1000 Days – The Ministry Of Christ
By
Dave Winstead
| 6/18/2026 – Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives |
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| 1000 Days – The Ministry Of Christ: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives Why Not Choose The Movers And Shakers? There’s no question that Jesus could have chosen the religious leaders of the day. He could have called Pharisees and Sadducees or some of the priests who were in charge of the temple. Or He could have called the politically powerful people or any of another famous icons. Instead, Jesus chose some uneducated laborers who would not be seen by their community as world-changers in any sense. God chooses simple people to put down the arrogance of the powerful who deny Him. 1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty Focusing On The Followers The names of the twelve disciples of Jesus are Peter, James (the son of Zebedee), John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (the son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. The 12 disciples/apostles of Jesus were the foundation stones of His church, several even wrote portions of the Bible. In Revelation 21:14 we are told that the twelve foundations of the wall of the New Jerusalem will have in them the names of the twelve disciples/apostles. It is evident, therefore, that God attaches great importance to these 12 men. Peter was a rough-around-the edges kind of guy, constantly sticking his foot in his mouth. Andrew, Peter’s brother, was a people pleaser, a behind-the-scenes guy who brought many people to Christ. James the son of Zebedee, battled with pride. He later demanded to sit on Jesus’s right hand when the kingdom would be established. John, James’s brother, was know for his youthful immaturity. He and James were called “The Sons Of Thunder”. Philip was a guy who lived by the book. Bartholomew was a brilliant man, an intellectual, a theological thinker. Thomas, one of the better-know disciples, was a doubter. He battled with trust issues including trusting Jesus himself. Matthew was a tax collector, a financial genius. James, son of Alphaeus, was a person who lived in obscurity with no desire for fame or fortune. Thaddeus was unimpressive in stature and youthfulness. Simon the Zealot was downright scary, extremely passionate, unbridled, and maybe a little crazy. And then there was Judas Iscariot. His story is one of the best known but for the wrong reasons. He was the one who focused on the love of money and became the betrayer for 30 pieces of silver. What made these people give up their living and follow Jesus? Jesus told them that they would be persecuted. Some would die because of following Him. Yet they gave up all and followed Him with absolute faith, pure trust, complete courage, and the eyes fixed on Jesus. The Original Twelve: This refers to the core group of disciples specifically chosen by Jesus to be His closest followers, witnesses to His resurrection, and the foundational leaders of the early church. The Gospel of Luke mentions Jesus commissioning a wider, separate group of 70 followers to spread his message. There may have been hundreds of disciples who followed Jesus for brief periods. How did Jesus decide who to call? According to the New Testament Gospels, Jesus decided who to choose as his disciples through all-night prayer, divine instruction. Rather than selecting the most educated, elite, or religiously qualified individuals, Jesus intentionally handpicked a group of ordinary people to fulfill a specific divine mission. 1. All-Night Prayer and Divine Guidance The primary way Jesus made his decision was through prayer. As recorded in Luke 6:12-13, before finalizing the selection of the twelve apostles, Jesus went up to a mountain and spent the entire night praying to God. When morning came, he called his followers together and announced the twelve he had chosen based on the Father’s guidance. 2. Upending Cultural Traditions In the first-century Roman and Jewish world, the standard practice was for an aspiring student to approach a prominent rabbi and ask permission to study under him. Jesus completely reversed this norm. He took the sole initiative, actively seeking out, handpicking, and calling the exact individuals he wanted, famously telling them in John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” 3. Choosing “Ordinary” vs. Elite Status Jesus explicitly bypassed the Jewish religious establishment, the wealthy, and the politically powerful. Instead, he chose men from regular, working-class professions who possessed traits he valued, such as patience, determination, and a willingness to learn: Fishermen: Peter, Andrew, James, and John were ordinary laborers. Their trade required intense patience, teamwork, and resilience against the elements—traits necessary for spreading a global message. A Tax Collector: Matthew (Levi) worked for the occupying Roman government. Choosing him showed that Jesus valued a heart willing to repent over social standing, as tax collectors were heavily despised as traitors by fellow Jews. A Zealot: Simon the Zealot belonged to a radical political faction that advocated for the violent overthrow of Rome. Putting a tax collector (who worked for Rome) and a zealot (who hated Rome) in the same close circle highlighted a message of radical reconciliation. 4. Relational and Strategic Purpose Jesus chose people he wanted to deeply invest in relationally. Mark 3:14 notes that he appointed them for two specific reasons: “that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.” He chose a small, diverse group of flawed people so that their eventual transformation and the success of the early Church would be seen as a result of divine power rather than human capability. 1000 Days – The Ministry Of Christ: The Offer: Supreme Happiness 1000 Days – The Ministry Of Christ: Smooth Sailing Versus Calmed Storm 1000 Days – The Way Of Radical Love 1000 Days – The Jails Of Hypocrisy Interesting Facts About Jesus Who Were the 12 Apostles? The Complete Guide GotQuestions.org |
| 6/25/2026 – Supreme Happiness |
