Bases of Knowledge : 1) Authority -- trusted people/writers -- scripture (especially gospels) 2) Reason -- existence of universe -- Jesus’ teaching brilliant -- existence of church 3) Experience -- multiple witnesses in every age -- my experience of Jesus’ healing

Jesus  Born BE  Born BE 543  Jewish  Bethlehem  Bethlehem  Israel  Israel  poor family  Israel under Roman government  Israel under Roman government

Jewish background: God created the universe and humans in God’s image (relational) and said they are “good”

The story begins with shalom: authentic peace Therefore physical universe of great value Humans of special value: reflect God’s image

God & Humans in Relationshipความสัมพันธ์ In the Beginning การเริ่มต้น God-Man

God’s purpose for people: Joy in relationships: Love God, love each other, care for the earth & creatures

Problem: humans distrust God, believe deception (shalom shattered) The roots of evil are deception (lies about God and about us) that lead to behavior that is destructive– violence etc Humans were given real freedom & real responsibility & we all mess up

Disobedience of Man การกบฏไม่เชื่อฟัง ของ มนุษย์ (Brought Sin into the world) นำมาซึ่งความบาป ความตาย นำมาซึ่งความบาป ความตาย God & Man in Relationshipความสัมพันธ์ Separationแยกจากกัน GodMan In the Beginning การเริ่มต้น God-Man

Humans reject God Suffering starts 3. God still wants to bless humans; complete plans for joyful relationships Begins w/Abraham God still loves

God promises to bless all humans through Abraham and his kids ( BCE; BBE) Monotheism begins One GOD Judaism – long history (Moses led out of slavery in Egypt)

BE 250 – Jesus  Israel had lousy King (Herod)  God had promised nationnation landland King & saviorKing & savior

The birth of Jesus begins recreation and restoration of people and earth เป็นการเริ่มต้นของ The birth of Jesus begins recreation and restoration of people and earth เป็นการเริ่มต้นของ God became a humanGOD-HUMAN

Problem: broken relationshipsProblem: broken relationships Need God to help– we can’t restoreNeed God to help– we can’t restore Need Human– we are responsibleNeed Human– we are responsible GOD/GOD/HUMANBeginsRe-union

Jesus announces the Kingdom of God The Lord’s Prayer: May God’s kingdom come May God’s will be done on earth As it is in heaven Restoration of shalom: joyful loving relationships== mercy, justice, health, wholeness

Jesus announces and shows the kingdom of God Jesus announces and shows the kingdom of God Healing, teaching, preaching, confronting powerful religious and political leadersHealing, teaching, preaching, confronting powerful religious and political leaders  Kingdom of peace, justice, health, goodness, joy “SHALOM” Love your enemies.

The light reveals the darkness Humans response to Jesus shows our response to God Humans reject God (as always): especially the powerful; don’t want God in charge, we want to be in charge Jesus knew he’d be killed

The light reveals the darkness Cross was a torture instrument of Rome to maintain rule through Violence & FEAR Pax Romana through force and aggression is FALSE PEACE

World’s kingdoms Based onBased on FEAR, VIOLENCE Jesus’ established his kingdom by dying on the cross and saying …Jesus’ established his kingdom by dying on the cross and saying … “Father forgive them” “Father forgive them” TRUE PEACE KINGDOM – LOVETRUE PEACE KINGDOM – LOVE Jesus=God on the cross forgivingJesus=God on the cross forgiving JESUS’ kingdom

The light destroys the darkness Jesus loved his enemies– did what he taught We have all acted as enemies of God (except babies) Jesus established his kingdom by self-giving love, forgiveness Not by violence and coercion

World’s kingdoms Based onBased on FEAR, VIOLENCE Jesus’ established his kingdom by dying on the crossJesus’ established his kingdom by dying on the cross TRUE PEACE KINGDOM – LOVETRUE PEACE KINGDOM – LOVE Jesus= HUMANITY on the crossJesus= HUMANITY on the cross with all our sin and suffering on behalf of Israel and all humans JESUS’ kingdom

