“What Did Jesus Do”
“Around 2,000 years ago, in a far-flung province in the Middle East, a man emerged from the desert with a Message. His Message would radically alter the course of world events and come to define the lives of billions.”
This man was named Jesus. His life and story are recorded from the day of His birth. But, His earthly ministry is said to have begun about 30 years later.
The year was around AD 30. Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been arrested, so He withdrew into Galilee, left Nazareth where He had been living and moved to Capernaum by the sea, the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken by the prophet Isaiah, might be fulfilled.
From that time Jesus began to preach a message centered around repentance, and the kingdom of heaven being at hand. About nine months into His ministry, large crowds were showing up to hear what Jesus had to say.
BREAK for an important NOTE:
The word “PREACH” as used in the Bible is vastly different from what we think of a “SERMON” when we hear the same word. It is important to know the difference.
From Strong’s Bible Concordance, kérussó: to be a herald, proclaim
Original Word: κηρύσσω, Transliteration: kérussó Phonetic Spelling: (kay-roos’-so) Definition: to be a herald, proclaim Usage: I proclaim, herald, preach.
The world used here is a word of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; something which has been done, first in the Spiritual to be manifest in the natural. It is not a general statement nor is it a request. It is a prophetic command.
The word “sermon” is never found in the Bible. But, here are two contemporary definitions of a sermon:
SERMON = A sermon is an oration or lecture by a preacher. Sermons address a scriptural, theological, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law, or behavior within both past and present contexts. Elements of the sermon often include exposition, exhortation, and practical application.Wikipedia
SERMON - a noun - a discourse for the purpose of religious instruction or exhortation, especially one based on a text of Scripture and delivered by a member of the clergy as part of a religious service; any serious speech, discourse, or exhortation, especially on a moral issue; a long, tedious speech. SYNONYMS FOR sermon, 2, 3 lecture. 3 harangue, tirade.https://www.dictionary.com/browse/sermon Jesus did not “sermonize”, He preached with the authority of God, teaching the Truth of the Kingdom of God.
“Word was spreading like wildfire about a young, charismatic Jewish carpenter, claiming that he was the Son of God. That alone was enough to convince the first century Jew to have a look-see. But this man had other credentials that intrigued people to seek him out.
“The miracles he performed were unlike any that had ever been witnessed, and his incomparable wisdom often left the intellectuals of his day speechless. Even his ability to teach complex spiritual truths through parables, a then common-day form of storytelling, had both Jews and Romans alike shaking their heads in amazement.
“The Bible records that people traveled for days to see him – sometimes getting nothing more than a brief glimpse, or a momentary chance to reach out and touch his garment in hopes of being healed.”
Jesus first sermon may have been the shortest, yet the most profound of all sermons ever preached. In Matthew 4:17 we see, “Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” End of sermon.
But, the ramifications of His first “sermon”, when properly understood and acted upon, are utterly world changing. (go to this link for details) https://whitestone2020.com/2020/12/24/in-the-beginning/
What is now called, “the Sermon on the Mount”, was a bit longer that Jesus’ first sermon. And, it attracted more than just a few curiosity seekers. Many of them believed Jesus really was the Messiah that the prophets of the Old Testament had promised. In this crowd were His disciples.
They listened intently while Jesus taught extensively” – for days! And TEACH, He did. The scriptures say “Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him, and he opened His mouth and taught them.” This was no “sermon” as we consider “sermons”.
Jesus was teaching His disciples how to be “saved” and the Process of Sanctification each of them would have to endure in order to follow Him. Jesus was making disciples. Jesus was building His Church.
Jesus carried His Gospel Message, with Him, at all times. He would teach and in open fields, from the bows of boats on lakes and on the sea. He taught in and during storms, in the marketplace, at community wells, under trees, at bathing pools and anyplace there were people.
THE THIRD SERMON?
The Bible says Jesus “preached”, only SIX times. But, Jesus preached and taught the Gospel by His actions, everywhere He traveled.
Matthew 14:13, – 21 “But, when Jesus heard John had been beheaded, once again, He withdrew to a desolate place by himself. And, once again, when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. He had taken a boat onto a lake this time, and when he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
“Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.”
Jesus had preached the Gospel Message to over five thousand that day.
“SIMPLE CHRISTIANITY”
Simply put, Jesus did not ‘sermonize’ or lecture. Jesus taught the Truth, lived the Truth and sent His disciples to live the same way.
Jesus set the pattern and method for His Church and For Preaching the Gospel.Jesus would Say The Words.Jesus would Show the Wonders.Jesus would Send the Workers. Jesus was making disciples. Jesus was building His Church.
As Jesus was nearing completion of His mission of teaching His disciples, He gave His disciples authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
Jesus then gave them these instructions:
Matthew 10:7 “Proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’c 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers,d cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunicse or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.” (https://biblehub.com/esv/matthew/10.htm)
SERMONS?
The main difference between Jesus PREACHING the Good News (Gospel) of the Kingdom and the SERMONS we hear today, is that Jesus is teaching and demonstrating HOW TO be saved and sanctified; HOW TO do the works He did; HOW TO make disciples and the SERMONS we hear today are just telling us ABOUT what Jesus did while posturing on stage behind a pulpit under the glare of lights, and little more.
Jesus led by example. We must do the same. Not the ‘preacher’, but you and me – The Church!
Time is short. Jesus’ return is upon us. We, THE CHURCH – you and I – must get back to our calling and “DWJD“. (Do What Jesus Does)!
https://whitestone2020.com/2021/03/31/i-will-build-my-church/
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
https://bibleproject.com/blog/sermon-mount-jesus-new-moses/