part 4

[Virtual Presenter] In this presentation, we will delve into the events of Jesus's last days on earth. During this journey, we will witness Jesus responding to a question from the Sadducees regarding the resurrection, as written in Luke 20:27-21:4. He explains that while a resurrection will occur, it is only on earth that people engage in marriage. In front of a crowd, Jesus also cautions His disciples to be wary of the self-important teachers of the law. He then commends a poor widow for giving an offering to the Lord, despite her own poverty. Moving on to Luke 21:5-38, we see Jesus prophesying about the destruction of the temple, which came to pass in 70 AD. He also speaks about the end times, warning about false prophets and persecution for believers. He predicts turmoil and natural disasters, but ultimately assures that He will return in glory. In Luke 22, Jesus shares a Passover meal with His disciples and teaches them about servant leadership. He expresses distress over what is to come, but ultimately surrenders to the will of the Father. He is betrayed by Judas and arrested, fulfilling His own prophecy of Peter's denial. As we continue to Luke 23, we witness Jesus being brought before Pilate and King Herod. Despite the crowd's demands for the release of a criminal, Jesus is handed over to be crucified. On the cross, He extends forgiveness to a fellow criminal and prays for those who are crucifying Him. He ultimately gives up His spirit to the Father and is laid in a tomb. Finally, in Luke 24, we see the climax of Jesus's story - His resurrection from the dead. Throughout His life, Jesus's words proved to be everlasting, and His resurrection solidifies His message. Thank you for accompanying us on this journey through the final days of Jesus's life..

[Audio] The next section of our presentation focuses on the incarnation of Jesus Christ, a pivotal moment in history that has changed countless lives. We will explore the world during Christ's birth, the truth about his birth, and the responses to his coming. Beginning with the world during Christ's birth, in the book of Genesis, God promised to send a deliverer to defeat Satan. This promise was fulfilled thousands of years later when Jesus was born. The Apostle Paul also wrote about the timing of Christ's birth and how it facilitated the spread of the gospel. The Roman Empire played a crucial role in the dissemination of the message of Christ, with its peace, extensive road systems, and common language. However, this does not mean that the world during Christ's birth was ideal. It was a place of fear for slaves, who made up about two-thirds of the population and had no rights or recourse for mistreatment. This created an unjust and oppressive society, even for the majority of the empire's population. Moving on to the truth about Christ's birth, we see the fulfillment of God's promise in the birth of Jesus, the virgin-born Son of God. This unique and miraculous event highlights the divinity of Christ and sets him apart from all other historical figures. Finally, we come to the responses to Christ's birth. From the shepherds and wise men who came to worship him, to the enmity and opposition he faced from those in power, we see a range of reactions to his birth. However, his birth was just the beginning of his journey, one that would ultimately lead to his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. In conclusion, while it is important to understand the different perspectives and portraits of Christ presented in the synoptic Gospels, it is crucial not to miss the one story that unites them all - the story of redemption and salvation. This story transcends each Gospel and has the power to transform lives. In the next section, we will delve deeper into the events leading up to Jesus' birth..

[Audio] In this slide, we will be discussing the topic of less than fulfilling religion, specifically in the Roman and Jewish cultures during the time of Jesus. The Romans had a diverse range of gods and goddesses, including their emperors, and their beliefs were heavily influenced by Greek philosophy. Epicureanism, a popular philosophy at the time, emphasized happiness as the ultimate goal, but also accepted controversial practices such as homosexuality and abortion. The teachings of philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, from centuries before Jesus, continued to influence Roman thought. The Jewish religion during Jesus' time was under the rule of the Roman empire. They had the Old Testament Scriptures, but over time, they added and subtracted from it to suit their own desires and control their religion. The Pharisees were known for adding to the Scriptures and prioritizing their own additions over the original Scriptures. Jesus challenged their actions and exposed their hypocrisy, leading to their opposition towards him. The Sadducees, on the other hand, approached the Scriptures with skepticism and rejected anything they deemed unreasonable. The Herodians were more concerned with gaining favor with the authorities rather than standing firm in their beliefs. In summary, during the time of Jesus, both the Roman and Jewish religions were lacking in their true purpose and meaning. The influence of philosophers and the corruption of religious leaders had distorted and diminished the fulfillment of the religions..

