1. The Life and Ministry of Jesus

2. We want to talk about the life and ministry of Jesus, the Son of God, who took on flesh and blood to live among men that he might show us how to live and that he might be the final sacrifice for sin. “Son of God” refers to the fact that Jesus has the very nature of God – omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.
Our story goes all the way back to the pre-incarnate Jesus (i.e., before Jesus took on a bodily form and came to earth). Jesus was with the Father and participated in the creation of the world. We want to examine quotations from the book of Genesis and the gospel of John.

3. Jesus was present at the creation of the world.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness . . .
Genesis 1:26
The Father and the Son were both there at the creation of the world.
“Let us make man in our image” could be taken literally as physical characteristics, but more importantly, God and his Son gave us certain attributes that they have (i.e., a conscious awareness of our environment, the ability to reason, a capacity for love, a sense of morality, free will to choose what we will believe, a creative sense, a dominion over other creatures on the earth, a capacity to grasp higher concepts or abstract thought, etc.) These are sometimes called “communicable attributes.”
The Father and Son possess other attributes that we will never have – sometimes called “incommunicable attributes” (i.e., omnipotence, ommiscience, omnipresence, etc.) .

4. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
And all things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not . . .
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
“The Word” comes from the Greek term “logos.” It is really talking about Jesus, who was the living word of God lived out in the life of a man.
Jesus was there in the beginning with God at the creation.
He is the life (he brought eternal life to man) and the light (he came to reveal the mind and will of God to us) .

5. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
John 1:1-5 & 9-12
Jesus created us. He came to us as a man, but men did not understand that he was God. They rejected him and crucified him.
To those who believed, Jesus gave power to become sons and daughters of God. .

6. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth the secret unto his servants the prophets.
Amos 3:7
For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven, among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay.
Mosiah 1:97
God speaks to us through prophets
Some Christians believe that prophets and revelation ceased after the first century, once the apostles passed away. There have been occasions when the Lord took away prophets for a period of time, but there is nothing in scripture that suggests this method of communicating would cease.

7. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given;
and the government shall be
upon his shoulder;
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven, among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay.
Mosiah 1:97
Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Messiah.

8. For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven, among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay.
Mosiah 1:97
For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven, among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay.
Mosiah 1:97
One hundred twenty years before Jesus’ birth, Mosiah prophesied that the Lord would willingly take on flesh and blood to become like men. This is called the Incarnation. Jesus was God Incarnate, or God in the flesh, in a human body.
He willingly chose to come to earth and live the life of a mortal man. He knew beforehand everything that would happen to him. He showed us how to serve others. He taught us the way that we should live. His entire life’s message was about sacrifice and setting our own desires aside to serve others. He made the ultimate sacrifice of his own life.

9. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son . . .
Isaiah 7:14
For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven, among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay.
Mosiah 1:97
Seven hundred years prior Jesus’ birth, Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be born of a virgin.

10. 31 And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus . . .
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:31, 34-35
God speaks to us through angels.
The angel Gabriel visited Mary in Nazareth, which is in Galilee, to tell her about the virgin birth and that she would be the mother of the son of God.
This fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son . . “
Joseph considered divorcing Mary, but an angel also appeared to him and instructed him to accept her as his wife and told Joseph that their son should be named Jesus because “he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)

11. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.
42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Luke 1:41-43
God reveals his will to ordinary believers
After the angel visit, Mary hurriedly went to a town in the hill country of Judea to visit her cousin, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth, who was very old, was already pregnant with a baby who would become John the Baptist.
When Elizabeth saw Mary, the baby jumped in Elizabeth’s womb, and the Holy Ghost came on Elizabeth, and she said Mary’s baby would be the Messiah.

12. . . . There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child Luke 2:1-5
Mary was engaged to Joseph and was nearly ready to give birth.
Caesar Augustus decreed that everyone in the Roman world should be taxed.
Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, the city of David, in Judea to pay their taxes.
They looked for a place to stay, but were unsuccessful. So they stayed in a stable where the animals were kept.

