Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 20 Scripture: John 20:24-31, John 21:1-15, Matthew 28:16-20, 1 Corinthians 5:6-7, Acts 1:3-14.

Today is the final teaching on part four of five of our Two Year Gospel Study. Pastor takes us on an adventure examining the last appearances of Jesus during His final forty days on earth after His resurrection.

Pastor begins with the story of Thomas and shares interesting insights into Thomas’ faith, along with sharing the special story of Jesus proving He is alive to Thomas. It’s a story that shows the depth of Thomas’ faith: “My Lord and my God!” Thomas realizes fully who Jesus is. Pastor delves into the depth of meaning in Thomas words in light of the Hebrew language.

John uses Jesus’ visit to the disciples at the Sea of Galilee to share a powerful fish story. The disciples had been out all night fishing and caught nothing. That morning, Jesus is standing on shore, though they did not recognize Him. Jesus encourages them to throw out their net and when they did their net filled to overflowing. At this point they recognized Jesus! “It’s the Lord!”

Jesus had built a fire on the shore and invited them to breakfast. The Greek word used for this fire means a “coal fire.” It’s a word not normally used for a fire, but there’s something to learn from the choice of it here in this story.

The only other time that “coal fire” appears in the New Testament is on the night of Jesus’ betrayal when Peter was standing by the “coal fire” and denied knowing Jesus three times. This is “coal fire” is not accidental, it is intentional and Jesus is being very deliberate. We are encouraged to understand that in confronting the painful - God heals us. And Jesus proceeds to ask Peter three times if he loves Him. This breakfast is a gracious portrayal of how much our God loves us. His desire is to restore.

Peter’s restoration is happening and in the future Peter would stand firm and testify to knowing Jesus. Jesus tells Peter to take care of His flock. (Believers)

Pastor shares several other appearances of Jesus including Matthew 28 where Jesus speaks the “Great Commission” to reach all nations and all people with The Good News.

Pastor concludes with an overview of several observations: ⁃ First eyewitnesses ⁃ Earliest objections ⁃ Alternate explanations ⁃ Ultimate price

This is the concluding teaching on this fourth part (of 5) of our full Two Year Gospel Study.

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Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry the earth, concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father’s plan. As we study Jesus’ final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.

This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.