Why I Believe in Jesus Christ: Truth for the 21st Century
Pastor Tan Thai · Dec 1, 2024
This sermon explores five unique aspects of Jesus Christ that form the foundation of Christian faith. From His extraordinary self-proclamations, substitutionary death, victorious resurrection, exaltation to heaven, to the gift of the Holy Spirit, the message demonstrates that Jesus Christ is the center of Christianity. The sermon emphasizes that Christian faith is fundamentally a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not merely adherence to a religion or denomination.
The sermon begins with the story of Thomas, the doubting apostle, when he encounters the risen Jesus. This opening leads to the central question: how can we believe in Jesus Christ if we cannot see Him? The sermon affirms that Christianity has a unique characteristic among all world religions—its faith is intimately bound to a historical figure, Jesus Christ, who lived, taught, died, and rose again over 2,000 years ago. The foundation of Christian faith is not a system of doctrines or a church organization, but a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The sermon then analyzes three aspects of the question's context. First, this is not about relativism or religious syncretism in which all beliefs have equal value. Second, the nature of the question is not about Christianity or denominations like Baptist or Protestant, but about one specific person—Jesus Christ. Third, this concerns Jesus Christ as recorded in Scripture and history, not a Jesus remade to suit contemporary society. The sermon emphasizes that if one could prove Jesus was not who He claimed to be, Christianity would lose all value.
The main body of the sermon presents five unique aspects of Jesus Christ. First, His self-proclamations are unprecedented—He claimed to be the Fulfiller of Prophecy, the Son of Man, the One who forgives sins, Judge of all nations, and One who existed before all time. No other religious leader has ever dared make such claims. Second, His death is unique—at age 33, abandoned by disciples, condemned by the people, dying shamefully on a cross. Yet this death has redemptive significance—He bore our sins, became the atoning sacrifice, and reconciled humanity with God. Third, His resurrection is unique—no religious founder from ancient times to now proclaimed that he would rise again to defeat death forever.
Fourth, His glory and authority in heaven are unique—He sits at the right hand of God, rules over all things, and every knee will bow before Him. Fifth, the gift of the Holy Spirit is unique—the Holy Spirit is the Comforter and Spirit of Truth, dwelling within and among believers, helping them understand God's Word, convicting them of sin, and enlightening the eyes of their hearts. The sermon concludes that these five unique aspects fit together perfectly, demonstrating that Jesus Christ is the Truth for the 21st century and for all centuries.