[Audio] Today, we will be discussing the deity of Jesus and the responses to His birth. In Genesis 3:15, we see the first prophecy of Jesus, foretelling that He would be born of a virgin. This is further confirmed in Isaiah 7:14, where it is explained that the Lord Himself would give a sign of something significant happening. Moving on to the responses to Christ's birth, we see that Mary had a deep understanding of Scriptures, despite her young age. This is evident in her immediate acceptance of the angel's message and her hymn of praise in Luke 1. She recognized her need for a savior and rejoiced in the privilege of bearing the Promised One. Joseph, on the other hand, was initially disturbed by Mary's news. However, an angel appeared to assure him that Mary was innocent and that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. As we can see, the New Testament clearly teaches the Virgin Birth as a literal fact and it is an essential part of the gospel of Christ. Moving on to slide 84, we will now discuss the responses to Christ's birth..

[Audio] As we continue to follow the story of Jesus, we come to a crucial turning point. In this section, we witness the B. Response of praise and thanks, which is the second response to Jesus' birth, in addition to the response of wonder and amazement discussed earlier. Let's delve deeper into this response. The first group we see is the shepherds, simple men who were watching over their sheep in the fields near Bethlehem. Suddenly, they were visited by angels who proclaimed the birth of Jesus. They were given a message about the Incarnation and in response, they hurried to see the Child and worship Him. As stated in Luke 2:17-20, they returned, glorifying and praising God for what they had witnessed. Next, we encounter Simeon and Anna. When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple for His circumcision, they met these faithful believers. Simeon, who had been waiting for the Messiah, was fortunate enough to see and hold Jesus before his passing. Similarly, Anna, who spent her days in worship and prayer, also saw Jesus and gave thanks to God. As the scripture tells us in Luke 2:30-32 and 36-38, they both recognized Jesus as the promised Savior and praised God for His faithfulness. Finally, we have the wise men, who are introduced in Matthew's account of Jesus' birth. These men came from the East to worship the newborn King. According to Matthew 2:1-12, the wise men, also known as magi, followed a star that led them to Jesus. They recognized Him as the Messiah-King and brought Him gifts suitable for a king. A common theme among all of these responses is praise and thanks. These individuals reacted to the birth of Jesus with wonder, worship, and gratitude. And as we continue to follow Jesus' life, we will see that this response of praise and thanks persists, not just from those who witnessed His birth, but from all who encounter Him. However, not everyone responded with praise and thanksgiving. Satan, in particular, responded with fear. From the beginning, Satan was aware of the prophecy that a Savior would come to crush him. Throughout Jesus' life, he tried to undermine and oppose Him. But ultimately, Jesus' triumph on the cross fulfilled this prophecy and defeated Satan once and for all. As we reflect on this response of fear, let us remember that even in the face of opposition and fear, God's plans and promises will prevail..

[Audio] The sixth slide in our presentation covers a pivotal moment in Jesus' life, where He warns His disciples to be wary of the teachers of the law, shares prophecies about the end times, celebrates the Passover meal, is betrayed and crucified, and ultimately rises from the dead and ascends into heaven. This particular slide focuses on the story of Jesus' baptism and temptation. The scripture focus for this section is Matthew 3; 4:1-11; Mark 1:1-13; Luke 3:1-23. During His baptism, Jesus symbolically submitted to God's will and showed His sinless nature, thus qualifying Him to be the Savior. At the age of twelve, Jesus amazed the temple leaders with His knowledge and understanding of the Old Testament, demonstrating wisdom beyond His years. However, before He could begin His ministry, Jesus faced a crucial period of temptation in the wilderness where He emerged victorious over Satan's temptations, further proving His character and faith. This baptism was the starting point of Jesus' public ministry and had been approved by God Himself. It was also a validation of the preparation John the Baptist had done to pave the way for Jesus. Through this section of the presentation, we are reminded of Jesus' human form and how He grew physically and spiritually, constantly displaying wisdom and insight. Overall, the baptism and temptation of Jesus were pivotal moments in His life, displaying His sinless nature and qualification to be the Savior. It also gives us a glimpse into His childhood and youth, showcasing His wisdom and understanding even at a young age..

[Audio] Slide number seven discusses Jesus' warning to his disciples about the teachers of the law. In Luke 1:17, an angel appeared to Zacharias and prophesied that he and his wife would have a son named John. On slide number eighty-seven, the text from Matthew 3:1-3 is shown, with some arguing about whether John should be called "the Baptist" or "the baptizer". Slide number eighty-eight talks about John's mission to prepare the people for the Messiah, with his message being "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." On slide number eighty-nine, Matthew 3:5-6 is displayed, discussing how those who confessed their sins were baptized by John. However, baptism alone did not bring salvation without true repentance and faith in God. Lastly, God disapproved of the religious leaders, the Sadducees and Pharisees, who prioritized laws and rituals over a genuine relationship with God. This serves as a reminder to prioritize our relationship with God over religious practices..

