Introduction:
A. Paul Harvey told about a 3-year-old boy who went to the grocery store with his mother.
1. Before they entered the grocery store she said to him, “Now you’re not going to get any chocolate chip cookies, so don’t even ask.”
2. She put him in the cart and he sat in the little child’s seat while she wheeled down the aisles.
3. He was doing just fine until they came to the cookie section.
a. He saw the chocolate chip cookies and he stood up in the seat and said, “Mom, can I have some chocolate chip cookies?”
b. She said, “I told you not even to ask. You’re not going to get any at all.”
4. So he sat back down and they continued down the aisles, but in their search for certain items they ended up back in the cookie aisle.
a. “Mom, can I please have some chocolate chip cookies?”
b. She said, “I told you that you can’t have any. Now sit down and be quiet.”
5. Finally, as they approached the checkout, the little boy sensed that this may be his last chance.
a. So just before they got to the line, he stood up on the seat of the cart and shouted in his loudest voice, “In the name of Jesus, may I have some chocolate chip cookies?”
b. And everybody around just laughed. Some even applauded.
c. And, according to Paul Harvey, due to the generosity of the other shoppers, the little boy and his mother left with 23 boxes of chocolate chip cookies.
B. For many of us the name of Jesus is the sweetest and most powerful name in the world.
1. But for others Jesus is either one they respect or one they reject as having even existed.
2. The late Christopher Hitchens wrote a book provocatively titled God is not Great.
a. One of the main responses to that book was entitled What's so Great about Christianity?
b. In my view it was the wrong title and the wrong answer. Christianity is not great. Christ is.
c. Far too often we are so busy defending Christianity, or the Church, or the actions and words of some self-professing Christians, that we forget about Christ.
d. And yet, Jesus is the ultimate apologetic. Truth is not a set of propositions. It is a Person.
3. David Robertson is a minister, author and teacher in Scotland who one day was having a conversation with a student about Jesus and the student asked, “Yes, but who is Jesus?”
a. This student was not ignorant - he had the usual general knowledge and cultural awareness of Jesus, but his question was spot on – “Who is Jesus, really?”
b. Roberston wondered how to respond, he wanted to offer something to read, but he could not think of a book about Jesus to give a post-modern 21st Century western secularist.
c. So Robertson decided to write a book that he entitled Magnificent Obsession.
4. When asked, where he got that title “Magnificent Obsession,” Robertson reminisced about a BBC program he had watched as a teenager entitled How to Get to Heaven in Montana.
a. It was the story of a Mennonite community where some of the younger members had become “born-again” Christians, which had resulted in some tensions in the community.
b. The preacher died and his son became the leader of the “born agains.”
c. The young leader was asked by the interviewer: “What does Jesus Christ mean to you?”
d. Robertson said, “I will never forget the look on his face, as his eyes filled with tears and he passionately and quietly explained, ‘Jesus? Jesus? He is my everything. He is beautiful. He is my Magnificent Obsession.’ ”
C. Today, I want to try to convey to you why Jesus is my “Magnificent Obsession.”
1. Christianity is unique among world religions, and Christ’s true uniqueness is the centerpiece of Christianity.
2. The truth about Christ is based primarily on the New Testament documents which have been shown to be authentic.
3. The New Testament record, especially the Gospels, is one of the most reliable documents from the ancient world.
4. From these documents we learn that numerous facets of Christ are absolutely unique.
D. Jesus Christ is unique in that he alone, of all who ever lived, was both God and man.
1. The New Testament teaches the fully unified deity and humanity of Christ.
2. The Nicene Creed (AD 325) states the uniform belief of all orthodox Christianity that Christ was fully God and fully man in one person.
3. All heresies regarding Christ deny one or both of these propositions.
4. This, as a claim alone, makes him unique above all other religious leaders or persons who have ever lived, and it can be backed up with factual evidence.
5. Some of this evidence is seen in other aspects of Christ’s uniqueness.
6. So, why do I believe in Jesus?
I. I Believe in Jesus Because of The Supernatural Nature of Christ
A. Jesus’ supernatural nature is seen in the following seven aspects.
B. First, Jesus is Unique in Messianic Prophecies.
1. Jesus lived a miracle-filled and supernaturally empowered existence from his conception to his ascension.
2. Centuries before his birth he was foretold by supernatural prophecy.
3. The Old Testament, which even the most ardent critic acknowledges was in existence centuries before Christ, predicted the where (Micah 5:2), the when (Daniel 9:26), and the how (Isaiah 7:14) of Christ’s entry into the world.
