The Man Upstairs – Unveiling the KING of Kings & LORD of Lords (Series Part 4)
On the day of Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion, He fulfilled 29 prophecies in one day! Some of the prophecies are:
- He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, The chastisement for our peace was upon Him. And by His stripes we are healed” Isaiah 53:5 NKJV
- They pierced my hands and ..feet” Psalm 22:16 NKJV
- They divide my garments. And cast lots” Psalm 22:18 NKJV
- in that day… That I will make the Sun go down at noon, and darken the earth in daylight” Amos 8:9 NKJV
Jesus was not the victim of circumstances, but he was their arranger! He had the foreknowledge of every event, including Judas’ betrayal, the high priest’s hypocrisy, and Peter’s denial, simply for what the prophets wrote could be fulfilled. God has given Jesus Power over all things, including the five dreadful Ds.’
- Death – John 11:43, 44
“when he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “take off the grave clothes and let him go.” Jesus has conquered death; where is the sting oh death!
- Demons – Mark 1: 23-27
“Just then, a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God! Be quiet! Said Jesus sternly, ‘Come out of him” The evil Spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek; the people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? New teaching – and with authority. He even gives orders to evil spirits, and they obey him.” What are you afraid of; Witches, Wizards, Principalities, or wicked powers? All of them are powerless with Jesus Christ. Be connected today in Jesus Christ; victory is yours forever.
- Disasters – Mark 4: 37-39
“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said, Teacher, don’t you care if we drown? He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Quite! Be still![‘Then the wind died down, and it was completely calm.” What kind of wind or storm is blowing your way? Jesus Christ only can do it. Anchor on Him who only can save you.
- Disease – Mark 1: 40-42
“A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees; if you are willing, you can make me clean. Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said, “Be clean!” immediately, leprosy left him, and he was cured.” Jesus Christ is always willing to cure you of any disease. Call on Him today to receive your miracle. No sickness, no disease, no infirmity can defer Him. He is on top and will cur you. Even doctors agree that theirs is to care; only Christ can cure. Your cure and miracle are sure when you invite Him into your life.
- Dominions‘ – Ephesians 1:21
“Far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Jesus Christ has dominion over all. All knees bow in His sight; all tongues confess at His Name. He has been empowered, and there is no other authority above His, for God the Father has given Him all authority in heavens and earth.
Jesus’ Major Teachings:
- Sermon On The Mount –(Matthew 5-7, Luke 6: 17-49). His sermon started with the Beatitudes and ended with the lesson of the builders. This sermon contained three types of materials:
- Beatitudes (declarations of blessedness)
- Ethical admonitions
- Contrasts between His ethical teaching and Jewish legalistic traditions.
The Sermon on the Mount stressed the importance of practicing what has been taught. There is no doubt; that Jesus gave the sermon as a standard for all Christians, realizing that its demands cannot be met in our power but with Him in control of our lives. “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4: 13.
- Nicodemus – John 3
Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish ruling council. Nicodemus believed Jesus came from God; and wanted to know more about Him and God, the Father. Jesus taught Nicodemus about being born again. In John 3:3, He declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” Jesus stressed the importance of having a new birth. After the new birth, the soul of man will have the opportunity of having the life of God. This new birth (being born again) doctrine is significant teaching of the Scripture. It is not an optional extra. It is an absolute (essential) part of a religion commanded by Christ. An unregenerate man is described as one born spiritually still. Anyone not born again is spiritually dead. He cannot commune with God. Regeneration is a topic of its own and is treated in detail in another chapter.
Jesus also revealed the love of God the Father in John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” He made it clear that God did not send His son to condemn the World but to save the World through him.
- The Samaritan Woman – John 4
Jesus loved the sinners to repent their sins and be saved. The Jews held in contempt the Samaritans. Samaritans are a despised group because they are half Jews. The Jews believed they were the only righteous group in the World. The intermarriage between foreigners and the remaining Jews resulted in a mixed race, impure opinion of Jews who lived in the Southern Kingdom. The pure Jews hated this mixed race called Samaritans and will never have anything to do with them.
The Jews also held that a woman might be divorced twice or at the most three times; one is not sure if the Samaritans had the same standard. This particular woman was:
- a member of the hated mixed race,
- known to be living in sin,
- was in a public place (the Well),
- with five husbands, the life of the Samaritan woman at the Well had been exceedingly immoral and decadent.
