Jesus in 25 Minutes / What God Expects of You Acts2:21-36
In this age of antagonistic or aggressive atheism, it is important for a believer to know what he believes and to be able to state it simply and then if need be to expand and explain his basic positions. This is crucial for purposes of offering an apologetic = answer (1Peter3:15) to those who ask who Jesus is (or by their rhetoric prove that they lack the answer). A skeptical world is not satisfied with, “If it was good for Paul and Silas, it's good enough for me.”
This morning we will not turn to all the scriptural references, but plenty have been included for you to study and choose some that are easy for you to remember and use. These are the basics. This is not exhaustive (John21:25).
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
PRE-INCARNATE ETERNAL JESUS Being God, He has always existed.
John1:1 Jesus Christ, the Son, has always been. He existed with God the Father (WITH GOD =literally, “before face of God”). He existed before the earth. He is coequal, co-eternal, equally divine with the other two persons of God (Father and Spirit). Micah 5:2; Isaiah 9:6-7; Zechariah2:10-11; John6:38,41*; Mark 14:61-64*; John10:30-33; 17:5* (*words of Jesus)
Col 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.
BIRTH OF JESUS Born of a flesh-and-blood woman, who had never had sexual contact with a man Matthew1:23; Luke1:34 (until after the birth of Jesus – Matthew1:25) Isaiah7:14 “alma” in the Hebrew Old Testament, there was some leeway for interpretation of the word we normally interpret as “virgin”. It could be translated “young woman.” NT Septuagint “parthenos”= virgin Matthew, however, quoted the Greek translation of the Old Testament which used a word that would only be interpreted as “virgin.” It should also be noted that the angel Gabriel and Mary both knew that the one who would bear the Savior was a virgin.
By all scriptural indications, a normal delivery (as opposed to some mystic appearance avoiding the birth canal). Micah5:2-3
At just the right time (God's) in history. Galatians 4:4-5
Jesus' mother had a sin nature. Luke1:47 (she needed a Savior); 2:22 (she had to offer a sacrifice for purification) and she had other children
Mat 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? Mat 13:56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"
SINLESS PERFECTION OF JESUS
Jesus was born without a sin nature and lived without sinning. Hebrews4:15(yet without sin. ; 2Corinthians5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
John8:46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
PUBLIC MINISTRY
Begins with His baptism. Matthew3:13-ff; Mark1:9;Luke3:21;John1:32-34
Proven by miracles Acts2:22 – healing, raising dead, controlling nature.
Prophet – Revealing the God John 14:8-ff (Show us the Father); 17:6-8 "I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.
Priest – Luke 19:10 (Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost); Matthew9:2-6 forgave sin of paralytic and to show power to forgive – also healed ; Mark10:45 (offer sacrifice for your sin – Himself ...give his life a ransom); Hebrews7:24 (continues to intercede)
King = Lord Matthew12:8 (Lord of sabbath); Luke6:46 ("Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?); John13:13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am
Crucified for your sins Roman4:25 Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. ; Romans5:8; 1Corinthian 15:3...Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, ; 1John2:2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Resurrected John20;
1Corinthian 15:3-8 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 1Co 15:4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 1Co 15:5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 1Co 15:6 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. 15:8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
Physically Ascended into Heaven Acts1:9, Luke24:51; Ephesians 1:20 the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,...that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, Eph 1:21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
PERCENTAGES 91% of Jesus' ministry was in home, among family,
neighbors Luke2:51-52 subject to parents...grew wisdom, stature, favor w God
and man Luke 3:23 about age 30 when began public ministry
100% percent of Jesus' ministry was the Father's
will. John 17:4
PROOF Jesus; Cross; His Continuance; Relationships
HIS RETURN 1Thessalonians4:16-ff
HIS DEMAND ON YOUR LIFE –
Acts 2:38 - And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 3:19-20 - Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,
Romans10:9-10 - ...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
1Thessalonians4:3 - For this is the will of God, your sanctification...
Galatians5:22-25 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