4. He would be born of a woman (Genesis 3:15) from the line of Adam’s son Seth (Genesis 4:26), through Noah’s son Shem (Genesis 9:26–27), and Abraham (Genesis 12:3; 15:5).
5. He would come through the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10) and would be the son of David (2 Sam. 7:12f.).
6. The Old Testament predicted that Christ would die for our sins (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; Daniel 9:26; Zechariah 12:10) and would rise from the dead (Psalms 2:7; 16:10).
7. All of these supernatural prophecies were uniquely fulfilled in Jesus Christ - This is not true of any other great religious leader or person who has ever lived, including Muhammad.
C. Second, Jesus is Unique in Conception.
1. Jesus was not only supernaturally anticipated; he was also miraculously conceived.
2. When Mathew told of his virgin conception (1:22–23), he pointed to Isaiah’s prophesy (7:14).
3. Luke, a physician, records this miraculous inception of human life (Luke 1:26f.); Paul alludes to it in Galatians 4:4.
4. Of all human conceptions, Jesus’ stands as unique and miraculous – He was born of a virgin!
D. Third, Jesus is Unique in Miraculous Power.
1. From his very first miracle in Cana of Galilee (John 2:11), Jesus’ ministry was marked by its miracles (cf. John 3:2; Acts 2:22).
2. These were not healings of delusional illnesses, nor were they explainable on natural grounds.
3. They were unique in that they were immediate, always successful, had no known re lapses, and healed illnesses that were incurable by medicine, such as persons born blind (John 9).
4. Jesus even raised several people from the dead, including Lazarus whose body was already to the point of rotting (John 11:39).
5. When asked if he was the Messiah, Jesus used his miracles as evidence to support the claim saying, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised’ (Matthew 11:4-5).
6. This outpouring of miracles was set forth ahead of time by prophets as a special sign that Messiah had come (see Isaiah 35:5-6).
7. The Jewish Pharisee, Nicodemus, said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him” (John 3:2).
E. Fourth, Jesus is Unique in Death.
1. The events surrounding Christ’s death were miraculous.
2. This included the darkness from noon to 3 p.m. (Mk. 15:33) and the earthquake that opened the tombs and rent the temple veil (Mt. 27:51-54).
3. The manner in which he suffered the excruciating torture of crucifixion was miraculous.
4. The attitude he maintained toward his mockers and executioners was miraculous, saying, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
5. The way in which he actually died was miraculous.
a. As Jesus said, “I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:18).
b. At the very moment of his departure, he was not overcome by death. Rather, he voluntarily dismissed his spirit. “Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit’ ” (John 19:30).
F. Fifth, Jesus is Unique in the Resurrection.
1. The crowning miracle of Jesus’ earthly mission was the resurrection.
2. It was not only predicted in the Old Testament (Ps. 2, 16), but Jesus himself predicted it from the very beginning of his ministry: He said, “ ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’... But the temple he had spoken of was his body” (Jn 2:19, 21; Mt. 12:40–42; 17:9).
3. Jesus demonstrated the reality of his resurrection in 12 appearances over 40 days to more than 500 people (1 Corinthians 15).
G. Sixth, Jesus is Unique in the Ascension.
1. Just like his entrance into this world, Jesus’ departure was also miraculous.
2. After commissioning his disciples, the Bible says, “he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them” (Acts 1:10).
3. Contrary to the view of some, this was not a “parable” but a literal bodily ascension into heaven from which he will return some day (Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7, 19–20).
H. Seventh, and finally, Jesus is Unique in Sinlessness.
1. Some of Jesus’ enemies brought false accusations against him, but the verdict of Pilate at his trial has been the verdict of history: “I find no basis for a charge against this man” (Luke 23:4).
2. A soldier at the cross agreed saying, “Surely this was a righteous man” (Luke 23:47), and the thief on the cross next to Jesus said, “This man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:41).
3. For a description of what those closest to Jesus thought of his character, Hebrews says that he was tempted as a man “yet without sinning” (4:15).
4. Jesus himself once challenged his accusers, “Which of you convicts me of sin?” (John 8:46), but no one was able to find him guilty of anything.
I. So, I believe in Jesus, first of all, because of the supernatural nature of Christ.
II. I Believe in Jesus Because of The Character of Christ
A. Jesus’s character is unique in other ways - To a perfect degree, Jesus manifested the best of virtues while He also combined seemingly opposing traits.
B. First, Jesus’ Character is Unique In Exemplifying Virtues.
1. Jesus’ willing submission to the humiliating suffering and death by crucifixion, while he maintained love and forgiveness toward those killing him is proof of this virtue (Lk 23:34, 43).
