As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue [Jewish church], and...reasoned with them from the Scriptures [Old Testament], explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he said. ...Now the Bereans...received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Acts 17:2-3, 11-12
[Parable of the Soils]
Jesus himself stood among them [the disciples after his resurrection]. …He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you [before my death]: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Luke 24:36, 44-45
He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."
Luke 24:46-48
[show where each point is in the Old Testament]
What did Jesus claim for himself?
I am the way truth life.
I and Father are one.
I in Father and Father in me.
No one comes to Father but thru me.
You'll see Son of Man come on clouds.
My kingdom not of this world.
If I cast them out by the power of God the kingdom of God has come among you.
There is no middle ground with Jesus.
You can't just
This is my beloved Son – listen to him.
Greater than angels, Moses (Hebrews)
How will you know your Messiah when you see him?
On what basis?
For many have said, and many will say in the future: I am the Messiah.
What is your criteria? What are you looking for?
What are you looking for that is beyond what has already come? Hasn't already been promised?
Illustration:
Address as Prophecy
How likely is it that one person could ever fulfill all the prophecies?
How close did Jesus come to filling all the prophecies?
How likely is it that someone else could come even close to Jesus in fulfilling Old Testament prophecies?
Old Testament Messiah:
King
Suffering Servant – dies
Will be pierced by Israel
Will be mourned by Israel
Will be received by Israel
Eternal Promises to Israel
How can this ever be resolved/contained in one Person?
So much so, that some thought there would be 2 messiahs.
Have you just given up on God?
• After all the suffering that Jews have been through down through history.
Or, are you still hanging onto the old way?
• After all the effort (to please God by keeping the Law, the traditions) down through history – and even today.
Which Israel are you part of?
All Israel is not Israel.
Do you feel jealous of the joy that Gentiles have in following and loving the Jewish Messiah?
I make much of my ministry to Gentiles – make Jews jealous – perhaps save some.
Why do Gentiles receive so easily what Jews find so difficult to receive?
Why do Gentiles gain with so little effort what Jews struggle so hard to try to gain?
Sought it not by faith–but as by works.
How do you deal with centuries of oppression at the hands of those who claim to