Purpose/Vision: To restore salvation to a lost world. Background Information:’ In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth’ (Genesis 1: 1). The earth was His vision, His company. He invented everything in the earth and the placed a man and a woman in charge of the business. Their duties, at the time, included naming the animals and multiplying the population with their seed. Although God had a plan for the way he wanted His company run, the people He put in charge had their own agendas.
They rebelled against the owner and tried to take over the business. Due to the insubordinate nature of His employees, He terminated their positions and hired other workers. From then on, under the supervision of different men, the fate of the company went down hill. Money and agricultural profits were at a loss, and the values that the employees once had, decreased with each successor. After seeing His business gradually decline from it’s original standpoint, God took up a partnership with His Son, Jesus.
He sent Jesus into the world to restore the company back to it’s original purpose. Knowing the He needed a qualified staff under Him, Jesus employed twelve men to work with him. Chain of Command: Level 1-Owners: God, Jesus, (Holy Ghost-Silent Partner) Level 2-Supervisors: Peter, Paul, John Level 3-Employees: James, Andrew, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, Lebbaeus, Simon, Judas Employee Qualifications: 1. Must already be employed Matthew- tax collector (2: 14) Simon- fisherman (1: 16) Andrew- fisherman (1: 16) James- fisherman (1: 19) John- fisherman (1: 19) 2. Must be willing to leave everything and relocate ‘And immediately He called them and they left their father, Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and went after Him’ (1: 20).
Services: Healing Ministries: Sickness and Fevers:’s imon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up and immediately the fever left her’ (1: 31). Leprosy:’ As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed’ (1: 42). Withered Hands:’ He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ And he stretched it out and his hand was restored whole as the other’ (3: 5). Demon Possession:’ Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind’ (5: 15).
Issues of Blood:’ And He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction’ (5: 34). Death:’ Then He took the girl by the hand, and said to her… .’ Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ Immediately the girl arose and walked… .’ (5: 41-42). Blindness:’ Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up.
And he was restored and saw everyone clearly’ (8: 25). Deafness and Dumbness:’ He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: ‘Deaf and Dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more’ (9: 25). Food Ministries: Feeding 5, 000 people:’ He gave them [five loaves and two fish] to His disciples to set before the; So they all ate and were full’ (6: 41-42). Feeding 4, 000 people:’ [He] gave them to His disciples to set before the multitude. So they ate and were filled’ (8: 6, 8). Preaching, Parables, and Teaching Ministries: Preaching in Galilee:’ Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the ‘ (1: 15).’ And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons’ (1: 39).
Parables: Parable of the Sower (4: 1-9). Parable of the Growing Seed (4: 26-29). Parable of the Mustard Seed (4: 30-32). Parable of the Wicked Vine dressers (12: 1-12). Parable of the Fig Tree (13: 14-23).
Teaching: Teaching on the Law (12: 13-17). Teaching on the Commandments (12: 28-34). Teaching on the End Times (13: 3-13, 14-27). Motivational Speeches: A House Divided Cannot Stand (3: 20-27). Light Under a Basket (4: 21-25). Defilement Comes from Within (7: 1-23).
Is Your Heart Still Hardened (8: 17-21). Who is the Greatest (9: 33-37). Tasteless Salt is Worthless (9: 49-50). All Things are Possible (10: 23-31). Greatness is Serving (10: 35-45). Conditions on Services: Recipient must believe in the service.
Warranty: Immediate results. Life time guarantee. Advertising Techniques: 1. Word of Mouth: Jesus relied on others to spread the news of what miracles were happening around them. ‘Jesus… said to him [who had been demon possessed] ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion of you’ (5: 19).
2. Use of Parables: Jesus explained the kingdom of God in parables so that people would understand. ‘To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God’ (4: 11).