Prophet and King
A Prophet Like Moses
Moses was a great prophet and leader. He led his people out of slavery and gave them the laws of God. God showed Moses that the Messiah would also be a prophet to give God’s message to the people. He would lead people out of the slavery of sin. He would be King of their lives and give them new rules to live by.
Deuteronomy 18:18-19. “I will send them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will tell him what to say, and he will tell the people everything I command. He will speak in my name, and I will punish anyone who refuses to obey him.”
For years the people were judged by the Law that God gave Moses. Moses wrote that this would be changed when the Messiah came. Everyone would be judged by what the Messiah said. And so today when we want to know how God wants us to live, we read Jesus’ teachings, the Messiah’s law.
For You to Do
- What great prophet received God’s laws before Jesus? ___________
- Who was the prophet like Moses? ___________
Rules of Jesus’ Kingdom
Who will be happy Out on the mountainside Jesus taught the basic principles of life for His followers. We call His message the “Sermon on the Mount.” He spoke of the happiness that God gives.
Matthew 5:3-12. “Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them!
Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised!
Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully!
Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them! “Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!
Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children!
Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.”
What the members of the Kingdom Are
God gave the basic principles of what to do and what not to do through Moses. They have not changed. But Jesus’ law goes far beyond Moses’ law. Moses taught the people what to do. Jesus teaches us what to be. We are to be like salt, giving a good flavor to life, and like light, showing people the way to God.
Matthew 5:13-16. “You are like salt for all mankind . . .
“You are like light for the whole world . . .
“Your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.”
For You to Do
- Whose law deals mostly with what a person does? ___________
- Whose law deals with what a person is? ___________
- Jesus says we are like __________ and __________ for the world.
Rules for thoughts and feelings
The laws of Moses are a standard by which men can judge a man’s actions. Jesus gives us a standard by which each person must judge his own attitudes. A person may be very careful not to break the Law but still be full of sin inside. Sinful thoughts, feelings, and desires cause sinful acts. Jesus teaches us to clean up inside so that we can live a clean life.
Matthew 5:17. “Do not think that I have come to do away with the Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets. I have not come to do away with them, but to make their teachings come true.”
Matthew 5:21-22. “You have heard that people were told in the past, ‘Do not commit murder’; . . . But now I tell you: . . . whoever calls his brother a worthless fool will be in danger of going to the fire of hell.”
Matthew 5:27-28. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But now I tell you: anyone who looks at a woman and wants to possess her is guilty of committing adultery with her in his heart.”
For You to Do
- Does God hold us responsible for our feelings and thoughts?
a) No. No one can help what he feels and thinks
b) Yes. Our thoughts and feelings cause our actions.
The law of love
The main law in Jesus’ kingdom is the law of love: love for God and for one another.
Matthew 22:35-40. A teacher of the Law . . . asked, “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and the most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ The whole Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
Matthew 5:43-45. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your friends, hate your enemies.’ But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the sons of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun to shine on bad and good people alike, and gives rain to those who do good and to those who do evil.”
For You to Do
- Read this section over again.
- Memorize the two commandments that Jesus said were the greatest.
Keeping Jesus’ Rules
Jesus says that your life depends on keeping His rules. They are the secret of a happy life, both now and after death.
Luke 6:46-49. “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and yet don’t do what I tell you? Anyone who comes to me and listens to my words and obeys them . . . is like a man who, in building his house, dug deep and laid the foundation on rock. The river flooded over and hit that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But anyone who hears my words and does not obey them is like a man who built his house without laying a foundation; when the flood hit that house it fell at once—and what a terrible crash that was!”
The only trouble with trying to keep Jesus’ rules is this: no one can do it by himself. We just aren’t made that way. We have sin in our hearts: selfishness and rebellion that keep us from living up to the standard. What can we do?
Jesus told us the secret in a conversation with Nicodemus, a religious leader. God will change us so that we will want to do what Jesus shows us to do. And His Holy Spirit will help us do it. Jesus called this being born again. We become children of God and have a new nature.
Millions of people have had this experience. They have found a wonderful new life following Jesus here on earth. And they are looking forward to sharing His beautiful, eternal home in heaven.
Prayer
God, I don’t want my life to crash in ruins. Please take away the bad things in my nature. Make me over again and put Your love in me. Help me to build my life on Jesus’ teachings. Please make me Your child. Amen.
For You to Do
- In this list, draw a circle around the things that Jesus said to do:
Love God, Judge, Get angry, Steal, Good works, Hate, Pray for enemies, Forgive, Love one another, Crimes, Obey Jesus’ words, Murder - Which life will stand the storm of judgment and last forever?
a) The one built on obedience to Jesus’ teaching
b) The one built to please the person himself
c) The one built to please other people - If you have already been born again, thank God for making you His child. If you have not yet been born again, do you want to be?
If so, read the above prayer to God. Talk with Him about it.