The Epic Life - Bob Hallman

Introduction

Background: The disciples asked two questions in Matt 24:3

1. What will be the sign of your coming?
2. What will be the sign of the end of the age?

Having answered the disciples’ second question in verses 4-14, Jesus now turns His attention in verses 15-31 to answer the first – the sign of His coming.

Prophetic sequence of Pretribulation events (Arnold Fruchtenbaum):

1. World Wars I and II - Mt 24:1-8
2. The Re-Est...

Introduction

Background: The disciples asked two questions in Matt 24:3

1. What will be the sign of your coming?
2. What will be the sign of the end of the age?

Having answered the disciples’ second question in verses 4-14, Jesus now turns His attention in verses 15-31 to answer the first – the sign of His coming.

Prophetic sequence of Pretribulation events (Arnold Fruchtenbaum):

1. World Wars I and II - Mt 24:1-8
2. The Re-Est...

Introduction

Most people are curious about the future -- the Jews of Jesus’ day were no different!

Background:

1. This is the last public speech Jesus ever gave to the people of Israel.
2. In chapter 21-23, He pronounced judgment on the nation Israel, judgment on the false leaders and judgment on the people who followed their deceptions – culminating in two profound statements:

         --One of judgment: “Your house is left u...

Introduction

Most people are curious about the future -- the Jews of Jesus’ day were no different!

Background:

1. This is the last public speech Jesus ever gave to the people of Israel.
2. In chapter 21-23, He pronounced judgment on the nation Israel, judgment on the false leaders and judgment on the people who followed their deceptions – culminating in two profound statements:

         --One of judgment: “Your house is left u...

There have always been (and will be) leaders like this in the church:

1. In the OT, God repeatedly confronted Israel’s corrupt leadership - Ezekiel 34
2. In the NT, Jesus warned of “false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” - Matt 7:15
3. Paul warned the elders that “from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves - Acts 20:30

Them...

There have always been (and will be) leaders like this in the church:

1. In the OT, God repeatedly confronted Israel’s corrupt leadership - Ezekiel 34
2. In the NT, Jesus warned of “false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” - Matt 7:15
3. Paul warned the elders that “from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves - Acts 20:30

Them...

I  The Flawed Leadership Model of the Pharisees

Background on the scribes and Pharisees:

The scribes and the Pharisees were the religious leaders and scholars of the day. They had made it their life's vocation to study the law, interpret its application to daily life and enforce it’s observance. Together, they dominated the common people's understanding and practice of their religion.

The Pharisees (the Separated Ones)

1. They we...

I  The Flawed Leadership Model of the Pharisees

Background on the scribes and Pharisees:

The scribes and the Pharisees were the religious leaders and scholars of the day. They had made it their life's vocation to study the law, interpret its application to daily life and enforce it’s observance. Together, they dominated the common people's understanding and practice of their religion.

The Pharisees (the Separated Ones)

1. They we...

Introduction

Summary of events:  Jesus heads to Jerusalem as the prophesied Passover Lamb to make atonement on the cross for the sins of the world!

1. Sat/Sun: He arrived in Bethany and stayed with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
2. Monday: He fulfilled prophecy by riding into Jerusalem on a colt with the multitudes declaring, "Hosanna, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, the Son of David." Then, he returned again to Bet...

Introduction

Summary of events:  Jesus heads to Jerusalem as the prophesied Passover Lamb to make atonement on the cross for the sins of the world!

1. Sat/Sun: He arrived in Bethany and stayed with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
2. Monday: He fulfilled prophecy by riding into Jerusalem on a colt with the multitudes declaring, "Hosanna, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, the Son of David." Then, he returned again to Bet...

Introduction

The historical setting:

 For three years Jesus has been preaching and teaching the gospel of the Kingdom.  He has been proclaiming Himself as the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.  And He has been offering Himself and His Kingdom to the people of Israel -- but His own people rejected Him!

Summary of events:  Jesus heads to Jerusalem as the prophesied Passover Lamb to make atonement on the cross for th...

Introduction

The historical setting:

 For three years Jesus has been preaching and teaching the gospel of the Kingdom.  He has been proclaiming Himself as the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.  And He has been offering Himself and His Kingdom to the people of Israel -- but His own people rejected Him!

Summary of events:  Jesus heads to Jerusalem as the prophesied Passover Lamb to make atonement on the cross for th...

Summary of events:

1. Jesus has concluded His Galilean and Perean ministry, crossed the Jordan River, entered Jericho, healed two blind men, one by the name of Bartimaeus, brought Zacchaeus into the Kingdom and traveled to Jerusalem for Passover.
2. Having arrived in the vicinity of Jerusalem, He stays in the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus that first Saturday night and then spent Sunday with the multitude who either followed Him ...

Summary of events:

1. Jesus has concluded His Galilean and Perean ministry, crossed the Jordan River, entered Jericho, healed two blind men, one by the name of Bartimaeus, brought Zacchaeus into the Kingdom and traveled to Jerusalem for Passover.
2. Having arrived in the vicinity of Jerusalem, He stays in the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus that first Saturday night and then spent Sunday with the multitude who either followed Him ...

Introduction

Matthew 21 initiates the last week of the life of Jesus Christ the Messiah!

Jerusalem was to be the end. He never ever leaves the vicinity of Jerusalem. This is it. He dies in the city. This is the end of Jesus’ 33 plus years. Thirty years of obscurity, three-plus years of ministry, it all ends here. This is the end of the pilgrimage. The goal of the Lord's life and ministry is about to be reached.  In just 6 more days...

Introduction

Matthew 21 initiates the last week of the life of Jesus Christ the Messiah!

Jerusalem was to be the end. He never ever leaves the vicinity of Jerusalem. This is it. He dies in the city. This is the end of Jesus’ 33 plus years. Thirty years of obscurity, three-plus years of ministry, it all ends here. This is the end of the pilgrimage. The goal of the Lord's life and ministry is about to be reached.  In just 6 more days...

Introduction

1. The biblically blind
2. The spiritually blind
3. The physically blind

I  Jesus Foretold of His Death to His Disciples

Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem [Verse 17]

Note: This is the 4th time Jesus predicted His suffering, death and resurrection!

1. 3 times with all 12 disciples (16:21; 17:22-23; 20:18-19)
2. Once with Jesus’ inner circle (17:12).

The disciples knew that Jesus was the Messiah, but they only ...

Introduction

1. The biblically blind
2. The spiritually blind
3. The physically blind

I  Jesus Foretold of His Death to His Disciples

Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem [Verse 17]

Note: This is the 4th time Jesus predicted His suffering, death and resurrection!

1. 3 times with all 12 disciples (16:21; 17:22-23; 20:18-19)
2. Once with Jesus’ inner circle (17:12).

The disciples knew that Jesus was the Messiah, but they only ...

Introduction

One of the most common complaints in life: “That’s not fair!” 

- You hear it from children on the playground when someone is picked and they’re not!

- You hear it from employees when someone gets promoted first or is paid more for the same work.

- You hear it from pro athletes who demand multimillion contracts only to later complain about being underpaid because someone else gets bigger payday.

- You here it when other...