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| 1000 Days – The Ministry Of Christ: The Offer: Supreme Happiness The Sermon on the Mount is the sermon that Jesus gave in Matthew chapters 5-7. Matthew 5:1-2 is the reason it is known as the Sermon on the Mount: “Now when He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them…” The Sermon on the Mount is the most famous sermon Jesus ever gave, perhaps the most famous sermon ever given by anyone. The Sermon on the Mount covers several different topics. It is not the purpose of this article to comment on every section, but rather to give a brief summary of what it contains. If we were to summarize the Sermon on the Mount in a single sentence, it would be something like this: How to live a life that is dedicated to and pleasing to God, free from hypocrisy, full of love and grace, full of wisdom and discernment. We’re not sure if Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount as one big speech or if Matthew collected Jesus’ key teachings over time and organized them into a sermon-style scene (recorded in Matthew 5-7). Either way, this sermon contains some of the most rigorous ethical demands in the Bible The Beatitudes are the eight declarations of blessedness spoken by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12), each beginning with “Blessed are…” It is debated as to exactly how many beatitudes there are. Some speak of seven, nine, or ten beatitudes, but the number appears to be eight (verses 10-12 of Matthew 5 being one beatitude). The Greek word translated “blessed” means “happy, blissful” or, literally, “to be enlarged.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the word to refer to more than a superficial happiness; in this context, blessed refers to a state of spiritual well-being and prosperity. The happiness is a deep joy of the soul. Those who experience the first aspect of a beatitude (poor, mourn, meek, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure, peacemakers, and persecuted) will also experience the second aspect of the beatitude (kingdom of heaven, comfort, inherit the earth, filled, mercy, see God, called sons of God, inherit the kingdom of heaven). The blessed have a share in salvation and have entered the kingdom of God, experiencing a foretaste of heaven. Another possible rendering of the beginning of each beatitude is “O the bliss [or blessedness] of . . . .” The Beatitudes describe the ideal disciple and his rewards, both present and future. The person whom Jesus describes in this passage has a different quality of character and lifestyle than those still “outside the kingdom.” As a literary form, the beatitude is also found often in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms (1:1; 34:8; 65:4; 128:1) and in the New Testament as well (John 20:29; Romans 14:22; James 1:12; Revelation 14:13). Matthew 5:3-12 – The Beatitudes Matthew 5:13-16 – Salt and Light Matthew 5:17-20 – Jesus fulfilled the Law Matthew 5:21-26 – Anger and Murder Matthew 5:27-30 – Lust and Adultery Matthew 5:31-32 – Divorce and Remarriage Matthew 5:33-37 – Oaths Matthew 5:38-42 – Eye for an Eye Matthew 5:43-48 – Love your enemies Matthew 6:1-4 – Give to the Needy Matthew 6:5-15 – How to Pray Matthew 6:16-18 – How to Fast Matthew 6:19-24 – Treasures in Heaven Matthew 6:25-34 – Do not worry Matthew 7:1-6 – Do not judge hypocritically Matthew 7:7-12 – Ask, Seek, Knock Matthew 7:13-14 – The Narrow Gate Matthew 7:15-23 – False Prophets Matthew 7:24-27 – The Wise Builder 1000 Days – The Ministry Of Christ: Smooth Sailing Versus Calmed Storm 1000 Days – The Way Of Radical Love 1000 Days – The Jails Of Hypocrisy Interesting Facts About Jesus Who Were the 12 Apostles? The Complete Guide GotQuestions.org |
| 7/2/2026 – No lesson due to cookout |
| 7/9/2026 – Supreme Happiness |
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| 1000 Days – The Ministry Of Christ: Smooth Sailing Versus Calmed Storm What does it really mean to truly follow Jesus? His disciples did not know what they were in for. They were all killed except for John who was exiled to Patmos after being boiled in oil. The apostles lived for varying lengths of time after Jesus’s death (c. AD 30–33), with their lifespans stretching from about 10 to 70 years. James (Son of Zebedee): Lived for about 11 years after Jesus. He was the first of the original twelve to be martyred, executed by the sword. The only apostle whose death the Bible records is James (Acts 12:2). King Herod had James “put to death with the sword,” likely a reference to beheading. The circumstances of the deaths of the other apostles are related through church tradition, so we should not put too much weight on any of the other accounts. The most commonly accepted church tradition in regard to the death of an apostle is that the apostle Peter was crucified upside-down in Rome in fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy (John 21:18). The following are the most popular “traditions” concerning the deaths of the other apostles: Matthew suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, killed by a sword wound. John faced martyrdom when he was boiled in a huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution in Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison island of Patmos. He wrote his prophetic book of Revelation on Patmos. The apostle John was later freed and returned to what is now modern-day Turkey. He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully. James, the brother of Jesus (not officially an apostle), was the leader of the church in Jerusalem. He was thrown from the southeast pinnacle of the temple (over a hundred feet down) when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a club. This is thought to be the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the temptation. Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed in present-day Turkey and was martyred for his preaching in Armenia, being flayed to death by a whip. Andrew was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers, they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words: “I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it.” He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he died. Philip was flogged, crucified, and stoned to death. Thomas was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church there. Matthias, the apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded. Paul was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero in Rome in A.D. 67. There are traditions regarding the other apostles as well, but none with any reliable historical or traditional support. It is not so important how the apostles died. What is important is the fact that they were all willing to die for their faith. If Jesus had not been resurrected, the disciples would have known it. People will not die for something they know to be a lie. The fact that all of the apostles were willing to die horrible deaths, refusing to renounce their faith in Christ, is tremendous evidence that they had truly witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The question today is “what storm do you need to bring to him?“. We may be suffering all types of physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual trauma. It does not matter to Jesus. Jesus still calms storms today. That does not mean He makes all of your troubles go away but that he brings calm to your heart so you can deal with it and peace to your spirit so you can endure it. Whatever happens He will always be there with you. He said “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” God could put us in a bubble and keep us from ever experiencing any stress but He wants us to learn from our experiences and grow closer to Him. When you pray always pray for God’s peace and presence to be with you no matter what. According to biblical accounts, Jesus stayed on Earth for 40 days to provide undeniable proof of his resurrection. During this pivotal transition period, he physically appeared to hundreds of witnesses—eating, drinking, and teaching—to shift his followers’ grief into bold faith. 1000 Days – The Way Of Radical Love 1000 Days – The Jails Of Hypocrisy Interesting Facts About Jesus Who Were the 12 Apostles? The Complete Guide GotQuestions.org |
| 7/16/2026 – The Way Of Radical Love |
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| 1000 Days – The Way Of Radical Love Jesus was man. We see Jesus’ humanity as we find Him in prayer. You will never read of a place recorded in Scripture where God prays. Deity has no needs. Humans pray. Prayer is an expression of need. It is a declaration of adoration. God adores no one. There is no one higher to adore. He is self-contained, self-sufficient. All glory resides in Him. But mankind prays because of an expression of a need to worship, to ask for strength, to request assistance, guidance, or whatever. And that’s what Jesus is doing. In praying, He shows Himself man. Much of what Jesus taught during His 1000 days concerned love. What does it mean to truly love? Radical love means “far-reaching, thoroughgoing, sweeping”. It may even be extreme in nature. Something that is radical is a departure from the norm and may even seek to change things. Christ’s death on the cross was a good example. Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (Begotten means the only one God will ever have) Love and Forgiveness were the focus of The Last Supper. Jesus had gathered with His disciples in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. They thought that was the only reason but Jesus had another. He was going to say goodbye but He wanted to make sure they knew what to do after He was gone. Summarized All 613 Commandments into 2 Love one another as I have loved you. Jesus said “No greater love is there than when a man lays down his life for another”. Jesus showed that love when He died on the cross. Forgive one another as I have forgiven you. Jesus lived by that when He was hanging on the cross and said “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Summarized all 1000 Prophecies into 2 John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 1 Thessolonians 4:1-4 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Told them to Remember Me Jesus said “No greater love is there than when a man lays down his life for another”. Jesus showed that love when He died on the cross. Love was so important that Jesus said it was the greatest of all commandments when asked. Mat 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. The takeaway from this lesson: Romans 5:8 God demonstrates His own love toward us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Interesting Facts About Jesus Who Were the 12 Apostles? The Complete Guide GotQuestions.org |
| 7/23/2026 – Jesus’ Final Supernatural Lesson |
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| 1000 Days – Seven Messages From The Cross Statement # 1: A Display Of Supernatural Forgiveness. Luk 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. These may be some of the last words Jesus spoke on the cross to God The Father but they are constantly spoken time and time again every day in Heaven as Christ intercedes on our behalf to God Almighty. Statement # 2: A Display Of Supernatural Compassion. Luk 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. Luk 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? Luk 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. Luk 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Even as the three hung dying on the cross, Jesus had compassion on the one who called on Him as Lord. We are also promised such loving kindness because the Bible says “All who call on the Lord shall be saved.” Statement # 3: A Display Of Supernatural Caring. The third dying statement of Jesus was partly spoken to His mother, indicating that she should now look to John as a son, and partly to spoken to John, indicating that he should adopt Mary as his own mother. Joh 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. Joh 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Joh 19:27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. Statement # 4: A Display Of Supernatural Commitment. Mat 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. Mat 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? This was a rhetorical question: that is, Jesus knew the answer. Separation in the Godhead had to take place because that is infinite spiritual death; that is the kind of death that substitutes for us and saves us. Jesus knew that this is what He had come into the world to