A Study of the Life of Christ Through a chronological look at The Gospels

As we take 2016 at Ekron Baptist to study the life of Christ, an outline will be used to harmonize the four Gospels.  This chronological harmony comes from the MacArthur study Bible.  I highly reccomend owning this particular Bible, in the New American Standard or English Standard Version as a superlative resource and tool.

A Study of

the Life of Christ

Through a chronological look at

The Gospels.

                                                            Matthew          Mark                Luke                John

Introduction to Jesus

Luke                                                                                                    1:1-4

Pre Incarnation                                                                                                            1:1-18

Geneology                                           1:1-17                                      3:23-38

Birth through Adolescence

Announcement Birth of John                                                             1:5-25

Announcement Birth of Jesus to Mary                                               1:26-38

Song Elizabeth to Mary                                                                      1:39-45

Mary’s song                                                                                        1:46-56

John’s Birth                                                                                         1:57-80

Announce Jesus birth to Joseph          1:18-23

Birth of Jesus                                      1:24,25                                    2:1-20

Jesus at the temple                                                                              2:21-38

Visit of the Maji                                  2:1-12

Flight to Egypt                                    2:13-18

Childhood                                           2:19-23                                    2:39-40

Jesus at 12                                                                                           2:41-50

Jesus to age 30                                                                                    2:51-52

John the Baptist

Johns ministry and message                3:1-12              1:1-8                3:1-14

Proclaiming Jesus                                3:11-12            1:7-8                3:15-18

                                                            14:4-12                                    3:19-20

The Beginning of Jesus Ministry

Jesus Baptism                                      3:13-17            1:9-11              3:21-22

Jesus Tempted                                     4:1-11              1:12-13            4:1-13

John Testimony                                                                                                           1:19-34

Call First Disciples                                                                                                      1:35-51

First Miracle                                                                                                                2:1-11

1^st Capernaum                                                                                                             2:12

1^st Cleansing of the Temple                                                                                        2:13-22

Received at Jerusalem                                                                                                 2:23-25

Teaches Nicodemus                                                                                                    3:1-21

Ministry with John                                                                                                      3:23-36

Leaves for Galilee                               4:12                 1:14                 4:14                 4:1-4

Samaritan Woman                                                                                                       4:5-42

Return to Galilee                                                         1:15                 4:15                 4:43-45

Galilean Ministry

Healing Nobleman’s son                                                                                             4:46-54

Rejected at Nazareth                                                                          4:16-30

Move to Capernaum                           4:13-17

4 become Fishers of Men                    4:18-22            1:16-20            5:1-11

Demoniac healed on Sabbath                                     1:21-28            4:31-37

Peter’s Mother in law Healed             8:14-17            1:29-34            4:38-41

1^st preaching Tour Galilee                   4:23-25            1:35-39            4:42-44

Leaper healed                                      8:1-4                1:40-45            5:12-16

Paralytic Healed                                  9:1-8                2:1-12              5:17-26

Matthew called                                   9:9-13              2:13-17            5:27-32

Disciples Defended                            9:9-13              2:13-17            5:27-32

2^nd Passover                                                                                                                 5:1-47

Pluck grain on Sabbath                       12:1-8              2:23-28            6:1-5

Withered Hand Sabbath                     12:9-14            3:1-6                6:6-11

Many Healed                                      12:15-21          3:7-12              6:17-19

12 Apostles called                                                       3:13-19            6:12-16

Sermon on the mount                          5:1-7:29                                   6:20-49

Centurion Servant Healed                  8;5-13                                      7:1-10

Raises son from dead                                                                          7:11-17

John’s doubts                                      11:2-19                                    7:18-35

Woes upon privileged                         11:20-30

Sinful Woman anoints                                                                                    7:36-50

Galilee                                                                                                 8:1-3

Accusation of Blasphemy                   12:22-37          3:20-30

Answer towards signs                         12:38-45

Family seeks Him                                12:46-50          3:31-35            8:19-21

Parables                                               13:1-52            4:1-34              8:4-18

Calms the Sea                                     8:23-27            4:35-41            8:22-25

Demoniac Healed                               8:28-34            5:1-20              8:26-39

Jarius’ daughter/bleeding woman       9:18-26            5:21-43            8:40-56

2 blind men receive sight                    9:27-31

Mute man healed                                9:32-34

Nazareth 2^nd rejection                         13:53-58          6:1-6

Twelve sent out                                   9:35-11:1         6:7-13              9:1-6

