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ORIGINAL: colliefan

From an earthly standpoint he didn't have what the world would call success. No place to lay his head. Trusted treasurer betrayed him. Died the death of a common criminal. Followers, with the exception of the youngest, bolted when he needed them the most.

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ORIGINAL: Little_1

I terms of successful ministries as the world would view things today, do you believe Jesus had a successful EARTHLY ministry?

Please explain your reasons.

Appreciated.

quote:

ORIGINAL: colliefan

From an earthly standpoint he didn't have what the world would call success. No place to lay his head. Trusted treasurer betrayed him. Died the death of a common criminal. Followers, with the exception of the youngest, bolted when he needed them the most.

But now for the rest of the story as seen from the view that counts: heaven

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ORIGINAL: armydude

But 3 days later, He did something nobody else had ever done or ever could do. His resurrection proved it.

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ORIGINAL: URForgiven

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a Jewish peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village. He worked as a carpenter until He was 30, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held and office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled more then 200 miles from the place where He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself.

While a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. He friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth while He was dying – and that was His coat. When He was dead He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone, and today He is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of the column of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has the One solitary life. -Author Unknown

quote:

Little_1
Very true but I would go one step further and say all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has the One solitary life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.

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ORIGINAL: blue1914

......While He was popular with the people, His critics used His popularity as just one more indication of the fact that He was from satan instead of God.

Finally, from His own admission, He received so little from His ministry that He could not buy a home or a bed. No, in today's world He would be called a crackpot-maybe leading a "movement" of some form or another that of course we all know could be from no one but satan. I mean the nerve-running around healing folks all willy-nilly-that can't be anything but beelzebub at work!

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ORIGINAL: Katie-Scarlet

Yes Jesus had a successful ministry. How do I know? Simple

He accomplished EVERYTHING he was sent here to do. Ministry isn't about numbers its about doing what God says to do.

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ORIGINAL: URForgiven

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a Jewish peasant woman.
To: forgiven, why do you say Mary was a peasant?
and I voted yes He was very successful, because He completed the Work Father gave to Him. He did what God asked of Him, and that is what spells success more than anything else.

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ORIGINAL: rgod

He'd probably be profiled on the news channels: "He heals, he walks on the water, he feeds the poor, he has many followers, but is he really the religious messiah that some are waiting for - or is he a dangerous cannibalistic cult leader who encourages his followers to drink human blood? Our panel of experts weigh in - tonight on Larry King." \

You are so right, rgod, (what does your name mean)

Remember the text that says, "all you live godly in christ jesus will suffer persecution", and mathew, and so they persecuted the prophets before you..."

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ORIGINAL: armydude

Going back to the OP, I have one question. I've noticed a lot of people that have the focus on numbers (both in attendance and offering) as a measurement for success, but I've noticed a lot more (maybe it's just the circles I'm in) that focus on the maturity of the believer as a more accurate measurement. Is the former view really as prevalent as it seems in the OP?