The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ

• Some people say that Jesus had to die at the same time as the Passover. That, combined with a misunderstanding of John 18:28, causes them to put Jesus’ resurrection on the Sabbath (14th day of first month).
• The term “Passover” is used in three senses in the Bible:
  • Exodus 12:21; Numbers 28:16; Mark 14:12 – The lamb they sacrificed and the day they killed it are both called the Passover.
  • The Passover feast – Ezekiel 45:21; Luke 22:1

Accounting for days

• Leviticus 23:32
• Jews counted days from sundown to sundown.
• Numbers 33:3-4
• 1st month, 14th day
  • Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-15; Matthew 26:17-21 – Passover lamb killed. They ate the lab before Jesus was crucified.
• 15th day
  • Mark 14:17-72; 15:1, 24-26 – Jesus was crucified about noon and taken down before Sabbath started at sunset.
• 16th day
  • Luke 23:12-16 – Sabbath
• 17th day
  • Mark 16:1-16; Luke 24:1-21 – Jesus resurrected on the first day of the week.
• What about John 18:28? They did not want to disqualify themselves from the rest of the Passover feast, which was a 7-day feast. See Numbers 28:16-25.
• What about Matthew 12:40 and Jesus being in the grave for three days and three nights? It is a different way of reckoning time. Part of day 1, all of day 2, and part of day 3 is counted as three days, or three days and three nights even though it was not a full 72 hours.

Take the initiative.

• Nehemiah 1:2-4; 2:5, 15-18
• Nehemiah’s leadership was contagious!
• Nehemiah was 1,000 miles from the problem, but he traveled to go help.

Keep learning God’s truth.

• II Peter 1:8, 5
• Titus 1:9
• Deuteronomy 17:18-20 – Leaders had to know the law!
• Luke 8:9 – Disciples were asking questions and learning!
• Luke 11:1 – Teach us to pray! The disciples wanted to learn how to pray properly.
• Luke 6:39-40

Demonstrate the proper behavior.

• I Timothy 4:12 – Lead by example.
• I Corinthians 11:1 – Paul said for them to imitate him.
• Do I hold myself to the standard I require of others?
• Can others see my behavior and look to me as a proper example?

Grow my communication skills.

• Proverbs 15:1-2, 28 – The righteous ponder how to answer.
• Proverbs 29:20
• James 3:2
• It takes practice to build this skill.

Be willing to change myself.

• John 3:1-3, 9-10 – Nicodemus came to Jesus by night.
• John 7:13, 48-52
• John 19:38-40 – Nicodemus showed respect for Jesus in public, which was quite a dangerous thing for him to do!
• Nicodemus was willing to change!

Conclusion

• Nothing will happen unless you take the initiative!

Imprisoned in Caesarea (Acts 24-26), continued:

Agrippa (Acts 26), continued:

• Our role is to plan the seed, no matter how long it takes someone to convert.

Taken to Rome (Acts 27-28)

Sailing from city to city (Acts 27:1-13)

Everyone survives the shipwreck (Acts 27:14-44)

• God knows when and how to answer prayer!

The island of Malta (Acts 28:1-10)

• Thanks to the shipwreck, the gospel was spread to Malta.

Paul in Rome (Acts 28:11-31)

• Acts 28:13 – Paul sailed past Mount Vesuvius about 10-20 years before it erupted.

Introduction

• Zephaniah 1:1

Idols distract us.

• Zephaniah 1:4-5
• You don’t have to make a statue to be guilty of idolatry.
• Colossians 3:5 – Greed is idolatry!
• Idols are anything that distract us from God.
• Zephaniah 1:6
• When I am worried or happy or insecure, do I seek God or something else?
• Zephaniah 2:1
• Zephaniah 3:1
• We must not be distracted with things of the earth.

Laziness is deadly.

• Zephaniah 1:12
• II Peter 3:3-7
• Zephaniah 1:13-17 – Punishment is coming. Don’t get complacent!
• We must see our sin and decide to change!

God always wins.

• Zephaniah 2:8-11 – This happens today – people taunting Christians.
• Zephaniah 2:13-15 – Ninevah, the largest city in the world would fall by God’s hand. World powers are no problem for God, so we can’t be scared of them as Christians.
• Acts 4:3-5, 13-15, 19, 24-28 – The powerful people thought they had Jesus taken care of. The quote here is from Psalm 2. God in heaven laughs at the attempts of powerful people. Take courage!

Introduction

• Mark 9:33-37 – The disciples discuss who will be the greatest.
• Matthew 20:20-28
• Luke 22:24-27 – The greatest is the one who serves.
• John 13:1-17 – Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. These were the same people who would forsake Him on the cross! He commanded them to wash each other’s feet – to serve each other.
• Philippians 2:5-8
• Greatness will only come to those that serve others.

How to become a servant

• Deny self / crucify self (Luke 9:23; Galatians 2:20)
  • We must first desire discipleship. God doesn’t force anyone to serve Him.
• Make Christ Lord of your life (I Peter 3:15)
• Remove pride, humble self (I Peter 5:5-6)
• Esteem others better (Philippians 2:3)
• Seek out ways to serve others (Galatians 5:13)

Ways we can serve

• Doing good works (Titus 2:14; 3:1, 8, 14)
• Practicing hospitality (Romans 12:13)
• Encouraging others (I Thessalonians 5:11, 14)
• Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
• Pray for the needs of others (Colossians 1:9-12; James 5:16)
• Share our blessings with others (Hebrews 13:16)
• Teaching the gospel to the lost (I Corinthians 9:19-22)
• Serve in the local church (Romans 16:1-2)
  • Greet people, send cards, clean building, mow grass, teach a Bible class, provide a ride, lead singing, give a talk, lead a prayer, make visits, etc.

Servant Song by Matthew Bassford

Conclusion

• Matthew 25:21 – “Well done good and faithful servant.”