What was Jesus Preaching

I love to find odd things in the stories we read in the Bible (Focus on the Resurrection story)

THE DOVE… what was that all about??? Symbolizing God’s peace - the Trinity - the approval of Jesus

Resurrection Story:

Jesus sweating blood (hematidrosis) - God being fully human experiencing a level of deep suffering and anxiety - Luke 22:44 … then his sweat became like drops of blood

A crown of thorns - The curse of sin - Genesis 3:17-18 … the ground is cursed to produce thorns - and yet the crown still symbolizes a King

The folding of the face cloth (part of the buriel clothes) - John 20:6-7 … bot lying with the linen clothes, but folded in a place by itself - maybe symbolizing a Jewish custom. That when a person leaves the dinner table, they fold their napkin, represting that they will be back!

And finally...

What was Jesus preaching… when He went to the dead?

1 Peter 3:18–20 NLT

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.

Was it a message of Salvation (a 2nd chance) - NO! Noah preached to them and they did not care

Was it a message of Judgement against the spirits for their disobedience and rebellion against God? NO! They knew this already

Was it a message… or a proclomation of Victory - A Victory over sin and death; the completeness of His victory - Revelation 1:18 … And I hold the keys of death and the grave (HADES)

Romans 8:37 (NSFLB)

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

This phrase “More than Conquerors” is described like this:

New Spirit-Filled Life Bible Chapter 8

The word describes one who is super victorious, who wins more than an ordinary victory, but who is overpowering in achieving abundant victory.

What does this Victory mean for us?

The end of 1 Peter 3:18 … but He was raised to life by the Spirit...

Ephesians 2:4–6 NLT

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

My Salvation story - in Teen Challenge: Life after TC

Where do you need this victory?

Reflection time (take a note):

From failure to OVERCOMER! - 1 John 5:4-5

1 John 5:4–5 NSFLB

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

From feeling weak to being STRENGTHENED! - Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:13 NSFLB

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

From helpless to HOPEFUL! - Colossians 2:15

Colossians 2:15 NSFLB

Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

From a lack of courage to being COURAGEOUS! - 2 Corinthians 2:14

2 Corinthians 2:14 NLT

But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.

Story:

My dream story to focus more on living for Him and just wanting to die for Him - The African jungle stroy

Galatians 2:20 NSFLB

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.