Doctrine

Why I Believe in Jesus Christ (Jesus, Truth for the 21st Century)

Pastor Tan Thai · Dec 1, 2023

John 20:26-28Mark 8:27-302 Timothy 1:12Philippians 3:8-11Matthew 24:30-31John 8:46-47John 1:1-15John 17:5John 8:7John 8:57-58John 10:30-33John 14:6-9Matthew 7:28-29John 8:12John 11:25-26Matthew 9:2-5Mark 2:1-12Luke 5:18-21Luke 7:48-49Matthew 25:31-33Mark 10:45Philippians 2:5-81 John 2:21 Peter 2:23-24John 3:161 Peter 3:181 John 4:9-10Hebrews 7:24-27Romans 6:101 Corinthians 15:141 Corinthians 15:17-181 Corinthians 15:20Hebrews 1:3-4Philippians 2:5-111 Peter 3:22Ephesians 1:22John 14:16-18Ephesians 1:13Luke 4:17-21Matthew 13:16-17John 8:56Luke 24:27Matthew 1:22-23Isaiah 7:14Matthew 2:5-6Micah 5:2Matthew 2:15Hosea 11:1Matthew 2:17-18Jeremiah 31:15Matthew 2:23Matthew 3:3Isaiah 40:3John 5:39Mark 1:15Luke 10:18Psalm 32:1

This sermon explains reasons for believing in Jesus Christ in the 21st century context, based on five unique aspects of Christ. These aspects include His extraordinary self-claims, atoning death, resurrection, exaltation, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The sermon affirms that Christianity is not a religious system but a personal relationship with Christ.

The sermon begins with a fundamental question: why can we believe in Jesus Christ when we do not see Him? The pastor emphasizes that the focus of Christian faith is not a doctrine or denomination but Christ Himself—a historical figure who lived, died on the cross over 2000 years ago. The most essential foundation is the personal relationship of the believer with Christ. The greatest question of Christianity is not "what is Christianity?" but "who is Jesus Christ?"

The pastor identifies three important contexts for this question. First, it is not about relativism—what is true for one person is not necessarily true for another. Second, it is not about syncretism, the idea that all religions are equally valid. Third, it is not about pluralism, that more religions mean greater accuracy. Instead, the sermon proclaims that Jesus Christ is absolute, unique truth and the center of Christian faith. Without Christ, Christianity has no meaning.

The sermon presents five unique aspects of Jesus Christ. First, His extraordinary self-claims—He claimed to be the Prophet fulfilling Old Testament prophecy, the Son of Man with judgment authority, sinless, with authority to forgive sins, and God Himself. These statements are extremely unusual and no religious leader has dared to make them. Second, His death—not a natural death like other religious founders but a shameful crucifixion at age 33, abandoned by disciples, condemned by the people, appearing as complete failure. Yet this death is an atoning sacrifice for humanity, offering His own body to pay the debt of sin.

Third, His resurrection is unprecedented because He rose to live forever, unlike Lazarus who had to die again. This resurrection is proven by the empty tomb, appearances to disciples, and the miraculous transformation of apostles from despairing people to bold witnesses. Fourth, His exaltation and authority—Jesus was raised to the highest place, seated at the right hand of God, and every knee in heaven, earth, and under the earth will bow to Him. Fifth, the gift of the Holy Spirit—the Comforter and Spirit of Truth comes to believers, dwelling with them and in them, helping them understand truth and live according to Scripture.

The sermon concludes with two practical applications. First, salvation transforms the life of the believer, leading them from the mire of sin to the foot of the cross. Second, in the eyes of Christ, all believers are equal, whether president, prime minister, or ordinary person, called as brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God. Christ gives what the world cannot—a value and honor incomparable to anything else.