What Jesus Taught About Most (hint, it’s not money)
DISCLAIMER: This post may include affiliate links, which means that if you decide to make a purchase after clicking on one of my links, I will receive a tiny compensation. This service is provided at no charge to you and is essential in keeping Rethink up and running. What was the most common topic of conversation between Jesus and his disciples? What was it that He preached the most about? There’s a good chance that the Bible themes that Jesus talked about weren’t what you were expecting. If you’ve ever attended a church service during a money series, you’ve definitely heard someone say that Jesus taught more about money than about anything else.
So, what was the most important lesson that Jesus imparted?
There are several ways to count individual phrases that Jesus used, as well as the number of parables that Jesus taught on specific topics and the number of verses that are dedicated to various subjects in the Bible.
Rather than making a case for whatever particular topic Jesus taught about the most, I’d want to examine the spectrum of issues Jesus taught about in his ministry.
But, before we get into the issues that Jesus was most frequently asked to teach on, I’d want to take a look at the topic that most people believe He was the most knowledgeable about.
Money
The most often cited statistic to demonstrate how much Jesus stressed money is that money is mentioned in 11 of the 39 parables. It is commonly pointed out that one out of every seven verses in Jesus’ remarks is concerned with money, in order to emphasize the point. Both of those statements are correct. However, such numbers do not convey the entire story. There’s no denying that Jesus talked a lot about money during his ministry. Many people, particularly pastors, have, nevertheless, exaggerated Jesus’ teaching on money in order to illustrate their points.
- Consequently, he is not actually teaching about money; rather, he is using money as an illustration to make a larger point.
- It appears that Jesus was more concerned with food than with money when he spoke.
- The parables’ message isn’t necessarily about money and food, though they often are.
- What I’m trying to say is that money is not the central theme of many of those eleven parables.
- As a result, we got the impression that Jesus was continually preaching about money in his sermons.
- As an instance to a greater message, Jesus frequently utilized money, which was something that everyone understood.
- While Jesus isn’t literally teaching us about money, He is using money as a metaphor for how we should search for the lost in this passage.
- The context will reveal whether Jesus was speaking directly about money or whether he was using money as an instance to bring to a more general truth.
Is it possible that Jesus mentioned money? Yes. Is it important to him how we spend our money? Yes. If so, is it the most talked-about or taught topic? This isn’t even close.
Kingdom/God
It’s important to realize that statistics may be manipulated to imply practically anything depending on how you count them. This is the most often discussed subject in Jesus’ teaching. In fact, you could make a compelling case that this was his fundamental message, around which everything else was oriented, and that everything else was secondary. It should come as no surprise that Jesus, who was God, spent the majority of his time teaching about God and His Kingdom. When John the Baptist proclaims that the Kingdom of God is at hand in Matthew 3:2, he is laying the groundwork for the arrival of Jesus.
- However, this Kingdom was diametrically opposed to all of the other kingdoms that had previously existed.
- Jesus made it clear that His kingdom was distinct from all others.
- He demonstrated how God stood out in stark contrast to the various gods of the world.
- It’s because of this that many people believe he’s talking about money.
- It is necessary to consider the surrounding context in order to establish what Jesus is truly referring about.
Faith/Salvation
However, while it is undeniable that many of Jesus’ teachings were centered on God and the Kingdom, such teachings would have been completely meaningless to us if there were no means for us to get there. If I were to summarize Jesus’ message, it would be this: “The Kingdom of God is near, and I have prepared a path for you to enter it.” That is the message of the Gospel. All who believe can become a part of the Kingdom of Heaven. It would be difficult to separate these two items and determine which message is the more prominent one.
Personally, I am not interested in designating one teaching method as the most prevalent.
Honorable Mention – Hell
I thought I’d throw in one more issue that Jesus brought up on a consistent basis. He didn’t bring it up as often as he did in the prior conversations, but he did spend a significant amount of time discussing it. My hunch is that when you think of Jesus, you aren’t immediately drawn to the things he spoke about hell and eternal punishment. He, on the other hand, did not shy away from confronting this unpleasant subject. Many of his lectures and parables dealt with the subject of hell. Jesus, on the other hand, does not tell us what hell is or who goes there.
It isn’t a clear image since that was never his aim in the first place.
Jesus is not attempting to communicate in the way that a textbook teaches us information.