[Audio] As we continue our journey through the life of Jesus, we come to a pivotal moment in his ministry where he warns his disciples about the teachers of the law and prophesies about the end times. It is interesting to note the common theme that ties these two groups together - their high view of self. Both the religious leaders and the Pharisees believed their actions and outward displays of righteousness were enough to earn favor with God. However, their self-righteousness was their downfall and poisoned their relationship with God. John boldly asks them, "Who has warned you to flee from God's wrath?" He compares them to vipers fleeing from a fire, also running away from God. They had not truly repented and changed their ways, which is what John wanted to see before baptizing them. Repentance means a change of mind that results in a change of action and turning towards God instead of running away from Him. It is the turning away from sin and being sorry for our actions that produces the "fruit of repentance." John exposes the religious leaders' true intentions and warns them about God's impending judgment, rather than giving in to their poisonous self-righteousness. On slide 92, John debunks the belief that being of Jewish descent automatically makes one right with God. He points out that even lifeless stones, symbolizing the Gentiles, can be made into children of Abraham by God. This serves as a powerful reminder that one's group or culture does not guarantee a place in God's kingdom, but rather repentance and a changed life. Some may see John's words as harsh, but he is actually showing kindness to the Pharisees and Sadducees by exposing their false beliefs and revealing the truth about a right relationship with God. On our final slide, we see that God fully approves of Jesus as His Son. In Matthew 3:13-15, Jesus is baptized by John, fulfilling all righteousness and fulfilling God's approval..

[Audio] Slide 9 out of 14: III. Jesus' Temptation: Qualified In this section, we will discuss the temptation that Jesus faced in the wilderness after his baptism. This event, which is described in Matthew 4:1-11, teaches us that, despite being 100% God, Jesus was also 100% human and therefore susceptible to temptation. Slide 97: Matt. 4:1-2. Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted, showing that he willingly put himself in a position to face temptation. According to tradition, he was likely led to the mountainous region behind Jericho. There, Jesus fasted for 40 days, emulating the actions of Moses and Elijah in the Old Testament. Slide 98: Map - Jesus was led up by the Spirit to be tempted. This map illustrates the location of Jesus' temptation, which was in the rugged mountains behind Jericho. This reminds us that Jesus experienced the same human weaknesses and struggles that we do. Slide 99: A. Test 1: To provide bread (vv. 3-4) As a result of his 40-day fast, Jesus was hungry, and Satan's first temptation was focused on satisfying his physical need for food. However, Jesus did not obey Satan or feel the need to prove his identity to him. Instead, he responded with the Word of God, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3. This shows us that what God says is more important than our own desires and needs, or even what Satan says. We should always let God's will guide our choices. Slide 100: B. Test 2: To win popular acclaim (vv. 5-7) In this second test, Satan takes Jesus to the highest point of the temple, attempting to tempt him by quoting Psalm 91:12. However, Satan's intention was not to harm Jesus physically, but rather to tempt him into proving his identity as the Son of God. Notice that Satan did not force Jesus to jump, as the decision to sin always lies within us. By facing these temptations with the Word of God as his only weapon, Jesus demonstrated his unwavering loyalty to the Father, and Satan lost the first round of their battle. This reminds us that we can overcome temptation by relying on God's truth and remaining steadfast in our faith..

[Audio] This slide shows Jesus facing his final and most challenging test against Satan. Satan takes Jesus to a high mountain and offers him all the kingdoms of the world if he will worship him. Though Jesus does not challenge Satan's claim, it is clear that through his death and resurrection, Jesus has defeated Satan and reclaimed ownership of the world. Instead of giving in to temptation, Jesus responds with Scripture, reminding us to worship and serve only God. This serves as a powerful lesson for us to use the Word of God as our weapon against temptation, just as Jesus did. After this encounter, the angels come to minister to Jesus and prepare him for his ministry, showing the importance of relying on God and His Word for strength and guidance. Let's now move on to the next slide..

[Audio] In Slide 11, we see how Jesus demonstrated his divine power through acts of compassion. He not only preached and taught, but also displayed his power over nature and sickness. In Luke 5:1-11, he used Peter's boat to preach and then miraculously helped Peter catch an abundance of fish. This showed his power over nature and also served as a call for Peter to become a fisher of men. A similar demonstration of Jesus' power over nature is seen in Mark 4:36-39 when he calmed a storm while his disciples were in great danger. Moving on to his power over sickness, in Mark 3:1-12 he healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, challenging traditional beliefs. In Luke 8:22-56, we see him healing a woman with a bleeding disorder and raising a young girl from the dead, both acts of compassion showing his power over sickness and death. In conclusion, Jesus not only taught and preached, but also showed compassion and power over all aspects of life. This reminds us of his limitless love and power, inspiring us to use our own God-given power to help those in need..

