Stranger on the Road to Emmaus lesson 5 (c. 10-12)

[disciple]

Session 5 The Life of Christ

The Birth of Jesus - His Experience as a Young Man in Jerusalem
Temped by Satan in the Desert - The Nicodemus Story
Jesus Described Himself as the Bread of Life and The Way
The Lazarus Story - The Rich Man and the Beggar

The Stranger On The Road To Emmaus
Chapters 10, 11 & 12

Scripture
Matthew 1, 2, 4
Luke 2, 16
John 3, 6. 10, 11

Perspective for the teacher:
The study of the Old Testament has shown us that man is a sinner and there is nothing that we can do about it. But God has a plan to redeem us. That plan has been revealed to us by examples of killing, sacrificing, and shedding the blood of sheep.
Now, we see the meanings behind the examples of redemption taught in the Old Testament. Jesus is “The Lamb” that was described in the stories. God’s plan begins to unfold.
We want to live the life of Christ, but what is that life like? Jesus showed us how to die. And He showed us how to live. God’s purpose for all people is to glorify Him - now and forever.

LESSON OUTLINE:

I. Jesus
a. God fulfilled His promises
Matthew 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
God fulfilled His promises to Abraham
God fulfilled His promises to David
Isa 9:7 “…Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom…”
b. Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7)
The census took Mary & Joseph to Bethlehem.
Born in a manger
No room for Him in the inn
c. Jesus, a boy in Nazareth (Luke 2:40)
Jesus grew into manhood (Luke 2:52)
Isaiah 11:1-2 tells about Him.

II. Among the sages (Story of Jesus in the temple--Luke 2:41-52)
a. Highlights of the story (Luke 2:41-47)
Went to Jerusalem for the “Feast of the Passover”
Feast was over, everyone went home.
After a day of traveling, they discovered that Jesus wasn’t with them.
They went back to Jerusalem and found him after three days of searching.
He was in the temple, having discussions with the teachers.
b. When asked what he was doing, his answer was: Luke 2:48-49
Jesus was concerned about His “Father’s business”. (What does that mean?)

III. Jesus was tempted but resisted and rebuked Satan.
a. Satan tempted Jesus (Matt 4:1)
Lucifer had rebelled against God.
He had convinced Adam to rebel against God
Now he was trying to get Jesus to rebel against God.
b. The first temptation - turn stones into bread (Matt 4:2-4)
Satan looks for weak point. Jesus was hungry
Jesus quoted scripture to rebuke him.
c. The second temptation - jump from a cliff (Matt 4:5-7)
Now, Satan quoted scripture
Jesus rebuked him again with scripture.
d. The third temptation -- control over all people (Matt 4:8-10)
Satan had become the god of the world after Adam’s sin.
Jesus quoted scripture again.
e. Satan left Jesus for a short time (Matt 4:11)
Satan came back many times to temp Jesus again.
Jesus is the only person to always resist Satan.

IV. Power and Fame - Jesus began His ministry
a. The message that Jesus preached - repentance
Examples from the Old Testament
- Abel’s offering was accepted by God because of his belief.
- Noah was spared from the flood because of his belief.
- Abraham believed God as he was led to the land of Canaan.
- The Israelites were spared because they put blood on the doorposts.
Now, Jesus was offering this provision to all people.
b. Jesus called men to assist Him in His work (Mark 1:16-20)
He would teach them
He would send them out to tell others the message that He was preaching.
c. Jesus taught with authority (Mark 1:21-22)
To demonstrate His power and authority:
- Jesus cast out evil spirits (Mark 1:22-28)
- Jesus healed many sick people and cast out demons (Mark 1:34-39)
- Jesus healed a leper. Mark 1:40-42
He was demonstrating his compassion for people.
He showed that he had power from God - that He was God.

