Learning About Jesus' Teachings

[ReginaDyle]

Hi all,

I'm new here and new to Learning about Jesus. My family or neighbors aren't religious but at a party a neighbor's uncle who is a Minister talked to me about it and I have been reading the Gospels since. I would like to find other people that want to talk about His Kingdom. I don't know a lot and have a lot to learn. Thanks

 

[Sketcher]

What questions did you have?

 

[ReginaDyle]

What questions did you have?

Well from what I have read the most important idea with following Jesus is creating the Kingdom of Heaven. so we have to always remember God and love one another unconditionally to create a world of love that God can speak to us through. Is that about right?

I don't understand why people are so concerned about Jesus' death. I mean isn't what he taught more important? I guess I don't understand that part.

Thanks for helping me.

 

[Sketcher]

Actually, his death and resurrection are the centerpiece. If you haven't yet, read John chapter 3. This is where Jesus explained his purpose - he was to lay down his life, and by doing so, take the punishment that we deserve for our sins. Those who believe in him will receive forgiveness from God. And since he rose again, this proves his victory over death, which secures the deal for us. Jesus taught great things which we are to do, but also to point us to what he did for us on the cross. If we're going to follow Jesus, we need to believe all of what he said.

 

[ReginaDyle]

Actually, his death and resurrection are the centerpiece. If you haven't yet, read John chapter 3. This is where Jesus explained his purpose - he was to lay down his life, and by doing so, take the punishment that we deserve for our sins. Those who believe in him will receive forgiveness from God. And since he rose again, this proves his victory over death, which secures the deal for us. Jesus taught great things which we are to do, but also to point us to what he did for us on the cross. If we're going to follow Jesus, we need to believe all of what he said.

Ok I just read John 3. I don't see where Jesus says he has to die for our sins. Or his death proving victory over death. Or anything about the cross. Which sections are you seeing this?

 

[Sketcher]

Ok I just read John 3. I don't see where Jesus says he has to die for our sins. Or his death proving victory over death. Or anything about the cross. Which sections are you seeing this?

John 3:14-18:
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. 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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son."

Jesus was lifted up - on a cross. God gave us his Son, Jesus, for this purpose. I should also clarify, I was also pulling from John 10, specifically verses 17 and 18:

"The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Also, he foretold his death and resurrection to his disciples more explicitly in Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:22-23, Matthew 20:18-20, and Luke 9:22. Jesus explicitly prophesied his death and resurrection in these verses, and in the book of John especially, he tells us why. I apologize for not being as clear as I should have been before.

 

[ReginaDyle]

John 3:14-18:
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. 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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son."

Jesus was lifted up - on a cross. God gave us his Son, Jesus, for this purpose. I should also clarify, I was also pulling from John 10, specifically verses 17 and 18:

"The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Also, he foretold his death and resurrection to his disciples more explicitly in Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:22-23, Matthew 20:18-20, and Luke 9:22. Jesus explicitly prophesied his death and resurrection in these verses, and in the book of John especially, he tells us why. I apologize for not being as clear as I should have been before.

Thanks for the quotes. They are a big help. I wonder about what some of them mean though.
So for the John 3 quote doesn't that mean that God sent the message of the Kingdom through Jesus and anyone that believes and dedicates themselves to Jesus' teachings will be saved?

And with the John 10 Doesn't that mean that he gave up a regular life to a life of teaching about the Kingdom?

So from the Matthew predictions I understand that he gave himself up but wasn't that so people would pay attention to his teaching? I mean if God sent the son wasn't it it teach us something? Isn't that the most important thing?

Sorry if I'm thick. I guess the idea of the Kingdom where we all live together with love for each other seems too important to get distracted from.

 

[joey_downunder]

Yes Jesus does a great deal of teaching to make sure we learn we need to believe in Him to be saved, not do just good works (obey all the commandments) like the Jews did.

He also says a lot that makes more sense when you learn about why God expected Jesus to become a mere man (God made flesh), be crucified and then raised from the dead.