13. And so it was while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn Luke 2:6-7
And so it was while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn Luke 2:6-7
Jesus was born in the humblest of circumstances
While at the stable in Bethlehem (i.e., a place where animals were kept), Mary gave birth to Jesus and wrapped him in swaddling clothes (i.e., strips of cloth wrapped around a baby to restrict its movement to prevent him from hurting himself) and laid him in a manger, a place where animals eat.

14. Angels delivers a message from God to ordinary men
Shepherds watching flocks of sheep were visited by an angel, and the glory of the Lord appeared unto them.
Luke 2:13-14: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. . . Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest . . .”
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:13 (KJV)
For unto you is born thisthe city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:13 (KJV)
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord Luke 2:13

15. The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem to see what had come to pass.
When they had seen it, they told everyone they could find about the birth of Jesus.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child Luke 2:16-17

16. Lord, now lettest thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word
Lord, now lettest thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.
Luke 2:29-30
God revealed his plan of salvation to Simeon, a prophet.
At the end of 40 days, when according to the law of Moses the time of purification was completed, Joseph and Mary took baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem. The Mosaic law required that every first-born male be consecrated to the Lord and that they offer a sacrifice of two doves and two young pigeons.
It was revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah.
He took Jesus in his arms and said, “Lord, now lettest thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” And he prophesied to them, and Mary and Joseph marveled at the things that he said.

17. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Matthew 2:1-2
Fulfilled prophecy
The wise men inquired of Herod where the Messiah was. After they left, Herod asked his counselors what the wise men were talking about.
Herod’s counselors told him about the passage in Micah 5:2 which prophesied that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:5-6 quotes the prophecy from Micah. Christ’s birth fulfilled the prophecy given in Micah 5:2.

18. Three wise men were led by a star (revelation from God) to visit and worship Jesus.
. . . behold, there came wise men from the east and lo, the star which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced Matthew 2:1,9-10

19. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him. Luke 2:11
The wise men worshiped Jesus, and God then used a dream to guide them in returning to their homeland.
Matthew 2:11 says that the wise men visited a “house,” not a stable. So it appears that their visit was to his house in Nazareth.
The wise men were visited by God in a dream and told not to go back to Herod. So they took a different route to return to their home.

20. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Luke 2:13
An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream on two occasions and fulfilled prophecy given in Hosea 11:1
In Matthew 2:13, as soon as the wise men were departed, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to flee to Egypt.
Matthew 2:13-15: Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Egypt at night and remained there until Herod’s death.
Matthew 2:19-21: When Herod had died, an angel of the Lord appeared again to Joseph in a dream in Egypt and instructed him to return to Israel.
Fleeing to Egypt and then returning fulfilled the prophecy in Hosea 11:1: “ Out of Egypt have I called my son.”

21. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under . . .
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning Matthew 2:16-18
Fulfilled Prophecy
Matthew 2:16 says that when Herod realized he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under.
This fulfilled the prophecy in Jeremiah 31:15 which said there would be weeping and great mourning in Ramah for their children because they are no more.

22. And the child grew, and waxed strong in the spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke 2:40
The Holy Spirit played a major role in Jesus’ growth and development. He was filled with wisdom. This was corroborated by his experience in the temple at Jerusalem (see next slide).

23. Luke 2:41-49: Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
When Jesus was 12 years old, he remained in Jerusalem, and his parents began the trip back to Nazareth not knowing where he was.
Joseph and Mary returned to Jerusalem and found him asking and answering questions among the learned doctors.
The doctors were astonished at his answers.
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers Luke 2:47

24. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Luke 2:52
Luke 2:51 says that Jesus was subject unto his parents.
Luke 2:52 says that he increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.
There isn’t much that scripture tells us about Jesus’ childhood, but we know that he grew up in Nazareth and his father was a carpenter.

25. Baptism for Remission of Sins
And he [John the Baptist] came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Luke 3:3
Before the cross, John the Baptist called people to repent and be baptized for the remission of sin (prior to receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit).
John the Baptist (born to Elizabeth) came to the desert of Judea and began to preach repentance.
People came from Jerusalem and Judea and the region of the Jordan, “and were baptized of him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Matthew 3:1-6)
This was a fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3: “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord . . .”
Matthew 3:11: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.”

