1) JESUS CHRIST, THE KING - Jesus is revealed as the King of kings. His miraculous birth, his life, and his teachings, plus his miracles, and his triumph over death show us his true identity. Jesus isn’t equal to any other person or power on the earth that he created. He is the supreme being who rules over time and eternity, heaven, and earth, both humans and angels. He needs to be given his rightful place as our personal Lord and King.
2) JESUS CHRIST, THE MESSIAH* - Jesus was the long awaited Messiah; the One the Jews expected to deliver them from their Roman oppressors. Because they were expecting a warrior king they didn’t recognize him when he came as a baby. They were unaware of God’s true mission; to have the anointed Son of God set all people free from sin’s oppression. The oppression of the Romans wasn’t eternal, but the consequences of sin were and are.
Christ came to not only be our savior, but our deliverer. Since God sent him to save us from ourselves and the sins we’ve accumulated, we ought to trust him with our lives. God has had his hand in every good thing we’ve done in his name, therefore we should readily acknowledge his position over us and give ourselves to him for scripture is clear, he only has our best interests in mind. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." 3 John 2:2 says, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. God always has our best interests at heart. God wants us to prosper in body and soul.”
3) THE KINGDOM OF GOD - Jesus came to earth to begin his Kingdom. His FULL Kingdom will be realized at his return and will be made up of anyone who has faithfully served him. The way to enter God’s Kingdom is by faith - believing in Christ to save from us and alter the path we are on. It’s the work for the Kingdom that readies us for his return.
4) JESUS TEACHINGS - Jesus taught thru sermons, illustrations, and parables**. Thru his teachings he revealed the true ingredients of faith and how to avoid a fruitless and hypocritical life. His teachings show us how to prepare for life in his eternal Kingdom by living according to his statutes now. Jesus was a living example of how we ought to live in this life ... therefore we are expected by God to practice what we preach or teach to others. Remember, our lives may be the only bible some folks will ever read. Live what you believe.
5) CHRIST’S RESURRECTION - When Jesus rose from the dead he rose in power as the true King that he was. His resurrection from the dead established his victory over death and showed he had divine power to conquer evil. Most would consider death to be the end of the road, but Jesus won over death and rose to new life. Like water baptism, where it is said that our old life dies when we submerge into the water and rise to new life once we come up from the water, Christ died and then rose to new life. Sin and death have no hold on us for Christ’s death and resurrection shattered the chains that sin, and death bound us up in.
God’s plan could never be thwarted by evil. We simply must believe that Jesus will return for us and trust him in all things prior to his return. Eternal life is the reward for all who faithfully serve him throughout their life. When he returns isn’t nearly as important as our being ready when he does.
Up next is a write up of certain events that are found exclusively in Matthew’s Gospel.
Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In his name & for his glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.
* rescuer, savior, deliverer - a person who rescues you from harm or danger.
** A simple story illustrating a moral or religious lesson.
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