While this is probably not the most prevalent topic, it is one that many people are surprised to hear about.
Check out this post I wrote if you want to learn more about what Jesus said about hell: If you want to learn more about what Jesus said about hell, check out this essay I published: What Jesus Had to Say About the Hell Fires
The Point
The point I’m trying to make is that, aside from pointing out a few of the most prevalent issues that Jesus spoke on, it’s quite easy to read anything we want into the Bible when we don’t know what to look for. The number of times I’ve heard it said that Jesus taught more about money than any other subject is impossible to count. The difficulty is that this is not the case. At least not in the way it is frequently depicted. And this is only one illustration of the countless ways in which we misinterpret Scripture.
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Additional Resources
Listed below is a very excellent book that can assist you in understanding Jesus on a more in-depth level: Husband. Father. Pastor. Church Planter is a title that means “one who plants churches.” Writer. Every day, I’m attempting to be more like Jesus. Follow Me on Social Media:Facebook Send Me an Email:Email Jeffery Curtis Poor’s most recent blog posts (See all of them)
What Did Jesus Preach?
The unjustified crucifixion of Jesus Christ, as well as the subsequent forgiveness of sins that is made available via embracing his sacrifice, are the primary focal points of mainstream Christianity. While this unselfish deed was and continues to be historic, and its ramifications are far-reaching, many people would be surprised to learn that the Bible defines the gospel in a way that differs from what they have been taught. Following a careful reading, it becomes clear that accepting Christ’s blood as payment for our sins, while fundamentally significant, isn’t the primary message He conveyed and that the apostles continued to proclaim after He died.
And the Lord, whom you seek, will appear in His temple at an unexpected time, as will the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you take pleasure.
(See Malachi 3:1) Although Jesus did not utter His own words, He did so in accordance with the Father’s instructions (John 8:38-42;12:49-50;14:24).
While Jesus Christ was unquestionably the most significant person to ever walk the face of the globe, the Bible makes it plain that the gospel that Jesus preached was not only about him and his accomplishments.
‘And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom to the people, healing every sickness and every disease that they had.’ (Matthew 4:23)» And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preachingthe gospel of the kingdom to the people.
- (See Luke 4:43.) As a result, they traveled across every city and town, preaching and giving the good news of God’s kingdom to those who were listening.
- Since then, the gospel of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is putting their faith in it.
- (See Luke 16:16-17 for further information.) « And this gospel of the kingdom will be spread throughout the entire globe as a witness to all of the nations, and then the end will arrive.
- In other words, the “gospel of Jesus Christ” is simply the message of good news that Jesus taught, rather than a message about Jesus or about his life.
- However, if the events of His life are not seen in the perspective of what He said, the ensuing ” faith ” will be riddled with errors and ultimately destructive!
- However, what exactly is a kingdom?
- In biblical terms, a kingdom can also refer to a family that has evolved from a single parent to become a country.
The failure to recognize any one of these key elements—the failure to recognize and respond to the message that Jesus Christ delivered from the Father—will result in a distorted faith, one that will not bring salvation. Who Will Be the Next King? (3/12)
The Uncomfortable Subject Jesus Addressed More than Anyone Else
R. C. Sproul was recently asked which concept he finds the most difficult to reconcile with his own beliefs. He responded with, “Hell.” It’s reassuring to know that a theological giant like R.C. Sproul is still wrestling with something with which I’ve wrestled my whole Christian life. The notion of hell is uncomfortably familiar to the majority of people. Our idea of hell, on the other hand, impacts our perspective of the gospel, God’s holiness, and our own sinfulness. If we refuse to acknowledge the existence of hell, we will be unable to appreciate the full significance of the gospel.
Reality of Hell
The Gospels include no mention of hell, therefore I was challenged by a friend to show her where Jesus mentions it. Even a casual reading of the Bible reveals that Jesus talked about it a lot. As a matter of fact, Jesus mentioned hell more than any other individual in the whole Bible. The apostle Luke depicts a vast divide over which “no one can cross from there to us” (Luke 16:19). As recorded in Matthew 25, Jesus describes a day when mankind would be divided into two groups, with one group entering his presence and the other being sent into “everlasting fire.” Jesus speaks more about hell than he does about paradise, and he explains it more clearly as a result.
- Not only does Jesus make reference to hell, but he also explains it in great detail.
