John 1:2 ESV

2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

This is where we must be careful and distinguish between truth, myth, and leagued.

A myth is a made up story usually of deities that has no factual basis.

1 John 1:2

A Leagued many times will start in truth and then gets blown out of proportion over time.

Truth is a fact based recounting of an event from a credible source.

2 Peter 1:16–18 ESV

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

2 Peter

“God’s choice to reveal himself to me is proof of his love for me.”

Jesus is Alive

Raised from the Dead.

Matthew 28:5–6 ESV

5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

Matt 28:5-

Confirmed by Eyewitnesses

By The Disciples

John 20:19-20

John 20:19–20 ESV

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

By the Unbelieving

John 20:24–25 ESV

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

John 20:24-25

How would you like to be know as the disciple called doubting Tomas.

There are many doubting Tomas’ in the world today.

John 20:26 ESV

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

John 20:

John 20:27–28 ESV

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

By Faith

1 Peter 1:8 ESV

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter

:

“I know that Jesus is alive today because of his interaction with me personally.”

Jesus Desires a Relationship

The God-man, Jesus, who was before all things and took on human flesh, lived 33 years, was crucified of his own free will, buried in a tomb for 3 days to demonstrate his power over sin and death, then rose again from the dead, verified for 40 days after his resurrection, and has ascended back into heaven desires to have a relationship with you that is real and personal.

1 John 1:3-4

1 John 1:3–4 ESV

3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

1 John 1:3 ESV

3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

“God desires to have a real and personal relationship with me through his Son Jesus. “

Fellowship begins with abiding .

“The joy of my life is determined by the fellowship I have with God through Jesus.”

We abide in Christ.

Acts 17:28 ESV

28 for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

John 15:7 ESV

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 15:5 ESV

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Christ abides in us.

John 17:20–21 ESV

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

John 17:20 ESV

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,

Abiding in Christ Produces Joy

1 John 1:4 ESV

4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

1 John 4:

John 15:11 ESV

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Joy Produces Strength

In Nehemiah when the people were gathered to hear the word of God and when they understood they were filled with joy.

Nehemiah 8:10 ESV

10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:

Next Steps and Review

Two Choices to Make

I choose to walk in the joy of knowing I am in fellowship with God through Jesus Christ.

I choose to cultivate my love relationship with Jesus which will produce unspeakable joy.

Two Actions to Take

I must receive Jesus in my life to walk in fellowship with Him.

I must purposefully interact with Jesus on a daily basis to grow in my fellowship with him.