GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY
MODULE 53
DYNAMIC CALL TO SALVATION
JESUS CAME TO EARTH AND MINISTERED BY MEANS OF TEACHINGS, HEALINGS, MIRACLES AND SIGNS, CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP, RESOLUTION OF DOUBT, WARNINGS, AFFIRMATIONS AND RESURRECTION.
In the following series of blog posts you will find some of each category of the Saviour's ministry.
In the following series of blog posts you will find some of each category of the Saviour's ministry.
This is not intended as an exhaustive list but as a synopsis of some of the high points of Christ's ministry.
We encourage you to read the Scriptures and find more.
There is no greater joy than drinking from the well of the Gospels.
'On the last and greatest day of the Festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink!" ' [John 7:37]
2) Disciples are to have the strong authenticity of salt and live lives as powerful a witness as a strong light, evident as a large city on the hilltop [Matthew 5:13-16]
3) Jesus comes to perfect the Law, to make it understandable as God wishes it understood, not as humanity interprets it [Matthew 5:17-20]
4) Jesus affirms the sanctity of life and the unholiness of contempt [Matthew 5:21-25]
5) Jesus affirms the sacred bond of marriage is not to be broken, unless there is irreparable breakdown in the case of adultery
[Matthew 5:27-32]
6) Be truthful. Thus there will be no need of oaths at all
[Matthew 5:33-37]
7) Don't be vengeful. Develop mildness of character and don't bear grudges. This is not the way of the Kingdom [Matthew 5:38-42]
8) Be kind to all, and forgive the unforgivable. Thus we aim for spiritual perfection, modelled on the perfection of our Divine Parent [Matthew 5:43-48]
9) We are to be generous and help those in need without expectation of reward or return. Furthermore we are to extend this help with pure motive, not seeking fame or societal congratulation [Matthew 6:1-4]
10) We are to be people of devout prayer. Jesus gave us the pattern for all prayer, the Lord's Prayer.
If we model our lives on the tenets of this prayer pattern, we have the blueprint for all spiritual holiness within one great teaching
[Matthew 6:5-15]
11) We are to aim for mastery over our own appetite for food, and to do so in prayer communion with God.
Prudent control with common sense over a simple natural need as our requirement for physical food will train us in self mastery.
This will enable us for the task of further mastery over our physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, societal and financial life aspects.
By prudent self mastery with common sense we prevent our natural needs or addictions from becoming our master.
We learn to properly handle our own unique bodily temple of God. "Do you not know that you are God's temple and the God's Spirit dwells in you?"
[1 Corinthians 3:16]
12) We are to value our relationship with God and our heavenly future above earthly money, prestige and status [Matthew 6:19-24]
13] We are to bring our needs before God the Father in prayer, asking for His help with them.
We are to leave anxiety behind and learn to trust in God.
God does not give for the future - He gives for today, and teaches us the lesson of ongoing and developing trust in Him.
Thus relationship with our Divine Parent will develop, deepen and grow.
'Give us this day our daily bread': Jesus has taught us to pray in the Lord's Prayer.
We have not been taught to pray for tomorrow's bread or bread in fifteen years time.
We are to live in the moment, with trust and ongoing developing relationship with our Divine Parent [Matthew 6:25-34]
The Israelites in the desert - starving and afraid for the future of their children, gathered more manna than they needed so they could be sure of food on the morrow.
Instead the manna rotted, and they were encouraged to trust in the Divine Parent for their daily needs. [Exodus 16:1-20]
14) We are not to judge others and run the risk of possible emotional cruelty. This is not the Christian way. We are to extend kindness and lack of harshness not only in our actions but also in our thoughts. Thus does our thought life become purified.
[Matthew 7:1-6]
15) We are to trust in God and ask Him to assist us provide for our needs. Our Divine Parent will hear our prayer and answer in the way that is best for us at that particular moment. It must be remembered that God sometimes says no. Good parenting sometimes involves decisions which are for the good of the children, but not always happily received or fully understood at the time.
[Matthew 7:7-12]
16) We are to deliberately choose the gate and road less travelled by humanity, the gate and road pointed out by Jesus Christ.
The Christian journey is not an easy road.
God's Way demands self discipline, self sacrifice, service and much love.
Yet this is the road to eternal life [Matthew 7:13-14]
17) We are to be discerning as to which spiritual leaders we trust.
Not all spiritual leaders are authentic leaders towards God.
Our heavenly future is too important to risk by naive trust in false preachers [Matthew 7:15-20]
18) What makes an authentic disciple of Jesus Christ is the faithful carrying out of God's Commandments.
Those who espouse Christianity but do not live according to God's Way are in danger of not being recognized by Jesus Christ as worthy of His Kingdom when their eternal future is finally at stake
[Matthew 7:21-23]
19) Build your life foundation upon God, our Rock and Refuge [Psalm 18:2].
