THE MARVELOUS LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST
John 20:30-31; 21:25
Dr. Glenn A. Jent, Pastor
INTRODUCTION
The Scriptures record selected teachings, actions, and miracles of Jesus Christ. Did you ever stop to think about the unwritten history of His life? Think about the marvelous life of Jesus Christ—the unwritten teachings, the unwritten actions, the unwritten miracles. A part of the glorious life of our Lord is not recorded. Some early writers tried to fill in the details of His life by writing fanciful accounts of His story. Because of the imaginative, fictional nature, these writings were rejected by early Christian scholars. They were called pseudepigrapha, or false writings. Perhaps that is the danger of wanting to know more about Jesus. Rather than think about what might have been left out, let us concentrate upon what has been included and why those things were selected by the Holy Spirit.
I. WHAT WAS RECORDED
1. Let us examine the teachings of our Lord.
(1) God loves us and desires that we become Children of God.
(2) God hates sin and desires that we turn from wickedness unto righteousness.
2. Let us examine the actions of our Lord.
(1) He demonstrated God’s love by accepting others: the rich or poor, healthy or sick, powerful or weak to be His followers.
(2) He demonstrated God’s hatred for sin by dying on the cross for our sins.
3. Let us examine the miracles of our Lord.
(1) He demonstrated God’s love by helping others: healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, making the lame to walk, giving life to the dead.
(2) He demonstrated God’s hatred for sin by resisting Satan in His own life and by casting out demons in the lives of others.
II. WHY THESE THINGS WERE RECORDED
1. These things teach us to believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.
(1) Messiah would be a great deliverer—delivering people from slavery (to sin).
(2) Messiah would be a suffering servant—taking abuse and dying in our place.
2. These things teach us to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
(1) He demonstrated that He was God by exercising power over Satan.
(2) He demonstrated that He was God by revealing the Will of God for all of life.
3. These things teach us to believe in Jesus so that we may have life in His Name.
(1) The Holy Spirit wanted us to realize that Jesus was the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world—according to God’s plan, not by accident.
(2) The Holy Spirit wanted us to receive life through this Jesus as personal Savior.
CONCLUSION
Jesus taught many more things, did many more things, and performed many more miracles than are recorded in the Holy Scriptures. However, God knows that we did not need to know everything—just enough to realize the truth about who Jesus is. The Gospels were not given so that we would have some wonderful stories to tell to our children. The Gospels were not given to add thrills and excitement to our lives. The purpose of the historical accounts in the Gospels was to bring us to saving faith, a faith that would give us eternal life.
Have you read/studied the Scriptures—especially the Gospels? Have you come to faith in Jesus Christ? Have you, by faith, received eternal life? If you have not, I urge you to do so today. Turn from your sinful ways and turn to Jesus Christ. Invite Him into your life as Savior and Lord right now. If you already have done so, are you sure? I want you to be sure today. If you are not sure, I invite you to come and counsel with me today.
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