Life of Christ Challenge Lesson 4

Taught live Sunday, October 16, 2022

Introduction

Jesus’ Life Prior to His Ministry: The Introduction of Christ, Part 1 Looking into the Face of Jesus
The Life of Christ, 1: Pages 35-44 Outline: Lesson Plan 4

1. Texts for this Study: Luke 1:1–4; Matthew 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–38; John 1:1–18
2. We come to the “introduction” that the Gospels give to Jesus.

1. Luke’s Preface and Dedication (Luke 1:1–4)
   1. At the time of the first century, a basic body of beliefs was available to all the church.
   2. “Eyewitnesses and servants” had handed down their accounts.
   3. Luke had studied what was available to him.
      1. Luke wrote to Theophilus, whom he designated as “most excellent.” Perhaps this fact indicates that he was an official of high standing.
      2. His name means “lover of God.”
      3. He may have supported, as a patron, Luke’s research.
   4. Luke said that he had recorded “the exact truth about the things” that Theophilus had been taught.
2. The Genealogies of Matthew and Luke
   1. Matthew’s account was written for the Jews. His lineage was focused on proving that he was the Messiah that was promised through Jewish heritage. This Messianic lineage was according to prophesy: 1. He was to be a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 22:18). 2. He was to be a descendant of David (2 Samuel 7:16).
      3. There were also several surprises, such as wicked King Manasseh being in the list.
   2. Luke’s account had a different purpose than Matthew’s.
      1. Luke’s ends with Adam to show His linkage to all of mankind.
      2. The two lists are also very different. They both show Abraham and David, but those names in between are different.
      3. The best suggestions as to why the difference is the following:
         1. Matthew—gives the legal line through Joseph (for the Jews)
         2. Luke—gives the fleshly line through Mary (some say royal line)
         3. Mary is not mentioned in Luke, but that is because women typically were not mentioned.

d. J. W. McGarvey gave a Levirate marriage explanation for the difference in fathers of Joseph.

III. John’s Introduction of Jesus

1. John wanted his readers to know that Jesus’s life did not start in Bethlehem. He started the story in eternity.
2. Some divide this introduction into three divisions:
   1. Jesus, the eternal Word—John 1:1–3
   2. Jesus, the Light who overrules the Darkness of this world 3. Jesus, the revelation of God to men
3. John described Jesus in several ways in this reading: 1. He is the Word—John 1:1
   2. He is God—John 1:1
   3. He is Creator—John 1:3 4. He is Life—John 1:4
   5. He is Light—John 1:7–9
   6. He is Savior—John 1:12
   7. He is Flesh, that is, Man—John 1:14
   8. He is the Only Begotten of the Father—John 1:14 9. He is Provider of Grace and Truth—John 1:17 10. He is God, the Father, Manifested—John 1:18

Conclusion

A. Think of this introduction.

1.

2. B. In

1. 2. 3.

What a great introduction of Christ that the three Gospels give us!
Where does Mark begin?

light of these texts, who is Jesus?
Is He a great man?
Is He a great prophet?
Is He the God/Man? Is He God in the flesh?

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