Jesus Speaks: Sayings and Stories of the Kingdom

1. Jesus Speaks: Sayings and Stories of the Kingdom

2. Let’s Review • Jesus relied on himself alone as the judge of the truths he shared . • He called the disciples into a lifelong relationship • GO to page 134 in text… • Jesus referred to God the Father as “Abba” an intimate name that did not appear in the earlier scriptures

3. Mark 9:42-43 in text book Yikes. • Temptations to Sin. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe [in me] to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna,* into the unquenchable fire.

4. JESUS USED 2 WORDS IN A DISTINCTIVE MANNER (see pages 134 and 150) • Abba__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  • Amen________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Abba • Jesus referred to God as “Abba, Father” which is an affectionate Aramaic name for father. This was a break from the Jewish Tradition that spoke of God in terms of awe and reverence

6. Amen • Jesus started his statements/teachings with “AMEN”. It gave weight to what he was going to say….Hey listen up!

7. Three Types of Stories • Direct Pronouncement • Short sayings • Instructions for disciples • Parables

8. Pronouncements • The gospel writers situated Jesus’ pronouncements within stories. The story acted like a “setup” for a the punch line. The punch line is the direct and powerful statement that Jesus wanted to tell us.

9. An example of a Pronouncement storyMark 2:23-28 • As he was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?”Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man,* not man for the sabbath.That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

10. What is a simplified explanation for this passage? Do Not Be A Slave To The Law

11. Other variations.. • Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath and are innocent?e 6I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. 7* If you knew what this meant, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’f you would not have condemned these innocent men. 8

12. Another example, same story…Matthew 12:1-12 • Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath and are innocent?I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’you would not have condemned these innocent men. 8

13. Short Sayings • These were sayings or “words to the wise” that did not have any story surrounding them or leading up to them.

14. Example: Mark 8:34-38 • He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, • “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. • For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. • What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? • What could one give in exchange for his life? • Whoever is ashamed of me and of mywords in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”l

15. Just do it

16. Jesus Of Nazareth • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--nzw1BCtI4&feature=fvwrel

17. The Beatitudes….part of…..The Sermon on the Mount • The Sermon on the Mount. When he saw the crowds,* he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2He began to teach them, saying: • The Beatitudes* • 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit,* • for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.a • _______________________________________________________________________________________________ • 4* Blessed are they who mourn,b • for they will be comforted. • ________________________________________________________________________________________ • 5* Blessed are the meek,c • for they will inherit the land. • ________________________________________________________________________________________ • 6Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,* • for they will be satisfied. • _______________________________________________________________________________________ • 7Blessed are the merciful, • for they will be shown mercy.d • ______________________________________________________________________________________________ • 8* Blessed are the clean of heart,e • for they will see God. • ______________________________________________________________________________________ • 9Blessed are the peacemakers, • for they will be called children of God. • _____________________________________________________________________________________ • 10Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,* • for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.f • _____________________________________________________________________________________________ • 11Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.g 12* Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.h Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

18. Beatitudes • http://www.realfaithtv.com/videos/being-poor-in-spirit/

19. 3 BIG IDEAS of the Beatitudes • The Kingdom’s fulfillment is yet to come……

20. #2 big idea • The Kingdom is in our midst.

21. Big idea #3 • Participation in the Kingdom requires a life of love.