3 POSSIBLE REASONS WHY THE JEWISH LEADERS INSISTED ON KILLING JESUS

And those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together…Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, in order that they might put Him to death; and they did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward…And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He made no answer.” (Matthew 26:57, 59-60; 27:12)

8 FACTS ABOUT JUDAS ISCARIOT

     Judas Iscariot has gained a lot of popularity in the world because of his treachery and ignominious death. Yes, he was a follower of Jesus, who betrayed his Master and later committed suicide, but is that all? Here are some facts about this fellow you should know; 

1. He was an apostle (Mk. 3:13-19) and part of the apostolic ministry (Acts 1:16-17, 25) 
2. He was trusted by Jesus (Psa. 41:9) 
3. He was the first treasurer of the Church (Jn. 13:29) 
4. He was a baptizer in water (Jn. 4:1, 2) 

CHRIST IN THE COURT ROOM (Why they crucified Him)

Jesus Christ, a man who is indubitably the greatest person throughout the whole of history even until now, died an ignominious death – by crucifixion as a criminal. Was he a criminal? Certainly not! But He died the death of criminals. He was murdered “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:22-23) Nonetheless thousands of people have died for Him and still thousands more would dare to lose their lives for His course. Assuredly He was not a mere man. These are however the very possible indictments which triggered His crucifixion.

HOW TO ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD

The gospel according to John has the central theme of bringing believers into a fuller understanding of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, wherefore it places emphasis on the subject of having a new life as a prerequisite for entering into the kingdom of God in chapter three. This life as presented in this chapter is introduced with Nicodemus, a Jewish teacher of the Law who sought entry into the kingdom of God but contrary to his expectation was the revelation of becoming born-again. Jesus’ answer of becoming born-again was a revelation i.e. a secret knowledge or a mystery, basically a divine truth. It was a knowledge which was hidden from Judaism and still is because they do not believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah.

WHEN WE WORSHIP THE RESURRECTED CHRIST

 

Worship is so important that a slight negligence of it would render us merely beasts scavenging the earth realm purposelessly. The Disciples were aligned to the purpose of God when they worshiped the Resurrected Christ. “But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee…And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him…And Jesus came up and spoke to them…” (Matt 28:16-18) 

When the disciples worshiped Christ He came to them and spoke deep things unto them, things which were not committed unto them when they walked with their Master for three and half years. He spoke unto them their purpose and whatever that pertains unto it. 

A man without purpose is no more than a beast. Also a man with a self-inspired purpose which does not concur with the purpose of God struggles to void. It is imperative for the creature to walk in the purpose for which the Creator made it. Just as a robot made to fulfill task “A” ends up functioning to fulfill task “X” is a failure, man which fulfills anything different from God’s intent for him is a complete garbage. 

12 PROBLEMS WITH THE CHURCH IN AFRICA

Christ is the head of the Church and He thus has the authority to judge His own Church. How dare I say that the Church has a problem? I mean not to rule the Church with Christ, but just as the church in Pergamos held unto the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicholitans (Rev. 2:12-17), the church in Africa has held unto strange doctrines.

JESUS' HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER

Jesus Christ's Prayer in John 17 is called The High Priestly Prayer. He prayed as a High Priest. This prayer is in two (2) parts: 1. For the Shepherd and 2. For the Sheep

1. For the Shepherd

What the Father should do - Glorify the Shepherd.
"These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee...And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." 17:1,5

2. For the Sheep

Edify the Sheep by:
i. Keeping them (17:11)
ii. Unifying them (17:11)
iii. Filling them with joy (17:13)
iv. Protecting them (17:15)
v. Sanctifying them (17:17)
vi. Perfecting them (17:23)
vii. Receiving them some (17:24)
viii. Filling them with love (17:26)

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