feb 4-10-07 do we need more proof

Do we need more proof?

“You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:13 MSG When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea

Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about

who the Son of Man is?"


14 They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." 15 He

pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?"


16 Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus came back,

"God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let

you in on this secret of who I really am.


Mark 8:27-29 "You are the Christ, the Messiah."

Luke 9:18-20 "The Messiah of God."

Matthew, Mark, and Luke are witnesses to Peter’s

acknowledgement that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the

living God.


"This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.“

Matthew 17:1-8 MSG Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a

high mountain.


2 His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His

clothes were filled with light. 3 Then they realized that Moses and

Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.


4 Peter broke in, "Master, this is a great moment! What

would you think if I built three memorials here on the

mountain--one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?"


5 While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant

cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the

cloud a voice: "This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him."


6 When the disciples heard it, they fell flat on their faces, scared to

death. 7 But Jesus came over and touched them. "Don't be afraid." 8 When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was

Jesus, only Jesus.


Mark 9:2-8 "This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him."

Luke 9:28-36 "This is my Son, the Chosen! Listen to him."

2 Peter 1:17-19 "This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of all my

delight."


Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Peter are witnesses to Peter, James and John’s

experience on the mountain of Transfiguration. There they not only

saw Jesus talking with two Old Testament heavy hitters, Elijah and Moses, but also heard God declare

Jesus as His Son, and someone who better be paid attention to.


Let us go back, all the way to the Virgin Birth and find more

witnesses."God is with us"

Matthew 1:18-23 Matthew records Joseph as a witness to God’s angel

declaring the yet to be born of a virgin son as God’s Savior and in

fact God with us.


Holy, Son of GodLuke 1:26-35

Luke records God’s angel Gabriel informing Mary, who had never known a man that she would be

made pregnant by God’s Spirit and give birth to The Son of The

Highest, The Holy Son of God.


my Lord visits meLuke 1:41-43

Luke also records another witness, Mary’s relative Elizabeth, filled

with the Holy Spirit, wonders how she could be so blessed to be

visited by the mother of her Lord.


Savior who is Messiah and MasterLuke 2:6-11

Again Luke reveals God’s angel proclaiming to the shepherds a

Savior who is Messiah and Master has been born.


Messiah of GodLuke 2:25-29

Simeon was promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. When Jesus

was brought into the Temple to fulfill the law of Moses Simeon knew that

now he could be released to die because he had seen the Messiah of

God.


"Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?"

Matthew 2:1-6Matthew tells us of a reluctant

witness, King Herod. When the Scholars from the East ask for

directions to where they could find the newborn King of the Jews Herod

knew they were in search of the Messiah.


We know this because he ask the high priest and religion scholars,

"Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?" We know these

scholars of the East did in fact become witnesses when the star they had been following came to rest over the place where Jesus

was.


This is my SonMatthew 3:17 MSG And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my

life."Mark 1:10-11 "You are my Son, chosen and

marked by my love, pride of my life."Luke 3:21-22 "You are my Son, chosen and

marked by my love, pride of my life."


Matthew, Mark, & Luke testify that John the Baptizer

witnessed God the Father declaring Jesus as His son when He was baptized and

God the Spirit came down on him in the form of a dove.


Why have I taken time to point out all these witnesses? God’s

Law declares two or more witnesses are required to prove

something true.


you can count on the testimony of two witnesses

John 8:17 MSG That fulfills the conditions set down in God's Law:

that you can count on the testimony of two witnesses.

Matthew 18:16 MSG If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep

things honest, and try again.


Let’s count the witnesses mentioned today; 1 Matthew, 2 Mark, 3 Luke, 4

Peter, 5 James, 6 John, 7 God the Father, 8 Joseph, 9 God’s angel, 10 Gabriel, 11 Mary, 12 God the Spirit, 13 Elizabeth, 14 God’s angel, 15+

shepherds, 16 Simeon, 17 King Herod, 18+ Scholars from the East, 19 John the Baptizer, 20 Father of mute

son


Do we need more proof? Maybe some collaborating

evidence? What will it take to persuade us?

Help me with my doubts!


Mark 9:15-24 MSG As soon as the people in the crowd saw Jesus, admiring excitement stirred them. They ran and greeted him. 16 He asked,

"What's going on? What's all the commotion?"


17 A man out of the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought my mute son, made speechless

by a demon, to you. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground.


He foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and goes stiff as a board. I told your disciples, hoping they could deliver

him, but they couldn't." 19 Jesus said, "What a generation! No sense of God! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this? Bring the

boy here."


20 They brought him. When the demon saw Jesus, it threw the boy into a seizure, causing him

to writhe on the ground and foam at the mouth. 21 He

asked the boy's father, "How long has this been going on?"


"Ever since he was a little boy. 22 Many times it pitches him

into fire or the river to do away with him. If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart

and help us!"


23 Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can

happen." 24 No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the

father cried, "Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!" Do we need

to pray for our doubts, our unbelief, pray for true conviction?


You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow

Luke 9:57-62 MSG On the road someone asked if he could go

along. "I'll go with you, wherever," he said. 58 Jesus was curt: "Are

you ready to rough it?


We're not staying in the best inns, you know." 59 Jesus said to

another, "Follow me." He said, "Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father's

funeral."


60 Jesus refused. "First things first. Your business is life, not

death. And life is urgent: Announce God's kingdom!"


61 Then another said, "I'm ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home." 62 Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward

looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize

the day."

feb 4-10-07 do we need more proof

Spiritual

son of god luke

son matthew

messiah of god luke

holy son of god

virgin son

son of man

son of jonah

living god