Two Year Gospel Study Week 67

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 9
Scripture - Matthew 25-26, Luke 22

We continue with Jesus’ Mt. Olivet Discourse where He is talking about the future end of Jerusalem that did happen in 70AD several decades after His ascension and as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophets. Jesus is also talking of the preparation for His second coming and the importance of being awake.

Pastor reviews the conclusion of the Parable of the Ten Virgins with Jesus’ words,”Therefore keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour.”  We want to be awakened 
    ⁃    Awake to the things of God
    ⁃    Awake to what He desires of us
    ⁃    Awake to our mission to lead others to a knowledge of the Savior and to usher in the Kingdom of God

Additional parables covered 
    ⁃    The Parable of the Talents - It is possible to know about the Master without truly knowing Him and living in relationship with Him.  We are to use all He has given us to His glory so that others know and learn the Good News of our Savior. We are called to serve, love and honor God.
    ⁃    The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats - Pastor helps us understand this parable in a first century Jewish context.  This story is incredibly profound and Pastor shares a personal testimony around the subject of sheep and goats and the question: “Do goats hear the shepherd’s voice?” Pastor shares the differences between sheep and goats. In Jerusalem these two animals are in the same flock but they are very different.
    ⁃    Identity: 54 chromosomes vs. 60 chromosomes
    ⁃    Diet: tender grass vs. garbage
    ⁃    Intelligence: great ability to learn and understand and created to thrive under a shepherd vs. independent
    ⁃    Offspring: keep lambs near by vs. send their offspring out on their own
    ⁃    Social structures: no competition, need a shepherd to lead them vs. butt heads, desire to dominate
    ⁃    Shepherd: only thrive under a good shepherd vs. fiercely independent 
This parable shows us that it is possible to be a member of the flock but not be one of The Shepherd’s sheep.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd and it’s important to follow Him.

This parable goes on to talk about when “The King” comes and how He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Sheep on His right to eternal life and goats on the left to eternal punishment.

This parable is about being a new creation in Christ, a follower, one of His sheep that hears His voice.  Goats have not become new in Christ and want be in control. We are NOT saved by works - we are saved by the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep.

As we continue, we move into Matthew 26 where Jesus tells His disciples, again, of His impending crucifixion.  We see Judas going to the chief priests as he prepares to betray Jesus as told in both Matthew 26 and Luke 22.

From there we see Jesus send two of His disciples (Peter and John) to begin preparations for the Passover meal which includes finding a place for their meal together and also going to the temple for the lamb for the meal.

Pastor points out several examples of Jesus being in control of the details leading up to His arrest and that it is not the enemy who is control. Jesus is in charge! He is the Lord! And this is something we each need to realize - we are not in charge of our destinies, we do not make the rules, when we try - then we are like goats. But when we listen to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, we are His precious sheep and He desires to be both Lord and Savior in our lives.

Even through Judas is “making plans” Jesus is still in control and He will not allow the enemy to divert Him from the Father’s purpose.

Pastor goes on to share unique details about the Passover lambs at the temple and our Passover Lamb, Jesus.

Join us again next week as we continue Up to Jerusalem - the road that takes Jesus to the cross but that ends with His victory!

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Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father’s plan. As we study Jesus’ final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us. 

This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.