JESUS THE PREACHER

JESUS THE PREACHER

"Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all-- that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." Acts 10:34-38

1. Jesus taught with authority.

"And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Matt 7:28-29

He did not speak out of human doubts and limitations. He was the Eternal Word, and He spoke as One who knew the Eternal Truth of God.

a) The Golden Rule.

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matt 7:11-12

"Jesus connects the Golden Rule with what precedes with the word "therefore." We are to practice the Golden Rule because God's divine judgment teaches forbearance, and his goodness teaches kindness. This precept is fitly called the Golden Rule, for it embraces in its few words the underlying and governing principle of all morality. It contains all the precepts of the law with regard to man, and all the amplifications of those precepts given by the prophets. It teaches us to put ourselves in our neighbor's place, and direct our conduct accordingly. It assumes, of course, that when we put ourselves in our neighbor's place, we are wise enough not to make any foolish wishes, and good enough not to make any evil ones." McGarvey—Four-Fold Gospel

b) The message of Jesus is the same in every age. The methods are to be used to translate the message into thought forms that will permit it to be appropriated by contemporary congregations.

c) The kingdom of God has drawn near in Jesus. Jesus opened the door to the kingdom and invited all who would to come in. People have to change to live happily in the kingdom. The kingdom is present in the rule of the indwelling Spirit and future in the consummation of history and salvation. The ethics of the kingdom are not easy to live by, but they are the way to human fulfillment. After all, what will you have if you are rich and successful and lose your own life (Matt. 16:25-27; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-27).

The kingdom is a gift offered by God through Christ to those who will accept it. No human achievement can create the kingdom. Jesus will return with shout and trumpet blast to fulfill the kingdom.

d) There is a sense in which Jesus is the kingdom.

"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" ), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Gal 3:13-14

He is the means of salvation and entry into heaven. His sacrifice empowers us to proclaim forgiveness of sins. Jesus is the reign of God which calls for faithful obedience. Citizens of the kingdom participate in the ongoing re-creation of the world. All things are being made new. He is the pearl of great price for which people must leave all worldly security and pleasures. The grace of God is both gift and demand; to preach one without the other is untrue.

e) Kingdom people are servants in the world. They live by the Christian lifestyle of Christ. They do not contend with people but serve them. Power over others is rejected. As Jesus became weak for others, His disciples are called to become weak for others. Love is the motivating force for kingdom people. The Christian preacher must boldly expose the false illusions about what is valuable in this world. Greed and selfishness must be exposed as the most common deadly form of sin.

"But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God." 1 Cor 2:9-10