Describe the Ministry of Jesus
The assignment is to create an 8 – 10 slide PowerPoint presentation selecting one of the Gospels (Mathew / John / Luke / Mark) and discuss the person and ministry of Jesus as described in it. I have used the Gospel of Matthew to unravel some well-known and a few pertinent though uncommon insights into the life and person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Detailed speaker notes have been added to the Notes page of every slide including the Introduction title slide right till the very last slide. References for each slide content as relevant are mentioned at the end of the Notes page for each slide as well as on the last slide (as specified)
In attempting to discover varied aspects of the Lord’s personality, I have used the acrostic: P R E A C H E R with each letter of the word denoting a specific characteristic .
Slides have been deliberately kept stoic and modest with thought provoking images that further illuminate the slide topic. Animations and slide transitions have been used just enough to retain variation and interest while not being overly distracting. A video clipping has been embedded on Slide 7 for a greater audiovisual impact on the audience with details on how to use the same outlined clearly in the Notes section. The link to the video has also been shared in case any technical glitch or incompatibility of Windows version hampers playing it. An Appendix (Appendix 1) has been included (Pages 2-9) along with the References section
APPENDIX 1: Notes Page for all Slides
SPEAKER NOTES: COVER SLIDE 1: INTRODUCTION
The four gospels give us a distinct and splendid glimpse into the life of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who died and rose again for us! While all the gospel writers narrate the story about the life of the same one person, Jesus, each is written from their individual perspective choosing to highlight specific aspects that they personally, related to better and emphasised. Reading all the four gospels together allows us to understand a more complete and descriptive portrait of Jesus, the most extraordinary Man that has ever walked the Earth! (Padfield, David 2015)
Today, I would like to delve deeper into the persona of Jesus – his character and behavior as revealed to us in the Gospel of Matthew, throwing light on the way He conducted Himself, the things He did and how He did them, taking a closer look at the Man whose very birth split the world’s timeline in two: a turning point in history itself: so much so that we now recount things and events as before His birth and after (BC and AD).
Interestingly, to help us through this journey of exploration and revelation, I have used an acrostic often associated with Jesus Himself on how many have perceived Him to be : both then and now: a PREACHER
References:
Padfield, David (2015) The Four Gospels published The Church of Christ in Zion, Illinois retrieved from http://www.padfield.com/1999/gospels.html
Morrison Michael(2015) What the Gospels Teach Us About Jesus , published Grace Communion International – Living and Sharing the Gospel retrieved from https://www.gci.org/bible/gospels/jesus
SLIDE 2 : SPEAKER NOTES: PURPOSEFUL
Jesus was a man on a mission. Everything about Him had to do with the purpose that He came to the world for: the salvation of mankind! Matthew in his Gospel has several verses interspersed throughout the text that indicates that Jesus was born to fulfill a purpose and God’s own divine plan. His birth, His Words and everything He did was targeted at completing that one goal – with single mindedness and tenacity even unto the point of death! And Resurrection!
At one point, at the very brink of the terrible death He had to suffer for us, Jesus agonised at the upcoming ordeal – but immediately resolves to stay committed to the Father’s plan – saying, “ Not as I will, But Your Will be done!”.
Reference:
Davies, M (March 2011) Jesus Christ – His true Purpose and Mission, in The Gospel Truth Nottingham retrieved from http://www.the-gospel-truth.info/bible-teachings/jesus-christ-his-true-purpose-and-mission/
SLIDE 3: SPEAKER NOTES: RADICAL
Jesus’ teachings were clear, cutting and challenging. Matthew recounts several verses where Jesus is specific and even controversial in what He chooses to say. The Sermon on the Mount is a summary of His most important yet thought-provoking teachings. Eg. Love your enemies – Matthews 5.43-47 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. Jesus Himself knew He was calling people to take and make life changing yet difficult choices. In Matthew 7: 14 Jesus says But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. He is also clear that knowing the Word is not enough – only those who “do”it are His real followers. Are you one of them?
