III. The Ministry of Jesus Christ
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

A. Lived a life of example to us
The term Christian means Christ-like. As Christians we need to learn how Christ responded to, and what His attitudes were towards various situations in life. His life is the perfect pattern for everyone.

Luke 9:23; 1 Peter 2:21

B. Discipled the Twelve (12)
As Christ imparted spiritual knowledge to His disciples, so are we commissioned to impart spiritual knowledge to those of lesser knowledge within our sphere of influence.

Matthew 28:19–20; 1 Timothy 4:1–2

C. Offered the kingdoms
1. To the Jews: the Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 4:1–7; 11:11–12

Jesus’ primary mission to the nation of Israel was to offer them a kingdom in which they would become priests to the entire world and the leading nation of the world (Isa. 61:5–6). He made it clear however, that their then-current leaders were unfit to lead in the new kingdom (Matthew 5:20; 23:13–36). Many of the leaders of Israel at that time simply did not believe that the Son of a humble carpenter (as they believed Jesus to be–Matthew 13:55) could be their Messiah. Because of their hardness of heart, God had blinded their ‘spiritual eyes’ so they rejected Him (John 12:39–40).

2. To the world: the Kingdom of God

Luke 16:16; 17:20–21; John 3:3–7

Although the Jews rejected His gracious offer, Jesus had another kingdom to offer to the whole world (Matthew 21:42–43). We call this kingdom the Kingdom of God. It is a strictly spiritual kingdom in which God reigns in the hearts of anyone who will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.