The light destroys the darkness Jewish belief – one for all Jesus’ belief – He was one for all (Israel and humanity) Jesus established his kingdom by self-giving love, forgiveness that makes reconciliation and new relationship with God possible

Disobedience of Man การกบฏไม่เชื่อฟัง ของ มนุษย์ (Brought Sin into the world) นำมาซึ่งความบาป ความตาย นำมาซึ่งความบาป ความตาย God & Man in Relationshipความสัมพันธ์ Separationแยกจากกัน GodMan Obedience of Jesus การเชื่อฟัง ของพระเยซู คริสต์ (Destroys the power of Sin) ทำลายอำนาจของความบาป ความตาย GodMan Bridge สะพาน In the Beginning การเริ่มต้น God-Man

Jesus solves the problems of sin and suffering by entering into them Israel/ looking for king who will fight with violence- get rid of Rome Jesus the King who died for them! Strange King Jesus looks like a loser; disciples flee in fear

JesusResurrected: Victory over FearFear SinSin DeathDeath Jesus true King of new kingdom

Jesus’ kingdom of joyful relationships growing now NEW Kingdom begun OLD Kingdoms of World still here New kingdom is growing grows in us– and in our communities

Resurrection??? Reasons to consider historicity Existence of church Women first witnesses

Jesus the empowering king Jesus is not only a teacher, but God we worship and king we obey, brother who leads us Jesus alive now– lives in us gives us power to be like him— LOVE our ENEMIES

Disobedience of Man การกบฏไม่เชื่อฟัง ของ มนุษย์ (Brought Sin into the world) นำมาซึ่งความบาป ความตาย นำมาซึ่งความบาป ความตาย God & Man in Relationshipความสัมพันธ์ Separationแยกจากกัน GodMan Obedience of Jesus การเชื่อฟัง ของพระเยซู คริสต์ (Destroys the power of Sin) ทำลายอำนาจของความบาป ความตาย GodMan Bridge สะพาน Obedience of Man การเชื่อฟังของมนุษย์ (Brings Reconciliation) นำมาซีงการคืนดี ระหว่าง พระเจ้ากับมนษย์ Man trusts in JC Man trusts in JCมนุษย์เชื่อวางใจในพระเยซูคริสต์ God-Man In the Beginning การเริ่มต้น God-Man Come back to a full cycle

Empowered through God’s Spirit 40 days after resurrection Jesus ascends to heaven 10 days later (Pentecost): Holy Spirit given to Jesus’ followers

Jesus’ followers now show his loving kingdom Living empowered by God’s Spirit we obey Jesus and show what his kingdom looks like Invite others to follow This is why Payap University exists (Problem: most of us do a poor job of it! But some Jesus’ followers amazing)

A new heaven and earth will be made and be one

Jesus’ kingdom will become fully realized on new earth: Jesus will judge with justice & mercy Doesn’t coerce anyone If we reject God, not forced to be with God – place prepared

Disobedience of Man การกบฏไม่เชื่อฟัง ของ มนุษย์ (Brought Sin into the world) นำมาซึ่งความบาป ความตาย นำมาซึ่งความบาป ความตาย God & Man in Relationshipความสัมพันธ์ Separationแยกจากกัน GodMan Obedience of Jesus การเชื่อฟัง ของพระเยซู คริสต์ (Destroys the power of Sin) ทำลายอำนาจของความบาป ความตาย GodMan Bridge สะพาน Obedience of Man การเชื่อฟังของมนุษย์ (Brings Reconciliation) นำมาซีงการคืนดี ระหว่าง พระเจ้ากับมนษย์ Man trusts in JC Man trusts in JCมนุษย์เชื่อวางใจในพระเยซูคริสต์ God-Man Eternallyไม่มีที่สิ้นสุด Come back to a full cycle

Jesus’ answers to the four questions: 1) What is “real”? God and his kingdom. 2) What is a quality life? Anyone who is alive in God’s kingdom and has an interactive relationship with God has quality of life.

3) What is real goodness ? To be pervaded with love. 4) How does one become a truly good person? Put your confidence in Christ and become his student in learning how to live in God’s kingdom.

Shalom: Abundant Life