The Big Picture

Luke 18:18 Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. 20 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’ ”21 The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.

· Jesus reflects a fundamental truth in His answer.

· Goodness is not the currency for salvation. Surrender is.

· True Goodness is fruit from relationship with Christ.

· But if we can’t be good enough, how do we receive eternal life? Through the birth of The Son.

Psalm 19:1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.The skies display his craftsmanship.2 Day after day they continue to speak;night after night they make him known.3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. 4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.

· The God who created the earth and heavens reveals Himself through His amazing creation

Galatians 4:4-7 But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law.

· When the time arrived. God was coordinating events and circumstances, working through the hearts of flawed people.

Micah 2:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah.Yet a ruler of Israel,whose origins are in the distant past,will come from you on my behalf.

Isaiah 11:1 Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.2 And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,the Spirit of counsel and might,the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.3 He will delight in obeying the Lord.He will not judge by appearancenor make a decision based on hearsay.4 He will give justice to the poorand make fair decisions for the exploited.The earth will shake at the force of his word,and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.5 He will wear righteousness like a beltand truth like an undergarment.

· The probability that Jesus could have fulfilled even 8 of the prophecies is 10 to the17th power.

·The Messiah would be the seed/offspring of a woman and would crush the head of Satan (Genesis 3:15).

·He would come from the offspring of Abraham and bless all the nations on earth (Genesis 12:3).

·He would be born in Bethlehem of Judah (Micah 5:2).

·He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14).

·He would be called “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Everlasting Father,” “Prince of Peace,” and would possess an everlasting kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Daniel 9:25 Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes.

Daniel’s presence in Babylon led to the expectation of the messiah’s birth

Numbers 24:1 I see him, but not here and now.I perceive him, but far in the distant future.A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel.

Luke 1:35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.