December 11-12, 2004, Selected

CSI: CHANDLER
ARE THERE ANY WITNESSES?

*** John 20:29-31 "Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you see me. Those who believe without seeing me will be truly happy." Jesus did many other miracles in the presence of his followers that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Then, by believing, you may have life through his name." [New Century Version]

IN OUR CHRISTMAS STORY INVESTIGATION WE CALL:

THE PROPHETS - OUR FIRST WITNESSES!
*** 2 Peter 1:19-21 "This makes us more sure about the message the prophets gave. It is good for you to follow closely what they said as you would follow a light shining in a dark place, until the day begins and the morning star rises in your hearts. You must understand this: No prophecy in the Scriptures ever comes from the prophet's own interpretation. No prophecy ever came from what a person wanted to say, but people led by the Holy Spirit spoke words from God." [NCV]

OVER 300 PROPHETIC PASSAGES THAT REFERENCE
THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH!

61 THAT REFER SPECIFICALLY TO THE LIFE, DEATH & RESURRECTION!

JESUS FULFILLS EVERY ONE!

Genesis 3:15 - He will be born of a woman with no apparent father! [Gal 4:4]
Isaiah 7:14 - His mother will be a virgin! [Mt. 1:18, 24, 25]
Genesis 18:18 - He will be a descendant of Abraham! [Mt. 1:1]
Genesis 17:19 - He will be a descendant of Isaac! [Lk. 3:23-24]
Numbers 24:17 - He will be a descendant of Jacob! [Lk. 3:23-24]
Genesis 49:10 - He will be from the tribe of Judah! [Lk. 3:23]
Isaiah 11:1 - He will be from the family of Jesse! [Lk. 3:23]
Isaiah 9:7 - He will be direct descendant of David! [Lk. 3:23]
Micah 5:2 - He will be born in Bethlehem! [Mt. 2:1]
Daniel 9:25 - He will be born 434 years after the Temple was rebuilt! [Lk. 2:1-2]
Psalm 72:10 - He will receive gift from distant rulers! [Mt. 2:1,11]
Jeremiah 31:15 - His birth will coincide with the slaughter of infants! [Mt. 2:16]
Hosea 11:1 - As a child He would come out of Egypt! [Mt. 2:14]
Psalm 110:1 - He will be called the Lord! [Lk.2:11]
Isaiah 7:14 - He will be called Immanuel! [Mt. 1:23]

STATISTICAL PROBABILITY THAT 48 OF THESE PROPHECIES COULD BE FULFILLED BY ONE PERSON IN RANDOM CHANCE - 1 IN 10^157!
Dr. Peter Stoner, SCIENCE SPEAKS

THE REPORTERS - OUR SECOND WITNESSES!
*** John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." [NIV]
*** Matthew 1:17-18 "Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ. This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about...." [NIV]
*** Luke 1:1-4 "Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught." [NIV]

CHARACTER WITNESSES, THE THIRD WITNESS!
*** Deut. 19:15 "You cannot convict anyone of a crime or sin on the word of one witness. You need two or three witnesses to make a case." [Message]
THE DEMONIC! - Mark 3:11 "And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him, they would fall down in front of him shrieking, "You are the Son of God!" [New Living Translation]
THE PEOPLE OF SAMARIA! - John 4:42 "Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe because we have heard him ourselves, not just because of what you told us. He is indeed the Savior of the world." [NLT]
THE APOSTLES! - Matthew 14:33 "Then the disciples worshiped him. "You really are the Son of God!" they exclaimed." [NLT]
PETER! - Matthew 16:15-16 "Then he asked them, "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
MARTHA! - John 11:27 "Yes, Lord, I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God." [NLT]

THE CENTURION! - Mark 15:39 “The centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"
THOMAS! - John 20:28 "My Lord and my God!" Thomas exclaimed." [NLT]
JESUS, HIMSELF! - Mark 14:61-62 "Then the high priest asked Jesus, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the blessed God?" Jesus said, "I am...." [NLT]
GOD THE FATHER AND THE HOLY SPIRIT! - Mark 1:10-11 "And when Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens split open and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven saying, "You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you." [NLT]

A CHANGED LIFE, THE FOURTH WITNESS!
*** John 9:32-38 "And this is the first time in history that anyone has ever given sight to someone born blind. Jesus could not do anything unless he came from God." The leaders told the man, "You have been a sinner since the day you were born! Do you think you can teach us anything?" Then they said, "You can never come back into any of our meeting places!" When Jesus heard what had happened, he went and found the man. Then Jesus asked, "Do you have faith in the Son of Man?" He replied, "Sir, if you will tell me who he is, I will put my faith in him." "You have already seen him," Jesus answered, "and right now he is talking with you." The man said, "Lord, I put my faith in you!" Then he worshiped Jesus."
[Contemporary English Version]

YOUR CHANGED LIFE - THE FIFTH WITNESS!