Why I Follow Christ

WHY AM I A CHRISTIAN?

2 Timothy 2:24-26 The Lord s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

1 Peter 3:14-16 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

1 John 1:1-4 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ

IS THERE A GOD?

DESIGN IN EVERYTHING IS OBVIOUS TO ALL! ROMANS 1:18-20, for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, Because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

GENERATION OF MATERIAL ORDER FROM CHAOS SCIENCE ASKS FOR AT LEAST 5 MIRACLES LIFE FROM NON- LIFE CONSCIOUSNESS FROM LIFE TRANSCENDANCE FROM CONSCIOUSNESS

TRANSCENDANCE IN HUMANS ORIGIN MEANING MORALITY DESTINY Where do we come from? Why are we here? How are we to act or behave? What are we going?

ZECHARIAH 8:20-23 Thus says the LORD of hosts, It will yet be that peoples will come, even the inhabitants of many cities. The inhabitants of one will go to another, saying, Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts; I will also go. So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts, In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.

ISAIAH 2:2-4 Now it will come about that In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths. For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.

ISAIAH 9:6-7 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

PRIVATE angelic encounter about God PRIVATE dream about God HOW MOST RELIGIONS STARTED One person told everyone of their PRIVATE encounter PRIVATE idea about God

How Christianity Started After a PUBLIC ministry, Jesus was killed PUBLICLY Jesus rose from a PUBLIC tomb, PUBLICLY Jesus PUBLICLY showed Himself to the PUBLIC The PUBLIC told everyone what they saw

LUKE 1:1-4 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

ACTS 1:1-3 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.

THE NEW TESTAMENT EYEWITNESSES Followed Jesus for 3 years, deserting Him when He was arrested They saw Jesus scourged, crucified, speared, and laid in a tomb Jesus Apostles 12 ordinary men They preached the Resurrected Messiah to the Jews at the Feast of Pentecost They led difficult lives for the rest of their days due to their continued preaching They spent 40 days with the risen Jesus

The Unusual Longevity of Jesus of Nazareth Why is His story the most well- preserved writings the world has ever seen? How can you explain why we are still talking about Jesus? Why the time reckoning of the world is based on His birth?