John Beheaded                                   14:1-12            6:14-29            9:7-9

Return of 12, 5000 fed                       14:13-21          6:30-44            9:10-17            6:1-14

Walking on Water                               14:22-33          6:45-52                                    6:15-21

Gennesaret healing                              14:34-36          6:53-56

Popularity Crash                                                                                                         6:22-7:1

Traditions                                            15:1-20            7:1-23

Phonecia Healing                                15:21-28          7:24-30

Afflicted healed                                  15:29-31          7:31-37

4000 fed                                              15:32-39          8:1-9

Pharisees attack                                   16:1-4              8:10-13

Careless disciples                                16:5-12            8:14-26

Peter’s Confession                              16:13-20          8:27-30            9:18-21

Jesus foretells death                            16:21-26          8:31-38            9:22-25

Kingdom promised                             16:27-28          9:1                   9:26-27

Transfiguration                                    17:1-13            9:2-13              9:28-36

Epileptic son                                       17:14-21          9:14-29            9:37-42

Death and Resurrection foretold        17:22-23          9:30-32            9:43-45

Taxes Paid                                           17:24-27

Disciples greatness                              18:1-35            9:33-50            9:46-50

Jesus rejects advice                                                                                                     7:2-9

Galilee depart Samaritan rejection      19:1                                         9:51-56            7:10

Cost of Discipleship                            8:18-22                                    9:57-62

Last Judean and Perean Ministry

Feast of Tabernacles                                                                                                   7:11-52

Forgive Adultress                                                                                                       7:53-8:11

Light of the World                                                                                                      8:12-20

Pharisees anger                                                                                                            8:12-59

Seventy sent out                                                                                 10:1-24

Good Samaritan & lawyer                                                                  10:25-37

Mary and Martha                                                                                10:38-42

Lesson on prayer                                                                                 11:1-13

Accused of connection to satan                                                          11:14-36

Judgment against lawyers/Pharisees                                                   11:37-54

Hypocrisy/covetousness/worry                                                           12:1-59

Repent or perish                                                                                  13:1-5

Fig Tree                                                                                               13:6-9

Woman healed on Sabbath                                                                 13:10-17

Mustard seed/Leven                                                                           13:18-21

Born blind man healed on Sabbath                                                     9:1-41

Good Shepherd                                                                                   10:1-21

Feast of Dedication                                                                            10:22-39

Withdrawal beyond Jordan                                                                10:40-42

Return to Jerusalem                                                                            13:22-35

Meal with Pharisee leader                                                                   14:1-24

Demands of Discipleship                                                                    14:25-35

Parables, lost sheep/coin                                                                     15:1-32

Parables unrighteous steward/Rich man and Lazarus                                                 11:1-44

Withdrawal of Jesus                                                                                                   11:45-54

Samaria and Galilee                                                                            17:11

Heals ten lepers                                                                                   17:12-19

Coming Kingdom                                                                               17:20-37

Parables widow/Pharisee and publican                                               18:1-14

Divorce teaching                                 19:1-12            10:1-12

Blesses children                                  19:13-15          10:13-16          18:15-17

Rich Young Ruler                               19:16-30          10:17-31          18:18-30

Laborers of the day                             20:1-16

Foretells death and resurrection          20:17-19          10:32-34          18:31-34

James and John                                   20:20-28          10:35-45

Blind Bartimaeus                                20:29-34          10:46-52          18:35-43

Zacchaeus                                                                                           19:1-10

Parable Minas                                                                                      19:11-27

Return to Lazarus home                                                                                              11:55-12:1

Plot to kill Lazarus                                                                                                      12:9-11

Jesus Final Week Before the Cross

Triumphal Entry                                  21:1-9              11:1-11            19:28-44          12:12-19

Fig Tree & Temple Cleansed              21:10-19          11:12-18          19:45-48

Attraction of Sacrifice                                                                                                            12:20-50

Withered Fig Tree                               21:20-22          11:19-26

Sanhedrin Challenge  

(parables: two sons, vinedressers,

marriage feast)                                    21:23-22:14     11:27-12:12     20:1-19

Tribute to Caesar                                 22:15-22          12:13-17          20:20-26

Sadducees and death                          22:23-33          12:18-27          20:27-40

Pharisees challenge                             22:34-40          12:28-34

Jesus and David                                  22:41-46          12:35-37          20:41-44

Last Sermon                                        23:1-39            12:38-40          20:45-47

