The Global Heart of Jesus

The Global Heart of Jesus

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 4:12, Mark 16:20, Luke 24:45, Luke 24:47, John 20:31, Luke 4:4, Jeremiah 33:3, 1 Samuel 2:2, Luke 4:8, Psalms 18:2, Matthew 6:9, Psalms 46:1, Mark 16:14-20, Isaiah 53:5, Exodus 15:26, Proverbs 2:6, Psalms 103:2-3, Luke 2:49, Psalms 91:2

Summary: Do we really understand that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a GLOBAL GOSPEL, that Jesus died for the WHOLE WORLD, that the Bible is not a Middle Eastern religious book, but it is God’s Word to the WHOLE WORLD?

Luke 2:49

Luke 2:49 NLT

“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

INTRODUCTION:

• The Global Heart of Jesus

• Where does America stand in relation to the rest of the world?

• Global Population as of September 2018 is 7.6 Billion

• America 325.7 Million as of the 2017 census (4.6% of the worlds population)

• Global Economy - Overall, the Global Economy is worth an estimated $79.98 trillion with the US boasting $20.4 trillion of that. (In 2nd and 3rd place are China - 14 trillion, and Japan - 5.1 trillion)

• Government - The United States is a Federal Republic with three branches of government, Legislative, Executive & Judicial which lend themselves to representative and constitutional democracy. We are not Socialist, Cultural Marxist or Communists. We are America… formed by the people, for the people. We are the “Land of the Free because of the Brave!” This makes us unique and much more prosperous than the rest of the world.

• Let’s Recap - America is 4.6% of the world’s population and over 25% of the world’s economy. Therefore, and considering these truths we, as God’s Church in America, need to ask ourselves a few questions. Here they are:

1. What is the American Church’s responsibility to the world?

2. What should our attitude be towards the rest of the world?

3. Have we represented Jesus well in the areas of Proclaiming Christ, Discipleship and Humanitarian Efforts?

4. Do we really understand that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a GLOBAL GOSPEL, that Jesus died for the WHOLE WORLD, that the Bible is not a Middle Eastern religious book but it is God’s Word to the WHOLE WORLD?

5. What are we going to do moving forward?

• As we embark upon this series, RED LETTERS, I feel we should do it with a clear understanding that this is God’s message to all of humanity.

RED LETTERS

Description of who Jesus is!

RED LETTERS

I. A LOOK AT THE GOSPELS

KINGDOM ORIENTED

A. Matthew was a disciple of Jesus and a former publican (tax collector).

1. Matthew focuses on Jesus fulfilling Old Testament prophecies that prove Him to be the Messiah. Matthew shares the lineage of Jesus going back to Abraham. (Luke’s go back to Adam)

2. Matthew uses the term "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets” rather frequently. Matthew refers to the kingdom 55 different times, and the "kingdom of heaven" 35 times. Of the 15 parables recorded by Matthew all but three begin: "The kingdom of heaven is like..."

3. Matthew quotes more from the Old Testament than any other New Testament writer signifying to us that his book is very possibly placed as the first book of the OT to serve as a transitional book between the Old and New Testaments.

4. Matthew ends with his version of what has become known as “The Great Commission.”

Matthew 28:18-20

Matthew 28:18–20 NLT

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

B. Mark is the son of Mary and the cousin of Paul’s missionary companion Barnabas.

ACTIONS POWER AND SIGNS

1. Mark begins by focusing on the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist. (He was called Baptist because he baptized people in water in the wilderness)

2. Mark focuses more on the works of Jesus (miracles) than His teachings. (He records 20 miracles and only four parables)

3. An interesting note is that all but four of the sixteen chapters begin with the word “And”. (Some scholars have noted that this “illustrates how Christ's life and service are a complete and perfect whole.”)

4. Mark 16:14-20 - He to ends with The Great Commission but emphasis Action, Power & Signs.

Mark 16:14-20

Mark 16:14–20 NLT

Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their stubborn unbelief because they refused to believe those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead. And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.

