Intro: in the midst of great personal tragedies and conflict, it is recorded that John the Baptist had a faith lapse. He asks, are you he, or should we look for another? After ministering to the multitudes and declaring Jesus to be the Christ, he wondered if he had really found the answer. I guess somewhere in many people’s lives the devil will come to them with doubt, fears and unbelief. He will question is this walk the right path, are you sure about your beliefs. So tonight I would like to certify our position as Christians as authentic. And give the reason for the hope within us in simple terms.
The Authenticity of Christianity
We will give scriptures and practical thought tonight on why living this Christian life is real, the right way, authentic, and of supernatural origin.
1. the reality of the Word of God as true—I Timothy 3:16-17
The first place we will visit tonight on our journey through the authenticity of Christianity is with our Bibles as the Word of God. That it declares itself to be inspired by God, and gives us the beginning of time to the end.
a. uniformity of the scriptures—66 books, written over thousands of years in different places, cultures, by different writers and still there is a uniformity that even the greatest atheists who have tried to prove it as a non-valid document, have never proven contradictions, never proven fabrications, never found any historical proofs that would be contrary to what the Word of God says.
b. Hebrews 4:12—I have never met any sincere person who had read the word of God that hasn’t felt supernatural origin. It makes you cry, it shows you your life in detail, it explains your heart, thoughts, motives. It convicts you of sin, and convinces you that Jesus Christ is Lord.
c. Effectiveness of preached word—millions have given their lives to Jesus through the preached word. Miracles, Healings, Deliverances all show the power of God’s Word.
2. The Name of Jesus—the next topic for discussion on why Christianity is authentic, is the name of Jesus.
a. there is something about that name—you can say any other name and it may evoke warm feelings. But only at the name of Jesus do you see people moved to great emotion. The name that is higher than any other name, at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow. There is no other name by which we must be saved.
b. Supernatural in ability—there are thousands of stories that could be told tonight how people have prayed in the name of Jesus in this congregation, and immediately God moved with a healing, a miracle, a powerful change or a blessing that came through praying in the name of Jesus.
3. Anti-Semitic and Anti-Christian hatred—the next proof of the reality of Christianity being authentic is universal hatred toward Israel, and Christianity. Jesus said, you will be hated by all men.
a. The Devil and Demonic activity in this world is constantly fighting against everything Christian. It isn’t just a natural objection, but a supernatural hatred toward those things holy and righteous.
b. Banning prayer in school, burning bibles around the world, blocking Christian missions, the great amount of martyrdom in the world today, are all signs that this walk with Jesus Christ is real. If it wasn’t real, if it was just a religious organization, then there wouldn’t be this immense persecution of believers around the world.
4. Fulfillment of Prophecy—it would take to long to go over each individual prophecy in scripture that has come to pass in our world, but fulfillment of prophecy is undeniable, we will name a few that could never be disproven.
a. the accuracy of prophecies concerning the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Born in a manger, Born a Nazarene, Miracles, Death on a cross, etc.
b. Israel becoming a nation that wasn’t a nation in 1948—even to the religious skeptic, this is unexplainable, but prophesied.
c. Last day events—one world system of viewing a worldwide event, television. One world marking system, internet. No one buying or selling without a mark—credit card system and move to cashless societies. Eyes of the world on Jerusalem, Israel—middle east conflict. Perilous times like never seen in the history of mankind—terrorism. Signs in the sky—tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, even global warming prophesied.
5. Supernatural Change in Lives, and Absolute Commitment
The bible records many stories of men and women who came in contact with Jesus or the gospel of Jesus Christ that had an absolute change. It is also recorded throughout scripture, that it wasn’t just an emotional, one time event, but they were willing to suffer, be placed in jail and die as martyrs for the cause of Christ. This once again is a sign of the authenticity of Christianity.
a. The disciples—ordinary, common, fishermen—turned into mighty apostles for God. They spoke with power, they walked in boldness, they died for the cause of Christ. If it was all just a religion, if it was all just a mere fabrication, then surely Christianity would have died with Christ.
b. Life changing power of the gospel today—the proof is in the
pudding, we see lives changed, people set free, marriages and
homes put back together by this gospel.
c. missionaries today---our heroes of the faith are our missionaries
who are taking this gospel into the whole world. They are
traveling to remote places and seeing great results for Christ.
6. It’s growth, it’s longevity, it’s vital aspect in the world today—
Gameliel’s word—Acts 5:38,39—if this be of man it will come to nought, but if it is of God, ye cannot overthrow it..
a. the impossible mission--- can you imagine that Jesus entrusted the entire plan of salvation, the reaching of the world, and the preparing for His glorious return to 12 disciples and a small band of believers. If it was of man it would have died with that generation, but because it is of God it will last forever, of this kingdom there will never be an end.
b. Remnant—no matter how many deny the Lord, no matter how
Hard people fight to destroy it, there will always be a people, there will always be those who won’t bow down to the God of this world.
7. Experiencing the Presence of God—another vital point in the authenticity of Christianity is the presence of God. Non Christians can attack the church as being a big organization, they can say it is irrelevant in society, they can even declare hypocrisy in the pew, but one thing that is undeniable, and that is the move of God.
a. it is recorded that many people who came to Azuza street mission to disprove the revival were so touched by the power of God, they became some of the early pastors, evangelists and missionaries in the A/G.
b. Aimee Simple McPherson—we had a couple that were part of her ministry in California, that relayed how high ranking officials in state government, and local celebrities would come to visit the church for show, but would get so touched by God they would get saved in the services.
c. Personal experiences that are undeniable.
Close: these are just a few of the ways that a proving ground of the validity of Christianity as being real and genuine.
The bible says in the last day there will be a great falling away. Why will people fall away, it is because many will say, everything is going on in this world just like it has since the beginning of the world. Basically, they will lose faith in the promises of God. But tonight, I want to encourage you to be the person who knows that they know, that they know that they know.
We’ve come to far to turn back now!