Widow’s Mite                                                             12:41-44          21:1-4

Future Foretold                                   24:1-51            13:1-37            21:5-36

Parables: 10 virgins, be ready             25:1-46           

Crucifixion foretold                            26:1-5              14:1-2              21:37-22:2

Anointing by Mary                             26:6-13            14:3-9                                      12:2-8

Betrayal arranged                                26:14-16          14:10-11          22:3-6

Passover Preparation                           26:17-19          14:12-16          22:7-13

Passover Meal                                     26:20               14:17               22:14-16

Feet Washed                                                                                                               13:1-20

Judas Turns                                         26:21-25          14:18-21          22:21-23          13:21-30

Jesus Warnings/ Disc. Loyalty            26:31-35          14:27-31          22:31-38          13:31-38

Lord’s Supper                                     26:26-29          14:22-25          22:17-20

Jesus Prayer                                                                                                                 14:1-17:26

Gethsemane                                        26:30,36-46     14:26,32-42     22:39-46          18:1

Arrest                                                  26:47-56          14:43-52          22:47-53          18:2-12

Trial with Annas                                                                                                         18:13-23

Trial with Caiphas and Council          26:57-68          14:53-65          22:54,63-65     18:24

Peter’s Denial                                      26:58-75          14:54-72          22:54-62          18:15-27

Council Condemnation                       27:1                 15:1                 22:66-71

Judas Suicide                                      27:3-10

Trial 1 with Pilate                                27:2,11-14       15:1-5              23:1-7              18:28-38

Trial with Herod                                                                                 23:6:12

Trial 2 with Pilate                                27:15-26          15:6-15            23:13-25          18:39-19:16

Mocking by Soldiers                           27:27-30          15:16-19

To Golgotha                                        27:31-34          15:20-23          23:26-33          19:16-17

6 events first 3 hours                           27:35-44          15:24-32          23:33-43          19:18-27

Events of Death                                  27:51-56          15:38-41          23:45-49         

Jesus Burial                                         27:57-60          15:42-46          23:50-54          19:31-42

Tomb Sealed                                       27:61-66          15:47               23:55-56

The Resurrection

Women Visit Tomb                             28:1-8              16:1-8              24:1-11

Peter and John at Tomb                                                                      24:12               20:1-10

Jesus Appears to Mary                                                16:9-11                                    20:11-18

Jesus Appears to Women                    28:9-10

Guards’ Report                                   28:11-15

Road to Emmaus                                                        16:12-13          24:13-35

Appearance without Thomas                                                              24:36-43          20:19-25

Appearance with Thomas                                                                                           20:26-31

Breakfast on Shore                                                                                                     21:1-25

Great Commission                              28:16-20          16:14-18          24:44-49         

Ascension                                                                    16:19-20          24:50-53

A Future Hope for Ekron 2016; Love God, Love Others, carry the Gospel to the Ends of the World.

Wednesday night, (Nov 18^th), I was moved to hear of the history of Ekron Baptist Church.  From our beginnings in 1904 to today, this church has endured as a light to the world.

The half-acre of land donated by Z. T. Cox for the first church building was not some unwanted or forgotten tract of land; it was a key position in the town.  Around the time of our church being founded, Ekron was bustling as the major shipping point for all of Meade County.  The rail system came through daily with passenger and freight trains.  Ekron had five stores in town, and would soon boast of having two car dealerships.  Two banks and a hotel were even part of the community.  Ekron was a center of life for many people, and those who sacrificed to plant our church desired to see God at the center of these lives.

It has been a joy to learn about this church, and this town.  Only a few days ago, Bobby Chism and I drove around and discussed the rich history of the people and doings that have led us to where we are now.

Did you know, Ekron once had a high school?  That school was the first in the county to win a football division championship.  Did you know that till the 1940’s the only way to place a long distance phone call was to visit the office of the distillery?  Another historical fact is that at one time Ekron was an apple orchard haven of beauty.  Buyers would come from Cincinnati to purchase crops by the barrel full. 

One interesting story is that of Mrs. Frymeir; whose Sunday School class photo hangs in the library. She could often be seen walking the tracks from her home across from what is now the Ekron grocery to church.  She took the gospel message seriously.  Because of her efforts many young men in her class went into ministry and many others gave their lives to dedicated living for Christ?  Ekron has a rich history of people living dedicated lives to God’s glory.

