My Third Year Of Ministry Lesson 6 Series

Note: All Scripture references in this lesson are from

The Bible by Jesus unless otherwise noted

A. THE THIRD YEAR OF MINISTRY

My Ministry

First year – introduction.

Second year – popularity.

Third year – preparing for My death.

1. I spent more time teaching disciples. “Come away with Me to a private place in the desert to rest awhile” (Mark 6:31).

2. Out of public view. “Herod said, ‘John whom I beheaded has been returned to life’” (Mark 6:14). He also said, “His powers are also working in Jesus” (Mark 6:16).

3. Growing hostility by Scribes and Pharisees.

4. I focused on the cross. “Now as the time drew near for My return to heaven, I steadfastly set My face (as a flint) to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).

5. My emphasis – first year, miracles. Second year, sermons. Third year, parables/teaching.

B. I TOLD PARABLES TO TELL MY FOLLOWERS HOW TO BELIEVE AND LIVE

1. A parable is:

a. Story about life.

b. People, action and plot.

c. Spiritual truth.

d. Not contain miracles or supernatural.

e. Application.

2. The most popular:

a. Good Samaritans ministered across ethnic barriers.

b. Prodigal son, God gives second chance.

c. Ten virgins, redeem time.

d. Rich man and Lazarus, prepare to meet God.

e. Talents, use faithfully what you have.

C. THIRD YEAR BEGAN WITH MOST POPULAR MIRACLE- FEEDING 5,000 – JOHN 6:1-11

Miracle for most people

Only one in all 4 gospels

1. When. “On the way to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover” (6:4).

2. Where. “I went up into the mountain near Tiberius” (6:1).

3. How many. “Make the men sit down . . . about 5,000 sat on the grass” (6:10).

4. Disciples’ unbelief. “If we had the day’s wages of 200 servants, only be a little bit for each” (6:7).

5. Menu. “A young boy with five loaves of bread and two small fish . . . everyone had as much as they could eat” (6:9, 11).

6. Multitude unbelief. “I said, ‘You seek Me because you saw the miracles yesterday’” (6:26). “They answered, ‘Do another miracle… so we can believe’” (6:30).

7. The application. “I am the bread of God who comes from heaven to give life to the world” (6:35).

8. Blind eyes cannot believe. “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” (6:42, NKJV).

9. They finally reject. “This sermon is too difficult to believe.”

D. TAKE AWAY

1. Principle of organization and order.

2. Principle of gratitude. Thank God for everything.

Gratitude is the least remembered of all virtues,

and the acid test of your character

3. Principle of division of labor. Humans serve the Word/Bread and God multiplies.

4. Principle of availability and usability.

5. Principle of conservation of results.

6. Some get spiritual results, others get only physical. Some got fed in the body, but not in the soul.

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.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

Video presentations of the PBC are available online at trbc.org/pbc

Television Airing Times for the PBC

Go to hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.