The Teachings of Jesus (TOJ)

[GWH]

I have seen a need to cite this TOJ frequently lately, so how can I not include it at the divine #7 slot?

TOJ #44: Ask/seek/knock. [MT 7:7-11/LK 11:9-13] These three synonyms are three, four and five letter words for
God's requirement for salvation. Ask what is true, seek salvation, and knock on heaven’s door. (See HB 11:6)

The parallel passage in Luke makes this clear, because instead of “good gifts” it says the Holy Spirit will be given
to those who ask. Thus, sincerely seeking salvation is regarded by God as righteousness (cf. RM 4:3),
probably because God knows that were a seeker given the opportunity to hear the full gospel,
he/she would believe and be saved or sanctified {JN 17:17}.

 

[GWH]

I guess this is a good place to end, but I do want to let you know about my offer
regarding our website <truthseekersfellowship.com> to consider adding your comments
at appropriate places, but please try to adhere to the parameters I set for myself, including:

1. Append Scripture references to support logical inferences.
2. Attempt to harmonize opposing viewpoints instead of being argumentative.
3. Be pithy (using acronyms in the list), but address questions obviously begged by your comment.

Thanks, LIC, GWH

 

[GWH]

TOJ #205: Witness for Jesus to the world. [ACTS 1:8] Jesus told the apostles (minus Judas and before Paul) to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (ACTS 1:4-5) before beginning to evangelize the world. Unfortunately, only the ministry of Paul in the area westward to Asia Minor, Greece and Rome had a significant lasting effect. The TOJ faded from memory in Palestine and were perverted into ascetic monasticism in Egypt. Thus, there was a spiritual void that was filled by Mohammed’s Koran and campaign of conquest a few centuries later. (See TOJ #164.)

This concludes my enumeration and commentary regarding the TOJ.
May the reader find this effort a helpful boost for understanding ultimate reality
and for coping with life on earth. Amen.

The complete TOJ are posted on <truthseekersfellowship.com>
for everyone to utilize as a resource. (LIC :^)

With Easter approaching I would like to append the lyrics from classic hymn:

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior!
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! (He arose) He arose! (He arose)
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

(Chorus)

Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! (He arose) He arose! (He arose)
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

 

[GWH]

Another Easter favorite of mine:

1 When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

 

[PAC-fit]

Another Easter favorite of mine:

1 When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

So appropriate care, precious and power, lifting the Savior up.

 

[GWH]

And I like this version of John 3:16 by Jaci Velasquez:

God so loved the world
That he gave his one and only son
That whosoever believes in him
Will not perish but have everlasting life

I try so hard to find the words to say
To let you know how great is this god to whom i pray
Nothing can nor ever will compare
To the peace that flows in your soul when he is living there
Oh i know you've been through so much
It's hard to contemplate letting go and reaching out in trust
But i know the simple truth That love is here for you
So take him at his word and see what he can do

God so loved the world
That he gave his one and only son
That whosoever believes in him
Will not perish but have everlasting life

The promise is yours and mine
Take hold of this love For the rest of your life
But it's time to take a step of faith
Be prepared for jesus' love to carry you away

God so loved the world
That he gave his one and only son
That whosoever believes in him
Will not perish but have everlasting life
Everlasting life You loved me

God so loved the world

 

[armchairscholar]

