Jesus Christ took the Jewish people and religious leaders by surprise when He dismantled many of their traditions. In Mark 7:9 He said to some religious leaders,“ All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”
As the Son of God, Jesus taught many things to help us live victoriously. Let’ s look at ten life lessons that we can learn from Jesus.
1. Love God with all that you are Matthew 22:36-38 says,“’ Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him,‘“ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.’”
If we love God with ALL that we are, then everything else falls into place. When we love other things or people more than we love God, it sets us up for trouble. Don’ t love anyone or anything more than you love God.
2. Love others Jesus went on to tell the disciple the second greatest commandment as well:“ You shall love your neighbor as yourself”( Matthew 22:39). The truth is, we sure do love ourselves! We do many things for ourselves each day; likewise, we love others by putting them before ourselves. This is a difficult thing for our selfish flesh, but it’ s an important command.
Jesus takes loving others even further in Luke 6:27:“ But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” That’ s right; according to the Son of God, we’ re supposed to even love our enemies!
3. Nothing is more important than the Kingdom of God What is the Kingdom of God? First, it’ s not a physical kingdom— yet. Someday, King Jesus will set up His Kingdom on the earth in all its fullness, but for now, it’ s a spiritual kingdom that is breaking into the physical realm.
Religious leaders asked when God’ s Kingdom would be established( thinking God would wipe out the Romans who were ruling over them). In Luke 17:20-21 Jesus“ answered them and said,‘ The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say,“ See here!” or“ See there!” For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.’”
In Matthew 12:28 Jesus said,“ But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” And in Luke 9:1-2,“ Then [ Jesus ] called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”( Also see Luke 10:9.)
Clearly, the Kingdom of God is freedom from oppression, healing and wholeness, hope, peace and joy!
Jesus declared in Matthew 6:33,“ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Instead of running after what we think we need or want, we should be pursuing God’ s Kingdom, knowing that He will take care of everything.
Continue ….
Team Talk
Bible Heroes 10 Life Lessons from Jesus
Jesus Christ took the Jewish people and religious leaders by surprise when He dismantled many of their traditions. In Mark 7:9 He said to some religious leaders,“ All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”
As the Son of God, Jesus taught many things to help us live victoriously. Let’ s look at ten life lessons that we can learn from Jesus.
1. Love God with all that you are Matthew 22:36-38 says,“’ Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him,‘“ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.’”
If we love God with ALL that we are, then everything else falls into place. When we love other things or people more than we love God, it sets us up for trouble. Don’ t love anyone or anything more than you love God.
2. Love others Jesus went on to tell the disciple the second greatest commandment as well:“ You shall love your neighbor as yourself”( Matthew 22:39). The truth is, we sure do love ourselves! We do many things for ourselves each day; likewise, we love others by putting them before ourselves. This is a difficult thing for our selfish flesh, but it’ s an important command.
Jesus takes loving others even further in Luke 6:27:“ But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” That’ s right; according to the Son of God, we’ re supposed to even love our enemies!
3. Nothing is more important than the Kingdom of God What is the Kingdom of God? First, it’ s not a physical kingdom— yet. Someday, King Jesus will set up His Kingdom on the earth in all its fullness, but for now, it’ s a spiritual kingdom that is breaking into the physical realm.
Religious leaders asked when God’ s Kingdom would be established( thinking God would wipe out the Romans who were ruling over them). In Luke 17:20-21 Jesus“ answered them and said,‘ The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say,“ See here!” or“ See there!” For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.’”
In Matthew 12:28 Jesus said,“ But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” And in Luke 9:1-2,“ Then [ Jesus ] called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”( Also see Luke 10:9.)
Clearly, the Kingdom of God is freedom from oppression, healing and wholeness, hope, peace and joy!
Jesus declared in Matthew 6:33,“ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Instead of running after what we think we need or want, we should be pursuing God’ s Kingdom, knowing that He will take care of everything.