26. Baptism of Water
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.
Matthew 3:13,15
Jesus’ water baptism represented the death and resurrection that was to come.
Matthew 3:13-15: “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.”
Baptism by immersion represents the death and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:4-5).

27. Baptism of the Holy Spirit
. . . and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove
and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 3:16-17
Jesus showed us the way to become sons and daughters of God, and this event fulfilled prophecy.
Matthew 3:16-17: “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
This fulfilled the prophecy given in Psalm 2:7: “Thou art my Son: this day have I begotten thee.”
Baptism in the proper manner is how we become sons and daughters of God.
Jesus was baptized by water, and then the Spirit bore witness that he really was the Son of God.

28. Listen to God’s Voice to Prepare for Those Times When We Will be Tempted
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Matthew 4:1
Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness. Every disciple of Christ must seek after God and find his or her calling.
Matthew 4:1: “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”

29. Retain God’s Word in Our Hearts to Remain Steadfast in Our Faith
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Matthew 4:10
Fasting and scripture study are disciplines that can provide spiritual direction for disciples of Christ.
Matthew 4:2-3: “ And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him . . .”
There were three tests from Satan: 1. Turn these stones to bread, 2. From a pinnacle, cast thyself down, 3. I will give you all these kingdoms if you fall down and worship me. Each time Jesus would respond, “It is written . . .”
Then Jesus said, “Get thee hence, Satan.” In this picture, we see a depiction of Satan fleeing. And then angels came to minister to Jesus.
Jesus immediately began to preach the gospel calling on men to repent of their sins.

30. Proclaim to the World that Jesus is Lord
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
John 1:29
True faith means we recognize the fact that Jesus was the Son of God who lived a sinless life and overcame death to give us eternal life.
John 1:28 tells us that John the Baptist was baptizing in Bethabara (also called Bethany) beyond Jordan.
John 1:29: “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” The Baptist then told those who were with him that he had baptized Jesus and then had seen the Spirit of God descend like a dove and rest upon him.
John 1:34: “And I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God.”
Two of those who were with John the Baptist went with Jesus and spent the day with him (John 1:39). One of those two disciples was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter (John 1:40)

31. Ministerial Authority
And they were astonished at his doctrine; for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Mark 1:22
People began to realize that every word he spoke was 100% truth and that his words had dramatic implications for their lives and for the entire world. You can imagine that every time he spoke he had their undivided attention, and they were probably working very hard to memorize everything he said.

32. Live by the Principles that Jesus Taught
The Sermon on the Mount is God’s basic instruction on how life should be lived as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Jesus talked a lot about attitudes in our heart and fruit that should be borne in the life of a believer.
He called us to be salt and light in a corrupt and sinful world.
His death on the cross would mark a transition from the Mosaic law to a higher law.
And he concluded his sermon by saying, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
Of course, we have to remember that it is only by God’s grace that we can do any good thing in this life.

33. Jesus Claimed to be Messiah
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Luke 4:18-21
Jesus often taught in the synagogues. He returned to his home town of Nazareth. It was Sabbath day in the synagogue. Jesus stood before the congregation to teach and read from the prophet Isaiah a section that was a prophecy of the Messiah to come. Everyone in the synagogue that day knew that this was a prophecy about the Messiah. When Jesus concluded with “this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears,” they said to themselves, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” Jesus responded, “No prophet is accepted in his own country.” The crowd became enraged at his claim to be the Messiah. They carried him out of the city to a cliff where they were going to throw him off. The scripture then says, “But he passing through the midst of them went his way . . .” Apparently, he just walked away from that situation unharmed.

34. The Cost of Discipleship
And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.
Matthew 8:19-20
The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus taught that following him was an urgent priority of the greatest importance.
Matthew 8:19-22:
“And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whethersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.”

35. Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
The Call to Ministry
Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:19
Today, Jesus still wants to make us fishers of men, to bring the light of the gospel to others.
After Jesus called the first four disciples, Jesus and they departed for Galilee
Andrew ran and told his brother, Simon Peter, that he had found the Messiah, or the Christ. (John 1:41).
Andrew brought Peter to meet Jesus. Jesus told Peter that he would be called Cephas, which refers to a seer or a stone (John 1:42).
Andrew and Simon apparently returned to their work as fishermen.
Later, in Matthew 4:18 (pictured above), Jesus was walking by the sea of Galilee, and he saw Peter and Andrew once again. He called out to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets there and followed him and became his disciples.
John 1:43: Jesus went unto Bethsaida, the home of Andrew and Peter, in Galilee. There he found Phillip and commanded him to “follow me.”
John 1:45: Phillip told Nathanael, a man in whom there was no guile, about Jesus.

36. Choosing and Ordaining Ministers
In John 15:16, we see that “calling” is a separate function from “ordaining.” First of all, a call to ministry must come through one in authority; we do not simply call ourselves to such a responsibility. Secondly, ordaining is a holy ordinance in which the candidate is given power to accomplish his calling. These are two separate functions.
Some churches believe that men just receive a call to ministry and that “ordaining” simply means to appoint or to call. They believe that calling and ordaining mean the same thing: to appoint.
Choosing and Ordaining Ministers
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. John 15:16

37. Jesus Ordained Twelve Apostles
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease Matthew 10:1
Ordination is how ministers of God receive power to fulfill their calling.

38. Jesus Ordained Seventy to Preach and Heal
Not only did Jesus call twelve disciples to minister for him, but he also called seventy men to go preach the gospel.
Jesus Ordained Seventy to Preach and Heal
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two Luke 10:1

39. Jesus Teaches Us to Rely on Him to Sustain Us
For they were about five thousand men
. . .Then he took five loaves and two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them And they did eat, and were all filled.
Luke 9:14-17
Miracle of feeding 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes
Luke 9:12- 17: “ Then came the twelve he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes for they were about 5,000 men Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

40. Jesus Calls Us to Acts of Service
. . . Who is my neighbor? A certain man fell among thieves, who stripped him of his raiment and wounded him
. . . There came down a priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side Likewise a Levite
. . . But a certain Samaritan had compassion on him and bound up his wounds and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luke 10:25-37
28 And he [person listening to Jesus] answering, said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
29 And he [Jesus] said unto him, Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shalt live.
30 But he [person], willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, and who is my neighbor?
31 And Jesus answering, said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his raiment and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
32 And by chance, there came down a certain priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side of the way.
33 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked upon him, and passed by on the other side of the way; for they desired in their hearts that it might not be known that they had seen him.
34 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.
35 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
36 And on the morrow, when he departed, he took money, and gave to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
37 Who now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him who fell among the thieves?
38 And he said, He who showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go and do likewise.

41. Jesus Calls Us to Step Out in Faith
Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come.
Matthew 14:28-29
This experience with Peter illustrates how faith must work in the life of the believer. Faith includes belief, action, assurance and power.
Matthew 14: “. . . Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.”
So as believers in Christ, we are called to act on our faith. Just as Peter stepped out onto the water, we also must step out.
The restored gospel teaches that true faith always result in action, or it is not really faith.
(continued on next slide)

42. We Recognize Our Utter Dependence on God to Save Us by his Grace and Mercy
. . . he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord save me.
Matthew 14:30
We cannot save ourselves. This moment illustrates the fact that we are all utterly dependent on God’s grace and mercy to save us. In our own strength, we would all spiritually sink. However, he has the power to save us.

43. The Rock of the Revelation of Jesus Christ
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church . . .
Matthew 16:16-18
Jesus built his church on the rock of the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Here on the coast of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus proclaimed, “I will build my church.”
Peter was blessed, not because he was the rock the church would be built on, but because he relied on revelation from God to guide him. So the rock that Christ’s church would be built on was the rock of the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Some churches believe that the gifts of the Spirit ceased, but we do not.
Wherever Christ’s true church is, it must rely on the rock of revelation as its foundation.