References :
Trilogy Scripture Resources Copyright@2015 The Radical Teachings of Jesus Retrieved from http://trilogyscriptureresources.com/the-radical-series/the-radical-teachings-of-jesus/
Garcia Luis, (August 2014 )) The 14 Most Challenging, Radical, Do-We-Really-Have-To Teachings of Jesus; ChurchPOP Retrieved from http://www.churchpop.com/2014/08/20/the-14-most-challenging-radical-do-we-really-have-to-teachings-of-jesus/
SLIDE 4: SPEAKER NOTES: EMPATHETIC
All through the Bible the Holy Trinity (Jehovah, God the Father, Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit) are portrayed as compassionate and personal – they long to have a close and intimate relationship with man – they are moved by the suffering of people, angered by their lack of faith and quick to forgive and love despite all of man’s folly and sin. With Jesus, in Hebrews 4:15 NKJV it is clearly mentioned For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Many verses in Matthew show how Jesus was moved to compassion towards people’s hunger (feeding the five thousand and the four thousand), sorrow at the sickness or death of loved one’s (Jairus’ daughter / Lazarus), lack of self-esteem, fear and afflictions of any kind and sought to comfort, strengthen and feed them.
Reference:
Watchtower Online Library (2015) Empathy—Key to Kindness and Compassion; In English Publications Retrieved from http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002285
SLIDE 5: SPEAKER NOTES: AUTHORITATIVE
Jesus teachings were full of power and authority. He was meek, kind, compassionate, loving and yet astonished the people around Him by His radical, no – minced – words wisdom. Both the commoners and the High Priests were stunned at the way He spoke and carried Himself – for He "was teaching them as one having authority, not as the scribes."( Matthew 7:29 ). He knew He was the Son of God – did not need to prove it to anyone including Satan and carried in Him the power of knowing His true identity. He rebuked the wind and the seas, cast out demons, lashed out at the moneychangers and declared fearlessly to be the Messiah, Son of God and the ONLY way to the Father. All of Matthew 8 & 9 describes Jesus’ authority over sickness, the environment, the supernatural, immorality and sin including death.
Reference:
Harris, Scott L. ( May 1999) The Amazing Teaching of Jesus – Matthew 7:28,29. From the Matthew Study Sermons 1993; Grace Bible Church; Retrieved from : http://gracebibleny.org/the_amazing_teaching_of_jesus_matthew_7_28_29
SLIDE 6: SPEAKER NOTES: CHALLENGING
Nothing about Jesus, His ministry and teachings is anything short of being inspirationally challenging. He was radical, outright and frank.
Besides challenging the Pharisees traditions and widely prevalent religious dogmas, He asked piercing questions that force stopped individuals in their tracks, pushed their limits to make deep seated life altering decisions. With Jesus, there are no safe answers:
When Peter attempts to say that everyone around them was saying he was a prophet or one of the biblical saints of old, Jesus poses a direct and intense question as to who he (Peter) believes He (Jesus) is.
Jesus not only demonstrates His supremacy in successfully overcoming all tests and temptations the devil could throw at Him but also requires us, His disciples, to move every mountain and cross triumphantly to the “other side”.
In another instance – He simply commands Peter – to Come: walk on water. He tests the faith of His disciples who have been with Him, followed Him and known Him – to blindly obey His command, trust Him implicitly and take Him at His Word. These questions are equally relevant and revealing today as they were back then. Who do YOU say Jesus is? Would YOU trust Him enough to follow and obey His Word?
SLIDE 7: SPEAKER NOTES: HEALER
IMPORTANT: This slide has an embedded video. Once the talking point is covered, the speaker should Press Enter (while still on Slide – show mode) which will cause the current image on the slide to be replaced by a video image that has a tab at its base showing a Play button(see below). The speaker can play the video for a more impactful depiction of the instance where Jesus heals a man born blind. The video is compatible with Windows 13 version; The video while being embedded in the slide itself has also been attached along with just in case there seems to be a technical glitch in opening the same)
The healing ministry of Jesus is widely acclaimed. All the four gospels vividly describe the miraculous healing power of Jesus’ touch and Word. Matthew shares several instances of healing where the blind can see, the deaf can hear and the lame can walk.
Link to Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I9H3uibMe8
Reference:
Russell M. Nelson October 2005 Jesus Christ—the Master Healer the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/10/jesus-christ-the-master-healer?lang=eng
SLIDE 8: SPEAKER NOTES: EDUCATOR
Perhaps the most called name of Jesus is Master, Teacher and / or Rabbi. He Himself said, You call me Teacher and rightly so.
Jesus’ entire ministry was defined by the way he conducted Himself, going about – “doing good” and “teaching the multitudes”. His words carried the power of truth and clearly directed people on the way they should go to reach God. He taught them to discern between tradition and follow God with all their deed, spirit, heart and soul. His teachings were as we have already seen, radical, challenging and inspiring.