[Audio] This training video focuses on Social Media and covers slide 12 out of 14. The topic of discussion is Jesus's ministry, specifically the feeding of the five thousand and his compassionate power over sickness. It was a day of teaching for Jesus, but the crowd had no food and a long journey ahead of them. Despite the seemingly impossible situation with a large crowd of five thousand men, women, and children, Jesus felt compassion for their physical and spiritual needs. He accepted a small lunch and miraculously multiplied it to feed everyone until they were full. This event showcases Jesus's compassion and power as he provided for both their physical and spiritual needs. In addition to this, healing played a significant role in Jesus's ministry. Each healing served as a powerful example of his compassion and power, such as the story of the paralyzed man in Mark 2:1-12. Despite his faith, Jesus did not immediately heal the man but instead forgave his sins, emphasizing the importance of spiritual healing. He then healed the man's paralysis, showcasing both his power and compassion. This is just one of many examples of Jesus's healing with both power and compassion. In conclusion, the feeding of the five thousand and Jesus's compassion towards the sick demonstrate his power and compassion and how he used them to spread his message and help those in need. Thank you for watching. Please stay tuned for the remaining part of our presentation..

[Audio] Slide number thirteen out of fourteen continues our exploration of the teachings and miracles of Jesus. This particular slide focuses on Jesus' compassionate power over Satan and death. In verses 15-19, we see that out of the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus, only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank him. This interaction highlights that salvation is available to all, even the despised Samaritans who were welcomed by Jesus. Moving on to Matthew 20:30-34, we see Jesus on his way to Jerusalem where he would ultimately suffer and die for the sins of mankind. Along the way, he encounters two blind men. Unlike in many of his other miracles, Jesus chooses to physically touch their eyes and they are immediately able to see. This not only brings physical healing, but also leads to a change in their lives as they choose to follow Jesus. Next, we come to Jesus' compassionate power over Satan. As the prince of this world, Satan seeks to rule over mankind and even possess them. However, in his ministry, Jesus is able to deliver many from demon possession. The demons have no choice but to obey his direct command, as we see in Luke 4:41 and 8:26-29, 33. Lastly, we see the compassionate power of Jesus over death. While there may be natural explanations for healing, faking death is nearly impossible. In Mark 5:22-24, 35-43, we witness Jesus raising Jairus's daughter from the dead. In Luke 7:11-17, he brings the widow's son back to life on his way to the cemetery. And, of course, there is the well-known instance of Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave after four days. Through all of these miracles, we see the true power and compassion of Jesus. Not only does he heal physical ailments, but he also brings salvation, deliverance from demonic possession, and even raises the dead. This is a testament to his divine nature and his love for all people. Thank you for listening..

[Audio] As our presentation nears its end, we reach one of the most crucial moments in Jesus' life - the Transfiguration. This event is described in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and serves as a powerful display of Jesus' identity as the Messiah. In this section, we witness the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. People from all backgrounds have been questioning and speculating about his true identity. From the religious leaders to curious bystanders, the burning question on everyone's mind is "Who is this man?" Even John the Baptist, who had baptized Jesus and heard the voice of God proclaiming him as the Son of God, had to ask if Jesus was truly the awaited one. However, it is through the Transfiguration that the answer is revealed. As Peter, James, and John witness Jesus being transfigured before their eyes - shining like the sun and speaking with Moses and Elijah - they are given a glimpse of his true identity as the Son of God. The voice from heaven confirms this, saying "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." This incredible event elicits different reactions from those who witness it, and it continues to do so today. Some, like Peter, are in awe and desire to build tabernacles to honor and worship Jesus. Others, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, feel threatened and attempt to discredit Jesus and his teachings. However, ultimately, it is not solely about our response to the Transfiguration, but more importantly, our response to Jesus as the Messiah. Will we choose to follow and believe in him, or will we reject him as the religious leaders did? As we conclude our presentation and reflect on the events of the last days of Jesus' life, let us remember the significance of the Transfiguration and its implications for our faith. It is a powerful reminder that Jesus is not simply a good teacher or a prophet, but he is the Son of God, who came to save us and grant us eternal life. We thank you for joining us on this journey through the life of Jesus. May these stories continue to inspire and transform us as we strive to follow him in our own lives..