Apicontent

Is Jesus the Jewish Messiah?

1. Ray C. Stedman, God’s Loving Word (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House, 1993), 50.
2. Josh McDowell, The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict (San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, 1999), 164-193. [In pages 145-175 McDowell notes, “According to Oxford professor, Canon Henry Liddon, 332 distinct predictions were literally fulfilled in Christ.”].
3. Jonathan Bernis, A Rabbi Looks at Jesus of Nazareth (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing, 2011).
4. Jeremiah 23:5.
5. Micah 5:2.
6. Isaiah 53:3.
7. Psalm 41:9.
8. Zechariah 11:12.
9. Zechariah 12:10.
10.  Isaiah 53:9.
11.  Psalm 16:10.
12.  Matthew 1:1.
13.  Matthew 2:1, 2.
14.  Luke 24:20, John 1:11.
15.  Matthew 26:15, 16.
16.  Luke 23:33-43, John 20:25, Matthew 27:57-60.
17.  Mark 16:6.
18.  Josh McDowell, The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict (San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, 1999), 164-193
19.  Cited in Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998), 183.
20.  Luke 19:10
21.  John 8:52, 58.
22.  Isaiah 9:6.
23.  John 10:30.
24.  John 14:9.
25.  Zechariah 12:10.
26.  Isaiah 53 (NCV).
27.  Mitch Glaser, Isaiah 53 Explained (New York, New York: Chosen People Ministries, 2010), 12.
28.  Bernis, 151.
29.  Josh McDowell, A Ready Defense (San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, 1992), 297.
30.  “Isaiah 53: How Do the Rabbis Interpret This?” Hear Now! http://www.hearnow.org/isa_com.html.
31.  McDowell, The New Evidence, 79.
32.  John 1:29.
33.  Bernis, 181.
34.  Psalm 16:10.
35.  Bernis, 217.

Is the Universe a Product of Design or Chance?

1. Dietrick E. Thompsen, “The Quantum Universe: A Zero-Point Fluctuation?” Science News, August 3 
2. Hugh Ross, Reasons.org, “Probability for Life on Earth,” April 1, 2004. 
3. Roger Penrose, (1989). The emperor’s new mind: Concerning computers, minds, and the laws of physics. (Oxford University Press). 
4. Paul Davies, Other Worlds (London: Penguin, 1990), 169. 
5. Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time (New York: Bantam, 1990), 190. 
6. John Boslough, Stephen Hawking’s Universe (New York: Avon, 1989), 109. 
7. Martin Rees, Our Cosmic Habitat (London: Phoenix, 2003), 164. 
8. Charles Seife, Alpha and Omega (New York: Viking Penguin, 2003), 222. 
9. Brian Greene, The Elegant Universe (New York: Vintage, 2000), 368. 
10. Paul Davies, Other Worlds (London: Penguin, 1990), 14. 
11. Paul Davies, God and the New Physics (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1983), 174. 
12. Gregg Easterbrook, “The New Convergence,” Wired, December 2002, Issue 10.12. 
13. Seife, Ibid. 
14. Carr, B. J. and Rees, M. J. (1979). ”The anthropic principle and the structure of the physical world”. Nature, 278 (5705), pp. 605-612.  
15. Quoted in Hugh Ross, The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed. (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2001), 158. 
16. Hawking, 131. 
17. Albert Einstein, Ideas and Opinions—The World as I See It (New York: Bonanza, 1931), 40. 
18. Edward Harrison, Masks of the Universe (New York: Collier, 1985), 252, 263. 
19. Arno Penzias, quoted by Walter Bradley in “The Designed ‘Just-so’ Universe”, 1999. 

“Will all my problems disappear now that I’m a Christian?”

Now that you are a Christian, Jesus is in you and with you. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords who has all authority in heaven and on earth. You were created by Him and for Him, and you have a relationship with this Wonderful Creator who knows all things. You have direct access to the Source of life, love, and light.

Life will still be hard, but now you are with Jesus.

[Shift your focus from your problems to God in “God in Times of Crisis“]

“What should I do about my old habits and sins?”

When you start feeling increasingly troubled or uncomfortable about your old habits and sins, that’s the Holy Spirit gently prompting you from within—like a tap on your shoulder. Respond to Him and deal with them.

[Learn more about overcoming old habits and sins in “Attitudes and Behavior“]

“How do I overcome temptations?”