44. The Power and Divine Nature of Jesus Revealed to Three Witnesses
The Transfiguration: another experience confirming that Jesus truly was the son of God
Matthew 17:1-9: “ Jesus taketh Peter, James and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his rainment was white as the light. And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him Behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.”

45. Jesus Looked into the Heart of Every Person
Jesus spoke in a prophetic manner to the Samaritan woman at the well revealing to her events of her life.
John 4:4-26: Jesus passed through Samaria and stopped there at a town called Sychar. Jesus was tired and he sat down next to Jacob’s well. A Samaritan woman came to draw water. He asked her for a drink. She inquired why a Jew would be asking her such a question. Jesus answered that if she had known who he was, he could have given her living water that leads to eternal life. He said, Go call your husband and come back. She said she had no husband. Jesus replied by telling her that she was right, she had five past husbands and that the man she was with was not her husband. She said, “I can see that you are a prophet.” The woman said, I know that the Messiah is coming. Jesus told her he was the Messiah.

46. His Power Defied the Laws of Nature Miracle at the Wedding in Cana.
John 2:1-11: “. . . There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee And there were there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews [each holding about 20 to 30 gallons apiece] Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast The governor of the feast called the bridegroom thou hast kept the good wine until now.”
So Jesus created at least 120 gallons of fine wine out of water.
His Power Defied
the Laws of Nature

47. Jesus Had Power Over Death
He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes John 11:43
I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live
John 11:1, 17, 20, 23,24, 25, 39, 43: “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already Then Martha went and met him Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus saith unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”

48. And a certain man was there [pool at Bethesda], which had an infirmity thirty and eight years Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk and immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked John 5:5-9
Healing a Blind Man at the Pool at Bethesda
In John 5:1-9: Jesus went to Jerusalem for a Jewish feast. Near the Sheep Gate was a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and have five covered colonnades. Disabled people used to gather there. One there had been an invalid for 38 years. Jesus asked him, “Do you want to get well?”. He did. So Jesus told him to get up, pick up his mat, and walk. Immediately, he was cured and he walked away.

49. And he cometh to Bethsaida
And he cometh to Bethsaida And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town he spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw aught. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly Mark 8:22-25
Healing of the Blind Man at Bethsaida
Mark 8:22-26: Jesus came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. He spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him Jesus asked Do you see anything? He said I see people like trees walking around. Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then they were opened , his sight was restored and he saw everything clearly.

50. ten men that were lepers
. . . ten men that were lepers And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy
on us he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed Luke 17:12-14
Jesus healed ten lepers
Luke 17:11-19: Outside a village along the border of Samaria and Galilee, then lepers cried out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” He told them to go show themselves to the priests. As they went, they saw that they were cleansed of leprosy. One came back praising God in a loud voice and threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said, “Rise and go, your faith has made you whole.”

51. Jesus Heals Lines of People in Villages
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
Jesus Heals Blind Mute Man
Possessed with Devils
Jesus wants us to experience healing and bring that healing to others.

52. Jesus Heals Boy Possessed by a Devil
Boy possessed by devil is in Luke 9:37-43 and Matthew 17:14-17.
Jesus Heals Lines of People in the Countryside

53. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows . . .
Isaiah 53:4
. . . and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
Matthew 8:15-17
Jesus’ acts of healing fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 53:4

54. Cost of Discipleship
Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments . . .
go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in
heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:16-26
If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
The rich, young ruler asked Jesus how to obtain eternal life. Jesus answered, “Keep the commandments.”
The disciples held the young ruler in high esteem, perhaps as an example to be emulated. So when the ruler did not want to follow Jesus, they were not just amazed, but exceedingly amazed. To them, if anyone should be in the kingdom it would have been that young ruler.
Jesus gives a very interesting explanation at the end: “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” This means that we cannot do a good work in our own strength: only by God’s grace can we be saved or do any good thing in this life.

55. Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever
Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Matthew 21:19
Jesus promised his disciples enough faith to make a fig tree wither or move a mountain into the sea.
Matthew 21:18-22: After triumphantly entering Jerusalem and driving moneychangers from the temple, and then he went out of the city to Bethlehem to rest for the night. Early in the morning, on his way back to Jerusalem, Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig tree by the road, but it was barren except for leaves. He cursed the tree and said, May you never bear fruit again! Immediately, the tree withered. The disciples were amazed. Jesus said, If you have faith and do not doubt, you will be able to move mountains – whatever you ask for will be done.

56. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord Matthew 21:9
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem described in Matthew 21
A short time later, Jesus would be betrayed by one of his own and crucified.

57. This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me
. . . This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Luke 22:19-20
I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.
Matthew 26:21
The Lord’s Supper
Matthew 26:21 - While they were eating at the table, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”
In a matter of days from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Christ was already betrayed by one of his own disciples, and the crowds would call out to Pilate for his crucifixion.
Matthew 26:27 – “Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them saying, “Drink from it all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (NIV)

58. Jesus Knew the Fate that Awaited Him in Jerusalem
Matthew 26:36: And he said to Peter, James and John, Sit here while I go over there and pray. He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Going a little farther, he fell on his face to the ground and prayed, My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. He returned to the disciples and then went away and prayed the same prayer again. He returned to the disciples again and said, Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!
My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying,
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matthew 26:38-39

59. Behold, he is at hand that doth betray me
. . . Behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with a great multitude with swords and staves he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master: and kissed him.
Matthew 26:46-49
Judas had left the last supper early. He probably believed that Jesus the Messiah would lead the way in conquering the Roman empire. For 30 pieces of silver, he turned Jesus over to the chief priests of the Jewish culture. He came to the garden with soldiers to take Jesus prisoner for him to stand trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin (a council of Jewish leaders).

60. And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
Luke 14:53, 55, 61-62,65
Jesus was taken before the Jewish authorities called the Sanhedrin.
When the high priest asked him if he was the Christ, Jesus answered, “I am.” To them this was blasphemy.

61. Before Pilate, the Roman Governor, Jesus chose not to offer a defense and allowed himself to be condemned to death. The mob yelled, “Crucify him.” Just a few days before, Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem to the praise and adoration of Jewish people who had hoped he would be the long-awaited Messiah sent to overturn their enemies.
And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified Mark 15:13-15

62. And so Pilate . . . had scourged him Mark 15:15
Jesus was beaten severely with whips that had sharpened stones on the ends.

63. And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium
And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium And they clothed him with purple, and plaited a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, and began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
The Roman soldiers scorned and mocked him and placed a crown of sharp thorns on his head.
And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshiped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
Mark 15:16-20

64. And they took Jesus, and led him away
And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha
John 19:16-18
Bloodied from scourging, Jesus struggled to carry his cross to the hill called Golgotha.

65. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
Mark 15:25
Jesus was nailed to a cross by Roman soldiers.

66. They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall
They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall And they crucified him, and parted his garments Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save . . .
Matthew 27:34-42
It is important to remember that Jesus consciously chose to come to earth to die, that he might atone for the sins of all mankind. That is why he did not offer a defense before Pilate.
John 12:24, 27, 32-33: “. . . Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit for this cause came I unto this hour And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.”
Jesus knew that he was going to be crucified, and he knew the reason why it would happen.

67. Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit. Luke 23:46
God is a God of mercy and a God of justice. Except for Jesus, every person who was ever born has sinned. Jesus fulfilled the demands of justice by sacrificing himself on our behalf. He died to atone for our sins.

68. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
Matthew 27:54
Even a Roman centurion admitted that Jesus was actually the son of God.
Luke23:47 says: “Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

69. . . . they took him down from the tree . . . Acts 13:29
Joseph of Arimathea prepared Jesus’ body for burial and provided his own tomb for him to be buried in.

70. And he [Joseph of Arimathea] bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
Mark 15:46
The majority of Bible scholars in the world today agree that Jesus died and was buried in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb.

