Christianity Oasis Forum

[notforgotten]

I would like to do a study of the 50 demands that Jesus has made on the world as outlined in the book, "What Jesus Demands from the World," by John Piper. I believe this will enhance our walk in Christ and benefit our spiritual growth. Please join in with any comments you would like to share.

Demand #1

YOU MUST BE
BORN AGAIN

Jesus answered . . . “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be
born again.’”—John 3:5, 7

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”—John 3:3

Comment: I believe that being born again has a double meaning. Firstly, I believe it refers to us having a change of heart and repenting in this lifetime. Secondly, I believe it is referring to our souls being salvaged by the divine powers of Christ, just after our bodies die and before we enter the kingdom of God.

[Mackenaw]

Hello Notforgotten

God Bless you this day.

Great idea, Notforgotten. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts, and any questions/comments that others may contribute. Thank you for sharing.

God bless you,
Mack

[notforgotten]

Hello Notforgotten

God Bless you this day.

Great idea, Notforgotten. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts, and any questions/comments that others may contribute. Thank you for sharing.

God bless you,
Mack

Thank you, Mackenaw.

[notforgotten]

Demand #2

REPENT

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom
of heaven is at hand.”—Matt. 4:17

I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.—Luke
5:32

The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this
generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching
of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is
here.—Matt. 12:41

Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.—Luke 13:3, 5

Comment: Repentance is not just a change in behavior, but an inward change that leads to a change in behavior.

[notforgotten]

Demand #3

COME TO ME

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest.—Matt. 11:28

Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me
and drink.”—John 7:37

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me
shall not hunger.”—John 6:35

You refuse to come to me that you may have life.—John 5:40

When he had said these things, he cried out with aloud voice, “Lazarus,
come out.” The man who had died came out.—John 11:43-44

Comment: A coming to Jesus is learning from and following Him.

[notforgotten]

Demand #4

BELIEVE IN ME

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in
me.—John 14:1

Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else
believe on account of the works themselves.—John 14:11

While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become
sons of light.—John 12:36

[Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and
put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but
believe.”—John 20:27

Comment: Believing in Jesus also means to put your trust in Him.

[notforgotten]

Demand #5

LOVE ME

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,
and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of
me.—Matt. 10:37

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,
for I proceeded and came forth from God.”—John 8:42, RSV

Comment: Jesus demands our deep love for Him and out of it, obeying His commandments. He is most worthy of our love.

[notforgotten]

Demand #6

LISTEN TO ME

He called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all
of you, and understand.”—Mark 7:14

As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let
him hear.”—Luke 8:8

Take care then how you hear.—Luke 8:18

And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she
had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his
teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she
went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has
left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord
answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about
many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good
portion, which will not be taken away from her.”—Luke 10:38-42

Comment: Jesus spoke God's words with authority and power.

“I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself
given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak” (John 12:49).

“What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me” (John 12:50; cf. 8:28).

Jesus speaks the Father's words as God the son. Jesus's words in scripture have commanded unclean spirits, healed people, and raised the dead. Jesus's words are the way to and give eternal life.

“This is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life” (John 6:40).

Those of God, hear God's words.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

[notforgotten]

Demand #7

ABIDE IN ME

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.—John 15:4

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.—John 15:9

If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.—John 8:31-32

Comment: Without Jesus we can do nothing. Abide in His love and His word. We need to abide in Him to bear good fruit.

[notforgotten]

Demand #8

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS
AND FOLLOW ME

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up
his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.—Matt. 16:24-25

Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.—Mark 1:17

I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.—John 8:12

Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.—Matt. 8:22

If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the
poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow
me.—Matt. 19:21

Comment: We must pick up our sins as Jesus did the cross and follow Him.

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

[notforgotten]

Demand #9

LOVE GOD WITH ALL
YOUR HEART, SOUL, MIND,
AND STRENGTH

Jesus answered, “The most important [commandment] is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”—Mark 12:29-30

Woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.—Luke 11:42

But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.—John 5:42-43

Comment: To know God is to love Him. He is a God of wisdom (Luke 11:49) and righteousness (Matt. 6:33) and power (Matt. 22:29) and wrath (John 3:36) and compassion (Luke 15:20) and love (John 3:16). He is a person, not a mere force, and can be known as a Father who loves us as his children (John 1:12; 16:27). Jesus said, “Whoever has seen
me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

[Mackenaw]

Hello Notforgotten

I am really enjoying these posts. It is a wonderful way to focus on God's Word in quick snacks, or when more time allows to meditate on, alone with The Lord, for a full meal .

Jesus, The Word, is the Bread of Life.

Thanks, Notforgotten.

God bless and keep you and yours,
Mack