C. Luke was a Gentile Physician! He gives an “eyewitness account” of Jesus life and works. (Especially the miracles since Luke was a physician)

WORKS OF CHRIST

1. Luke gives the longest account of the life and ministry of Jesus and is the only one who covers His childhood, including His visit to the Temple at the age of 12.

2. Luke focuses more on the Humanity of Jesus. (John focuses more on His Diety) He is the only one to:

a) Share about the good Samaritan, the Publican, the Prodigal Son and Zacchaeus.

b) Showing mercy to the thief on the Cross

c) Jesus weeping over Jerusalem

d) Jesus sweating, as it were, great drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane

e) He ends by “Opening up their understanding that they could understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45) and gave them his version of The Great Commission.

Luke 24:40-45

Luke 24:40–45 NLT

As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched. Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

Luke 24:46-47

D. John was from Galilee and was the youngest of all the disciples but didn’t write his book until he was a very old man.

DIETY OF CHRIST

1. Known as the “love Gospel” and is used quit extensively for discipleship.

2. Although from Galilee, John wrote of the Judean ministry of Jesus while Matthew, Mark and Luke focused more of the ministry of Jesus when He was in Galilee.

3. John goes all the way back to the beginning of time emphasizing the Deity of Jesus. (Luke focused more on His Humanity)

4. Only in the Gospel of John do we find the story of Christ's first miracle at:

a. the wedding in Cana where He turned the water into wine,

b. His conversation about faith with Nicodemus,

c. the raising of Lazarus from the dead,

d. His commending His mother to the care of John at the cross,

e. and His last words on the Cross… "It is finished."

5. The theme of the Gospel of John appears to be “Believe.” (This word is used 100 times in his book)

John 20:25-31

John 20:25–31 NLT

They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

II. LUKE 2:49 AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, WHY ARE YOU SEARCHING FOR ME? DON’T YOU KNOW THAT IA AM ABOUT MY FATHERS BUSINES?

FOCUSED ON THE MISSION

Luke 2:49

Luke 2:49 NLT

“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

[a]A. Jesus enjoyed His young life but stayed focused on purpose.

B. Jesus sought to help others understand His purpose

1. I don’t think Jesus was disrespecting His mother. I think He sought to help her understand Him better.

2. He does the same for us today. (His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.)

C. May we as God’s Church be known around the world as a people who:

1. Show forth the praises of God

2. Are familiar with the love and tenderness of the person of Jesus Christ

3. Walk with Righteous Character

4. Live a Holy Life (Purity Proceeds Power)

5. Know Jesus as Savior & Healer of broken hearts, broken homes, and broken bodies

• MAY WE BE KNOWN AS A PEOPLE IN WHOM GOD DWELLS…

III. JESUS FASTING AND PRAYING IN THE WILDERNESS

PREPERATION FOR THE BATTLE

A. Luke 4:4 - There is Life in the flesh & there is Life in the Word of God

B. Luke 4:8 - We have the power to put the devil in his place.

Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

1. We put Satan behind us so he doesn’t cloud our vision or distort our sight.

2. Get thee “behind me Satan” - Its time for the Church to leave the devil behind. Don’t battle him all day. He is a DEFEATED FOE! Advance forward!!!

C. Worship the Lord “Your God”. - When we accept Jesus into our hearts then God becomes “Our God.”

WORSHIP DELIVERS

1. Our Rock - 1 Samuel 2:2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

2. Our Defender - Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

3. Our Source of Wisdom - Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

4. Our Healer - Exodus 15:26 “… I am the LORD that healeth thee…”

a) Psalms 103:2-3 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

b) Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

5. Our Refuge, Fortress & Trust - Psalms 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

6. Our Help - Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

7. Our Father - More than all of this He is… Our Father - Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

CLOSING: JESUS COMMUNICATED TO SATAN… I’M DONE WITH YOU!

Luke 4:12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

A. Some of you need to draw a line in the sand today and tell the devil, “That’s Enough!”

B. You’re an Overcomer! EMBRACE YOUR VICTORY!

C. God is on our side!!!

1. God has His hand on this ministry and God has His hand upon you!

• There is so much more we can learn about God! –

Jeremiah 33:3

New International Version

3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’