Did you know that until 1949 almost every year saw a new pastor emerge at Ekron, as many may have been seminary students?  But over the last fifty years, this church has seen stability for the purpose of what God is doing today.  Much of this can be seen through the 41 year ministry of Bro. Charles Blanc.

All these steps along the way have us poised for a great future.

Over the past two years I have been seeking to answer the question, “What is God’s vision for Ekron Baptist Church?”  Notice, it is not my vision, but that of God.  I have spent hours praying, walking around the track praying, walking across the property praying, and visiting rooms in the building and praying; all in an effort to understand where we have been, what are our strengths and weaknesses, and how God is at work.

What I wish to shares if not a final answer or plan.  It is merely a step to take together in faith, that our church would joyfully thrive in a day and age that unfortunately sees many other churches closing their doors.

I found a moving scripture in Ezekiel 37.  In this passage God is giving a vision for the Jews who are dispersed, run out from their homeland.  Though this text is specifically for Old Testament Jews for a specific reason, the same God works the same principals today.

It is the story of the valley of dry bones.  The bones, scattered and dry throughout the land are bleached by the sun.  They are dead.  But God asks Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?”  Ezekiel responds, “You know Lord.”  That is to say, “God it is impossible with me but if you want them to live, then they will live indeed.”  Ezekiel knew that such circumstances were God’s greatest opportunity to display His greatness.

In the vision, God brought the bones together as Ezekiel prophesized.  He added muscle, tendons, and skin.  Yet, they were lifeless.  He told Ezekiel to prophesy to the breath.  He did, and breath came into these bodies and they lived.  Often, breath is a sign or symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Prophesy here in not the foretelling of what will come, it is the preaching of the good news.  This relates to many lives today, though physically alive, they may be are spiritually dead.  Until the Holy Spirit moves a person to conviction, they are lifeless and without God.   We must be like zekiel, we must go about sharing the good news of Christ to people in need of spiritual life.

So why the valley of dry bones?  It was that all who heard would know that He is God.  The church exists for the spreading worldwide of the knowledge of the glory of God.  God blesses the spreading of His gospel.

I believe that when Ekron shares the good news, the gospel itself, that the Holy Spirit will move and bring folks to salvation.  Ekron must be about this business.  God will bless it beyond our imagination.

4 Key Points for Our Future

I believe that Ekron Baptist needs to focus on four key points for the life of the church

·         Prayer

·         Worship

·         Discipleship

·         Outreach

The first, Prayer is to be an urgent task for every member.  Prayer is our greatest weapon in spiritual warfare.  Prayer is a necessity.  Prayer is a command of Christ for the church to have power. (Acts 1)  I love the axiom, The army of the Lord advances on its knees.

Second, we need to consider our lives as worshippers of God. Worship isn’t about style of music. Worship is about our relationship to God.  Let us seek to worship God in every mode of life, with gospel intentions.

Worship is our joy.  As we pray we begin to know God.  This action develops our intimacy with God and results directly in a joy over who God is, what He has done, how He has forgiven us, and therefore finds expression in worship.  God has created all mankind to worship Him.  Sin is the failure to worship God.  Therefore, as Christians, we are to be committed to making God the worship center of our lives.

Out of worship flows a desire to know God greater and have our lives abide in Him.  This is discipleship, our third key point. The world is hurting and hungry.  False prophets and counterfeit religions exist almost everywhere. By being a church with strong discipleship, we afford people an opportunity to personally know the God of the Bible.

Out of prayer, worship, and discipleship we find outreach following suit as the fourth point.  Outreach, the sharing of our faith, is our love for God becoming a love for others that desires souls to be brought to Jesus.  A church that operates without working toward the saving of souls is merely a country club. In all we do, we act unto the Lord with Gospel intentions toward others.

Needs for the Age

Based upon this belief about what a church should be I see three needs right now that need attention at Ekron Baptist.

Increased Prayer Ministry

            As I shared above, It has been said that the army of God advances on its knees.  A church that fails to pray is a church that fails to breathe.  I pray for every member to be actively engaged in prayer at some level.  I long to see a rotation of saints who will pray in a prayer room during the worship service. The purpose would be that the Spirit of God would move in our hearts.  I pray that we become a church with a reputation for our prayer, all for the glory of God.

Men’s Ministries to Reach Families.

            It used to be that churches were taught that to grow they needed to reach children.  Unfortunately, this is limited in effectiveness.  I believe, and we can see this happen, that to grow the church we need to be concerned with the entire family.  If we begin with the dad, the spiritual leader of the home, we will win generations to Christ. 