Life is tough, many unforeseen things happen and disasters in many forms can strike in this vale of tears.
Only our trust and faith in God can help us to stand firm at all times despite the travails and tragedies which can befall [Matthew 7:24-27]
We encourage you to read the Scriptures and find more.
There is no greater joy than drinking from the well of the Gospels.
'On the last and greatest day of the Festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink!" ' [John 7:37]
THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS ON
1) Who is truly blessed in the Eyes of God - the Beatitudes [Matthew 5:1-12]2) Disciples are to have the strong authenticity of salt and live lives as powerful a witness as a strong light, evident as a large city on the hilltop [Matthew 5:13-16]
3) Jesus comes to perfect the Law, to make it understandable as God wishes it understood, not as humanity interprets it [Matthew 5:17-20]
4) Jesus affirms the sanctity of life and the unholiness of contempt [Matthew 5:21-25]
5) Jesus affirms the sacred bond of marriage is not to be broken, unless there is irreparable breakdown in the case of adultery
[Matthew 5:27-32]
6) Be truthful. Thus there will be no need of oaths at all
[Matthew 5:33-37]
7) Don't be vengeful. Develop mildness of character and don't bear grudges. This is not the way of the Kingdom [Matthew 5:38-42]
8) Be kind to all, and forgive the unforgivable. Thus we aim for spiritual perfection, modelled on the perfection of our Divine Parent [Matthew 5:43-48]
9) We are to be generous and help those in need without expectation of reward or return. Furthermore we are to extend this help with pure motive, not seeking fame or societal congratulation [Matthew 6:1-4]
10) We are to be people of devout prayer. Jesus gave us the pattern for all prayer, the Lord's Prayer.
If we model our lives on the tenets of this prayer pattern, we have the blueprint for all spiritual holiness within one great teaching
[Matthew 6:5-15]
11) We are to aim for mastery over our own appetite for food, and to do so in prayer communion with God.
Prudent control with common sense over a simple natural need as our requirement for physical food will train us in self mastery.
This will enable us for the task of further mastery over our physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, societal and financial life aspects.
By prudent self mastery with common sense we prevent our natural needs or addictions from becoming our master.
We learn to properly handle our own unique bodily temple of God. "Do you not know that you are God's temple and the God's Spirit dwells in you?"
[1 Corinthians 3:16]
12) We are to value our relationship with God and our heavenly future above earthly money, prestige and status [Matthew 6:19-24]
13] We are to bring our needs before God the Father in prayer, asking for His help with them.
We are to leave anxiety behind and learn to trust in God.
God does not give for the future - He gives for today, and teaches us the lesson of ongoing and developing trust in Him.
Thus relationship with our Divine Parent will develop, deepen and grow.
'Give us this day our daily bread': Jesus has taught us to pray in the Lord's Prayer.
We have not been taught to pray for tomorrow's bread or bread in fifteen years time.
We are to live in the moment, with trust and ongoing developing relationship with our Divine Parent [Matthew 6:25-34]
The Israelites in the desert - starving and afraid for the future of their children, gathered more manna than they needed so they could be sure of food on the morrow.
Instead the manna rotted, and they were encouraged to trust in the Divine Parent for their daily needs. [Exodus 16:1-20]
14) We are not to judge others and run the risk of possible emotional cruelty. This is not the Christian way. We are to extend kindness and lack of harshness not only in our actions but also in our thoughts. Thus does our thought life become purified.
[Matthew 7:1-6]
15) We are to trust in God and ask Him to assist us provide for our needs. Our Divine Parent will hear our prayer and answer in the way that is best for us at that particular moment. It must be remembered that God sometimes says no. Good parenting sometimes involves decisions which are for the good of the children, but not always happily received or fully understood at the time.
[Matthew 7:7-12]
16) We are to deliberately choose the gate and road less travelled by humanity, the gate and road pointed out by Jesus Christ.
The Christian journey is not an easy road.
God's Way demands self discipline, self sacrifice, service and much love.
Yet this is the road to eternal life [Matthew 7:13-14]
17) We are to be discerning as to which spiritual leaders we trust.
Not all spiritual leaders are authentic leaders towards God.
Our heavenly future is too important to risk by naive trust in false preachers [Matthew 7:15-20]
18) What makes an authentic disciple of Jesus Christ is the faithful carrying out of God's Commandments.
Those who espouse Christianity but do not live according to God's Way are in danger of not being recognized by Jesus Christ as worthy of His Kingdom when their eternal future is finally at stake
[Matthew 7:21-23]
19) Build your life foundation upon God, our Rock and Refuge [Psalm 18:2].
Life is tough, many unforeseen things happen and disasters in many forms can strike in this vale of tears.
Only our trust and faith in God can help us to stand firm at all times despite the travails and tragedies which can befall [Matthew 7:24-27]
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