It is an “outrageous claim that, almost two millennia ago, a man who had died an unbelievably horrible death came back to unbelievably wonderful life—and offers to include us in this life, if we will trust in him.” Christians believe that very account of Jesus Christ, and Easter celebrates it. There are many, though, who do not trust him, finding the claim to be too outrageous. Too unbelievable. And that is the question we want to explore and answer this Easter season. Using Rebecca McLaughlin’s short book as our guide, we’ll explore four key questions that are most frequently asked concerning Jesus, his death and resurrection. All of which leads to the critical question of personal faith. We’ll be giving away free copies of the book throughout the series. Invite friends and family to join you in person or online for this impactful series.

Series: Is Easter Unbelievable?

Todd Dugard

Message: 1 – Is Jesus’ life historical?

Harvest Bible Chapel

Text: Various Scriptures

March 24, 2024

Galatians 1:8

1 Timothy 2:5

[This study will] look at the outrageous claim that, almost two millennia ago, a man who had died an unbelievably horrible death came back to unbelievably wonderful life and offers to include us in this life, if we will trust in him.

Rebecca McLaughlin

Consider the Jesus who lived…

…I know his story (Mark 10:45; Luke 24:46-47)

People said that his words alone could stop storms, heal the sick, and even raise the dead. He claimed that he was indeed God’s Son and that he was the much-anticipated Christ.

Rebecca McLaughlin

…I hear the evidence (Matthew 8:26; Mark 8:33; Mark 14:26-31, 66-72)

The reality is that whatever else you may think about Jesus, he certainly did exist...and this view is held by virtually every expert on the planet.

Bart Ehrman

[The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are] the oldest and best sources we have for knowing about the life of Jesus [and that this is] the view of all serious historians of antiquity of every kind, from committed evangelical Christians to hardcore atheists.

Bart Ehrman

…I acknowledge the sources (John 21:25)

…I need his message (John 6:68)

John 6:53-56

John 6:60

John 20:3

FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Making Sense of God: Finding God in the Modern World

Timothy Keller

https://a.co/d/cjUdb1I

Handbook of Christian Apologetics: Hundreds of Answers to Crucial Questions

Peter Kreeft, Ronald K. Tacelli

https://a.co/d/aXgRGH9

Confronting Jesus: 9 Encounters with the Hero of the Gospels

Rebecca McLaughlin

https://a.co/d/4jl9z8u

Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion

Rebecca McLaughlin

https://a.co/d/fjbZ2GG