The Argument for GodThe Argument for GodIs there an overlooked evidence?

A powerful argument is in the gospels

• The gospels are often overlooked because they presume God’s existence.

• Their purpose is to show Jesus IS God

• BUT, if the gospels show that Jesus IS God, then God IS!

Now Jesus did many other signs in the

presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so 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 20:30-31 ESV)

It ascribes divine titles to Jesus

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with

God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1 ESV)

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the

Father's side, he has made him known. (John 1:18 ESV)

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before

Abraham was, I Am.” (John 8:58 ESV)

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

(John 20:28 ESV)

It ascribes divine qualities to Jesus

All things were made through him, and without him was

not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3 ESV)

He was in the world, and the world was made through

him, yet the world did not know him. (John 1:10 ESV)

Creative power

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

(John 1:4 ESV)

Life giving power

It ascribes divine works to Jesus

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or

rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all

things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17 ESV)

…but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory

of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After

making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (Hebrews 1:2-3 ESV)

It ascribes divine works to Jesus

For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.

Miraculous works (John 5:21 ESV)Though he had done so many signs before them, they

still did not believe in him, (John 12:37 ESV)

…because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has

appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31 ESV)

Judicial work

It testifies that worship was given to Jesus

He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. (John 9:38 ESV)

And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, (Luke 24:52 ESV)

And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:33 ESV)

And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and

worshiped him. (Matthew 28:9 ESV)And when they saw him they worshiped him, but

some doubted. (Matthew 28:17 ESV)

Jesus claimed it and His enemies understood it

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.(John 14:1 ESV)

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us

the Father’? (John 14:9 ESV)

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58 ESV)

Jesus claimed it and His enemies understood it

Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you

going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you

but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” (John 10:32-33 ESV)

The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made

himself the Son of God.” (John 19:7 ESV)

Jesus IS God

If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me;

but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know

and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

(John 10:37-38 ESV)

Miracles confirmed the words of the speaker as truth.

And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the

message by accompanying signs.]] (Mark 16:20 ESV)

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since

the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect

such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit

distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2:1-4 ESV)

Jesus separated HIS faith from all

other faiths in the world with

His claim to stand on

observable, verifiable

facts.

If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even

though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you

may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in

the Father.” (John 10:37-38 ESV)

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. (1 Corinthians

15:14 ESV)

Jesus separated HIS faith from all

other faiths in the world with

His claim to stand on

observable, verifiable

facts.

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times

for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and

gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

(1 Peter 1:20-21 ESV)

…and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the

Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, (Romans 1:4 ESV)

If Jesus is God, then

God IS!

He CLAIMED, was

DECLARED, and was

PROVEN to be God, before

eyewitnesses and enemies

for three years

What will you do

with this?