JESUS' SINLESS HUMANITY

 

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Lecture Objectives:

In this presentation we want to show that Jesus, because He showed control and authority over nature and all life, was indeed who he claimed to be.

References:

Luke 5.20-21; Mark 4.41; Luke 7.4-9; Luke 9.9; John 14.1; John 11.25-26; John 6.14; 9.11,17,33

 

Questions For Focus:

  1. Are people characteristically the same the world over?
  2. If a man makes a serious claim, should proof be asked for the claim?
  3. What one question was repeatedly askedabout Jesus?
  4. Jesus' most startling revelation was what, didwe say?
  5. What do we mean when we say "Jesus dramatized His claims"?
  6. Can you name the three miracles that dramatized His claims?
  7. If such things were done in your neighborhood today, would the person doing them warrant investigation?

 

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I. SHOULD PEOPLE WHO MAKE CLAIMS BE ABOVE INVESTIGATION?

  1. What if there was a man who lived in your town who could:
    1. Speak to a storm and make it calm?
    2. Cause a paralytic man to walk by telling him to do so?
    3. Tell a prostitute that she was forgiven by God for her sinful behavior?
    4. Speak to a dead man already in a tomb 4 days and he comes to life again?
  2. Would such a man go unnoticed, or would your fellow citizens be prone to ask "Who is this man?"
  3. In this lesson we want to show that Jesus, because He did such things, was the Divine Son of God and was therefore who He claimed to be.
  4. Observation: In what ways are people the same, characteristically, the world over?
    1. Discussion:
      1. Are people inquisitive?
      2. Do people investigate claims made by fellow citizens?
      3. Do people ask for evidence or proof or can anyone make any claim without question?
      4. Modern day example: In the U.S., March, 1993, a man called David Koresh, who lived in Waco, Texas, claimed "I am the Messiah." He saw himself above the law. He began to stockpile military type weapons to kill of "all unbelievers". At present, 10 people are now dead. also, it has been learned, he had eighteen wives.
      5. Important questions to be answered:
        1. Should proof be demanded for his claims?
        2. Discussion: What kind of proof should David Koresh be asked for?
        3. What are some "proof questions" you would ask him?

 

II. WHAT JESUS SAID AND DID WAS QUESTIONED BY HIS PEERS.

     

  1. Read Luke 5.20-21.
    1. What question did they ask about His person?
    2. What had He said?
  2. Read Mark 4.41.
    1. What question did they ask about His person?
    2. What had He done?
  3. Read Luke 7.4-9.
    1. What question did they ask about His person?
    2. What had He done?
  4. Read Luke 9.9.
    1. What did Herod the King ask about His person?
    2. What did Herod try to do?
  5. Complete the sentence: "If such things were done in my neighborhood today I would

 

III. JESUS' MOST STARTLING REVELATION WAS HIMSELF

(Quote from H.P. Liddon, Chancellor of St. Paul's Cathedral, London).

     

  1. Most men speak aware of their limitations.
    1. How did Jesus speak?
    2. Read John 14.1.
  2. Most teachers say: "This is the truth as best I understand it"
    1. How did Jesus speak?
    2. Read John 14.6.
  3. What did he claim about Himself in the following texts? Read and complete.
    1. John 6.35
    2. John 8.12
    3. John 11.25-26
  4. Read John 6.32ff.
    1. What claim did He make in...
      1. verse 35?
      2. verse 40?
      3. verse 58?
    2. No ordinary person could make such claims.
    3. Do "good men" make such statements about themselves?

 

IV. JESUS ALSO DRAMATIZED HIS CLAIMS.

  1. In Scripture they are called by 3 terms. Can you explain each?
    1. "Miracles"
    2. "Signs"
    3. "Wonders"
  2. If a man today could feed 5,000, what might be His motive for doing so?
    1. For fame?
    2. For special mention by the world's newspapers?
  3. Mention 3 people who have been given special recognition in our modern world:
  4. Jesus' motives were pure.
    1. He never performed miracles selfishly.
    2. He never performed miracles senselessly.
    3. He never performed miracles apart from a love for people.
    4. If His motives were wrong, can you think of one yourself?
  5. They are NOT
    1. Mere demonstrations of physical power.
    2. But they ARE actions which visually exhibit His claims.
  6. List for me 3 miracles from religious history you have heard that Jesus did.
  7. Notice 3 miracles which dramatized His claims
    1. The woman at the well - John 4.
      1. Read verses 16-18.
      2. What was the woman's reaction?
      3. Read verse 19.
      4. Why would the woman make this particular response?
    2. Feeding the 5,000 - John 6
      1. Read verses 5-8.
      2. Is it logical to expect to feed 5,000 from 5 small loaves and 2 small fish?
      3. From this incident, what did Jesus claim for himself?
      4. Read verse 35.
      5. What were the conclusions of the eyewitness concerning Jesus?
      6. Read verse 14.
    3. Causing a man to see for the first time - John 9.
      1. Read John 8.12.
      2. Read John 9.1-9.
      3. In what way does the miracle change the man's convictions?
  8. Consider the following evidence from history:
    1. What did the healed person call Jesus in verse 11?
    2. What did the healed person call Jesus in verse 17?
    3. What did the healed person call Jesus in verse 33?
    4. What conclusion did the healed person come to in verse 38?
  9. Have you understood that all these evidences recorded by John come from reliable eye witnesses?
    1. What was the historian's purpose for recording these events?
    2. The answer is found in John 20.30-31. "That you might that Jesus is the of God."

 

V. CONCLUSIONS

     

  1. Answer the following questions.
    1. If a man lived in your town who could do the miracles, signs and wonders Jesus did, would he go unnoticed?
    2. Were people gullible in Jesus' day or did they make inquiry about Jesus?
      1. List 2 people who did.
    3. Remember, you were asked to complete the sentence "If such things were done in my neighborhood today, I would..."
      1. Go back and read what you wrote.
    4. Why would people die for these claims if they knew them to be false?
    5. What conclusion did the eyewitnesses reach who saw and heard Him exhibit His claims?