Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. To have a solid System of Faith

2. Contents of this System of Faith

a) Doctrine of Christ

b) Doctrine of Salvation

c) Doctrine of the Suffering of Christ

d) Doctrine of the Kingdom of Heaven/God

e) Doctrine of the Christian Life

f) Doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ

g) Doctrine of Evangelism (Bearing witness)

3. Approach

a) Sharing (Leading by Groups)

b) Message

c) Discussion

d) Prayer

THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST

1. Controversy around the Person of Christ

a) Some rejected Jesus (religious leaders called Pharisees, scribes etc)

i) They questioned His association with sinful people

Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?
Matthew 9:11

ii) They declared that Jesus was in league with Satan

But the Pharisees said,
“He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”
Matthew 9:34

Now when the Pharisees heard it they said,
“This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub,
The ruler of the demons.
Matthew 12:24

b) Some others were not sure about the Identity of Jesus (Multitudes)

Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed,
Blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man
Both spoke and saw.
And all the multitudes were amazed and said,
“Could this be the Son of David?”
Matthew 22-3

c) Still others rejected (His fellow countrymen from Nazareth)

When He had come to His own country, He taught them in
Their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said,
“Where did this Man get His wisdom and these mighty works?
Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary?
And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?
And His sisters, are they not all with us?
Where then did this Man get all these things?
And they were offended at Him.
Matthew 13:54-57

2. Challenge of the Gospel writers

a) To “set in order a narrative” Luke 1:1a

b) To call upon “ministers and eye-witnesses” Luke 1:2

c) To write from the perspective of one who has “perfect understanding” Luke 1:3

d) To enable others “to know the certainty of those things” Luke 1:4

e) To enable people to believe in Jesus and find eternal life John 20:31

DISCUSSION

1. Do we have a solid “System of Faith?”

2. How well do we know Jesus?

3. Are there doubts about the Identity of Jesus?

4. Evaluate the significance of the writings of the Gospel Writers
Three aspects may be highlighted:-

a) To defend the Doctrine of Christ from detractors (enemies)

b) To define clearly the Doctrine of Christ

i) Who He is

ii) What He taught

iii) What He did

c) To help people decide to follow Jesus

i) Saviour

ii) Lord

MEMORY VERSE

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that believing you may have life in His name.
John 20:31