The Elephant

In the Zoo

We are always and everUnceasing worshipers

To declare the worth of

Find worthy of time, attention, treasure

Religious or unreligiousWe worship

5 Major World ReligionsHinduismBuddhismIslamJudaismChristianity

Christian Denominations: 21kMajor "Christian" Divisions: 40

5 Major World ReligionsPseudo-Christian Religions

Different paths to the same god?Same basic teachings?

Isn't it a bit presumptiveTo say that your belief

Is the right one?

Who's to say your belief is any better?

Or any different?

And isn't Christianity just a Religion that borrowed fromA bunch of older religions?

The Christian Faithis unique among all religions

In that it is based on faith inA resurrected Savior who offers

Eternal life for all who believe

Our scriptures are unique

Incredible unityUnbelievable prophetic power

Cyrus- Isaiah 44-45180 years before it happened

80 years before captivity

1 in 10 to the 15th power

The Christian ScripturesAre Trustworthy and Dynamic

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I

preached to you, which you received, in which you stand…

…and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you- unless you believed in vain

Past, Present, Future PerfectionDeclaredBeing madeFinally

Only Christianity

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received:

that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures…

…that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve

Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still

alive, though some have fallen asleep

Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me1 Cor. 15:1-7

Christianity is not a religion of Morals and practices

But of grace through faith and Inner change resulting in

Outward fruit

The Faith:God comes to earthHeals and teaches and showsDies for sinResurrects, ascends to heavenPromises to return

Unique:Grace through Faith

Conscious eternal existenceTrinity

New heaven and new earthKingdom is here and now

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us)- Matt. 1:23

God comes to us

He lives under his own lawThen destroys the law code

By dying for sin on the crossAnd refusing to stay dead

Offers life- now and thenNot to all who do the right things

But to all who trust in Him

…you…God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all

our trespasses

…by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of

food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a

Sabbath- Col. 2:13, 14, 16

Christianity alone says God Came to earth, Died for our sins

Came back to life and offers

A changed heart rather than Demanding changed behavior

World Religions:You have to do in order to get

Jesus:You can't do enough

So I'll die for you

For by grace you have been Saved through faithAnd that not of yourselvesIt is the gift of God, not by worksSo that no one can boast- Eph. 2:8-9

The Christian Faithis unique among all religions

In that it is based on faith inA resurrected Savior who offers

Eternal life for all who believe

When you believeIn Jesus…

Christianity aloneGod indwells his people

Through his Spirit

…your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you

have from God- 1 Cor. 6:19

… you are being built together into a dwelling place for

God by the Spirit- Eph. 2:22

Christianity aloneAdopted into God's family

And call him "Daddy"

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,

but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom

we cry, “Abba! Father!”- Romans 8

"All religions are Basically the same…

Same god, same basic beliefs"

Buddhism and Hinduism

- "No personal God"- "300 million gods"

Buddhism and Hinduism

- Birth and Rebirth- Break out of cycle of suffering- Personal betterment- Karma is a…?

Judaism

"Trinity is blasphemy"

Judaism

- Afterlife exists, but may be Any number of things

- Law Code, Rabbinic Teachings- Works, not Grace

Islam

- Jesus is just a prophet- Allah alone is God- Allah has no children- The trinity is evil

Islam

- Afterlife includes fiery purging before heaven (except martyrs)- Actions and Heavy Law

Different gods (Trinity)Different destinations/goalsDifferent paths to salvation

Different morals

What if helping the poor meantStopping their progression

In the Karmic cycle?Very different from Christianity

What if worship were forcedOr else there was death?

Very different from "Whosoever believes…"

OK, but how do I knowChristianity is right (true)?

We'll come back to it…

What about all the different"Christian" groups?

Christian Denominations:

Orthodox, Historic, MajorsLike minds gathered

Differences in belief or practice

Pseudo-Christian Cults:

- Change/add scripture- Change Jesus- Always change grace to works- Often predict falsely

So what?…even if we or an angel from

heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we

preached to you, let him be accursed- Gal. 1:8

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit- Col. 2:8

If it's not gospelWalk away

Christian syncretism?

Is the faithJust a fusion of ancient myths?

Horus- 2400 BC

- Born of a virgin on Dec. 25- Star in the East, 3 Kings Visit- Teacher at 12, Baptized at 30- 12 Disciples

Horus- 2400 BC

- Betrayed- Crucified

- Rose 3 days later

Horus- 2400 BC

- Widow, Osiris is Father- Born Oct/November- No record of Kings visiting- Not a savior

Horus- 2400 BC

- Not a teacher at 12- No baptism or ministry, ever

- No disciples (16 followers and4 demigods following)

Horus- 2400 BC

- Not betrayed, no crucifixion- No 3 day resurrection- Brought back to life by Isis,- Now lord of the underworld

Same Thing with Mithras

Always dig deeper

"All religions areBasically the same- same God

So it doesn't matter what youBelieve so long as you believe?"

Jesus is intolerant:I am the Way, the Truth

and the Life, no one comes to the Father but by me

If all paths lead to the same GodJesus wasted his sacrificeDied for nothing

And is a false teacher

How do you know

Your version of faithIs real?

Your changed lifeAnd the lives of those

Around you

I am not ashamed of the gospelOf Christ. It is the power of

God to salvation- Romans 1:16

God will give you another Helper, to be with you forever…the Spirit of truth… You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you- Jesus, John 14

...I pray that your love may abound…that you may approve the things that are excellent, in

order to be…blameless until the day of Christ...to the glory…

of God- Phil 1:9-11

How do I know?Objective, but also Experiential

Has my life has been changed?Do I have hope?

The Christian Faithis unique among all religions

In that it is based on faith inA resurrected Savior who offers

Eternal life for all who believe

We are always and everUnceasing worshipers

What are you worshiping?

Next Step:

Read Luke1 Chapter per dayAsking God to reveal himselfTo you

Share the reason for your hopeWith 2 people this week

Who don't yet know

Q and A

Food Ministry!

5-Minute SermonsNext Sunday

Next Sunday, 6 PM

Guest Cards