Basic Bible Teaching Lesson 7 THE LIFE OF JESUS

Overview  Review: Jesus really was the “Son of God”  Jesus growing up – his heavenly character  The Ministry and Teachings of Jesus  The Holy Spirit Power and the purpose of Miracles  Why Jesus taught in Parables  How Jesus completed the work his Father gave him to do

The correct view of the Birth of Jesus The Holy Spirit God the Father is the only true God God the Father God’s Special Power Jesus first existed in Mary’s womb and was born 9 months later The Holy Spirit is God’s power Jesus is truly “the Son of God” The Holy Spirit caused conception Review

Jesus inherited God’s character - developed as he grew God the Father Tempted like us - possible to sin Human Nature – exactly like ours A desire to be like his Father and obey him Son of God & Son of Man Mary human mother Review

How was Jesus “one” with God? “I and the Father are one” John 10:30 In mind or purpose In mind or purpose Jesus showed people what the Character of God was like perfectly by his words and actions Jesus showed people what the Character of God was like perfectly by his words and actions Jesus and God were in complete agreement about what needed to be done and how to do it Jesus and God were in complete agreement about what needed to be done and how to do it Jesus understood all the thoughts of his father Jesus understood all the thoughts of his father His own thoughts and desires never got in the way of what God asked him to do His own thoughts and desires never got in the way of what God asked him to do John 17:20-23 – Jesus prayed that believers should be one with God and Jesus as well. John 17:20-23 – Jesus prayed that believers should be one with God and Jesus as well. Review

The Life of Jesus And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52

James, Jesus’ half brother grew up with Jesus and wrote these words: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 James 3:17 Jesus’ “Heavenly” Character Jesus shows us the wisdom which comes from God Jesus’ character was like that of his Father in heaven Jesus showed men and women what God is like by the way he lived And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52

The Ministry of Jesus When Jesus was 30 yrs old he left home When Jesus was 30 yrs old he left home For 3 and a half years he traveled through Israel telling them about God’s salvation – that he was the Son of God and he was sent to save them For 3 and a half years he traveled through Israel telling them about God’s salvation – that he was the Son of God and he was sent to save them Those who believed and followed him were called “disciples”. Those who believed and followed him were called “disciples”. From these disciples, Jesus chose 12 special men to closely help him with his work. These men are also called “apostles” From these disciples, Jesus chose 12 special men to closely help him with his work. These men are also called “apostles” The disciples helped Jesus preach the message of salvation, which is called the “gospel” or “good news” The disciples helped Jesus preach the message of salvation, which is called the “gospel” or “good news” But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12

The Teaching of Jesus They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Mark 1:21-22

The Holy Spirit Power (1) To help Jesus do God’s work, God gave him the Holy Spirit, or a special power, to Jesus To help Jesus do God’s work, God gave him the Holy Spirit, or a special power, to Jesus Jesus did many wonderful things with this power that the Bible calls “miracles” Jesus did many wonderful things with this power that the Bible calls “miracles” Jesus could produce food, heal sick people, and even raise the dead Jesus could produce food, heal sick people, and even raise the dead

The Holy Spirit Power (2) God had given the Holy Spirit power to other men before in small amounts God had given the Holy Spirit power to other men before in small amounts But Jesus was the only man who was given “unlimited” power But Jesus was the only man who was given “unlimited” power Jesus never misused this power; he only used it to do the work of God. Jesus never misused this power; he only used it to do the work of God. Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does… For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. John 5:19-21 John 5:19-21

What was the purpose of Jesus’ teaching and miracles? Luke 5:24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." To show that Jesus had the power and authority from God to forgive sins (i.e. to be the savior of the world)

Most people did not want Jesus as their Savior Unfortunately most of Israel were not interested in Jesus’ teaching. They did not love him as their savior Unfortunately most of Israel were not interested in Jesus’ teaching. They did not love him as their savior They only wanted him to make life easy for them by his “miracles”, which fed them or cured their diseases They only wanted him to make life easy for them by his “miracles”, which fed them or cured their diseases Jesus appealed to such people in the following way: Jesus appealed to such people in the following way: Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." John 5:19-21

Parables Many times Jesus used “parables” to teach the people Many times Jesus used “parables” to teach the people Parables are stories with a hidden meaning Parables are stories with a hidden meaning They are about the Kingdom of God and how we must prepare for it now. They are about the Kingdom of God and how we must prepare for it now.

One of Jesus’ parables: The Merchant looking for fine pearls The Kingdom of God is more important than anything else in life The Kingdom of God is more important than anything else in life When we find out about it we have to put it first. When we find out about it we have to put it first. It is the most precious thing we can have It is the most precious thing we can have The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46

Jesus completed his Father’s work Jesus used all his strength and energy in preaching the gospel Jesus used all his strength and energy in preaching the gospel When he died, he was still a young man, but looked much older because of all the hard work he had done for God When he died, he was still a young man, but looked much older because of all the hard work he had done for God He was able to say the following when he talked to God in a prayer: He was able to say the following when he talked to God in a prayer: I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. John 17:4 Jesus told men and women everything about God Jesus told men and women everything about God He taught them about the Kingdom of God, which will come on the earth when Jesus returns He taught them about the Kingdom of God, which will come on the earth when Jesus returns

Review Questions 1. How was Jesus different to other people? 2. Who were the apostles? 3. Why was Jesus given the power of the Holy Spirit? 4. What did Jesus do when he was 30 years old? 5. What are miracles? 6. What are parables?

Next lesson The Death and Resurrection of Jesus The Jewish leader’s oppose and seek to kill Jesus The Jewish leader’s oppose and seek to kill Jesus Jesus’ betrayal and arrest Jesus’ betrayal and arrest The significance of Jesus’ final meal with his 12 apostles The significance of Jesus’ final meal with his 12 apostles Jesus’s death, resurrection to an immortal body, and his ascension into heaven Jesus’s death, resurrection to an immortal body, and his ascension into heaven Our hope – resurrection and immortality when Jesus returns to set up God’s Kingdom on the earth Our hope – resurrection and immortality when Jesus returns to set up God’s Kingdom on the earth