05-03: Is This For Real? :: How Can I Trust The Testimony Concerning Jesus?
Audio Version
YouTube Video
In Week 3 of our series -- Is This For Real? -- we complete chapter 1 of 2nd Peter, where we look at whether or not we can trust the testimonies given in the Scriptures about Jesus Christ.
Resources:
: The Bible Project :: https://www.bibleproject.com
: YouVersion Bible App :: https://www.bible.com
: Prayer and Fasting Guide :: Click HERE to download.
Sermon Passage
2 Peter 1:16-21
Christ’s Glory and the Prophetic Word
[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. [19] And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, [20] knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. [21] For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Sermon Slides
Matthew 17:1-3
Matthew 17:4-8
1 John 1:1
The Law, The Prophets - The writings all pointing to the coming Messiah…
Moses was a prophet (Deuteronomy 18)
Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings - Former Prophets
Isaiah-Malachi - Latter prophets
Daniel is called a prophet by Jesus (Matthew 24)
2 Timothy 3:15
“For no prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were brought forth by the Holy Spirit.”
When scholars are looking to decide whether a document from antiquity is reliable and true to the original, even if the original is lost there are two major criteria. This is applied to any ancient document whether religious or not.
The number of manuscripts or copies in existence.
The time gap between the manuscripts and the original work.
The more copies you have that agree with each other the more reliable the document from antiquity. And when you have documents from various regions, in various languages that agree with each other the better too.
New Testament - over 5000 manuscripts / 300-120-18 years
Homer’s Illiad - almost 650 manuscripts / 850 years