V. Nicodemus -- You Must Be Born Again
a. Nicodemus came to Jesus (John 3:1-2)
b. The new birth (John 3:3-7)
Needs a new mind and heart (v 3)
Difficult for our human minds to understand (v 4)
There are only two categories of people:
Born once - Under Satan’s control
Born twice - Now under God’s control
c. Jesus must be lifted up (John 3:14-15)
The brass snake was lifted up for the Israelites to look at to be protected from the poisonous snakes.
Jesus must be lifted up so that whoever trusts in Him will be born into the family of God.
d. Faith and trust must be in Jesus (John 3:16)
To have a new life
To no longer be under Satan’s control
To be a child of God.
To have eternal life in Heaven
e. The way of life and death (John 3:17-18)
Heaven for those who believe - Hell for those who don’t believe
No middle ground (John 3:19-21)

VI. The Bread of Life (Story of Jesus feeding five thousand people)
a. Multitudes followed Jesus (John 6:1-3)
Followed Him because they knew that they needed a Savior?
No. They were looking for material things
b. Jesus gave them material things. Did it change their lives?
Five loaves and two small fish (John 6:5-9)
Not much food for feeding so many people.
Was it enough?
Jesus fed the five thousand (John 6:10-13)
It was enough for Jesus.
It showed his power as God.
c. The people’s plan (John 6:14-15)
They acknowledged that He was The Prophet talked about in the scripture.
Did they finally understand the message of Christ?
They wanted Him to be their King.
They were still looking for how they could benefit physically - not spiritually.
Jesus wasn’t interested in their plan.
He wanted to be King; King in their hearts, not an earthly king.
He left the area to avoid being forced to be their king.
d. Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 6:27-35)
The people looked for Jesus - so they can get more food (John 6:24-25)
Jesus wanted them (and us) to understand that food for the body isn’t enough. We need everlasting food (John 6:26-33)
Jesus IS the food and water that sustains us throughout eternity. (John 6:34-35)

VII. The Way (Jesus is the only doorway to eternal live)
a. The door of the sheep John 10:7
Sheep pen were built for protection.
They had only one door
The shepherd slept in the doorway.
Satan is trying to convince people that it is safer outside in his territory.
b. False saviors (John 10:8)
People have claimed to be the Deliverer sent from God.
The way of Satan might look good, but it leads to death and separation from God.
c. Jesus, the only door (John 10:9-10)
There was only one door into the sheepfold.
The ark that God told Noah to build had only one door.
Noah believed God and entered the door.
There was no other way to be safe.
Jesus is the only doorway into eternal life
d. Jesus, the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
Loves His sheep
Willing to give His life for the sheep
e. Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

VIII. Lazarus
a. Jesus waited until Lazarus died (John 11:1-6)
He stayed where he was for two days after he was told that Lazarus was sick.
b. Jesus went to raise Lazarus from the dead (John 11:7-16)
To wake him up. (vs. 11)
To give the people another opportunity to believe in Him.
John 11:15 “I am glad I wasn't there, because this will give you another opportunity to believe in me.” NLT
c. Jesus is the resurrection and the life
Martha stayed true to her belief even during this tragedy (John 11:17-22)
Jesus assured Martha that her brother would live (John 11:23-24)
Jesus told her that He IS the resurrection (John 11:25-26)
People who believe in Him will die physically, but never truly die.
Martha believed Him (John 11:27)
d. Jesus went to the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:28-35)
Showed His compassion for Lazarus, Mary, and Martha
Demonstrated His power by raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:39-44)
e. Some believed and others refused to believe (John 11:45-48)

IX. Hell (The Story of the Rich Man and the Beggar.)
a. The rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-21)
The rich man (no name) lived in luxury
Lazarus was poor, had sores, lay at the gate hoping for scraps of food.
b. Both men died (Luke 16:22)
The rich man went to the place of torment
Lazarus went to Heaven (Place of Abraham)
c. The rich man cried out for help (Luke 16:23-24)
He wanted some comfort from the heat and torment.
d. Abraham’s answer (Luke 16:25-26)
Once a person dies and goes to hell, there is no way he can be delivered.
He had his chance while on earth. Grace was no longer available.
e. The rich man’s appeal on behalf of his brothers (Luke 16:27-28)
He remembered his life on earth.
He didn’t want them to get the same treatment that he is getting.
f. Abraham’s verdict (Luke 16:30-31)
Opportunities had already been given for them to accept the gospel.
They had refused to listen.
g. Money and things on earth didn’t help the rich man (or us).
Mark 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?