2. He alone lived perfectly what he taught in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7).
3. He did not retaliate against his enemies; instead, he forgave them.
4. He rebuked his disciples for misusing the sword (Mt. 26:52), and miraculously reattached and healed the amputated ear of one of the mob who came to take him to his death (Luke 22:50).
5. Jesus was the perfect example of patience, kindness, and compassion.
6. He had compassion on the multitudes (Mt. 9:36), and wept over Jerusalem (Mt. 23:37).
7. Even though he justly condemned the Pharisees who misled the innocent (Mt. 23), he did not hesitate to speak with Jewish leaders who showed interest (John 3).
C. Second, Jesus’ Character is Unique in Combining Seemingly Opposite Traits.
1. One of the unique things about Christ is the way he brought together in his person characteristics that in anyone else would seem impossible.
2. He was a perfect example of humility, to the extent of washing his disciples’ feet (Jn. 13).
a. Yet he made bold claims to deity, such as, “I and the Father are One” (Jn. 10:30) and “before Abraham was, I AM” (Jn. 8:58; cf. Ex. 3:14).
3. Jesus made the claim, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Mt. 11:29).
a. Yet he was so strong as to overturn the tables of those who merchandised God’s house, cracking a whip to chase away their animals (Jn. 2).
4. Jesus was known for the virtue of kindness, yet he was severe with hypocrites who misled the innocent (Mt. 23).
D. Third, Jesus’ Character is Unique in Teaching.
1. The substance of what Jesus taught finds its roots in the Old Testament (Mt. 5:17–18).
2. Yet, he condemned meaningless traditions and misinterpretations of the Old Testament (Mt. 5:21f., 15:3–5 ).
3. Though the essence of what he taught was not new, the form and the manner in which he taught it is unique.
4. The vivid parables, such as the good Samaritan (Lk. 10), the prodigal son (Lk. 15), and the lost sheep (Lk. 15:4f.), are masterpieces of communication.
a. Parables stand at the heart of Jesus’ teaching style.
b. By drawing on the lifestyles of the people to illustrate the truths he wished to convey, Jesus communicated truth and refuted error.
c. Also, by speaking in parables he could avoid “casting pearls before swine.”
d. He could confound and confuse those who did not wish to believe, yet illuminate those who did desire to believe.
e. While the use of allegories and parables themselves was not unique, the manner in which Jesus employed parables was.
f. He brought the art of teaching eternal mystery in terms of everyday experience to a new height.
5. The manner in which Jesus taught is unique.
a. The Jewish intellectuals admitted, “No one ever spoke the way this man does” (John 7:46).
b. As a boy, he impressed even the rabbis in the temple. The Bible says, “ For Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers” (Luke 2:47).
c. Later, he confounded those who attempted to trick him so that “No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions” (Matthew 22:46).
Conclusion:
A. And so, Jesus is absolutely unique among all who ever lived.
1. He is unique in his supernatural nature, in his superlative character, and in his life and teaching.
2. No other world teacher has claimed to be God.
3. No religious or philosophical leader has displayed the love for people that Jesus did in dying for the sins of the world (Jn. 15:13; Rom. 5:6–8).
4. Jesus is absolutely unique among all human beings who ever lived.
B. The question for each of us here today, and every person everywhere and who will ever live is this: Who do you believe that Jesus is? Lord? Liar? Or Lunatic?
1. C. S. Lewis, who was a professor at Cambridge University and once an agnostic, understood this issue clearly, he wrote: “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic - on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg ‑ or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the son of God: or else a madman or something worse.”
2. Then Lewis adds: “You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
3. Jesus claimed to be God. He didn't leave any other option open. His claim must be either true or false, so it is something that should be given serious consideration.
C. Jesus’ question to His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” (Mt. 16:15) has several answers.
1. First, suppose that His claim to be God was false.
a. If it was false, then we have only two alternatives.
b. He either knew it was false or He didn’t know it was false.
c. Let’s consider each one separately and examine the evidence.
2. Was Jesus a Liar?
a. If, when Jesus made His claims, He knew that He was not God, then He was lying and deliberately deceiving His followers.
b. But if He was a liar, then He was also a hypocrite because He told others to be honest, whatever the cost, while He himself taught and lived a colossal lie.
c. More than that, He was a demon, because He told others to trust Him for their eternal destiny. If He couldn't back up His claims and knew it, then He was unspeakably evil.
d. Last, He would also be a fool because it was His claims of being God that led to His death.
