Message by Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV
Myth or Truth
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The claims of Christ are normally taken as mythology (a fairy tale) or History.
Truth
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Historically Jesus lived.
Jesus lived
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Matthew 9:35 (NIV84)
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Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
Truth
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Historically Jesus died.
Jesus died
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John 19:31 (NIV84)
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Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.
Jesus died
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John 19:33-34 (NIV84)
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But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
Flavius Josephus (37-97 AD)
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court historian for Emperor Vespasian:
“At this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. And his conduct was good and he was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive; accordingly, he was perhaps the messiah concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders.” (Arabic translation)
The Jewish Talmud, compiled between 70 and 200 AD
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“On the eve of the Passover Yeshu was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald went forth and cried, ‘He is going forth to be stoned because he has practised sorcery and enticed Israel to apostacy. Anyone who can say anything in his favour, let him come forward and plead on his behalf.’ But since nothing was brought forward in his favour he was hanged on the eve of the Passover.”
Truth
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Historically Jesus rose again.
Jesus rose again
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Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV84)
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After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Ultimate Authentication
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The ultimate authentication of Jesus being son of God is the resurrection.
Sir Lionel Luckhoo
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(Guinness book of world records for his 245 consecutive murder defense trial aquitals) coming in as a skeptic of the claims of Christ after being challenged to take his legal skill and apply it to the history record of Jesus. “I have spent more than 42 years as a defense trial lawyer appearing in many parts of the world and am still in active practice. I have been fortunate to secure a number of successes in jury trials and I say unequivocally the evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt.”
Truth
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The historical Jesus died and rose again once for all to give us life.
Give us Life
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1 Peter 3:15 (NIV84)
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But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Give us Life
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1 Peter 3:18 (NIV84)
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For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
Give us Life
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2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV84)
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But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self‑control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God– having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
Truth
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Jesus, not a fairy tale, has the only power to help you.
Overcome
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1 John 5:5 (NIV84)
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Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
The Valor Commission 