I find in letters to the early church that the theology discussed there is a lot more helpful to explain what Jesus was saying about His crucifixion etc. The Book of Romans especially goes into depth about how mankind will never be able to please God enough, that a sacrifice for our sins had to be made, and that Jesus was that sacrifice so that all who believe in Him are now saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ. Bible Study: Lesson One

You'll find the whole " Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" series in the archive section. I recommend reading the bible chapter first and then reading the study.

 

[ReginaDyle]

Yes Jesus does a great deal of teaching to make sure we learn we need to believe in Him to be saved, not do just good works (obey all the commandments) like the Jews did.

He also says a lot that makes more sense when you learn about why God expected Jesus to become a mere man (God made flesh), be crucified and then raised from the dead.

I find in letters to the early church that the theology discussed there is a lot more helpful to explain what Jesus was saying about His crucifixion etc. The Book of Romans especially goes into depth about how mankind will never be able to please God enough, that a sacrifice for our sins had to be made, and that Jesus was that sacrifice so that all who believe in Him are now saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ.

You'll find the whole " Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" series in the archive section. I recommend reading the bible chapter first and then reading the study.

Thanks for the links. I will take a look.

I guess what I was getting at was that the death and rising are proof that Jesus and his teachings were from God. But once you decide to follow him that doesn't seem to matter anymore. The important things are Jesus teachings. You don't need the proof once you have decided it is true.

Thanks for your help. I think right now I want to study Jesus teachings but I understand it is all important.

 

[Eddie L]

Regina,

It's good that you want to read Jesus' teachings, but even the disciples who worked with Him and heard Him first hand didn't get it until they saw Him crucified and resurrected. A lot of what He says becomes much clearer after He lives again. The cross reveals the answer to quite a few mysteries.

Jesus is way more than a good teacher. He is our Redeemer. We are not just listening to Him. We're worshiping Him.

 

[paul1149]

Hi Regina,

When Jesus was first introduced to the world, John called him the "lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world". The Jews would have understood the reference to the sin offering that God prescribed under Moses, where all their sins were place on a spotless lamb that was then sacrificed on their behalf.

This is why Paul goes on to say that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself (2Cor 5), and that the law is the tutor that leads men to Christ (Galatians). Through the law we learn that we cannot keep the law, we need a Savior. And once we are in Christ we continue to learn that we cannot follow his teaching on our own. We need to allow him to work within us both to will and to do his good pleasure.

So it's much more than trying to follow his teachings, per se. As you continue to apply yourself to these things the Lord will give you understanding.

 

[ReginaDyle]

Hi Regina,

When Jesus was first introduced to the world, John called him the "lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world". The Jews would have understood the reference to the sin offering that God prescribed under Moses, where all their sins were place on a spotless lamb that was then sacrificed on their behalf.

This is why Paul goes on to say that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself (2Cor 5), and that the law is the tutor that leads men to Christ (Galatians). Through the law we learn that we cannot keep the law, we need a Savior. And once we are in Christ we continue to learn that we cannot follow his teaching on our own. We need to allow him to work within us both to will and to do his good pleasure.

So it's much more than trying to follow his teachings, per se. As you continue to apply yourself to these things the Lord will give you understanding.

Well thanks so much for the helpful responses. I'm sure the more I learn the more I will figure out.

 

[ReginaDyle]

Regina,

It's good that you want to read Jesus' teachings, but even the disciples who worked with Him and heard Him first hand didn't get it until they saw Him crucified and resurrected. A lot of what He says becomes much clearer after He lives again. The cross reveals the answer to quite a few mysteries.

Jesus is way more than a good teacher. He is our Redeemer. We are not just listening to Him. We're worshiping Him.

Yeah I know. Sometimes you can almost see Jesus shaking his head thinking 'why aren't they getting this?'. I mean it's so simple.

In that one part of John 3 the other gentleman recommended Jesus says something like 'if you don't believe me when I tell you of earthly things why would you believe me if I told you of heavenly things'. They just didn't understand the reality of God existing through Jesus and the mind blowing reality that is. And that if we follow His way and remember God and love each other we can be united with God for all eternity.

But I understand what you are saying that they needed to see the death and rising to understand that this was a message that transcended normal reality and all that that meant.

