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TITLE: NO OTHER NAME – What did He do?

TEXT: Acts 10:36-38

PROPOSITION: Life and teachings of Jesus

Introduction:

  1. We know that Jesus existed – lived on the earth.

  2. Now we must learn what He did, what He taught.

LIFE of JESUS

Was Jesus born in the year zero?

  1. There was NO ZERO YEAR.

  2. The counting goes from 1 BC to 1 AD

  3. This calculation was done in 531 and was off about 3-4 years

  4. Jesus was born about 4 BC

Was Jesus' mother really a virgin when he was born?

  1. God said this in Genesis 3:15 – seed of woman (not seed of man)

  2. Isaiah said this in Isaiah 7:14 – 700 years ahead of time

  3. Matthew said this in Matthew 1:23

Was there a star or comet at the time of Jesus' birth?

  1. Many look for an explanation in astronomy

    1. Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn – 7 BC

    2. Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter 3 BC

    3. Supernova in 4 or 5 BC

    4. Halley's comet in 12 BC

  2. All of these FAIL – This star had to remain in place for 2 years!

Why weren't there any women disciples of Jesus?

  1. There were. Jesus had thousands of disciples (learners, followers)

  2. He also had 12 Apostles – chosen to “send out” (Apostle – one sent)

Was Jesus ever married?

  1. Peter was married – Matthew 8:14

  2. Paul was not married – 1 Corinthians 9:5

  3. Jesus was not married – never settled in one place
     

Was Mary Magdalene Jesus' girlfriend?

  1. Jesus was single.

  2. Mary was one of Jesus' disciples.

  3. Some try to claim she was a prostitute [Not true] (some of Jesus' followers certainly were).

  4. That's is what we know from the Bible. Everything else is speculation.

Did Jesus really walk on water?

  1. John record the first miracle of Jesus – wedding water into wine

  2. John tells about the miracles Jesus did – Born blind, Lazarus raise

  3. Jesus fed 5,000 at the Sea of Galilee

  4. Jesus walked on water.

What miracles are said to have been done by Jesus?

  1. Heal the sick, cast out evil spirits

  2. Cured leprosy, paralysis, blindness, deafness

  3. On three occasions – raised the dead

  4. Command over nature – still storm, curse fig tree

Why did Jesus have so many enemies?

  1. Political enemies -

    1. Romans – felt a threat from Jesus

    2. Jews – want someone to free them from Roman rule

  2. Religious enemies -

    1. Sects – Pharisee, Sadducee

    2. Leaders – Scribes, Lawyers, Levites

  3. Personal enemies-

    1. Some were jealous of his fame / power

    2. Some wanted to “get on the bandwagon”

Why did Judas betray Jesus?

  1. We don't know – the Bible does not say what the motive was.

  2. Some theories:

    1. Greed – he got 30 silver coins (about 4 month's wages)

    2. Thought Jesus could escape – no harm, no foul

    3. Judas was disillusioned – wanted the military and political power

Why didn't Jesus avoid being crucified?

  1. Jesus knew the plan before He came.

  2. Matthew 26:2 – He know he would be killed

Why was Jesus crucified?

  1. Holy God must have a perfect sacrifice.

  2. Jesus offered Himself as that sacrifice – for our sins

  3. 2 Corinthians 5:21 – Knew no sin, was made sin for us

Teachings of Jesus

What were Jesus' basic teachings?

  1. The kingdom of God is coming

  2. God is your Father – Obey Him

  3. Love God and love each other

Why did Jesus tell stories?

  1. Parables – literal (true as opposed to fiction) – with a spiritual application

  2. Jesus told parables for two reasons:

    1. If you understood – you got deeper insight into the mind of God

    2. If not – you heard a good simple story

What is the kingdom of God?

  1. NOT a political kingdom – to overthrow Rome – set up earthly kingdom

  2. NOT literal, physical, earthly

  3. IS spiritual kingdom – citizens of God's family

Was St Paul the real founder of Christianity?

  1. Paul was a “late arrival” - born out of due season

  2. His writings (13 letters in the NT) contain little about the life of Christ

  3. That was already covered and known

Was Jesus a Christian?

  1. In a very important sense, no.

  2. Jesus was Jewish – worshiped in the synagogue and at the Temple.

Did Jesus say he was coming back?

  1. Yes – John 14:1-3

  2. Acts 1:11 – He will come back same way he left – in clouds

  3. Revelation 1:7 – Behold, He comes with clouds, every eye will see Him

 


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