- 13:42), and a place from which there is no return, not even to warn loved ones (Luke 16:19–31).
- 25:30), and compares it to the “Gehenna” (Matt.
- Jesus speaks more about hell than he does about paradise, and he explains it more clearly as a result.
Reason for Hell
Jesus has to talk about hell because it is the fate that awaits all people apart from him. Because of Adam’s sin, we’re all guilty and deserve God’s eternal punishment. Contrary to popular belief, hell is not a place where God sends those who have been especially bad; it’s our default destination. We need a rescuer or we stand condemned. So we’re left with two options: stay in our state of depravity and be eternally punished, or submit to the Savior and accept his gift of redemption.
Goodness of God
My acceptance of the justice of Hell is based on the unquestionable certainty of God’s kindness, which is the only fact that I can embrace. While the concept of damnation is difficult for me to comprehend, Jesus (with his nail-scarred hands) is someone in whom I can place my whole faith. His goodness leads me to look to the cross rather than to damnation in the final analysis. My acceptance of the justice of Hell is based on the unquestionable certainty of God’s kindness, which is the only fact that I can embrace.
- Because of his magnificence, we are moved to prostrate ourselves before him, scream out in amazement and astonishment, and dread him.
- His kindness, on the other hand, compels us to rise up in unending worship, thankful for the gift of a Savior in Jesus Christ.
- For this reason, we might have a relationship with him as a kid who has been rescued from the fires of hell by his mother and father.
- I.
- Because God is the Judge, justice will be served.” (143).
- All of God’s methods will appear to us to be right, even the manifestation of his eternal justice.
She is a member of the Grace Baptist Church. She and her husband, Steve, are the parents of three adult children and have six grandkids between them. Elle blogs at leslieschmucker.com and may be followed on Twitter @leslieschmucker.
The Most Important Message Jesus Taught – And Why Every Leader Must Get It
What is the most essential message that Jesus imparted to his disciples? Was it his message of love that he was sending? Acceptance? Compassion? Forgiveness? Faith? Hope? Do you believe that miracles are possible? Despite the fact that these powerful messages were interwoven throughout his most important message, there was one message that would “rule them all,” give them each a context, and distinguish their meanings from all of the fashionable, sentimental meanings that our culture has substituted for them today.
ESV translation of Mark 1:14-15 In the days after the imprisonment of John the Baptist, Jesus traveled to Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God and declaring, ‘The hour has come, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the gospel.’ As a matter of fact, not only was it the core message that Jesus taught, but it was also the message that he assigned to his followers, who were to teach and practice it as well.
- We both share the same mission.
- Here’s the more difficult truth: it is possibly the least understood concept in the entire New Testament among pastors, worship leaders, instructors, composers, and everyday Christians all around the world, according to research.
- My excellent friend and colleague Dr.
- He accomplished this by drawing on the Old and New Testaments, his own resources, and the work of a large number of other academics.
- I requested him to create it as a primer for pastors, worship leaders, composers, and artists, and I encourage you to distribute it as far as possible.
- What Is the Kingdom of God and How Does It Work?
- Peter H.
in philosophy.
In fact, it was the spark that ignited a tiny revolution in this scholar’s perspective on the Book of Revelation.
Nonetheless, study progressed, and Ladd’s presentation of the notion has since been changed by the work of various academics, including N.
Wright, who has contributed to the field.
The majority of them have never heard of Ladd or Wright, but they are aware of the significance of the subject they are talking about.
We are all familiar with the United Kingdom and the various kingdoms that still exist on our planet, but what does it mean to claim that God has a kingdom?
If that is the question you, the reader, would want to have addressed in a concise summary rather than a lengthy discourse, then continue reading.
A “kingdom of God” refers to God’s dominion on earth, which is generally conveyed through an agent, such as a prince, a regent, or a monarch.
Jesus of Nazareth is currently the resurrected sovereign ruler of the world and will eventually openly rule on this earth, completing God’s creational goal.
God’s monarchy is mentioned several times in the Hebrew Scriptures, particularly in the Psalms, and it is a source of great pride (Ps 10:6; 24:8,10; 29:10; 44:4; 47:2, 6, 7,8; 68:24; 74:12; 84:3; 93:1; 95:3; 96:10; 97:1; 98:6; 99:1; 145:1).