            There is a crisis in America today when it comes to fatherhood.  God ordained families when He created Adam and Eve.  He directed fathers to teach the children in Deuteronomy 6.  I believe we can be a church that equips and encourages men to be godly men.  Many churches fail here.  Let us seek God to be glorified in the reaching of men.

Last in this list but by no means a final ministry, we need to develop leadership for other ministries. Ekron is full of people with God given talents and abilities.  I believe every member is to be a servant on mission using the gifts that God has equipped them with.  We, as a church, can develop idea, passions, and skills through discipleship and encouragement to fulfill this calling. God has a purpose for each person to Glorify Him in all that they do.  We must work together to support one another to help say yes to the possibilities.  As a body of believers, let us help each other rise to the potential we have in God.  We need to be concerned with, how can I help this person engage in the spread of the gospel through their assets?

It is easy to dream dreams.  And we should.  C. S. Lewis said, you are never too old to start a new dream.

But let me share a few cautions in order to avoid the failures many churches have made.

• ·         Never compromise the gospel message.  The gospel is a non-negotiable.  We find our connection with God, or direct revelation, and our doctrines from the Bible.  The gospel is to never be watered down for political correctness or to appease the masses.  As we are accountable to God above all else, to deny the gospel is to deny Christ.
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• ·         Be relevant while remaining biblical.  It used to be taught that to grow a church you needed rock music, to meet the desires of the masses, and have a pastor who was more of a motivational speaker.  Such efforts lead to deep narcissistic and entertainment driven assemblies.  When a church lacks the power of God it relies upon trends and theatrics.  True relevancy means we must demonstrate to a lost and dying world the power of God at work in our own lives to transform, support, and bring unquenchable joy.  We must demonstrate how God is the answer to the heartbrokenness of all mankind.  True Christianity is the most relevant of all offerings a people could ever receive.  Thus, we must always seek to be the church.
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• ·         Grow children with a goal of loving God and being fully equipped by the time they graduate high school to teach Sunday school, defend their faith, and evangelize.  Most kids have checked out of church spiritually long before graduating high school.  Statistics show that once a person enters college, they most likely never return to church.  Many who do stay in church are confused as to whether the Bible is true, or is even the only way to Heaven.  Many have no working knowledge of the Scriptures.  Most adults, have never fully shared with anyone on how they can be saved.

We must address this issue.  It will be my joy to see Ekron Baptist equipped with a God glorifying goal.  By the time our students graduate High School, if they have been with us for a few years, we should see them equipped to Share their faith, defend their faith, and well versed enough to teach a Sunday school class.  We must work on evangelism, we must equip them with the way science and the Bible fit together rather than work against each other, and we must give them a depth of understanding scripture with application.  Overshadowing all of this, let us teach them not merely a list of dos don’ts and regulations; let us teach them to love God.  When a man or woman truly loves God, all else falls into place.

• ·         Produce holiness and integrity.  One area where churches falter is in the area of holiness.  Without holiness no one will see God.  We cannot compromise the gospel with worldly living.  God honors those who honor Him with their lives, and this is demonstrated in becoming more and more like Christ.  Simply put holiness is we earnestly work to have our lives set apart for God.  With the integrity of living by the Bible we act in love let our light shine for Christ.

Grow with our strengths

Thus, looking at the history of Ekron Baptist, I see several strengths that God is build the future upon.

• ·         Strong Love for all.  I cherish the fact that anyone can come here to worship God and not be turned away.  People can feel safe here and loved.
• ·         Strong Fellowship.  Even outside the walls of the church, I find that the members interact and display a strong friendship for one another.  The church is truly a family.
• ·         Unity that perseveres Our church sticks together in difficulties rather than falling apart.  This builds the bonds of unity for Kingdom advancement, demonstrating the perseverance of the Saints.
• ·         Willingness to serve.  Never have I found a church with so many people who pitch in, serve, and then serve some more with great joy. 
• ·         Solid teaching.  Praise God we have such people committed to the gospel.  They teach truth and teach it well at every level
• ·         Long term stability.  God has used the years of Bro. Blanc to develop a great reputation in the community for Ekron Baptist.  The church is well grounded in being a church.  God will use this for reaching the future generations.

Thus, I have tried to find a slogan that would encompass a missional thought of these observations for our future.  I believe we can say our goal is to;

Love God, Love Others, carry the Gospel to the Ends of the World.