TOJ #1: Jesus is the Son of God. [LK 2:49] Jesus' first pupils were His parents. By the age of twelve Jesus realized that God was His heavenly Father (in fulfillment of Psalm 2:7). John 1:14 states that God's Word/Spirit was incarnate in Jesus. Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus is God's Son, "the exact representation of his being." Insofar as it is possible for the almighty, immortal and invisible God (1TM 1:17) to reveal Himself in a mortal human (RM 1:3), that person is Jesus (1TM 2:5). Jesus is the fullest possible revelation of the superhuman God (CL 1:19) in the human dimension (PHP 2:7-8). And with God all things are possible that do not contradict who He is (MT 19:26, HB 6:18). The "insofar" of this theophany is sufficient, so that the Son of God (MT 3:17, 17:5) or Messiah/Christ may be considered as Immanuel (MT 1:23) or God the Son {JN 5:17-27, 10:25-38, 14:9f., 17:1-5}. This means that God may be understood as a Triunity (See TOJ #7, #49, #52 & #178).
Regarding Jesus' humanity the NT story indicates that in order to fulfill a prophecy (IS 7:14) the Holy Spirit implanted a specially created embryo in the virgin Mary, who had not yet consummated her marriage to the virginal Joseph (MT 1:18&25). Jesus' earthly parents did not understand His relationship with His heavenly Father at first, but at least His birth-mother "treasured all these things in her heart"—as we all should (LK 2:50-52). Of course, every time Jesus referred to God as Father could be cited as teaching this concept, but I will cite only two more passages from John's gospel {JN 6:32-46, 10:25-38}.
TOJ #2: Obey God's will. [MT 3:15] Notice that the accounts of Jesus' baptism in the other gospels (MK 1:9-11, LK 3:21-22, JN 1:31-34) omit this teaching. However, it is a major theme in John's gospel. {JN 5:17, 17:4} (See TOJ #34 & #153.) By being baptized Jesus taught John and others present that He obeyed God's will for Messiah to identify with sinful humanity. In John's gospel Jesus called doing his Father's will/work His "food" {JN 4:34}. It included giving eternal life {JN 5:19-21,36}. The work of dying Jesus called His "cup" {JN 18:11}, which surely is what was "finished" on the cross {JN 19:30}. Jesus also spoke of His coming obedience unto death (TOJ #54) as a "baptism". {LK 12:50, MK 10:38-39, 14:36} Obeying God's will as codified in the Ten Commandments is TOJ #107. Peter taught this truth via a negative example {in MT 16:23//MK 8:33}.
Okay, there is my beginning. Any comments? What do you think will be TOJ #3?

Your first teaching point about Jesus being the Son of God lays a solid foundation. The way you connect different Bible verses shows how this identity wasn't just a title but central to who Jesus was. I like how you address both the divine and human aspects - that's so important for understanding Jesus fully.
For your second point about obeying God's will, you've highlighted something that often gets overlooked in our "follow your heart" culture. Jesus' example of obedience - even to death - gives us a model for our own lives. The psychological principle of "modeling" suggests we learn best by watching others, and Jesus gives us the perfect model!
If I had to guess what TOJ #3 might be, I'm thinking it could be about repentance or the Kingdom of God, since those were among Jesus' first messages in His ministry (Mark 1:15 - "The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!").
One suggestion: you might want to consider how these teachings build on each other. For example, Jesus' identity as Son of God (TOJ #1) directly connects to His perfect obedience (TOJ #2). This progression could help readers see how Jesus' teachings form a complete picture rather than separate ideas.

 

[GWH]

Your first teaching point about Jesus being the Son of God lays a solid foundation. The way you connect different Bible verses shows how this identity wasn't just a title but central to who Jesus was. I like how you address both the divine and human aspects - that's so important for understanding Jesus fully.
For your second point about obeying God's will, you've highlighted something that often gets overlooked in our "follow your heart" culture. Jesus' example of obedience - even to death - gives us a model for our own lives. The psychological principle of "modeling" suggests we learn best by watching others, and Jesus gives us the perfect model!
If I had to guess what TOJ #3 might be, I'm thinking it could be about repentance or the Kingdom of God, since those were among Jesus' first messages in His ministry (Mark 1:15 - "The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!").
One suggestion: you might want to consider how these teachings build on each other. For example, Jesus' identity as Son of God (TOJ #1) directly connects to His perfect obedience (TOJ #2). This progression could help readers see how Jesus' teachings form a complete picture rather than separate ideas.

Thanks for your feedback. Your guess re #3 is a good one, but because the chronological list follows the order in Matthew, there are a few more before we get to repentance. I look forward to your thoughts about those.

 

[GWH]

TOJ #129: The law of love summarizes God’s moral will. [MT 22:37-39//MK 12:29-31] Although this law has two applications (love for God and love for people, including oneself), these are combined and enumerated as one to show that they coexist (1JN 4:20-21).

This law (DT 6:5, LV 19:18) summarizes all of God’s moral commandments as Paul also taught (GL 5:14). Jesus commanded His disciples to love {JN 13:34, 15:12&17}. Love is the sign that a soul is a Spirit-filled Christian (TOJ #148, cf. #113). Elsewhere (PR 6:16, RM 12:9) it is taught that God and godly people should hate evil. Of course, Jesus’ instruction to “hate” one’s own life and family (LK 14:26) means to love God foremost (TOJ #50).

TOJ #130: Love is the key to understanding GW/truth. {MT 22:40} And the key to comprehending God’s love is Jesus (JN 3:16, RM 5:8, 1JN 4:10-5:5; TOJ #47).