The life of our Lord Jesus

I.       Theme:

Jesus Christ is the beginning of Gospel.  He is the way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one can go to the Father except through him.  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (Luke 1:1, John 14:6, Acts 4:12)

II.    The name of Jesus and his status

A.     The name “Jesus” meaning Jehovah is the Saviour.  A name given by angels because He will save his own people from sins.  (Matthews 1:21, Luke 1:31)

B.     “Christ” meaning the one who is anointed.  In Hebrews,  “Messiah” means Jesus is the prophet (Acts 7:37), priest (Hebrews 7:21), and king (Matthews 2:1-2); three positions

1.        Prophet (Deut. 18:18, 24:19)

 a.      Preach the word of the kingdom of God to the people, encourages the multitude to repent.

2.        Priest (Psalms 110:4)

 a.      Offered himself of the best sacrifice for the people and going into the heavenly tent; be a mediator to intercede for us.

3.        King (Luke 1:32-33)

 a.      Has power as a king to reign over the spiritual kingdom; as a ever lasting king.

III. The birth of Jesus

A.     The purpose of his birth

1.        To save all mankind (John 3:16), I Timothy 1:15, Romans 1:16)

2.        To show the True God (John 1:18, 14:9, Ezekiel 2:9)

3.        To overcome Satan (I John 3:8, Philippians 2:8), Hebrews 2:14-15, I Corinthians 15:20-21)

B.     The prophesies of his birth

1.        Offspring of a woman (Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14)

2.        Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Luke 2:1-5, John 9:41-42)

3.        Birth date is not recorded (Hebrews 7:3, John 8:58, John 10:30)

C.     The scene of his birth

1.        Conceived of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18)

2.        Angel revealed to Joseph (Matthew 1:19-24)

3.        Born in a manger in Bethlehem (Luke 2:7)

4.        Angel brings good tidings to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)

D.     The scene after his birth

1.        Performed circumcision and offerings in accordance to the laws (Luke 2:21-24)

 a.      Simeon saw and praised the Lord (Luke 2:25-35). 

 b.      Anna the prophetess came and spoke of the Salvation of Jesus (Luke 2:36-38)

2.        The wise men from the east came to visit him (Matthews 2:1-12).

 a.      Knew the place of his birth, came from afar to visit him; the true wisdom (I Corinthians 1:26, Matthews 11:25, Psalms 111:10).

 b.      The guidance of the True God led them to the Lord.

 c.      Came and worshiped the infant Jesus (Matthews 2:11)

 d.      Offer valuable gifts (Matthews 2:12)

3.        Joseph took his entire family down to Egypt to escape the wrath of king Herod (Mt 2:3)

IV.  The growth of Jesus (Luke 2:52)

A.     Growing in wisdom (I Corinthians 2:6-8, James 3:15-18)

1.        The wisdom of fearing God (Proverbs 9:10, Psalms 16:8)

2.        Understood the words of wisdom (Daniel 12:10, Luke 11:13, Mark 6:2)

3.        Talked with wisdom (Luke 2:46-47, Psalms 45:1-2, Luke 21:14-15)

B.     Growing in stature

1.        In strength (Judges :21, Matthews 8:26-27)

2.        In determination (Luke 2:49, I Corinthians 3:1-3)

3.        In knowledge (Hebrews 5:13-14, Luke 16:15)

C.     God’s love for him grew

1.        Because Jesus constantly did the work of God and pleased God (John 8:29).

2.        He had faith, humility, holiness, obedience….pleased  God

D.     Other’s love for him grew (Matthews 7:12, Proverbs 19:6)

1.        He loved men first, in return he received their increasing love.

2.        Jesus loved the sick, the sinners, the enemies, those who hunger, those who are neglected, as well as rest of the people.  So he received the love of others in return.

E.     Reasons for his growth

1.        He was under the grace of God (Luke 2:40, I Corinthians 3:6)

2.        Family education (Luke 2:41-42, references: Matthews 1:19, Luke 1:28)

3.        Wanting to learn (Luke 2:45-46)

4.        Broke through the constraints of his environments (Matthews 13:53-58)

V.     The baptism of Jesus (Matthews 3:16)

A.     Baptism is the repentance of sins asking God to forgive our sins.  Although Jesus was sinless, why was he still baptized?