He is also the ruler of countries, and he will/does bring them to judgment.
As a result, God is shown as a monarch in the grand narrative of the Hebrew Scriptures, and he exerts his authority via a regent, who is the Davidic ruler of Israel.
In the teaching of Jesus of Nazareth, a shift in the narrative is signaled, and this sets the stage for the next chapter.
It follows as a result of this that George Eldon Ladd was accurate in his assertion that the kingdom is not political in the sense that it has no physical boundaries.
It’s true that Jesus first declared the reign of God to Israel and fulfilled all of the expectations for the Anointed One, but he makes it plain in his teaching (e.g., Matt 5:5) that God is concerned about the entire planet and that all peoples will come under his dominion (e.g.
However, Ladd was incorrect in the sense that the term “political” does not relate to a specific area of land over which a government exercises sovereignty, as Ladd claimed.
However, “Caesar” claimed and continues to claim control over the known civilized world.
God’s Rule is the foundation of the Kingdom of God.
In fact, Jesus does not refer to God as having a regent at all, definitely not in the manner in which John the Baptist did.
Mark 8:29, 14:61-62).
As a result, in Jesus, we have both God’s rule and the person through whom God exerts his reign in the world.
He already has power over those who have agreed to follow his laws, and he will soon be able to force his will on everyone on the face of the earth.
The good news is that all people are being called to repudiate their former allegiances and to submit to God’s reign through Jesus Christ.
It contains the promise that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God will enable people who pledge their allegiance to Jesus to carry out this obedience, and that, as a result of his generous favor, he will forgive them for any previous failure to submit to his authority.
Neither is this calling of all people into a community under the sovereignty of God, as exercised through Jesus, done in opposition to the people of God in the Hebrew Scriptures, nor is it done in parallel with their narrative, but rather as a fulfillment of that narrative and of that people in the New Testament.
- As a real king of Israel, he performed the role of deliverer of the downtrodden, whether those who were oppressed were oppressed by other people, poverty, sickness, or the demons of the night (Luke 4:18-21, referring to Isa 61:1-2).
- Heb 2:14-15).
- Furthermore, Jesus taught the rule of God by describing what the new community should look like; that is, how his followers were to live their lives in the present in preparation for the new world order to come.
- It is God’s demonstration through us that we are living in the Kingdom of God.
- They are asked to embody the principles of the new community, which includes delivering the oppressed, regardless of the source of the oppression they may be experiencing themselves.
- The disciples are likewise willing to die in the war against evil, understanding that not only will this destroy the power of evil, but also that in dying, they are following their Lord and that they would also follow him in resurrection, just as Jesus was.
- How To Live In The Light Of The Age To Come: The Kingdom Of God The kingdom community does not anticipate to be successful in this age, according to the standards of the day.
As a result, they “put on eschatological spectacles.” They see everything in terms of the future period, when God will rule openly via his king Jesus, and so everything is framed accordingly.
However, the essential problem is not whether or not they refer to Jesus by his given name, but whether or not they are genuinely subject to his authority.
Peter Davids, Ph.D., is a researcher and author.
Davids is regarded as one of the most intelligent New Testament scholars working today.
Aside from having taught at a broad range of institutions and seminaries, Peter also serves as an ordained and active Anglican priest, as well as writing commentaries and contributing to other notable publications.
His LinkedIn profile may be seen here.
These principles from N.T.
Question: How has Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom of God influenced your life and your decisions?
What changes do you think your manner of being a Christian and a leader will undergo as a result of accepting the fact that God is displaying his Kingdom through us? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
No, Jesus Didn’t Teach About Money the Most
Was it ever brought to your attention that Jesus preached more about money than anything else? Yes, you are correct! In 11 of his 39 parables, he included a lesson about money. “Jesus’ most often discussed subject is money.” Have you ever heard something similar to this before? Did it take you by surprise? It had an effect on me. Nevertheless, when I continued to hear it over the years, I eventually said to myself: “Man, I’ve read the gospel narratives many times over, and I’ve never came away thinking, ‘Wow, Jesus spoke about finances more than any other issue!'” In fact, I believe that the great majority of Christians who have studied the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John would agree with me on this point.
- Nevertheless, if you were as taken aback by this assertion as I was, know that your anxiety was well-founded, since theJesus-taught-more about money than anybody elseangle is a well-known urban legend.
