The Ministry of Jesus Study
Created by Evangelist Claudia Jordan
Date: 6/24/14
Week Study # 8
Subject: God's Love
Scripture: John 3:16
Weekly Focus: The Life of Jesus
Memory Verse: Jeremiah 31:3
Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 7:8; Romans 5:18; Ephesians 2:4, 5; 1 John 3:1; Jude 1:21
Conclusion
I would like to share John 3:16 again.
God so love the world that He gave His Only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not Perish, but have Everlasting Life, which means GOSPEL
God so love the world that He gave His
Only begotten
Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not
Perish, but have
Everlasting
Life
Jesus' ministry was the Gospel, God's love, and the Father's promise in John 3:16. I have a question. What did Jesus come to do? This is what I gathered…………………..
1. To reveal the Father (Matthew 11:27)
A. "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
2. To be a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28)
A. "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
3. To serve (Matthew 20:28)
A. "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
4. To save the world (John 3:17; Luke 19:10)
A. "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
5. To preach the good news of the kingdom of God (Luke 4:43)
A. "But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."
6. To bring division (Luke 12:510
A. "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division."
7. To do the will of the Father (John 6:38)
A. "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."
8. To give the Father's words (John 17:8)
A. "For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me."
9. To testify to the truth (John 18:37)
A. "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
10. To die and destroy Satan's power (Hebrews 2:14)
A. "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil."
11. To destroy the devil's works (1 John 3:8)
A. "He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work."
12. To fulfill the Law and then Prophets (Matthew 5:17)
A. "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
13. To give life (John 10:10,18)
A. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full . . . I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
14. To taste death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9)
A. "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone."
15. To become a high priest (Hebrews 2:17)
A. "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people."
16. To atone for sin. (Hebrews 2:17)
A. "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people."
17. To proclaim freedom for believers (Luke 4:18)
A. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed."
18. To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor (Luke 4:19)
A. "To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
19. To bring judgment (John 9:39)
A. "Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."
20. To take away sin (1 John 3:5)
A. "But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin."
21. To preach (Mark 1:38)
A. "Jesus replied, 'Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.'"
22. To call sinners (Mark 2:17)
A. "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'"
23. To know who is true (1 John 5:20)
A. "We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true--even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life."
Jesus' ministry reflects the compassion and love he claims God has for humanity. So he heals people of disease and exorcises demons. The Bible emphasizes the power that proceeds from him. Whether they are apostles, disciples or part of the crowd, all sorts of people receive Jesus' ministry. Jesus' teaching and ministry extends beyond insiders. He attempts to reach those outside his new community.
Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus called his 11 apostles together on the Mount of Olives, outside Jerusalem. Still not completely understanding that Christ's messianic mission had been spiritual and not political, the disciples asked Jesus if he was going to restore the kingdom to Israel. They were frustrated with Roman oppression and may have envisioned an overthrow of Rome. Jesus answered them:
"It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:7-8, NIV)
Then Jesus was taken up, and a cloud hid him from their sight. As the disciples were watching him ascend, two angels dressed in white robes stood beside them and asked why they were looking into the sky. The angels said:
"This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11, NIV)
At that, the disciples walked back to Jerusalem to the upstairs room where they had been staying and held a prayer meeting.
Points of Interest from the Ascension of Jesus:
• In the Bible, a cloud is often the expression of God's power and glory, as in the book of Exodus, when a pillar of cloud guided the Jews in the desert.• Earlier, Jesus had told the disciples that after he ascended, the Holy Spirit would come down upon them with power. At Pentecost, they received the Holy Spirit like tongues of fire. Today, every born-again believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who gives wisdom and power to live the Christian life.
• The command of Jesus to his followers was to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. The gospel first spread to the Jews, then to the Jewish/mixed race Samaritans, then to the Gentiles. Christians have a responsibility to spread the good news about Jesus to all who have not heard.
• Jesus' mission on earth had been accomplished. He returned to heaven, where he had come from. He took on a human body and will forever remain both God and man in his glorified state.
• The angels warned that someday Jesus will return in his glorified body, the same way he left. But instead of idly watching for the Second Coming, we should be busy with the work Christ assigned us.
• The ascension of Jesus is one of the accepted doctrines of Christianity. The Apostle' Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed all confess that Christ ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father.
Is the resurrection of Jesus Christ an historical event that really happened, or is it only a myth, as many atheists claim? While no one witnessed the actual resurrection, many people swore they saw the risen Christ after his death, and their lives were never the same.
Archaeological discoveries continue to support the Bible's historical accuracy. We tend to forget that the Gospels and book of Acts are eyewitness accounts of the life and death of Jesus. Further nonbiblical evidence for Jesus' existence comes from the writings of Flavius Josephus, Cornelius Tacitus, Lucian of Samosata, and the Jewish Sanhedrin. The following seven proofs of the resurrection show that Christ did, indeed, rise from the dead.