1.        To fulfill righteousness (Matthews 3:15, 5:17, Luke 24:44, 23:47)

2.        Anointed high priest (Exodus 29:4-7, Hebrews 3:1, Matthews 3:17)

3.        Example for the people (John 13:15, I Peter 2:21)

 a.      Shows that all must be baptized (Mark 16:16, Acts 10:47)

 b.      Need to be baptized in living water (Matthews 3:16, Isaiah 43:16, Psalms 77:19)

 c.      One baptizing must be filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:15, 66, John 20:22-23)

4.        Being humble and lowly (Matthews 3:14-15, John 5:35-36, Malachi 4:2)

5.        Revealed to the Israelites, begin his ministry (John 1:30-31, 35-37)

VI.  The temptation of Jesus (Matthews 4:1-11)

A.     Jesus was tempted (James 1:13, Hebrews 4:15, 2:17)

1.        Members will also be tempted (John 15:20, I Peter 5:8-9)

 a.      God will protect during times of temptation (I Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 2:18, Luke 10:18-19)

2.        Temptation was allowed by God (Matthews 4:1).

 a.      Just like Job (Job 1:12, 2:6; reference: Matthews 10:29)

3.        The methods of temptation used by Satan

 a.      Seizing the opportunity (Matthews 4:2-3, I Peter 5:8, Deut. 25:17-18)

 b.      Using the desires of flesh to obey their physical weakness (Matthews 4:3, Romans 16:18, Philippians 3:19)

 c.      Causing one to become proud (Matthews 4:5-6)

 d.      Twisting the words of God (Matthews 4:6, Psalms 91:11-12)

 e.      Using the glories of the world to serve Satan (Matthews 4:8-9)

4.        Ways to overcome temptations

 a.      Controlling one’s own desires, never giving room for Satan (Ephesians 4:27, I Peter 2:11)

 b.      Relying on faith to overcome Satan (I Peter 5:9, James 4:7)

 c.      Practice using the word of God (Revelations 12:11, Luke 1:37, Jeremiah 23:36)

 d.      Putting on the full gospel of armor and pursue after spiritual perfection (Ephesians 6:13-17)

VII.           The ministry of Jesus (Matthews 4:17, Mark 1:38, Luke 4:43)

A.     Timing of ministry

1.        Approximately 30 years old (Luke 3:23)

2.        After John the Baptist was put into prison (Matthews 4:12, Mark 1:14)

3.        When the time was fulfilled (Mark 1:15)

B.     The contents of his ministry

1.        Kingdom of God is near (Luke 4:43)

 a.      Reborn of the water and the spirit can enter heavenly kingdom (John 3:5, 14:6)

2.        Repent and believe in the gospel (Matthews 4:17, Luke 4:18-19, John 6:27, 63, 68)

3.        Strive for the sake of eternal life (John 6:27, Matthews 16:26, Luke 16:19-31)

C.     The spirit and attitude of preaching the gospel

1.        Zealously preaching (Luke 8:1, 4:42-43, Mark 3:20, John 4:32-34)

2.        Praying constantly (Mark 1:33, Matthews 4:1-2, 14:22-23, Luke 6:12)

3.        Never differentiate the classes (Matthews 9:10-13, Mark 10:46-52, Matthews 19:13-15)

4.        Does not fear those who have power and authority (Job 32:21-22, 23:13-29, John 2:13-22, Luke 13:31-32)

5.        Is not subject to self will (John 5:30, 12:49-50, Matthews 26:39)

6.        Does not seek self glory (John 5:41, 8:54, Psalms 29:1-2)

7.        Faithful till death (Philippians 2:8, Ecclesiastes 9:10)

D.     Methods of preaching

1.        Look at the audience, targeting their needs (Mark 4:33).  Examples:

 a.      The Samaritan woman

 b.      Nicodemus

 c.      The rich young man

 d.      Those who have been tempted.