 

[Sketcher]

Thanks for the quotes. They are a big help. I wonder about what some of them mean though.
So for the John 3 quote doesn't that mean that God sent the message of the Kingdom through Jesus and anyone that believes and dedicates themselves to Jesus' teachings will be saved?

Anybody who believes in Jesus himself and what he did on the cross and rising from the grave will be saved. Dedicating yourself to Jesus' teaching is part of the equation here, but we must remember that Jesus taught about himself, that he would die and rise again.

And with the John 10 Doesn't that mean that he gave up a regular life to a life of teaching about the Kingdom?

No. That means he would allow himself to be killed in order to save his followers.

So from the Matthew predictions I understand that he gave himself up but wasn't that so people would pay attention to his teaching? I mean if God sent the son wasn't it it teach us something? Isn't that the most important thing?

The most important thing was to save human souls. The teachings just tell us how to live now that we've been saved, or that we are not able to fulfill them based on our merits. They are good teachings to be followed, but they ultimately point to the cross.

Sorry if I'm thick. I guess the idea of the Kingdom where we all live together with love for each other seems too important to get distracted from.

That's how Christians are to live, and it is very important. The most important thing though, is that Jesus died and rose again to save us from our sins. Once we believe in that, then we begin to live a life based on the teachings and actions of Jesus because that's how he wants us to live.

 

[Bible2]

ReginaDyle said in post #1:

I'm new here and new to Learning about Jesus. My family or neighbors aren't religious but at a party a neighbor's uncle who is a Minister talked to me about it and I have been reading the Gospels since.

That's the best way to learn about Jesus' teachings, from quotes from his own mouth. Also, it should be noted that the rest of the New Testament (e.g. Paul's epistles and the book of Revelation) is also Jesus' teachings (e.g. 1 Corinthians 14:37, Revelation 1:1, Revelation 22:16).

I would like to find other people that want to talk about His Kingdom.

Currently, the kingdom of God is spiritual (Romans 14:17), within people (Luke 17:21). But the kingdom of God will also be physical in the future (Luke 22:30, Matthew 19:28), on the earth (Revelation 5:10), first during the millennium (Revelation 20:4-6, Revelation 2:26-29) and then on the new earth (Revelation 21:1-4).

Jesus' kingdom is Israel (John 12:13b-15, John 1:49b, John 19:19, Luke 22:30). That's why at his second coming, he will sit on the earthly throne of David (Luke 1:32, Isaiah 9:7) and restore the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6-7, Acts 3:20-21). Jesus is, in his humanity, the son of David (Matthew 1:1, Matthew 21:15-16, Romans 1:3), of the house of David (Luke 1:69). So at Jesus' return he will restore the tabernacle, the house, of David (Isaiah 16:5, Amos 9:11), to its royal glory (2 Samuel 5:12), which it had lost (2 Kings 17:21a), and fulfill the prophecy and prayer of 2 Samuel 7:16-29.

And at Jesus' return, the just-physically-resurrected church will reign on the earth with him during the millennium (Revelation 20:4-6), for the whole church is Israel (Revelation 21:9b,12b). For all those in the church who are genetic Jews remain Israel (Romans 11:1), and all those in the church who are genetic Gentiles have been grafted into Israel (Romans 11:17,24, Ephesians 2:12,19, Galatians 3:29). This is necessary because all those in the church are saved only by the New Covenant (Matthew 26:28, 1 Corinthians 11:25, 2 Corinthians 3:6, Hebrews 9:15), and the New Covenant is made only with Israel (Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 4:22b).

I don't know a lot and have a lot to learn.

The best way to learn everything in the Bible is simply to read every word of it (Matthew 4:4) over and over again. It ends up explaining itself once every word of it has become completely engrained in one's memory, and one sees all the connections between verses regarding something in one place in the Bible and other verses regarding that same thing in other places in the Bible. It's by comparing and combining related verses from different places in the Bible that we arrive at correct doctrine (Isaiah 28:9-10, 1 Corinthians 2:13).

It's also a good practice to always end each reading session with a prayer for understanding and remembrance of the entire Bible.