God promises in His Word: “No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

[Learn more about “Resisting Temptation.”]

“Can I still spend time with my friends who aren’t Christians?”

When you spend time with your “old” friends who aren’t Christians, you will realize that you have changed and continue to change. Things you used to enjoy doing with your non-Christians may no longer interest you. You will discover that your deepest friendships and close community are with fellow believers who love and follow Jesus.

“I’m living with my partner, but we aren’t married. What should I do?”

God desires you to be holy because it is true freedom.

God instituted marriage to be a union between a man and a woman. Sex is His gift to marriage for oneness.

Because every situation is unique, we strongly encourage you to seek the wise advice of mature Christians you trust.

[Learn more about “Godly Relationships“]

“If I keep sinning, will God punish me, or will He still bless me?”

God loves you as His child and wants the best for you. Nothing can separate you from His love.

If you willfully live in sin, it will hinder your fellowship with God and can block His blessings. You will experience God’s fatherly discipline because He disciplines His children whom He loves (Hebrews 12:6).

“But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

[Learn “Spiritual Breathing” to maintain your fellowship with God]

Your Questions?

If you have questions, use the box below. I will respond to you in Messages. —Pastor Jon

“Can I follow Jesus by myself?”

When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit brings you into the church (God’s family and Christ’s body), and you become a child of God and a member of His family. You have a new identity.

[Learn more about “Becoming the New You“]

So, following Jesus is a community effort, a family affair. You need the church, and the church needs you. You will get to know Jesus far better when you share your life with other Christians.

[Learn about “Why Church?“]

“Which church should I become part of?”

Finding a church is about joining a community where you share your everyday life with others, grow deeper in your faith together, and serve side by side on the same mission God has for His people, the church.

So, it’s okay if it takes time to find a church God has for you. One of the best ways is to ask Christians you know and trust. God often uses His people (followers of Jesus) to guide you.

[Learn about “Finding a Church“]

“Should I get baptized now?”

Normally, there is no reason to wait to be baptized. As soon as you are connected to a local church, you should ask the church leaders for their guidance about being baptized.

There are some situations where you need to delay your baptism. For example, you might live in an area with no church, or openly becoming a Christian could put your life in danger. In those cases, it would be best if you knew some Christians you trust. You can ask them for help and advice. Regardless, God is always with you. He will show you what to do and guide your next steps.

[Learn how “God Guides Your Steps“]

“Why are church people hypocritical?”

Failing to live up to God’s standards perfectly isn’t the same as hypocrisy. Apart from Christ, Christians cannot live a life pleasing to God. Our Heavenly Father has given us the Holy Spirit to rely on moment by moment to live like Jesus.

Hypocrisy is pretending to be something you’re not. It is offensive to God. Jesus harshly criticized the religious leaders of His day for their hypocrisy (Matthew 23:13-36).

No church community is perfect, but it can be healthy.

A healthy church puts Jesus at the center. It encourages and equips you “to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). In it, Christians mature in their faith. You will feel you truly belong, are known as who you are in Christ, and fruitfully participate in God’s works.

Your Questions?

If you have questions, use the box below. I will respond to you in Messages. —Pastor Jon

The best way to get to know Jesus better is through the Bible. Start with the Gospel of Mark (the shortest of the four Gospels), and then the Gospel of Luke. After that, read the Gospel of John, and lastly, the Gospel of Matthew. They are in the New Testament. They show you who Jesus is.

[Learn more about “The Bible“]

If you need a Bible, we recommend the NET (New English Translation) Bible on this JO App. The Bible is translated into many other languages if English is not your preferred language.

[Learn about the NET Bible]

The Bible is not a book of rules or a collection of life principles. It is God’s Word given to His people to tell us about Himself and His plan. The Holy Spirit speaks to you through the Bible.

[Learn about “The Bible – God’s Love Letter to You!“]

Another way you can get to know Jesus is through prayer. Prayer is a conversation with God. You can pray anytime, anywhere, out loud or silently, alone or with others.

[Learn more about prayer with “Prayer Starter“]

The third great way to know Jesus better is through other Christians. Jesus lives in them just as He lives in you.

God has made you part of His family, and being with other believers—sharing life, worshiping, learning, and being on God’s missions together—you’ll see Jesus in action more than you ever could alone.

[Learn more about “Living as God’s Family“]

Your Questions?

If you have questions, use the box below. I will respond to you in Messages. —Pastor Jon