Most of His teachings took the form of parables, simple stories that were easy for the crowds following Him to relate to. They took on the context of the times then making sure the common people around Him understood the essence of what was being conveyed in clear, unambiguous terms. His teachings included how to seek God, pray, deal with people and forgiveness, overcome temptations and sin and just about every facet of life.
Reference:
Pritchard, Ray (@ 2015) in Why Was Jesus Called “Teacher”? Published in Jesus.org Taken from “Teacher” by Keep Believing Ministries Retrieved from http://www.jesus.org/is-jesus-god/names-of-jesus/why-was-jesus-called-teacher.html
SLIDE 9: SPEAKER NOTES: RUTHLESSLY FORTHRIGHT
Ruthless is perhaps not a term often associated with Jesus.
And yet that is what He was in terms of being out rightly straightforward on issues of hypocrisy and meaningless traditions. Matthew cites Him calling the Pharisees wicked, perverse, blind and “appearing” righteous while they hid iniquity in their heart. Jesus did not sugar coat His teachings or His feelings.
He cursed the fig tree even though He knew it was not in season for appearing to be full of leaves and bearing fruit while there was none (Matt 21 : 18, 19).
He was point blank in that He told Peter that before the cock crowed he would betray Him thrice and to Judas who seemingly innocently queried ‘Master, is it I?’ with a simple heart rending yet unblinking, matter of fact ‘Thou hast said.’ (Matt 26 [25].
SLIDE 10: SPEAKER NOTES: THE MANTHE MISSION THE MINISTRY
The journey through the Gospel of Matthew has indeed been an insightful revelation into the life, nature and teachings of Jesus – the Man, His Mission and His Ministry while on Earth. I hope to have brought to life and refreshed some of the unique qualities of this Man –the indescribable, amazing yet breathtakingly simple charisma of His personality, the Who, the What and the Why of His being – on what He was then and What He means to you today and What He will always be forever!!
It will do us good to remember, Jesus the PREACHER as being:
P URPOSEFUL
R ADICAL
E MPATHETIC
A UTHORITATIVE
C HALLENGING
H EALER
E DUCATOR
R UTHLESSLY FORTHRIGHT
SLIDE 11
Thank You!!
SLIDE 12 – REFERENCES
Lists all the References used for the verses and other viewpoints to corroborate my thought process in describing the person and ministry of Jesus
References
All Scripture verses are New King James version Retrieved from : https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20&version=NKJV
Padfield, David (2015) The Four Gospels published The Church of Christ in Zion, Illinois retrieved from http://www.padfield.com/1999/gospels.html
Morrison Michael(2015) What the Gospels Teach Us About Jesus , published Grace Communion International – Living and Sharing the Gospel retrieved from https://www.gci.org/bible/gospels/jesus
Davies, M (March 2011) Jesus Christ – His true Purpose and Mission, in The Gospel Truth Nottingham retrieved from http://www.the-gospel-truth.info/bible-teachings/jesus-christ-his-true-purpose-and-mission/
Trilogy Scripture Resources Copyright@2015 The Radical Teachings of Jesus Retrieved from http://trilogyscriptureresources.com/the-radical-series/the-radical-teachings-of-jesus/
Garcia Luis, (August 2014 )) The 14 Most Challenging, Radical, Do-We-Really-Have-To Teachings of Jesus; ChurchPOP Retrieved from http://www.churchpop.com/2014/08/20/the-14-most-challenging-radical-do-we-really-have-to-teachings-of-jesus/
Watchtower Online Library (2015) Empathy—Key to Kindness and Compassion; In English Publications Retrieved from http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002285
Harris, Scott L. ( May 1999) The Amazing Teaching of Jesus – Matthew 7:28,29. From the Matthew Study Sermons 1993; Grace Bible Church; Retrieved from : http://gracebibleny.org/the_amazing_teaching_of_jesus_matthew_7_28_29
Russell M. Nelson October 2005 Jesus Christ—the Master Healer the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/10/jesus-christ-the-master-healer?lang=eng
Pritchard, Ray (@ 2015) in Why Was Jesus Called “Teacher”? Published in Jesus.org Taken from “Teacher” by Keep Believing Ministries Retrieved from http://www.jesus.org/is-jesus-god/names-of-jesus/why-was-jesus-called-teacher.html
