Sermon Central
-
Favorite Names For Jesus In The Gospels Lesson 2 Series
Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 4, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
A. MATTHEW – KING
1. The key word is King or Kingdom.
2. Key verse. “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him” (Matt. 2:2).
3. God was the Old Testament ruler of His people. “Thou art my King, O God” (Ps. 44:4, KJV).
4. Israel refused God’s rulership. “Make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Sam. 8:5). God said, “They have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Sam. 8:7).
5. The Jews looked for a Messiah – King to rule over them in righteousness. “I (God) will establish the throne of His (Christ) kingdom forever” (2 Sam. 7:13).
6. Jesus came offering a Kingdom. “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17).
7. Jesus’ reign over Israel was rejected. “Away with Him . . . Crucify Him! We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15).
8. Pilate mocked Jesus by nailing to the cross, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS” (John 19:19).
9. Jesus’ kingdom is not now, but we can pray for it to come. “Thy kingdom come” (Matt. 6:10).
10. Jesus rules in Heaven. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Tim. 1:17).
11. Jesus’ future role. “Jesus shall reign where-e’er the sun does His successive journeys run; His kingdom spread from shore to shore, till moons shall wax and wane no more.” –Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
B. MARK – SERVANT
1. Key word – immediately.
2. Jesus is presented as a servant doing things. Mark has more miracles (27) than in the other gospels.
3. Key verse, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
4. Servanthood is the key to spirituality. “And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all’” (Mark 9:35). “And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave” (Matt. 20:27).
C. LUKE – SON OF MAN
1. Key verse: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
2. Key word – Son of Man. The title Jesus used of Himself more than any other. It showed His humanity.
? Jesus used the title Son of Man as a substitute for Himself, i.e., “I”. “The Son of Man who has come eating and drinking” (Luke 7:33).
? Jesus used the title Son of Man to emphasize His suffering. “The Son of Man must suffer” (Mark 8:31).
? Jesus used the title Son of Man to refer to His authority. “The Son of Man has power (authority) on earth to forgive sins” (Mark 2:10).
? Jesus used the title Son of Man to refer to His messianic fulfillment. “When the Son of Man is revealed” (Luke 17:30).
D. JOHN – I AM
1. Key word – believe (98) and live (36).
2. Key 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).
3. The unique title for Jesus I Am. It is a reference to His deity. A derivative from the Hebrew Jehovah, which comes from the verb first person “to be,” i.e., I Am I Am. “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’” (Exodus 3:14).
4. The seven I Am’s.
a. “I Am the bread of life” (John 6:35).
b. “I Am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
c. “I Am the door” (John 10:9).
d. “I Am the good shepherd” (John 10:11).
e. “I Am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
f. “I Am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
g. “I Am the vine” (John 15:1).
5. The eighth I Am’s, “I AM I AM” “I am He” (John 18:5). Eight is the number of the New Birth or New Beginning.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