One way to read the Bible is to think of it as seven volumes:

1. Genesis to Deuteronomy
2. Joshua to Esther
3. Job to Song of Solomon
4. Isaiah to Malachi
5. Matthew to Acts
6. Romans to Philemon
7. Hebrews to Revelation

You can read a chapter in each volume every day. This will keep you current in every part of the Bible. There won't be any part of the Bible that you haven't read recently enough to remember what it says. When you reach the end of a volume, simply start again at the first chapter of that volume. In this way, you will be cycling through smaller volumes like #6 and #7 much more often than larger volumes like #2, but the smaller volumes are so much more dense with doctrine that it can be profitable to read them over and over more often.

Also, you can listen to recordings of people reading the Bible, whenever you need to keep your eyes on something else while you listen (such as keeping your eyes on the road while you drive, or on a cutting board while you're preparing food, or on your clippers while you're trimming a hedge). In this way, you can listen to the Bible throughout the day, whenever you don't need to be thinking about something else (such as at your workplace). And you can listen to the Bible even while you're going to sleep, so that God's Word will become engrained even down into your subconscious mind.

 

[Bible2]

ReginaDyle said in post #3:

I don't understand why people are so concerned about Jesus' death.

That's because, in order to be saved, people have to believe the gospel that Jesus Christ is the human/divine Son of God (John 3:16,36, 1 John 2:23), and that he died on the Cross for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Luke 24:46-47, Matthew 20:19, Matthew 26:28).

The reason why it's necessary to believe these things in order to be saved is because it was only as the human/divine Son of God that Jesus' suffering during his Passion could satisfy God the Father's justice (Isaiah 53:11), which requires an infinite amount of human suffering for sin (Matthew 25:46).

Jesus' suffering during his Passion was sufficient to forgive the sins of everyone (1 John 2:2) because Jesus isn't just a human, but also God (John 1:1,14, John 10:30, John 20:28): his soul is infinite, and so the suffering of his soul (Isaiah 53:11) was infinite in amount (even though it wasn't infinite in duration), and so his suffering could satisfy God the Father's justice (Isaiah 53:11).

Because humans who aren't God have finite souls, for them to suffer an infinite amount for their sins they must suffer over an infinite duration of time (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 14:10-11, Mark 9:46). Every human has sinned (Romans 3:23) except Jesus (Hebrews 4:15b, 2 Corinthians 5:21). But because Jesus suffered for sins (1 Peter 3:18, Isaiah 53:11b) an infinite amount, when the elect believe in Jesus' human/divine sacrifice they can have their past sins forgiven (Romans 3:25-26, Matthew 26:28) while God the Father's justice remains fully satisfied by Jesus' suffering for their sins (Isaiah 53:11).

 

[Aino]

Hey! I'm glad you've found Jesus and started reading the gospels. It's a good way to start your life as a christian and I hope you keep on reading the Bible all through your life... It always gives you something new! I also hope you read it prayerfully; then the Holy Spirit will be there with you and opens up the things you need. You've apparently found a good way around. Anyways, you in your first post mentioned that you'd like to find some friends to share your faith with and to grow together. It's also an important part in christianity: Jesus told us to congregate regularly. CF is a good place for fellowship and here are a lot of wise christians. This one is good for questions, but there are also forums for sharing devotionals and discussing different things in the Bible. However I think it is important for every christian to have an offline, local christian community as well where you can meet other christians on a regular basis, pray and read the Bible with them and worship together. That'll help you grow tremendously and you'll know that you always have someone trustworthy to ask your difficult questions. That's why I strongly recommend seeking a local church; why not ask the person who introduced you to christianity for example where he goes? Anyways, choose your church with a lot of prayer and find one where you feel that God is leading you to go!

 

[Harry3142]

Regina-

Here are some Scripture passages that should help you understand Christianity better:

Leviticus 16:1-22. You will hear the words 'atoning sacrifice' often in the church. The atoning sacrifice which Jesus Christ himself made for us was foreshadowed by the annual sacrifice made on The Day of Atonement. So as a background you should read this passage so that you will better understand what that sacrifice was, and what it was intended to accomplish.

Hebrews 8:1-10:14. This passage describes how the atoning sacrifice of Christ was the perfection of the atoning sacrifice referred to in Leviticus 16:1-22. It also explains why we teach that we are under a New Covenant rather than our still being subject to the laws and commandments of the Old Covenant.