- When you take a closer look at his teachings, it’s clear that it’s not even close.
- If you’re educating about finances, there’s a considerable distinction between that and using financial language to convey something entirely else.
- ¹ And what about the oft-quoted statistic that 11 of Jesus’ 39 parables dealt with money?
- A tale regarding the payment of vineyard laborers is told by Jesus inMatthew 20:1-16, for example.
- Instead, he is demonstrating how individuals who join God’s kingdom do so only as a result of God’s favor.
² None of us can come to the end of this parable and conclude that Jesus is teaching on the subject of vineyard management or how Christian business owners should handle payroll simply because the parable includes a reference to wages or that Jesus is speaking about how Christian business owners should handle payroll.
- At the conclusion, Jesus even explains the point: “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Yes, it’s evident that it has nothing to do with money.
- To test your knowledge, consider the other ten parables that include money (for example, Two Debtors in Luke 7, Hidden Treasure in Matthew 13, Lost Coin in Luke 15)3.
- Don’t be shocked if the number of lessons in which Jesus utilizes money to genuinely educate about money continues to diminish as time goes on.
- As a matter of fact, how we handle money is vital for people of faith, and this is especially true for North American Christians who are struggling against cultural idols such as materialism and individualism.
- Jesus, as well as the rest of the New Testament, clearly taught about money and how to handle it.
- It’s just not true in this case.
- It’s very self-explanatory.
- It’s impossible to miss.
- We don’t require it in order to instruct others on how followers of Jesus should manage their financial affairs.
- ¹ “Eleven of Jesus’ parables actually involve money,” argues Jeffery Poor (with an amusing last name) in a Relevant magazine piece.
Find that one notion, and you’ll have grasped the main purpose of the story. ³ Unfortunately, the person who initially shared this data didn’t specify which of those parables made up the total of eleven in this case.
Clare Creek Community Church is led by Dr. Arrington, who serves as the Teaching Pastor. Theological degrees at Baylor University, Southwestern Seminary, and Covenant Seminary include a Bachelor of Arts in Religion, a Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages, and a Doctor of Ministry. His three boys are the result of his marriage to Jennefer. He is the author of a number of books, including ‘Preaching that Moves People’ and ‘Tap: Defeating the Sins that Defeat You.’ He is also a speaker. Yancey Arrington’s most recent blog entries (See all of them)
The Gospel Jesus Preached
Traditional Christianity has, sadly, clouded many of the teachings of Scripture during the years that have elapsed since Jesus’ death and resurrection. It has been intended in some situations, as in the ideas of justification and the Sabbath, to obscure some facts, while in others, certain truths have been permitted to fade from memory or to be obscured by the focus placed on other teachings. It is the early Roman Catholic Church that carries the most of the responsibility for these profound transformations, having determined via their councils that Roman Christianity would follow courses that were in direct opposition to God’s Word.
- If you ask any nominal Christian what Jesus’ gospel was, the most probable response will be something along the lines of “He preached a gospel of grace” or “He preached a gospel of salvation.” Both of these are valid responses, although they are not entirely accurate in terms of accuracy.
- This, too, is not incorrect—after all, Jesus is the dominant figure in the gospel—but it is not exactly what the Bible says it should be.
- In his speech, Jesus spoke of God the Father’s rule and dominion over the world, as well as of God the Son, who is to be the King of that Kingdom when it is established (seeJohn 18:37;Revelation 19:11-16).
- The phrases “Kingdom of Grace” and “message of grace” are never spoken, much to the amazement of many.
- Paul refers to it as “the gospel of your salvation” in Ephesians 1:13, which means “the gospel of your salvation.” Despite this, the gospel is most frequently referred to as “the gospel of Christ,” “the gospel of God,” or anything along those lines.
In the Christian tradition, “the gospel of the Kingdom of God” refers to all of the doctrines of the faith, including grace, faith, redemption, justification, sanctification, salvation, glorification, and all other doctrines of Christianity, because all of these teachings constitute the fundamental tenets of God’s way of life and the process of fulfilling His plan for humanity.
- As a result of Jesus’ teaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of God, we have a clear understanding of our goal as well as all of the necessary components for achieving it.
- However, others may question whether this is not God’s earth.
- Isn’t He the supreme ruler of the entire universe?
- Simple: this is not God’s world, and we must accept this as such.
