Restitutio

by William Lane Craig

How do we know God really raised Jesus of Nazareth from the dead?  If I say, “The bible tells me so,” what is the obvious next question?  “How do you know the bible is true?”  Of course, then I would need to launch into a full on defense of biblical inspiration.  But what if there were another way–a shortcut?  Rather than assume or prove the bible is God’s inspired book, what if we could still demonstrate that the thesis “God raised Jesus of Nazareth from the dead” is the best explanation of the historical evidence?  This is precisely what William Lane Craig does in this excellent presentation.  He identifies four historical facts that believers and skeptics alike agree happened: the honorable burial, the empty tomb, the appearance experiences, and the belief in Jesus’ resurrection.  Join Craig, one of the finest apologists of the 21st century, as he lays out the historical case for Jesus’ resurrection with clarity and cogency.

by Sean Finnegan

Why did Jesus so often tell people to be quiet when they discovered he was the messiah?  Christianity is all about telling the world this truth.  In fact, Jesus’ last words–the Great Commission–include the mandate to spread the gospel around the world.  So, why was it that in his own ministry he was so reticent about who he was?  Was it because of humility or did he have another reason?  Listen to this message to find out about the messianic secret and the glorious moment when Jesus publicly announced his messianic claim during his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

initial narrative (Mark 11.1-11)

messianic secret

the triumphal entry as revealing the ultimate secret

But what is a “Messiah?”

three ways: (coded actions)

but the Romans, the bad guys, would not like that, because they wanted to stay in charge

Jesus is Messiah! Jesus is Messiah! Jesus is Messiah!

by Keith Daniel

Hailing from South Africa, Keith Daniel is one of the best preachers I’ve ever heard.  His unmitigated passion and lived experience colors his biblical exposition in a way that urges the listener to be better for God.  This sermon is not really a sermon but a biography of his father.  In it Daniel recounts the remarkable life of his “daddy” who went through not only the Great Depression and World War II, but also came to make piles of money in the business world before realizing that he was about to lose his family due to his insane work habits and his alcohol addiction.  Although the audio quality is not very good, the content couldn’t be better.  Listen in to the phenomenal testimony of an unlikely man who changed so much that his wife once asked, “I don’t know who you are anymore,” since she was so overwhelmed by the dramatic change in his life.

by Sean Finnegan

Why do we believe that Jesus is the Jewish messiah?  What is our evidence?  Taking a look at contemporary miracle workers like Honi the Circle Drawer and Hanina ben Dosa, Jesus of Nazareth stands out as an exceptional healer and exorcist.  Taking our cue from ancient Jewish interpretations of Isaiah 53, we can see how Jesus of Nazareth best fits the prophesied suffering servant.  These two lines of inquiry intertwine in the historical Jesus to produce a compelling case that he really is the long-awaited Jewish messiah.

Miracles

Isaiah 35: The prophet envisions a renewed world when the desert will bloom, the weak will find encouragement, the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap, the mute will shout, and all will worship God joyfully.

Isaiah 61: God acts bringing good news to the afflicted, liberty to the captives, vengeance to the wicked, and comfort to all who mourn. His people will rebuild, serve as priests, and possess a double portion in the land. As the earth brings forth sprouts, so God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up.

Other miracle workers: Honi the Circle Drawer (1st century bc), Hanina ben Dosa (1st century ad)

Messiahs

Isaiah 53: He will not have a majestic appearance, but he will be despised, forsaken, acquainted with grief. He will bear our griefs and sorrows, be pierced through for our transgressions, be crushed for our iniquities. By his scourging we are healed. Oppressed and afflicted, he remained silent. He was cut off yet found his grave with the rich; thereby, he interceded for transgressors and justified the many.

Jewish sources that thought Isaiah 53 referred to the Messiah:

Other leaders of messianic movements: Athronges (4 bc), Judah the Galilean (ad 6), the Samaritan Prophet (ad 36), Theudas (ad 45), the Egyptian Prophet (ad 58), Simon bar Giora (ad 69), Simon ben Kosiba (ad 132)

Who best fits the Kingdom age and suffering servant prophecies?

by Craig Blomberg

This is one of those areas where, as a preacher, I can’t help but be very sensitive.  Although most pastors struggle with just enough to get by, a few have amassed great wealth or even embezzled people’s contributions.  Because of some very public bad examples, people tend to be leery of listening to pastors talk about finances.  However, it’s an extremely significant topic that the bible talks about quite a lot: both how to steward your possessions and how to give.  Join Craig Blomberg as he surveys the bible, basing his remarks on his book Neither Poverty nor Riches.  I think you will be surprised by the breadth of his presentation as well as gain some insight into this important topic.

by Sean Finnegan

Have you ever wondered what happened between the Old Testament and the New Testament?  When the Old Testament closes the people have returned to their land after the 70 year captivity and are living under the Persian empire, though they have significant freedoms, including the right to worship God in the rebuilt temple.  However, when we begin reading the New Testament, the whole scene is different.  Now the Romans are in power and we encounter these new religious groups likes Sadducees and Pharisees.  Where did they come from?  What happened in between?  Though you might assume the Romans just took over from the Persians, the story in ancient Israel is more complicated than that.  The people fought and won their independence from their Greek overlords and established a kingdom that lasted over a century–called the Hasmonean dynasty.  Often times historians refer to this time as the Maccabean period, named after the revolutionary freedom fighter, Judah the Maccabee.  Understanding this interim is crucial for New Testament studies and explains why so many Judeans in Jesus’ day were naming their kids John, Judah (or Judas), and Simon.

This lecture was part of a class called “Exploring Scripture.”  To access more of this class, go to Exploring Scripture.

If you can’t see the slides to this lecture, click here.

Overview from Abraham to the Return from Exile

Age of Empires

Alexander the Great

Hellenization: Alexander’s idea to make the world Greece

He spread:

by Ben Witherington III

Have you heard about the controversial James Ossuary?  An ossuary is a small coffin, often made of limestone, that the Jews in the second Temple period used for the bones of their deceased loved ones.  Someone found an ossuary with the inscription “James son of Joseph, his brother is Jesus.”  Could this find be the actual ossuary of Jesus’ brother, James?  Join world class scholar, Ben Witherington, as he defends it’s authenticity.  If Witherington is correct, this archaeological find is the best material evidence of early Christianity.

by Sean Finnegan

What is the meaning of life? What is the reason to live? Why are you here? What are you living for? In what ways does your life make a difference? How do you lead a meaningful life?  Listen to this message to discover not only what happiness experts says, but, more importantly, what Jesus’ purpose statements were and how that can affect your purpose today.

Rick Warren’s Three Levels of Living

Martin Seligman’s Three Levels of Happiness

Both put purpose at the pinnacle of human experience.

Jesus’ Purpose Statements

As he was sent so he sends us (John 20.21)

We are his witnesses (Luke 24.46-48)

Our great commission (Matthew 28.18-20)