God’s Plan through the Ages
 
God’s Plan Through the Ages The Confirmation of Jesus Christ as God’s Son and The Redeeming, Promised Messiah John 20-21 By Pastor Dan Kennedy © August 5, 2012 www.pastorkennedy.com (On the website above, click the link to “recent message notes” to view messages online. There are also selected messages and poems, available on Amazon Kindle Books - see “Dan B. Kennedy”.) The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the key Cornerstones of the Christian faith. In a previous message we took a step-by-step look at the events surrounding the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in John 20:1-18 with the parallel passages in the other Gospels. The Resurrection of Christ, though, is but one among many parts of God’s continuing plan for the building, confirming and establishing of His Eternal Kingdom. Today we are going to review once again, including a focus on Christ’s Resurrection, God’s Plan through the Ages in the Confirmation of Jesus Christ as God’s Son and The Redeeming, Promised Messiah for the Human Race. What is Truth? Why is it important and imperative for us to understand God’s intended plan? We need to understand how and why our Creator made us, and what He eternally has in store for His Children. We also must understand why there are hurts, pain, and suffering in the world, wrapped uncomfortably together with the depravity of our own heart, which continues to cause us to have crippling guilt, and overwhelming sorrow. Our natural person has a desire to find anything…any placebo… any mind numbing means that will keep us from feeling the hurt from others and the guilt within, so deeply. In addition, we have this overwhelming need to live a worthwhile life – to have purpose and meaning! God has provided for us through His Word the Bible, the means by His Spirit, to give us enduring Redemption and relief from the pain and insecurity so evident around us and so firmly imbedded within us. It is because of this intrinsic personal need in every person’s heart that religions of every form and description have sprouted up…each one glaringly unique with its own set of rules, yet requiring the necessity of “doing good” and “being good” as a common denominator. How to acquire the “good person merit”, for most religions, is based on how hard one works in this life to successfully achieve his or her “good person status” (by most closely following the set of rules established by the religion)…and ultimately to appease the spiritual deity the person worships, in the afterlife. There are many, many spiritual entities and deities in the universe, each, it seems, with their own requirements for worship as inscribed by their prophets in their holy books. True Christianity, in stark contrast to all other “working-to-achieve-status” religions; accept not works, but “Salvation” by “Grace”, through “Faith” in The Son who is “The Sacrificial Redeemer”. In a world filled with a multitude of spiritual deities seeking worship, Christians only worship and submit to the authority of the Creator God of Heaven, who is in Trinity-ONENESS with His Son and His Holy Spirit, as recorded in the Bible. Christians do not “do good” to be acceptable to God; they accept, by faith, the Goodness of God’s Son. His Sacrifice on their behalf has paid for the penalty of their sin…they do not “work” to pay it back. Christians accept God’s Grace, by Faith, and, being transformed by God’s Holy Spirit, Christians “do good” by the power of God’s Holy Spirit within them, not because they are earning eternal merit with a deity. Christians are rewarded in eternity for an honorable life, but they could never obtain an eternal “good standing” or “merit” with God, because of their “good life”. Grace, not Works, is an insurmountable contrast in Salvation between Christianity and all the other religions of the world, no matter what their creed. Those who preach “The Gospel”, found in God’s Word, the Bible, have formed Christian Churches throughout the world. The Gospel is the foundational Truth on which a Christian’s life should be established. The world has invented its own mechanisms and deceptions (empowered by the god of this world and arch adversary to God) to circumvent accountability to the Living God, their Creator. God’s Plan through the Ages • In the beginning, God created a Dynamic World as Home for a Human Race. A people made in His Own Image: o Thinking o Creative o Social o Interactive o Perceptive o Emotional o Spiritual o Eternal o A People Profoundly Complicated, Intuitive and Complex – beyond anyone’s ability (in the history of the world) to fully comprehend, or reproduce in any form, without the presence of preexistent living cells. God’s Plan through the Ages includes • An Availability of a Means for the Dilemma of Human Choice. • To Provide for the Redemption of a Lost Human Race. • That even through the dilemmas in the issues of earthly life, God’s final Reality is the Creation of a Perfect, Final Eternal Kingdom for His Children. The Provision for the Redemption a Lost Human Race The Birth of Jesus Christ. The Confirming Life of Jesus Christ. The Teachings of Jesus Christ. The Sufferings of Jesus Christ. The Death of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Post Resurrection Revelation of Jesus Christ. The Prophesied Second Coming of Jesus Christ, in Power and Glory. 1. The Confirmation of Jesus Christ as God’s Son and Redeeming Messiah through His Miraculous Birth: a. Jesus’ Birth Prophesied, beginning from the fall of mankind (Gen. 3:15) and throughout Scripture. b. Jesus’ Birth to a Virgin, Mary. c. Jesus’ Birth Announced by a Heavenly Host of Angels d. Jesus’ Birth Observed by Shepherds and Magi e. Jesus’ Birth a Target for Destruction by a jealous king and a determined archenemy 2. The Confirmation of Jesus Christ as God’s Son and Redeeming Messiah through His Supernatural Life: a. Healing the Sick. b. Raising the Dead. c. Feeding the 5,000. d. Walking on Water. e. A multitude of miraculous signs from God, confirming Christ’s Messianic Identity. John 20:31 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 3. The Confirmation of Jesus Christ as God’s Son and Redeeming Messiah through His Teachings: a. Jesus’ Teaching the Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7). b. Christ’s continuing Instruction of Godly Daily Living and of a Life that is Honorable to God. c. Christ’s Prophetic Enlightenment of the End Times and His Second Coming in Power and Glory. John 20:31 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 4. The Confirmation of Jesus Christ as God’s Son and Redeeming Messiah through His Suffering: Psalm 22 Why Have You Forsaken Me? 1  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 7  All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8  “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” 14  I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15  my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 16  For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— 17  I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; 18  they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. Christ’s Suffering is found in a multitude of other Scriptures throughout the Bible. John 20:31 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 5. The Confirmation of Jesus Christ as God’s Son and Messiah through His Death: Colossians 2:13–14 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Communion 1 Corinthians 11:23–32 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 6. The Confirmation of Jesus Christ as God’s Son and Redeeming Messiah through His Resurrection: John 20:24–29 Jesus and Thomas 24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Thomas, Jesus’ disciple, often called Doubting Thomas, according to tradition, following Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension, traveled to India to share the Gospel of Christ and was martyred there. Each of the disciples gave their lives in evidence to their faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, and for the validation of His Resurrection. The Primary Points in Peter’s message at Pentecost (Acts 2:23-32) appealed to the authentication of Christ’s Resurrection as an established fact to those who were in Jerusalem at that time – as evidence for Jesus being Lord and Christ (the fulfillment of the promised Messiah). Acts 2:32 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 7. The Prophesied Coming of Jesus Christ as the Redeeming Messiah, and the King of kings and Lord of lords: Jesus Christ’s Second Coming in Power and Glory Matthew 24:29–31 The Coming of the Son of Man 29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Revelation 19:11–16 Jesus Christ Comes in Power and Glory 11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. 8. The Eternal Reign of Jesus Christ…FOREVER. Daniel 7:13–14; 27 13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. 27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’ Luke 1:30–33 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Revelation 11:15 15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:12–14; 17 Addendum John 20:19–21:25 Jesus Appears to the Disciples 19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” Jesus and Thomas 24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” The Purpose of This Book 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples 21 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. Jesus and Peter 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” Jesus and the Beloved Apostle 20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” 24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. http://www.pastorkennedy.comshapeimage_2_link_0