- Yes, He is in control of everything.
The holy God is unable to tolerate sin: According to Isaiah 59:2, “Your iniquities have estranged you from your God, and your crimes have concealed His face from you.” As a result, sin has caused mankind to keep God at arm’s length for thousands of years, and man’s expulsion of God from his existence has resulted in his perennially terrible situation, which includes war, poverty, sickness, deception, distrust, and death, among other things.
In order to take advantage of the vacuum, Satanthe Devil has erected himself as “the deity of this era” and has blinded the minds of men and women to the truths that might set them free (II Corinthians 4:4).
It was for this reason that Jesus had to undergo the Devil’s temptations and defeat him and them without sinning as one of the very first things He had to do (Matthew 4:1-11;Luke 4:1-13).
The Gospel of Luke, in particular, demonstrates the connection between Jesus’ victory over Satan and His teaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
He quotes from Isaiah 49:8-9, which describe His work responsibilities as follows: He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor, and He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberation to prisoners and sight restoration to blind people, set free those who have been oppressed, and announce the acceptable year of the L ORD.
- Just as the year of Jubilee released the Israelites from their financial burdens, Jesus would declare their liberation from the debt of sin that they owed (Leviticus 25:8-12).
- In God’s plan, the gospel of the Kingdom of God strikes a balance between the present and the future aspects.
- People who have been chosen by God and who believe in his message are put through the process of salvation: they hear God’s Word, believe it, repent of their sins, are baptized, and receive God’s Holy Spirit as a gift.
- They will be raised and transformed into spirits at Christ’s return, and they will be granted eternal life and exalted as God’s sons and daughters.
(Revelation 5:10). This is the essence of Jesus’ message of good news to all of mankind. In truth, it is the central message of the entire Bible—marvelous God’s plan of redemption and the foundation of His everlasting Kingdom—that is being communicated. The Sermon on the Mount (9/17) is up next.
What Did Jesus Preach?
Traditional Christianity has, unfortunately, clouded many of the principles of the Bible during the years that have elapsed since Jesus’ death. It has been intended in some situations, as in the ideas of justification and the Sabbath, to obscure some facts, while in others, certain truths have been permitted to fade from memory or have been obscured by the focus placed on other beliefs. In part, these enormous changes may be attributed to the early Roman Catholic Church, which determined via its councils that Roman Christianity would follow routes that were in direct opposition to God’s Word.
“He preached a gospel of grace,” or “He preached a gospel of salvation,” is likely to be the response when you ask any nominal Christian what Jesus’ gospel was.
Every week, a large number of Protestants gather in their pews to hear the message of Jesus Christ.
The inspired response to our inquiry is found in Mark 1:14-15: “Now, after John had been imprisoned, Jesus traveled to Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God and declaring, “The time has come, and the kingdom of God is near.” Repent and trust in the gospel,’ the apostle Peter says.” We have added our own emphasis; see also Matthew 4:23; 9:35; 24:14 for further information.
- In his sermon, Jesus spoke of God the Father’s authority and dominion over the world, and of God the Son as the One who will reign as King of that Kingdom (seeJohn 18:37;Revelation 19:11-16).
- Neither the phrase “Kingdom of Grace” nor the phrase “gospel of grace” exist, much to the astonishment of many.
- The gospel of your salvation is referred to as “the gospel of your salvation” in Ephesians 1:13, where Paul describes it.
- We may infer from the Bible’s own language, then, that the divinely inspired gospel is concerned with the establishment of God’s Kingdom.
- As the culmination of God’s grand plan, the Kingdom of God must be our ultimate objective as well, if we are to play a role in it alongside Him.
- Those familiar with the history of the term “gospel” know that it comes from the Old English word “gödspel,” which literally translates as “good news,” “glad tidings,” or something like.
- Some may ask, though, whether this is not God’s universe in which we find ourselves.
- What makes you think He isn’t in charge of the whole universe?
- Simple: this is not God’s world, and we must accept this as truth.
- He does, in fact, have complete control.
God, who is holy, cannot stand the presence of evil: In Isaiah 59:2, the Bible says, “Your sins have separated you from your God, and your iniquities have concealed His face from you.” For thousands of years now, sin has caused humanity to distance itself from God, and man’s exclusion of God from his existence has resulted in his constantly unhappy state, which includes war, poverty, sickness, deception and distrust, as well as death.
