Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 §Session 19: Step 4: Jesus Christ (M, M, L & J)

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 I. Brief Review

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 II. The case for ignoring the break between the Old and New Testaments A. There were no great changes in Israel or in Jewish culture between the return from exile and the cross. The temple was back in Jerusalem (rebuilt) Alter sacrifices were still being made 1. Palestine was still not a kingdom; it was colony (of Persia, Greece, Rome). 2. The Jewish temple system was still in effect. a. The temple was back in Jerusalem (rebuilt) b. Alter sacrifices were still being made

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 The temple was still the only place of salvation as far as the Jews were concerned c. The temple was still the only place of salvation as far as the Jews were concerned God’s glory has not returned to the temple d. God’s glory has not returned to the temple The Law still governs Jews e. The Law still governs Jews Scribes & Priest Hierarchy f. Scribes & Priest Hierarchy Synagogues g. Synagogues No cross or church, yet h. No cross or church, yet No indwelling Holy Spirit i. No indwelling Holy Spirit

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 The only way to salvation is still through process of becoming a Jew j. The only way to salvation is still through process of becoming a Jew Conclusion 3. Conclusion God is completing what He started in Genesis, chapter 2, in terms of all nations being blessed by the nation from Abraham a. God is completing what He started in Genesis, chapter 2, in terms of all nations being blessed by the nation from Abraham Jesus Christ lived at the end of the old age, the new age begins upon His death & resurrection b. Jesus Christ lived at the end of the old age, the new age begins upon His death & resurrection

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 B. “Their period described (in the Gospels) culminates the Old Testament age, preparatory to and predictive of the new age (ACT II), but not the new age itself.” (Merrill Unger) 1. Galatians 4:4 - “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 2. Hebrews 1:1-2 - “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days (eschatos) he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” 3. 1 Peter 1: “…but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times [at the end of the times] for your sake.”

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene Corinthians 10: “For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brother, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. …Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. … These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” 5. Hebrew 9:26 - “At the end (consummation) of the ages.”

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 C. The word pleroo ([4137] “to complete; fulfilled”) is often used in reference to Jesus and His ministry, and He used it often Himself, with the sense that what He is doing is bringing something to a conclusion. Note, for example, the references in Matthew’s Gospel alone: (1:22; 2:15, 17, 23; 3:15; 4:14; 5:17; 8:17; 12:17; 13:14, 35; 21:4; 26:54, 56; 27:9).

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 D. The last chapters of the last book of the Old Testament and the first chapter of the New Testament links Jesus directly to Abraham and David: 1. Malachi closes by pointing the way to John the Baptist and the coming Messiah. a. Malachi 3:11- “’See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,’ says the LORD Almighty.”

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 b. Malachi 4:5 - “’See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.’” 2. Matthew opens on the same theme (the Lord appearing), with no abrupt change of topic. “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1)

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 E. Matthew 1:17 supports our outline for ACT I, Scenes One - Three

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 III. Step 4: Jesus Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) A. Graphic overview of Scene Three

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 B. Acts 2:22-24 “…Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 C. There is often an inseparable connection between what God did (history) and what He said, and this is especially so in Christ: “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son..” (Hebrews 1:1) However, in this course we call... FACTSGOSPEL Birth, entry into ministry, teaching, performing miracles, casting out demons, travels, discipling, death, resurrection, etc. 1. …what Christ did the FACTS of the GOSPEL Examples: Birth, entry into ministry, teaching, performing miracles, casting out demons, travels, discipling, death, resurrection, etc.

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 DOCTRINE 2. … WHAT Christ said we call DOCTRINE The Quadraphonic View

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 D. Though the four gospels may have differences in purpose and presentation of events, they all center on the greatest, most wonderful thing God has ever done! (however, neither this, nor teaching, nor healing, nor casting out demons, nor disrupting the Pharisee & Sadducees was his primary purpose for coming) 1. He came to train the disciples… (however, neither this, nor teaching, nor healing, nor casting out demons, nor disrupting the Pharisee & Sadducees was his primary purpose for coming) 2. …but, most importantly, “He came to die on the cross!”

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 Finally! The problem of SIN is dealt with!! “May it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 6:14) E. With Step 4 we see a mystery of two realities. The book of Hebrews indicates that the Old Testament temple and sacrificial system were “copies” of things in heaven.

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 “it was necessary, then for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a manmade sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9:23-26)

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 F. Man’s most terrible sin in history resulted in the greatest blessing the would has ever known! 1. Genesis 12:3b “…and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 2. Acts 3:18-26 “this is how God fulfilled [pleroo] what He had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing my come from the Lord… Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on… have foretold these days. And you are the heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God mad with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 3. Galatians 3:6-9, “Consider Abraham, ‘He believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and GOSPEL ALL NATIONS BLESSED THROUGH YOU announced the GOSPEL in advance to Abraham: ‘ALL NATIONS will be BLESSED THROUGH YOU.’ BLESSED So those who have faith are BLESSED along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ BLESSING PROMISE He redeemed us in order that the BLESSING given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus so that by faith we might receive the PROMISE of the Spirit!

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 4. John 8:56 “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” Question: So, what is the blessing? The good news of Christ redeeming work on the cross comes to the Gentiles! Answer: The good news of Christ redeeming work on the cross comes to the Gentiles! Question: How were Old Testament people saved? Answer: The same way as the New Testament believers, Jesus work on the cross! Analogy: Teacher with many children to put on a bus, she gets in middle of line and pays for those who have already boarded and those yet to board the bus!

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 IV. Summary and Transition MESSIAH ACT I: God brings the MESSIAH to the cross. MESSIAH ACT II: God takes the MESSIAH to the world!

Progress of Redemption ACT I, Scene 3 §Session 19: Step 4: Jesus Christ (M, M, L & J)