Kingdom plans made known – “A man with a mission”

March 22, 2026

Preacher: Andrew Love

Series: The Kingdom of God

Passage: Matthew 20:17-19, Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12

Service Type: Sunday Morning

Introduction

What is your personality and temperament?
- What to you think about the Lord Jesus?
  - Was He drive?
  - Did He let the world go by?
  - He was never in a hurry, out of control, lost self-restraint
  - A man with a mission of God
Reading Matt 20:17-19
- Parallel passages in Mark and Luke
  - The disciples are amazed Jesus is returning to Jerusalem
- Jesus prophesied all that would happen to Him – including His death and resurrection
  - v20 – the disciples appeared not to have heard
    - They are concerned about themselves!
    - Do people who are brought up in the church – really understand?
  - The disciples did come to realise in time
God had Kingdom plans – the centre of all history
- All human history points to this event
- Our calendar points to this event
- Eternity points to this event
Overview:
- Focus of Jesus’ life
- Fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy
- Finishing of the Father’s work

Each religion has a focus
- There is usually a focus on a particular ethical teaching/deity
- Often a focus on trying to be good
What about Christianity?
- There is morality – Example of the Ten Commandments
- However it clear we have fallen short
- The focus is on what God has done for us through His Son
- What Jesus has done for us on the cross
- It is not about ‘do, do, do’ but ‘done, done, done’
- We must repent and turn to God
The focus of Jesus’ life was to fulfil the plan of God
- On 3 occasions Jesus prophesies about His death
  - After Peter realised who Jesus was – Matt 6:21
  - Matt 17:22 – adds He will betrayed
  - Matt 20:19 – further details
- Yet the disciples are unable to take it in/not listening
  - Do we really listen to God?
  - Often we need repetition as we forget so soon
- Jesus knew there was an hour that was coming – John
  - What amazing love
  - Humans are very flawed – examples
  - Only Jesus can save
The focus of Christianity is the cross

Jesus was aware He was fulfilling prophecy – Luke 18:31
- He preached from the Old Testament about Himself to the two on the road to Emmaus – Luke 24:27
Some examples of prophecies about Jesus Christ
- Zech 11:12-13
- Zech 13:7
- Psalm 41:9
- Zech 12:10
- Psalm 22:16,18, 7-8, 1
- Psalm 69:21
- Psalm 34:20
- Isa 53:3-7, 9, 12 (700 years before Jesus was born)
So many details by different authors
- Different types and shadows
It is illogical to state the New Testament/Old Testament is made up
- The Bible is a divine book – approach it with an open mind
- Have you considered the evidence?
- Have you considered his is a fulfilment of Old Testament scripture?

John 17:1, 2, 6, 9, 11, 24
- Finishing the work for the people given to Jesus
The words Jesus spoke on the cross
- Forgiveness – "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" – Luke 23:34
  - Jesus sacrifice brings their forgiveness
  - If your sins is all forgiven – you are guaranteed a place in heaven
  - Forgiven forever
  - Do you know the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ?
- Forsaken – "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" – Matt 27:46, Mark 15:34
  - Jesus felt abandoned on the cross because the Father could not look upon the sin His Son was bearing
  - We will never be forsaken – if Jesus has taken our place
- Finished – "It is finished" – John 19:30
  - The work of salvation accomplished
  - Jesus had done the work – in amazing love
Jesus rose on the third day – Psalm 16:10
- He is at the right hand of the Father
- He will come again – are you ready?
- The Judgement