In order to take advantage of the void, Satanthe Devil has enthroned himself as “the deity of this age,” and has blinded the minds of men and women to the truths that might set them free (II Corinthians 4:4).
In order to do this, Jesus had to face the Devil’s temptations and defeat him and them without sinning as one of the first things He had to do (Matthew 4:1-11;Luke 4:1-13).
It is especially evident in the Gospel of Luke that there is a connection between Jesus’ victory over Satan and His proclamation of the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Isaiah 49:8-9 are the verses he uses to explain His work description: The Spirit of the L ORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberation to prisoners and sight restoration to the blind, to set at free all who are oppressed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the L ORD.
- Just as the year of Jubilee released the Israelites from their financial responsibilities, Jesus would declare their liberation from the debt of sin they had incurred (Leviticus 25:8-12).
- All of these aspects of God’s design are brought into harmony via the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
- All of God’s chosen, who accept the gospel, go through the process of salvation, which includes hearing God’s Word, believing, repenting of their sins, being baptized, and receiving the gift of God’s Holy Spirit.
- They will be raised and transformed into spirits at Christ’s return, and they will be granted eternal life and be honored as God’s children.
(Revelation 5:10). Jesus’ message of good news to mankind is summarized as follows: However, in reality, it is the message of the entire Bible—wonderful God’s plan of salvation and the establishment of His everlasting Kingdom—which is being conveyed. The Sermon on the Mount (9/17) comes next.
6 Preaching Methods Jesus Used That You Should Too
Written by Aaron Earls Most of us would agree that Jesus was the best preacher to ever walk the face of this earth, and I believe we all agree that he is the greatest preacher to ever walk the face of this earth. If there is anyone in the world who you should model your preaching after, it is Jesus! So, what method did Jesus use to teach? Six of Jesus’ preaching tactics are presented here, from which we may all learn:
1. Jesus Told Stories
Jesus delivered a plethora of parables (Mark 4:34). He drew spiritual truth from the midst of ordinary existence. Not only did these stories help to make Jesus’ sermons more remembered, but they also helped to connect people in a far deeper level. Let us consider the story of the Prodigal Son. In a same vein, Jesus might have declared, “God loves you so much that He would accept you back into His presence no matter how far you have traveled.” That is unquestionably correct. Instead of telling his narrative of a kid who rejected his family and drank away his inheritance, Jesus tells the story of a boy who begged his father for mercy and was shockingly welcomed back home with open arms because his father had been waiting for him on a daily basis.
If you want to preach like Jesus, use tales to convey your message.
To convey spiritual truth, use real-world examples from your everyday existence.
2. Jesus Shocked People
Jesus employed exaggeration on a regular basis. People’s attention was captured by his use of absurd instances, exaggerations, and alarming assertions that he used to teach. Although none of these comments were meant to be taken literally, they were effective in conveying the message. Jesus did not actually mean that we should pluck out our eyes and amputate our hands since they were responsible for our sin (Matthew 5:29-30), because then all Christians would be blind amputees. He also didn’t imply that the folks with whom he spoke had logs lodged in their eyes in the literal sense (Matthew 7:3-5).
As a way of making His argument more clear, Jesus said things that startled people and exaggerated the reality.
You can play around with the wording of your inquiries.
3. Jesus Crafted Memorable Sayings
Jesus used lyrical language. Throughout his career, he was known for using memorable phrases and wordplay. This isn’t always obvious in English translations, though. In the original language, Jesus, on the other hand, made it much simpler for his audience to recall what he had to say. Consider the words of Jesus, who famously declared, “Judge not, and you shall not be judged; condemn not, and you shall not be condemned; forgive, and you shall get forgiveness,” as well as “give, and it shall be given to you.” (Luke 6:37-38a, English Standard Version).
The Golden Rule is yet another excellent example (Luke 6:31). If you want to preach like Jesus, make sure your comments are unforgettable. Make it simple for the reader to recall the primary message. It is possible that your folks will remember and carry the message with them wherever they go.
4. Jesus Asked Questions
To avoid giving everyone the answer straight immediately, Jesus employed the Socratic Method. Through the use of a large number of questions, He guided His audience to conclusions. Have, for example, Matthew 16:26 or 22:20-21, or take a look at this site. Questioning is an extremely effective teaching strategy, especially when dealing with a hostile audience (like unbelievers). Critical thinking is stimulated by questions. When you ask good questions, the audience becomes eager to find out the answers.