2.        Using his own actions as an example for others to follow (John 13:13-14, Luke 23:34, Matthews 10:39)

3.        Using his great power to prove (John 3:2, Luke 24:19, I Corinthians 2:4)

4.        Using parables (Matthews 13:35, 10-12)

VIII.        The death of Jesus (Luke 23:46)

A.     Why did he die?

1.        Not for his own sins (John 18:38, 19:4, 6, 8:46)

2.        Not of old age (Ecclesiastes 8:8, Hebrews 7:3)

3.        Die for the sins of mankind (I John 2:2, Mark 10:45, Galatians 2:20, Romans 5:6-8)

B.     The effects of His death

1.        Fulfill the law (Romans 10:4, Colossians 2:14)

2.        Breaking down the wall (Ephesians 2:13-14, Galatians 3:28) bring harmony to people (Colossians 1:21-22)

3.        Destroy Satan (Hebrews 2:14-15, Luke 11-21-22)

4.        Letting men be saved through righteousness (Isaiah 53:6, I Peter 3:18, Romans 5:18, 3:25, John 3:17-18)

C.     Entering into his death

1.        Through baptism (Roman 6:2-3, 7, 11)

2.        The likeness of his resurrection (Romans 6:4)

3.        Think about things of heaven (Colossians 3:2-3)

IX.  The resurrection of Jesus (Matthews 28:6)

A.     The prophesies and symbolism of the resurrections (Psalms 16:10, Matthews 12:40, 16:21, 17:22)

B.     The truth of his resurrection

1.        Mary’s testimony (Matthews 28:1-10)

2.        Apostles’ testimony (Acts 2:32, 10:39-40)

3.        Angel’s testimony (Luke 24:5-8)

4.        Soldier’s testimony (Matthews 28:4, 11-15)

5.        Paul’s testimony (I Corinthians 15:3-8, Acts 9:3-8)

C.     The significance of his resurrection

1.        Prove that Jesus was God (Romans 1:3-4, John 10:18, Acts 2:23-24)

2.        He took away death (II Timothy 1:10, I Corinthians 15:22, Revelations 1:8)

3.        The first fruit of resurrection (I Corinthians 15:13-14, 23, I Thessalonians 4:14-17, II Corinthians 5:1-5)

·         Must be watchful and self controlled (I Corinthians 15:32- 34, Acts 24:15-16, II Peter 3:14)

X.     The ascension of Jesus (Luke 24:51)

A.     The prophesies and testimonies of his ascension

1.        Jesus’ prophesies (John 20:17)

2.        Testimonies of angels (Acts 1:9-11)

3.        Testimonies of apostles (Acts 1:1-4, 5:30-32)

4.        Testimonies of the Holy Spirit (John 15:26-27)

5.         Testimonies of miracles (Acts 7:55-56, Mark 16:19-20)

B.     The significance of his ascension

1.        Entering the heavenly tent to become the high priest (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 3:1, 9:11, 24)

2.        To become our forerunner to open up a path (Hebrews 6:19-20, 10:19-20, 2:10)

3.        To prepare a place for us (John 14:2-3, I Corinthians 2:9)

4.        To exert his authority in heaven (Matthews 28:18, I Peter 3:22)

XI.  The coming of Jesus (I Corinthians 16:22)

A.     His promise to come again

1.        Prophesies of the Old Testament (Daniel 7:13-14, Zechariah 14:5-6)

2.        Jesus promised himself (Matthews 16:27, 20:30-33, John 14:2-3)

3.        Prophesies of the angels (Acts 1:11)

4.        Prophesies of the apostles (I Peter 5:4, I Thessalonians 3:13, I John 2:28, James 5:7-8)

B.     The significance of his coming

1.        To give judgment (Jude 1:15, Matthews 25:31-46, Revelations 20:11-15, II Peter 2:4)

2.        Punish Satan and his messengers (Revelations 20:10, I Corinthians 15:24)

3.        Receive the saints to heaven (Philippians 3:20-21, Revelations 19:7, I Thessalonians 4:15-17)

4.        To remove the old heaven and earth and create a new one (II Peter 3:10-13, Revelations 21:1-6)

C.     Signs of his second coming

1.        The condition of the world

 a.      Numerous wars (Matthews 24:6-7)

 b.      Natural disasters (Matthews 24:7-8)

 c.      The changes in weather (Matthews 24:29-30, Acts 2:19-20)

 d.      Revival of Israel (Matthews 24:32, Jeremiah 24:4-5)

2.        The condition of the society

 a.      The increase in sins (II Timothy 3:1-4, Luke 17:26-30)

 b.      The increase in man’s wisdom (Daniel 12:4, Revelations 22:10)

 c.      The love of man becomes cold (Matthews 24:12, 25:5)

3.        The conditions of the religions

 a.      The increase in cults (Revelations 9:20, Jeremiah 50:38)

 b.      The appearance of false christ (Matthews 24:3-5, I John 2:18)

 c.      Believers persecuted and members fall (Matthews 24:9-10)

 d.      Gospel is preached to the end of the earth (Matthews 24:14, I Timothy 2:4)

D.     the condition of his second coming (Matthews 24:30-31)

1.        Like a thief, (Matthews 24:43, II Peter 3:10)

2.        Like the days of Lot and Noah (Matthews 24:37-39, Luke 17:28-30)

E.     the preparations of members

1.        Prepare the oil – fullness of the Holy Spirit (Matthews 25:1-13, Ephesians 5:18)

2.        Need to wear the proper garment – holiness and complete (Matthews 22:10-14, Revelations 19:7-8, 22:14)

3.        Need to love one another (Matthews 25:31-46, I Peter 4:7-8)

4.        Need to do more Lord’s work (Matthews 25:14-30, I Corinthians 15:58, John 9:4)

5.        Patiently wait (James 5:7-8, Matthews 24:13, Hebrews 10:36-37)

F.      Conclusion:

I Peter 1:13, Revelations 22:20