Therefore no respectable Jewish man would talk to such a woman under that circumstances, but Jesus did. Jesus proved the Gospel is for everyone, regardless of race, social position, or past sins. So also, as Jesus’ disciples, we must be prepared to cross barriers and share the Gospel at any time and place.
Jesus’s true mission on earth was to save sinners; He is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus told the Samaritan woman about Spiritual harvest. He promised the woman a Spiritual drink (fresh and pure water that would quench her Spiritual thirst forever). We have the same spiritual drink when we follow Jesus Christ. The Samaritan woman became a valuable tool for evangelism. Jesus cared for her soul to be saved and spoke to her at the Well. This woman was ultimately used to reach out to other lost souls and converted many of the Samaritans.
John 4: 39 says, “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” Jesus revealed that God the Father seeks worshippers that will worship Him in truth and Spirit. The place of worship is irrelevant because true worship must keep with God’s nature, Spirit. John 4: 24.
- Bread Of Life – John 6: 22-59
John 6: 27 says, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life which the ‘Son of Man will give you. On Him God, the Father has placed His Seal of approval.”
The ‘Son of Man is the ‘Man Upstairs’ and is the ‘Son of God. God the Father has placed on Him his Seal of approval. He is the way, the Truth, and the Life. Nothing can be done without Him. In Him, all things are made perfect. He is the ‘Bread of Life. Eternal life is not something that can be achieved by works but only can be reached by Faith in the Son of God.The ‘man Upstairs’ is also known as ‘I am. He is the bread that gives life. He came from heaven, His divine origin, to do the will of God the Father who sent Him.
- At The Feast Of Tabernacles – John 7- 8
The World hates the ‘Son of Man because He testifies that what the World does is evil. Jesus went to the feast of Tabernacles to teach and taught them with the words of the Father that sent Him. He never spoke on His own, only the words of the Father. He declared, as written in John 7: 37-38 with a loud voice on the last and greatest day of the feast, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
Jesus Christ gave life and gave it freely. As it was in the beginning, it is also now. He is the only source of life, and He gives to those who believe in Him. As written in John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.” Jesus Christ is the ‘Man Upstairs,’ and He is the light of the World. And as Jesus, His followers reflect the light that comes from Him; they are the light of the World. We, as Christ’s disciples, are also the light of the World. Are you ready to know and reflect light in this dark World? I have come to know the light as I climb the stairs leading the way to Him. “God is Light” – 1 John 1: 5 and Jesus Christ is the light from God that lights the way for life.
- The Woes Of Pharisees –John 11: 42-52, Matthew 23, Luke 11: 37-54
Jesus spoke on the six woes admonishing the Pharisees” Like the Israelites Pharisees; we have many Pharisees in our midst today. Jesus is still talking to us, be still and hear His voice. In John 11:
(i). V42 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue, and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”
Some Christians, like the Pharisees, believe that they are saved once they pay Tithes and give many offerings to the Church. God can not be bribed and looks into people’s hearts and intentions. Your attitude must be suitable for your giving, and your giving must be as purposed in your heart. You are not coerced or forced but giving with love and appreciation of what the LORD has done for you with humility.
(ii). V43 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the Synagogues and greetings in the market places.” In the house of God, all are equal. Christians must be careful not to carry their VIP status into the house of God. There is no room for elitism, ethnicity, and tribalism in the Church.
God hates the proud, and we are the same in the sight of the LORD. The Church is not the place to display our latest fashion, which is why Apostle Paul said women should dress modestly. No one is more important than Jesus Christ, so humble yourself in the Church of Christ. Our call is to Servanthood, and we must serve with humility and love.
(iii). V44 “Woe to you because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing.”
It is of utmost importance for you to be known as a believer. You cannot be lukewarm; that is neither hot nor cold. You must forever be boiling for eternal values that endue. People must identify you as a Christian. A true believer radiates the love of God and is a light to the World. A true believer shares testimony and proclaims the good news of the Gospel.
(iv). V46 “Woe to you because you load people down with a burden they can hardly carry, and you will not lift one finger to help them.” Self-centredness is the norm in the World, but Servanthood is what we are called to in Christ Jesus. Servanthood is humility, and Servanthood is serving others. You have to serve God and others to become a child of God.
(v). V47 “Woe to you because you build tombs for the prophets, and your forefathers killed them.” You kill the prophets by not believing the prophetic words in the Scripture. Your lack of understanding and belief leads to a lack of Faith and crucifixion of the LORD.
(vi). V52 “Woe to you experts in the law because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”