Romans 3:19-5:10. God knows that the chasm between his requirements and what we are capable of doing is too wide for us to cross. But instead of 'writing us off' and going about his other work, he mounted a rescue mission. That was the primary purpose of Jesus' coming among us. He was the perfect sacrifice, offered only once for all, but so all-encompassing that his sacrifice is accepted by God the Father as sufficient to cleanse all people of their sins.

John 10:14-18. Jesus knew exactly why he was here. He was prepared to lay down his life for the sheep (us), and he knew that he had the power and authority to take his life up again. So Jesus' Passion and death was 'a happening within a happening'. The men in charge thought that they were getting rid of an upstart preacher from Galilee, but God used their deeds in order to carry out his own plan to cleanse us of our sins.

Romans 10:5-13. The Mosaic Law required the keeping of the Torah's laws and commandments in order to earn salvation, as well as the numerous laws that had been added to those laws and commandments in the intervening centuries, according to the popular teachings at the time of Christ's sojourn among us. But the righteousness that is obtained through faith requires that we accept Jesus as Lord, and that we accept as fact that God the Father did indeed raise him from the dead. That is the cornerstone of christianity, on which all else is built. It is our faith in him, including the efficacy of his sacrifice for us personally and his resurrection as a factual event, that ensures us of salvation.

Romans 7:14-25. St. Paul had been a Pharisee, a sect which taught that the keeping of laws and commandments would ensure our salvation. But he himself had noticed within his own nature two conflicting forces. One wanted to keep the law, but the other continually interfered, and succeeded in 'derailing' his attempts at keeping the law. This is now called 'paradoxical intention' and is a quirk in our nature which everyone has. An old saying that describes it is this: "The harder you try, the faster you fail." So our salvation is dependent on what God, through Christ, has succeeded in doing, rather than its being through what we might attempt to do.

I know that I've given you a lot to read, but it is well worth the time. When you have read these passages you will understand christianity more clearly.

God bless-

 

[GarySneakers]

Well lets see if anyone can go into the Spiritual Kingdom. Go to Mark 15:38. There you will find The Open Temple. Now spiritually go in. If you can not go in, ask yourself why?

 

[ViaCrucis]

Well from what I have read the most important idea with following Jesus is creating the Kingdom of Heaven. so we have to always remember God and love one another unconditionally to create a world of love that God can speak to us through. Is that about right?

I don't understand why people are so concerned about Jesus' death. I mean isn't what he taught more important? I guess I don't understand that part.

Thanks for helping me.

Consider:

When Jesus talks about God's kingdom He describes God's reign as where the first is last, the poor are blessed, and the greatest is servant of all. Jesus continually emphasizes these things.

Jesus' ministry culminates in His death at the hands of Rome.

Is His death an unfortunate happenstance or does it actually exemplify all that He had taught?

Jesus' messianic movement wasn't about overthrowing Roman oppression, He continually refuses and condemns such thinking.

In the desert He rebukes the devil who temps Him with the kingdoms of this world.

He rebukes Peter for suggesting that Jesus should avoid His fate in Jerusalem.

Jesus sees His death as critical to His mission. He is going to be handed over to Gentiles, and die with criminals. He is going to face the death of an undesirable, He is going to go to the Roman cross, the instrument of terror. He is going to die the shameful, grotesque, ugly death by crucifixion.

Jesus who has taught that service is greatness, that the poor and the unwanted are blessed, bears in His body the great truth of this kingdom He has taught.

What does God's kingdom ultimately look like? The Crucified Jesus.

Jesus' messianic mission is about overturning the world. He is not going to change the world, not going to overturn the world, flip the world upside down and conquer the powers of this world by violence, but by the very kingdom He has proclaimed. He proclaimed God's invasion of our world, and that invasion was through Him.

Jesus' mission was nothing less than the complete flipping upside down of this world and the disestablishment of all this world's power. When Jesus was crucified, He conquered Caesar.

This isn't the whole story, but it is essential to the story. Without understanding this dimension of Jesus' messianic mission, we're not understanding or reading the Gospels rightly.

-CryptoLutheran