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Sunday School Special : Lesson 30

Text: Mark 1; Matthew 4; Luke 4
18 October 2020

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 18 October 2020

Text: Mark 1; Matthew 4; Luke 4

Subject: “FAITH”

INTRODUCTION

1. Comprehension of the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Location
Galilee of the Gentiles (Matthew 4:14-16)
i) There were many Gentiles
ii) There were more Gentiles than Jews
iii) Rome ruled Judea/Galilee
b) Cities mentioned in the Gospels
i) Nazareth Northern part of Galilee
ii) Capernaum 32.4 km from Nazareth
iii) Bethsaida About 9.5 km from Capernaum
c) Reasons:
i) In fulfilment of a prophecy in Isaiah
ii) To bring light to a land full of darkness
iii) To bring light/life to a region in the shadow of death (Isaiah 9:1-2)

2. The Challenges that the Lord Jesus had to face

a) Hostility faced in Nazareth (Luke 4:28-29)
i) They did not like what the Lord Jesus taught
ii) They wanted to throw Him off a cliff
b) Many were not well-educated
i) Nazareth was not well-esteemed
“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” John 1:46
ii) Galilee was generally not well-regarded 
“Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?” Acts 2:7
c) The spiritual state of the land was one that may be described as “darkness”

COMMENCEMENT OF THE EARTHLY MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS

1. The Endorsement of God, the Father

The heavens were opened, and God’s voice was heard Matthew 3:16

b)   God’s declaration
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased”  Matthew 3:17

2. The Empowering of the Holy Spirit

a) He came upon the Lord Jesus as a dove (Matthew 3:16)
b) The Lord Jesus was led by the Spirit (Matthew 4:1)
c) He was filled by the Spirit of God (Luke 4:1)
d) He was tempted by the Devil (40 days/nights) (Luke 4:1-13)
e) He returned in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14)

CALLING OF PEOPLE TO REPENT AND BELIEVE

1. A Message of Repentance I (John the Baptiser)

a) Proclaimed by John the Baptiser (Mark 1; Matthew 3; Luke 3; John 1)
b) Repentance
i) From sin
ii) To be evidenced by the fruit of repentance
iii) Preparation for the arrival of the King

2. A Message of Repentance II (The Lord Jesus Christ)

a) The time is fulfilled (Mark 1:15a)
i) The prophecy concerning the Coming of the Messiah
ii) The prophecy of John the Baptiser
iii) That time has now arrived
iv) The Lord Jesus had come
b) Repent (Mark 1:15b)
i) Recognition of sin
ii) Recognition of the Saviour
iii) Returning to God humbly, seeking forgiveness and salvation
c) Believe in the Gospel (Mark 1:15)
i) Believe means “To have faith”
ii) Same word in the Greek
iii) Different words in English
(Believe … Faith) 

PROBLEMS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE GOSPELS ABOUT FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. The word “believe” was used repeatedly in the Gospel of John

a) To highlight its place 
b) To encourage people to find faith
c) To demonstrate the blessings that attend those who have faith

2. Many problems were highlighted:

a) No faith
b) Little faith
c) Hypocrisy
d) Hardened heart
e) Ignorance
f) Presumption
g) Rejection
h) Spiritual blindness

TEACHING ABOUT HOW WE CAN FIND FAITH

1. The Lord Jesus taught His Disciples

a) How to find faith
b) How to utilize faith
c) How to grow their faith

2. Assessment of the state of faith

a) Rebuke of the Lord Jesus
“O you of little faith” Matthew 6:30
b) Context 
i) Worldly pursuits (Matthew 6:19-21)
ii) Worries about life (Matthew 6:25-34)

3. Our Challenge

a) To candidly assess the state of our faith
b) To desire to find real faith
c) To commit to cultivating our faith
d) To seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:33)