Tag Archives: Messiah

Three Years That Changed the World – The Claims of Christ: Deceiver or Deliverer

Posted on by
Reply

Three Years That Changed The World – Lesson 9

The Claims of Christ – Deceiver or Deliverer

(John 7)

The events recorded by John in chapter 6 would have taken place shortly before the Passover which would have been in our month of April. Since the Feast of Tabernacles was about to begin (John 7:1-2) and that festival was celebrated in our month of October we can conclude that about 6 months had passed since the events of John 6 took place.

It was during that 6-month period that Jesus ministered in the region of Galilee and the detail of what took place during that time is recorded in the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke. In addition to the healings, miracles and teaching of Jesus during this 6-month period, it becomes evident that Jesus was avoiding an open confrontation with the religious leaders. It wasn’t because he was afraid to face them (as we will see) but it was because it wasn’t his time for once that open confrontation begins, it will start the final clock that leads to his crucifixion and the timing of that was in God’s hands and not man’s.

Somewhere in the middle of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus shows up at the temple courts and begins to teach. Many of the listeners were amazed at his teachings and it confounded them for, in their minds, Jesus was the son of a carpenter with no formal religious training. How could someone like that teach the way Jesus did? What many of them weren’t willing to accept was Jesus’ claim to be from the Father. The key takeaway from this chapter is when Jesus claims; “Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own”. Jesus is claiming to be the promised Messiah and rather than seek to kill him they should instead follow him and then they would know his words are true! This chapter of John shows the unwillingness of the religious leaders to accept Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Son of God who came to seek and to save those who were lost. It really shows how, even with God standing right there in their midst they chose their ways over God’s Way and in the end, they seek to do all they can to silence Jesus by having him crucified on a cross. The very ones who should have known who Jesus was and should have embraced him as their Savior and Lord instead choose to openly reject him. Although they rejected Jesus – God’s plan was for Jesus to go to the cross, be crucified and rise from the dead to give life to all who believe. I hope after reading this lesson that you will find Jesus not to be a deceiver but instead accept him as you Deliverer and follow him with you heart and soul.

The Claims of Christ – Deciever or Deliverer – John 7Download

God Was Never Silent – His Story From Malachi to Matthew Part 4

Posted on by
Reply

God Was Never Silent

His Story from Malachi to Matthew – Part 4

During the times of the Greek Empire – Rome was becoming a major power in the Western Mediterranean. To fully rid themselves of Greek rule, the Jews (still being led by Hasmonean descendants) sought the help of the Romans by pledging a mutual alliance of protection. Rome will subjugate Palestine in 63 B.C. and dominated this territory during the entire New Testament Period. The Romans allowed Palestine to be somewhat “self-ruled” – although they controlled the appointment of who was in charge. Thus, Judea became a Roman province of Syria – approximately 60 B.C.

The Roman Empire is the 4th Kingdom in the dream that Daniel interpreted for King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2 so none of this was a surprise to God and something He was clearly orchestrating. This was all to bring about the birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.

Through a series of events, a Roman leader will come to power and his name was Octavian, but he is better known as Caesar Augustus. He will be instrumental in establishing a “peace through strength” form of government which was commonly referred to as Pax Romana (Roman Peace). During his reign the Roman road system will be built throughout the empire to assist in troop movement and the easy flow of commerce across the lands. All of this will provide a means for the proclamation of the gospel to spread during the New Testament period.

It will be during the time of Caesar Augustus that the Messiah will be born in a lowly town called Bethlehem. Ironically, most of the priests will be oblivious to the signs of his birth and as we will see in our next study ( “Three Years That Changed the World”), many of the priests will openly reject Jesus and call for his crucifixion.

However, God always has a remnant and there will be those who will believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah and will follow him. It all starts with the birth of John the Baptist who was the one spoken of by the prophet Malachi. John the Baptist will turn many Jewish hearts back to God through the act of repentance and baptism with the intention of directing them to follow Jesus through faith that He is the promised Messiah. Next Mary (a virgin) will give birth to Jesus, the promised Messiah and this announcement is made, not to the priests in the synagogue, but to a group of shepherds who will come to the place Jesus was born and worship Him. This lesson will close out with a group of Magi’s who follow a star to Bethlehem and find the child there and choose to worship Him. Although our series concludes with the birth of the Messiah, His story doesn’t end there. He will lead a sinless life, teach others to love God and love one another, and proclaim the good news that He is the Savior of the World! There will be those who believe in Him and those who reject him, but it doesn’t change the fact that He Is who He claimed to be. (John 1:1-14). His story continues……..

god-was-never-silent-part-4Download