THE INSPIRATION & AUTHORITY (3)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

1. Introduction

a) The Bible is full of wonderful stories and special truth. What we want to do is to discover the Bible.  

b) Psalm 119:11 says, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." 

c) Nurture and grow your understanding of the Bible as you read and discover the Bible.  

2. Note its amazing prophecies

a) Bethlehem predicted as His birthplace...

i) Micah 5:2 New International Version (NIV)

² “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
    from ancient times.” 

ii) Matthew 2:1-6 New International Version (NIV) 

2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

³ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

⁶ “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 

b) Description of death on the cross prior to the use of crosses...

i) Isaiah 53:5 New International Version (NIV)

⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.

ii) Isaiah 53:7 New International Version (NIV)

⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted,
    yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
    and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth.

iii) Isaiah 53:9 New International Version (NIV)

⁹ He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
    and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
    nor was any deceit in his mouth.

c) Compare this with:

i) Soldiers pierced Jesus... John 19:34. 

John 19:34New International Version (NIV)
³⁴ Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 

ii) Thomas saw the wounds... John 20:25. 

John 20:25New International Version (NIV)
²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 

iii) Jesus beaten, crown of thorns, etc... John 19:1. 

John 19:1New International Version (NIV) 
19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.

iv) He did not respond... Matthew 27:13. 

Matthew 27:13New International Version (NIV)

¹³ Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”

v) Crucified between two robbers... Matthew 27:38. 

Matthew 27:38New International Version (NIV)

³⁸ Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

vi) Body of Jesus in tomb with stone over entrance... Matthew 27:57-60. 

Matthew 27:57-60New International Version (NIV) 

⁵⁷ As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. ⁵⁸ Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. ⁵⁹ Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, ⁶⁰ and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

vii) Pilate said there was no charge against Jesus... John 19:4. 

John 19:4New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”

 

The End ...