Keep the solution a secret until you are ready to share it.
5. Jesus Used Object Lessons
Object teachings were frequently utilized by Jesus to connect with his audience. He bathed the disciples’ feet in order to educate them about servant leadership (John 13:3–17). Matthew 18:1–4 describes how he summoned a tiny kid to him to talk about childlike faith. After witnessing a widow drop two tiny pennies into the temple offering (Mark 12:41–44), he emphasized the virtue of selflessness in giving. There is a high likelihood that he was standing near a field when he recounted the parable of the sower at the time.
If you want to teach like Jesus, employ object lessons in your sermons!
Consider how you can use visuals to deliver your message.
6. Jesus Used Repetition
Jesus made it easier for his listeners to remember His instructions by repeating Himself again and over. He repeated the same key ideas over and over again in his classes. If we look at Mark 8:31–34, for example, Jesus spoke about his death and resurrection again and over again, yet the disciples still didn’t comprehend it. Sometimes individuals need to hear something a number of times before it properly registers in their minds. In addition, lessons that are repeated are more likely to be remembered.
Find the most significant lesson in your message and repeat it over and over again.
Looking to Jesus for guidance on how to be a better preacher is a wise decision.
Aaron Earls
Aaron Wardrobe, also known as @WardrobeDoorAaron, is an online editor for LifewayResearch.com. Lifeway.com.
JESUS’ MOST COMMON TEACHING
Recently, while conducting a routine Bible search, I came across something in Jesus’ life that caused me to come to a complete halt in my tracks. It took me completely by surprise, and I’m still trying to digest it. The following is the backdrop of the situation: Throughout the four Gospels, there is relatively little information on Jesus’ life and teachings. That’s because John wrote his Gospel around 30 years after the others, and he didn’t want to be seen as repeating what Matthew, Mark, and Luke had already said.
- It is as a result of this that there is very little in John that is not also contained in the other three Gospels.
- Jesus’ baptism, the feeding of five thousand people, the triumphal entry, and his passion (including his death and resurrection) are all stories that they all reference in one way or another.
- All four Gospels, on the other hand, do not include a single doctrine of Christ.
- The teaching of Jesus is included in only one verse in each of the four Gospels.
- Allow me to begin by posing a question to set the stage for the verse.
- If there is just one teaching of Jesus that can be found in all four Gospels, then it must be of the utmost significance to Him, as is evident from the evidence.
- It is recorded twice in Matthew, once in Mark, twice in Luke, and once in John.
10:39) Following his journey to Caesarea Philippi, he returned to Rome (Mat.
It is the only teaching of Christ that is addressed in each of the four Gospels individually.
It is the only teaching of Christ that we are aware of that He delivered on four separate occasions.
However, according to the documentation we have in our possession, there is just one teaching of Jesus’ that we are told he delivered on four distinct times.
Is it possible that I’ve piqued your interest?
If you find your life, you’ll lose it; if you lose your life, you’ll discover it.
(The references for this article are provided above.) Hear me out!
You despise your existence.
When this information is shown on your computer screen, you will begin to see related apps everywhere.
This is due to the fact that it is a message that can be applied to nearly every aspect of life. If this is the most prevalent teaching of Jesus, it leaves me with the following question: to what extent is this word also onmytongue?
10 Sins Jesus Condemns Most Harshly in Scripture
It was exceedingly vital in first-century Judaism to maintain ritual and ceremonial purity. Jesus, on the other hand, stressed the value of moral cleanliness. When Jesus was asked about the disciples’ lack of ritual washing, he responded by stating that it is not what someone puts inside their lips that defiles them, but rather what comes out of their mouths that does so (Matt. 15:1-20;Mark 7:1-23). As a result, Jesus admonished people to avoid the crimes of the heart, which include: sexual immorality (including adultery and murder), greed (including malice and deception), lewdness (including lewdness), jealousy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness.
When it comes to “sin,” Jesus taught on a wide range of topics, but these are the ones that are at the center of His ministry and teaching on the kingdom of God.
It is possible to follow His teachings and live a life of real discipleship when we place our faith entirely in Him rather than in ourselves, frequently concentrate on His Word, and commune with Him in prayer.