The Inescapable Christ

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THE DECISION OF WHETHER OR NOT TO FOLLOW CHRIST -

INESCAPABLE.

B.      ONE CAN'T IGNORE THE QUESTION, "IS JESUS THE SON OF GOD?"

C.      THE HONEST MAN DEALS WITH THE QUESTION NOW. 

D.      WE ALL MUST SOMEDAY.

I.      THE PERSON OF CHRIST IS INESCAPABLE.

A.      WAS THERE A JESUS?

          1.       Gnostic opposition - Ignorant assertions today.

          2.       John's observations( 1 John 1:1-3 ).

          3.       Secular record è Josephus, Tacitus, the monuments.

B.      WAS JESUS A GOOD MAN?

          1.       Pilate's testimony( John 18:38 ).

          2.       The Jews( John 8:46 ).

          3.       Those who knew him best( Heb. 4:15;  1 Pet. 2:21-24 ).

C.      WAS JESUS WHO HE CLAIMED TO BE?( John 20:30-31 ).

          1.       The answer hangs on the resurrection( Rom. 1:4 ).

          2.       Who can deny what the apostles saw( Acts 2:32;  1 Cor. 15:1-7, 19 ).

          3.       The enemies could not deny it( Acts 4:16 ).

II.     THE NEED FOR JESUS IS INESCAPABLE.

A.      WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF JESUS COMING INTO THE WORLD?

          1.       The world was lost in sin( Rom. 3:9-10, 23 ).

          2.       Sin dooms us( Rom. 3:23;  James 1:15 ).

          3.       We need a Savior!( John 3:16;  Rom. 5:8 ).

          4.       Jesus is God's only Savior( John 6:68-69;  Acts 4:12 ).

B.      JESUS ALSO FULFILLS THE NEEDS OF SOCIETY.

          1.       What is the great need of society today?

                             LOVE( John 13:34-35;  Rom. 13:8-10 ).

          2.       The principles Jesus taught are essential elements in a

                             stable society( Gal. 5:22-23 ).

C.      JESUS FULFILLS THE NEEDS OF THE PERSON.

          1.       He gives reason for living - a cause to live for( Phil. 1:26-27 ).

          2.       He gives moral us direction ( John 8:12;  1 Pet. 2:21-24;  Titus 2:11-12 ).

          3.       He gives hope when the way is hard( 2 Cor. 4:16-18 ).

          4.       He gives joy to the persecuted( Mat. 5:10-12 ).

          5.       He gives strength to the tempted( Heb. 12:1-2 ).

III.    THE JUDGMENT OF JESUS IS INESCAPABLE.

A.      ALL ARE GOING TO BE JUDGED( 2 Cor. 5:10 ).

B.      THERE WILL BE NO EXCUSES( Acts 17:30-31 ).

C.      WHAT IS THE STANDARD FOR ALL( John 12:48;  Rom. 2:16 ).

D.      Heb. 2:1-3.

CONCLUSION:

A.      NO ONE CAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING WILL ESCAPE THE CHRIST.

B.      EVERY KNEE - EVERY TONGUE( Phil. 2:9-11 ).

C.      WHAT ABOUT YOU?