71. Jesus is the Only Person Who Ever Conquered Death
. . . he is risen, as he said.
Matthew 28:6
Jesus was the only head of a religious movement in the history of the world who overcame death.

72. Jesus Was Seen by Witnesses
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father . . .
John 20:15-20
Mary witnessed that Jesus was raised from the dead.

73. 15 . . . Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
Luke 24:
13 And behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus . . .
Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
Two men walking on the road to Emmaus also witnessed the resurrected Jesus.

74. . . . I will not believe Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands: and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
John 20:25, 27-28
After his resurrection, Jesus showed himself to the women at the tomb, to two men on the road to Emmaus, to the twelve disciples, to a group of 500 people (see 1 Corinthians 15) and to others.
In this picture we see Thomas, who doubted it was the Christ, touching the body of Jesus and then admitting it was him.

75. The Great Commission
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, unto the end of the world.
Matthew 28:18-20
The Great Commission
On a hill near Bethany, Jesus gathered his 11 disciples for the last time to give them his final instruction before he ascended to heaven.
Scripture says he raised his hands to bless them, and he gave them their final marching orders to teach all nations and baptize them.

76. Jesus Ascended to Heaven
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.
Luke 24:50-53
Jesus Ascended to Heaven
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.
Luke 24:50-53
Jesus ascended to heaven from a hill near Bethany, and the disciples worshiped him.

77. And then [in the last days] shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Matthew 21:27-28
Jesus’ Return in the Last Days
Just as Christ ascended in glory, he shall once again return in the same manner to claim those who have committed their lives to him.

78. And I, if I be lifted from the earth, will draw all men unto me
And I, if I be lifted from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.
John 12:32-33
In the garden of Gethsemane and as he resolutely walked toward Jerusalem, Jesus knew the fate that awaited him and went willingly to sacrifice his life for our sins.
It is the responsibility of believers to point everyone they meet to the cross of Jesus Christ.

79. Jesus Christ, the son of God, lived a sinless life and died for our sins.
His example taught us how to walk more closely with him that we might find joy and peace in this life and live in his presence in eternity.
Jesus showed us a pattern for living in this life and a way to obtain life in eternity.

80. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house: and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Matthew 7:26-27
It is not enough to simply hear Christ’s gospel and do nothing. We are all called to put the principles he has taught us into practice.

81. Jesus invites us to come unto him.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20

82. APPENDIX

83. Isaiah the Prophet

84. Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah the prophet gave the following prediction in
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: and yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
This a prophecy of Isaiah the prophet about 700 years before the time of Jesus. In it, he predicts what will happen to the Messiah.

85. wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:
But he was
wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised
for our iniquities:
the chastisement
of our peace was upon him; and
with his stripes
we are healed.
Jesus was beaten severely with whips that had sharpened stones on the ends.

86. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6
They pressed a crown of sharp thorns on his head
This is a continuation of the “atonement” theme. Isaiah is preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament.

87. Before Pilate, Jesus chose not to offer a defense and allowed himself to be condemned to death.
This verse in Isaiah 53:7 makes clear that Jesus was not going to raise a dynamic defense on his own behalf to save himself because he came to earth to die on our behalf and, even though the thought of crucifixion terrified him, he was going to march resolutely toward the cross and offer himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

88. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare
his generation?
For he was cut off
out of the land of the
living: for the transgression
of my people was he stricken.
Here, an Old Testament prophet is preaching the gospel of Christ. He died for our transgressions. It is the responsibility of believers to point everyone they meet to the cross of Jesus Christ.

89. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Isaiah 53:9 then prophecies that Jesus would be sinless (not one deceitful word, and he would harm no one), yet he would be buried in the same manner as sinners are, and he would be buried in a rich man’s tomb. This entire prophecy of Isaiah 53:3-9 would be fulfilled to the last detail.
In hearing Isaiah preach the gospel of Christ, the important thing to note is that men have always been saved in the same way. There is only one gospel. People in the Old Testament looked forward with hope in the Messiah to come who would die for their sins. Every prediction of Isaiah regarding Jesus was fulfilled.