3. Many say that Jesus was a good moral teacher.
a. But let's be realistic: How could He be a great moral teacher and knowingly mislead people at the most important point of His teaching ‑ His own identity?
b. You would have to conclude logically that He was a deliberate liar.
4. This view of Jesus, however, doesn't coincide with what we know either of Him or the results of His life and teachings.
a. Wherever Jesus has been proclaimed, lives have been changed for the good, nations have changed for the better, thieves are made honest, alcoholics are cured, hateful individuals become channels of love, and unjust persons become just.
5. Someone who lived as Jesus lived, taught as Jesus taught, and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar.
D. If it is inconceivable for Jesus to be a liar, then couldn’t He actually have thought Himself to be God, but had been mistaken? After all, it’s possible to be both sincere and wrong.
1. But we must remember that for someone to think himself God, especially in a fiercely monotheistic culture, and then to tell others that their eternal destiny depended on believing in him, is no light flight of fantasy but the thoughts of a lunatic in the fullest sense.
2. Was Jesus Christ such a person? Was Jesus a lunatic?
3. Someone who believes he is God sounds like someone today believing himself Napoleon.
a. He would be deluded and self‑deceived, and probably he would be locked up so he wouldn’t hurt himself or anyone else.
4. Yet in Jesus we don’t observe the abnormalities and imbalance that usually go along with being deranged - His poise and composure would certainly be amazing if He were insane.
5. In light of the other things we know about Jesus, it’s hard to imagine that He was mentally disturbed.
a. Here is a man who spoke some of the most profound sayings ever recorded.
b. His instructions have liberated many individuals from mental bondage.
c. Jesus had the power to perform all kinds of miracles, from healings to food supply to raising the dead – are those the powers of a liar or lunatic?
E. I cannot personally conclude that Jesus was a liar or a lunatic, and so the only other alternative is that He was the Christ, the Son of God, as He claimed. Jesus is Lord, indeed!
1. The issue with these 3 alternatives is not which is possible, for it is obvious that all three are possible, rather, the question is, “Which is more probable?”
2. Who we decide Jesus Christ is must not be an idle intellectual exercise.
3. We cannot put Him on the shelf as a great moral teacher - That is not a valid option.
4. He is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord and God - We must make our decision.
F. Toward the end of the Gospel of John, the apostle John wrote: But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31).
1. Jesus described this “life” as “abundant life” (Jn. 10:10) and “eternal life” (Jn. 3:16).
2. I trust that all of us are looking for abundant life and eternal life – we want to experience the very best life, both now and for eternity – that is the kind life that Jesus offers.
G. I believe that Jesus is not only the Lord and Savior, but that he is the very best friend we can have.
1. As believers, we think of Jesus as our Lord and Savior, King, or Master, but how often do we think of Him as our close friend.
2. We may have difficulty with the concept, but Jesus does not – Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command” (Jn. 15:14).
3. Once we can grasp that He is also our friend, then we’ll realize the perfect friend that He is.
4. As our perfect friend, Jesus accepts us with unconditional love – that unconditional love accepts us where we are, but will help us to change into what we should be.
5. As our perfect friend, Jesus understands all we go through and all our human needs
a. The Bible says: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).
6. As our perfect friend, Jesus understands the emotional trauma of abuse and violence that we might experience.
a. In His last hours as a human, He was denied and betrayed by friends, falsely accused, sworn at, spat upon, scourged, and then was crucified on a cross – he knows all about abuse and suffering.
7. As our perfect friend, Jesus walks through trials with us – he will never leave us or forsake us.
8. As our perfect friend, Jesus is always available and is ready to listen to us.
a. And Jesus goes beyond mere listening, he also speaks to us through the Scriptures. In the Bible, we will find His answer to every circumstance we face.
9. As the old hymn says, “What a friend we have in Jesus!”
H. I believe Jesus is my Lord, my Savior, and my friend.
1. I hope you believe in Jesus in the same way.
2. Our belief in Jesus gives us LIFE – abundant and eternal.
3. Jesus said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mk. 16:16).
4. To those who asked him how to be saved, the apostle Peter said, “Repent and be baptized…(Acts. 2:38).
Resources:
The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ, by Norman Geisler, http://www.bethinking.org/jesus/the-uniqueness-of-jesus-christ
Jesus: The Ultimate Reason to Believe, Article by David Robertson, http://www.christiantoday.com/article/jesus.the.ultimate.reason.to.believe/81207.htm
Jesus: God or Just a Good Man? Article by Josh McDowell. https://www.cru.org/how-to-know-god/who-is-jesus-god-or-just-a-good-man.html