The Resurrection Proof #1: The Empty Tomb of Jesus
The empty tomb may be the strongest proof Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Two major theories have been advanced by unbelievers: someone stole Jesus' body or the women and disciples went to the wrong tomb. The Jews and Romans had no motive to steal the body. Christ's apostles were too cowardly and would have had to overcome the Roman guards. The women who found the tomb empty had earlier watched Jesus being laid away; they knew where the correct tomb was. Even if they had gone to the wrong tomb, the Sanhedrin could have produced the body from the right tomb to stop the resurrection stories. Jesus' burial cloths were left neatly folded inside, hardly the act of hurrying grave robbers. Angels said Jesus had risen from the dead.The Resurrection Proof #2: The Holy Women Eyewitnesses
The holy women eyewitnesses are further proof that the Gospels are accurate historical records. If the accounts had been made up, no ancient author would have used women for witnesses to Christ's resurrection. Women were second class citizens in Bible times; their testimony was not even allowed in court. Yet the Bible says the risen Christ first appeared to Mary Magdalene and other holy women. Even the apostles did not believe Mary when she told them the tomb was empty. Jesus, who always had special respect for these women, honored them as the first eyewitnesses to his resurrection. The male Gospel writers had no choice but to report this embarrassing act of God's favor, because that was how it happened.The Resurrection Proof #3: Jesus' Apostles' New-Found Courage
After the crucifixion, Jesus' apostles hid behind locked doors, terrified they would be executed next. But something changed them from cowards to bold preachers. Anyone who understands human character knows people do not change that much without some major influence. That influence was seeing their Master, bodily risen from the dead. Christ appeared to them in a lock room, shore of the Sea of Galilee, and on The Mount of Olives. After seeing Jesus alive, Peter and the others left the locked room and preached the risen Christ, unafraid of what would happen to them. They quit hiding because they knew the truth. They finally understood that Jesus is God incarnate, who saves people from sin.The Resurrection Proof #4: Changed Lives of James and Others
Changed lives are yet another proof of the resurrection. James, the brother of Jesus, was openly skeptical that Jesus was the Messiah. Later James became a courageous leader of the Jerusalem church, even being stoned to death for his faith. Why? The Bible says the risen Christ appeared to him. What a shock to see your own brother, alive again, after you knew he was dead. James and the apostles were effective missionaries because people could tell these men had touched and seen the risen Christ. With such zealous eyewitnesses, the early church exploded in growth, spreading west from Jerusalem to Rome and beyond. For 2,000 years, encounters with the resurrected Jesus have Changed lives.The Resurrection Proof #5: Large Crowd of Eyewitnesses
A large crowd of more than 500 eyewitnesses saw the risen Jesus Christ at the same time. The Apostle Paul records this event in 1Corinthians 15:6. He states that most of these men and women were still alive when he wrote this letter, about 55 A.D. Undoubtedly they told others about this miracle. Today, psychologists say it would be impossible for a large crowd of people to have had the same hallucination at once. Smaller groups also saw the risen Christ, such as the apostles, and Cleopas and his companion. They all saw the same thing, and in the case of the apostles, they touched Jesus and watched him eat food. The hallucination theory is further debunked because after the ascension of Jesus into heaven, sightings of him stopped.The Resurrection Proof #6: Conversion of Paul
The conversion of Paul records the most drastically changed life in the Bible. As Saul of Tarsus, he was an aggressive persecutor of the early church. When the risen Christ appeared to Paul on the Damascus Road, Paul became Christianity's most determined missionary. He endured five floggings, three beatings, three shipwrecks, a stoning, poverty, and years of ridicule. Finally the Roman emperor Nero had Paul beheaded because the apostle refused to deny his faith in Jesus. What could make a person willingly accept—even welcome—such hardships? Christians believe the conversion of Paul came about because he encountered Jesus Christ who had risen from the dead.The Resurrection Proof #7: They Died for Jesus
Countless people have died for Jesus, absolutely certain that the resurrection of Christ is an Historical fact. Tradition says ten of the original apostles died as martyrs for Christ, as did the Apostle Paul. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of early Christian died in the Roman arena and in prisons for their faith. Down through the centuries, thousands more have died for Jesus because they believed the resurrection is true. Even today, people suffer persecution because they have faith that Christ rose from the dead. An isolated group may give up their lives for a cult leader, but Christian martyrs have died in many lands, for nearly 2,000 years, believing Jesus conquered death to give them eternal life.Question:
1. What was Jesus' purpose in coming?
Reflection Questions:
1. It is an awesome truth to realize that God himself, in the form of the Holy Spirit, lives inside me as a believer. Am I taking full advantage of this gift to learn more about Jesus and to live a God-pleasing life?
Prayer:
Father God, Your love has set me free, Your grace and mercy has brought me through, and I am living this moment only because of You. Thank You for giving us a chance to study and learn of Your Word. Thank You for this community and all who come to join us. The ministry of Jesus has been a blessing to all who has a spiritual ear to hear what the Holy Spirit is teaching these days. Thank You, Lord. Father God, Your Word says, if we keep our minds stayed on You, You would keep us in perfect peace. The study of Your Word keeps our minds on You and Your plan for our lives. We love You, and adore You. We desire to have a blessed ministry as Jesus, praying always as He did, teaching Your Word to all who will hear, sharing the healing power of Jesus, walking in the miracles You perform each day in our lives, and understanding all the parables You have left for our learning. Your life is a great reward to all who accept You, and we do accept all that You did in the last three and a half years of Your life. It is a miracle! Your ministry is a miracle to us. We walk by faith, and not by sight. Jesus, bless us to walk in the ministry You walked in, so others can know you by the ministry we share with them. In Jesus' Mighty Name, amen.
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