do. Statement # 5: A Display Of Real Humanity. The next words that Jesus spoke revealed His humanity. Joh 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. This is God The Son, who created with His Father all the rivers, oceans, and groundwater, and who planned and set in motion the pattern of rainfall. It shows that He was 100 percent human; just at the same time He was 100 percent God. Statement # 6: A Display Of Supernatural Victory. Joh 19:29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. The word “finished” in the original language is “tetelstai”, which means a past completed action that has continual and enduring results. This is the same word that would have been used in that day by an artist or sculptor when he had completed an incredible piece of art. Statement # 7: A Display Of Supernatural Security. Luk 23:44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Luk 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. Luk 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Jesus used His last breath in His human body to place His spirit into the hands of His Father. By this Jesus displayed to all who gathered there and to us today, that supernatural security is found in the hands of Almighty God. That is the only place to be. When we come to that last moment of life, when we take that last breath and slip into eternity, we can trust God fully. Interesting Facts About Jesus Who Were the 12 Apostles? The Complete Guide GotQuestions.org |
| 7/30/2026 – Jesus Wins: The Loudest Sermon Ever |
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| 1000 Days – The Loudest Sermon Ever The loudest sermon ever delivered by anyone was given without a word: Jesus simply walked out of His own grave. That act said, “Jesus wins!”. There are many kinds of victory, and the victory we are talking about in this lesson is the kind that Jesus taught, the kind that puts doing right ahead of being first, that puts kindness and the other fruits of The Holy Spirit far ahead of ambition and achievement. Two Kinds Of Victory Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we can be winners. He gives us victory in at least two ways: We Win Peace And Purpose – We became winners when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. As we explore the Christian life we become more and more aware of the fact that Jesus is in everything we do and everywhere we go. We have peace in our hearts knowing that we are in the will of God. We have purpose knowing that we are sanctified by God to serve Him and spread His message. We Win Living As Jesus Lived – As we have learned more and more about Jesus and the ministry He led for 1,000 days we become more and more like Him. The better we understand Jesus the better we can serve Him and the more we serve Him the more like Him we become. What Really Happened? The disciples had watched the abuse being heaped on Jesus, and they had watched Him die. But they didn’t remember or understand His prediction, so after He died they hid, fearing for their lives too. Shortly after Jesus had spoken His last words, breathed His last breath, a man named Joseph of Arimathea, helped by Nicodemus, intervened to do what he could, to see that Jesus’ body got a decent burial. The Veil The veil at the entrance to the Temple’s Holy Of Holies was no ordinary curtain. God gave specific design instructions to Moses. Bible scholars say the veil was 50 feet wide and 30 feet high, made of fine linen with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. It was so heavy that it took 300 priests (150 to the right and 150 to the left) to pull it back for the high priest to enter through the middle. To raise and lower it, 150 oxen were used to pull it into place. It was comprised of 200 embroidered squares that, when put together, displayed beautiful gold cherubim. Luk 23:50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: Luk 23:51 He was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. Luk 23:52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Luk 23:53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. Luk 23:54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. Luk 23:55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. Luk 23:56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. On the third day the sun rose and with it the hope of all mankind – The resurrection. Luk 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. Luk 24:2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. Luk 24:3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. Luk 24:4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: Luk 24:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? Luk 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Luk 24:7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. Luk 24:8 And they remembered his words, Luk 24:9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. Luk 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. Luk 24:11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. Luk 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. What Didn’t Happen There is a notion that Jesus didn’t actually die; rather, He just fainted, and the cool air of the tomb revived Him, But friends and enemies alike were convinced that He died. The Romans didn’t bother to break His legs as the customarily did to hasten death because they were convinced He had died. Some thought the body of Jesus had been stolen. This was unlikely because the Roman soldiers guarded the tomb very closely to make sure that no one took the body to start an uprising. Why It Matters So Much When Jesus rose from the dead on that first Easter morning, everything changed. He had taken our sins to the cross and to the grave, and He did it to bring us victory. If Jesus had not risen from the dead, our faith would have no meaning. Why It Matters So Much To You If Jesus had not died on the cross there would be no forgiveness of sin. If there is no forgiveness of sin, we are all lost. The Bible says we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God and that the penalty of sin is death. Interesting Facts About Jesus Who Were the 12 Apostles? The Complete Guide GotQuestions.org |
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