Understanding Jesus Christ - who he's - and what he came to accomplish - is the building blocks for understanding everything involved in our Christian Faith.
Just even as we paused and spent a second week considering the area of the prophetic ministry, so we take a slightly closer look at Jesus and his preaching and teaching - even as we seek to sweep through the Bible in ten weeks a course in miracles, and have an overview.
Reviewing the life and ministry of Jesus can be inspiring - because it's Jesus who says, "Follow me" ;.
This may also help us show others what we believe and why we believe it - and this knowledge is the most precious knowledge we are able to have.
When we see Jesus Christ, there ought to be that desire - that longing - that yearning - not merely to admire and follow - not merely to obey Him - but to get to become like Jesus - and that is the challenge each people faces.
John Chapter 20 verses 19 to 29 - we've this responsibility to trust the biblical message.
Four Gospels - they certainly were written around 60 to 90 A.D. They complement each other.
Matthew speaks of Jesus as king - and the kingdom of heaven. Mark presents Jesus as a servant.
Luke centers around Jesus as Man - and John highlights Jesus as God. They're four pictures of Jesus from different angles.
Jesus' name - Saviour - he shall save his individuals from their sins - Matthew 1 verses 21 and 23 - Immanuel - God with us.
John 1 verse 41 - Messiah - Christ. Jesus the Christ - or the Saviour, who is the anointed one - or the anointed Saviour - and anointed of God. Messiah was a term for consecrated servants of high position at that time. Future kings were anointed for his or her task - as was Jesus.
Jesus is the Hebrew word Joshua - this means - God saves - or God's salvation. (It is interesting the way the name "Jesus" arose - but that is for another day.)
Jesus was created of Mary and the conception was miraculous and supernatural. The birth was 'normal' - even though the setting was unusual.
God the Father used the Holy Spirit to bring in regards to the conception - and if anyone asks a biological question, we cannot give a biological answer. There isn't one!
We realize Jesus was created in Bethlehem of Judea - not the West Bank!
Jesus grew up together with his mother - stepfather Joseph - and several younger siblings - the natural children of Mary and Joseph.
Jesus was certainly a precocious child - able at 12 years to go over Scripture with the scholars and theologians at the Temple. Luke Chapter 2.
To be able to make an ideal sacrifice on the cross, Jesus never sinned. Hebrews Chapter 4 verse 15.
At the age of 30 Jesus began His ministry - Luke Chapter 3 verse 23.
Jesus was baptised by John in the River Jordan to fulfil all righteousness - and then went into the wilderness for 40 days fasting and praying, where he was tempted.
Interestingly, Saul of Tarsus fasted and prayed for 3 days - following the risen Jesus met him outside Damascus - what ways to begin one's ministry. I have often thought that if we began our Christian lives with prayer and fasting fewer people might fall away later on - the building blocks we lay is vital.
Jesus came preaching the kingdom of God - Jesus preached repentance - and called people to trust the Gospel - Mark Chapter 1 verses 14 and 15.
Gospel means 'good news' - the kingdom where Jesus is king - forgiveness from sin - salvation - eternal life.
Matthew Chapter 4 verse 23 - Jesus comes teaching - preaching - healing.
Matthew Chapter 9 verse 6 - Jesus had authority to forgive sin and heal us of our spiritual problems.
Jesus is the chief corner stone of the Church - and the Head of the Church. Colossians 1 verse 18.
Jesus willingly allowed Himself to be arrested - tortured - crucified - killed. Jesus Christ laid down his life - John 10 verses 11 and 15 and 17 and 18 - this is actually the amazing Saviour Jesus Christ was and is - no man took his life - Jesus laid down his life - Jesus gave his life willingly and sacrificially.
Three days later Jesus Christ rose from the dead - just like Jesus prophesied - or foretold - Matthew Chapter 12 verses 38 to 40. No other leader has done this - Jesus Christ is unique.
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