A BOOK "REVIEW" ‘WHAT JESUS REALLY MEANT ‘(Part Two)

A BOOK "REVIEW" ‘WHAT JESUS REALLY MEANT ‘(Part Two)
New light on the 'hard' sayings of Jesus

by William Neil (published by Mowbrays Oxford and London 1975)

Category (key words): Books, William Neil, Spiritual Growth, Faith, Christianity, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Quotations, Thoughts, Thoughts on Jesus, “Inspiration, Spiritual”, Inspirational Writings (enough there now, craig)

Submitter's Note:
Here are my notes that I took to summarize this most revealing book by William Neil giving fresh insights into the life and teachings of Jesus. In sharing this piece, I hope to "shine some light of understanding" on the life and spirit of Jesus Christ. Hope it's not too "heavy heavy religious" for you. Enjoy... #rnChapter 13: Tolerance

"He who is not with me is against me." (Matt. 12:30, Luke 11:23)

What we have in common is far greater than what divides us.

Be open-minded to overcome our prejudices. Honour and respect others with care and compassion.
*
Chapter 14: Self-discipline

We have a choice between self discipline or self-destruction.
*

Chapter 15: Marriage and Divorce

"What God has joined together, man must not seperate."
*

Chapter 17: The Money Problem

"One thing you lack: go, sell everything you have, and give to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; and come, follow me." (Mark 10:21)

Love God and our fellow men wholly and utterly (Mark 12:28-31)

"You cannot serve God and money." (Luke 16:13)
Timothy tells us "the love of money is the root of all evil things" (6:10).

Yet the grace of God can move a man or woman to use his or her wealth for the good of others. Many generous spirits have devoted their wealth...and their lives to the glory of God.
*

Chapter 20: Answered Prayer

In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus says: "Ask and you will receive." (Matt 3:7). Nothing is impossible for God to do!

Jesus was unique and his role in history is unique. He asks: 'Thy will be done', 'Not what I will, but what thou wilt'.

Whatever we ask God to do for us, or to give us, must always be qualified by the words:'If it be thy will'.

*
Chapter 21: Self-righteousness

"Pass no judgment, and you will not be judged." (Luke 6:37)

*

Chapter 26: Single-mindedness

Do your duty. Channel the spirit into the service of others and not for selfish ends. Loyalty. Jesus summons us from the pursuit of self-interest to follow him.
*

Chapter 28: The Kingdom of God

"In fact, the Kingdom of God is among (within) you." (Luke 17:21)

Forgiveness of sinners.
*

Chapter 29: Twice-bo
"Unless a man has been born over again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)

Jesus also says: "Unless you turn around and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven."

That means casting away our pride and sense of self-sufficiency and relying on God alone, in dependence and humility.

The Christian life is based on a rebirth. Christian baptism implies a break with the past, and embarking on a new life under the control and in the power of God's Spirit. That is the essence of being "born again".

*

Chapter 30: The Jews

"It is from the Jews that salvation comes" (John 4:22)

Christianity has never been a wholly new religion, but is in fact, a reformed type of Judaism.

Jesus's own attitude to God as Father. His sense of sonship, that intimate relationship to God (in deep-seated trust and dependence) strengthened by prayer and living to serve God.

And each ONE of us has that invitation: we can choose the way of life, the way of obedience to Christ and faith in God.

*
Chapter 32: The Bread of Life

"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall never be hungry, and whoever believes in me shall never be thirsty... Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood dwells continually in me and I dwell in him." (John 6:35,56)

In the first three Gospels, Jesus usually describes himself as the Son of Man, but in John's Gospel he makes claims which appear to be much more far-reaching.
In this Gospel he not only says:
* "I am the bread of life"
but
* "I am the light of the world"
* "I am the door"
* "I am the good Shepherd"
* "I am the Resurrection and the Life"
* "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life"
* "I am the true vine"

He is claiming that he himself is that bread, which communicates life to all who come to him, prosing satisfaction of their spiritual needs, so that those who believe in him will no longer hunger and thirst for God's blessing and God's forgiveness.
*
Chapter 33: 'And was made Man'

"He who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9)

"I am not myself the source of the words I speak to you: it is the Father who dwells in me doing his own work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else accept evidence of the deeds themselves." (John 14:10-11)
*

Chapter 34: Christ the Conquerer

"I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

And to end off...

Paul writes in his letter to the Romans...
"What can seperate us from the love of Christ? In spite of all, overwhelming victory is ours through him who loved us...For I am convinced that there is nothing in death or life, in the forces of the universe, in heights or depths - nothing in all creation can seperate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom.8:35-39)

A life lived in the spirit of Christ is ete
al - it will never die!

Shine your own bright light as you travel along YOUR unique and magical jou
ey of life

Shared by craig

"True success is just being the person you really want to be."

"The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power within you...and the often seemingly difficult or even "impassible") path ahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that lies within you."

Using words as our weapons, lets see how many hearts can be transformed from hate into... perhaps even love...
and only God can do that!

I hope that these notes may be helpful and perhaps even “illuminating” to you.
PPS
"Our talents are our gifts from God, but what we do with them are our gifts TO God."

“Where love endures, hope inevitably follows.” - craig