Encountering Jesus In The Real World Of The Gospels

Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels Cyndi Parker Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels draws readers into a deeper understanding of ancient Israel and first-century Judaismthe clothing, setting, political climate, and moreall to better understand Jesus ministry. Instead of reading the Gospels through twenty-first-century eyes, author Cyndi Parker introduces readers to the larger context with the weight of the Old Testament behind them. This is an approachable and conversational book that introduces the reader to the complex human world of Jesus. Have you ever wondered if it is important that Jesus grew up in Nazareth but moved his public ministry to Capernaum, even though Jerusalem was the capital of Jewish thought? Does it seem strange to you that Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes held significantly divergent religious views, even though they were all Jewish? In this book, Cyndi Parker guides us through the intriguing drama of history that created the context of first-century Judaism. She extends an invitation to readers to take a new look at the long drama of Gods interactions with humanity that reach a climax in the life of Jesus. Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels focuses on the complexities of the political, social, literary, and religious context of the Gospels. The purpose is to advance readers understanding of the Gospels and help them encounter Jesus, the disciples, and crowds as real people in a real place at a time vastly different from today. Come explore the land of ancient Israel with its dramatic history, culture, and religion. Includes many images, maps, photos, and drawings throughout! About the Author Cyndi Parker (PhD, University of Gloucestershire) teaches in seminaries, universities, and churches around the world. Cyndi lived in Jerusalem for five years, has led dozens of trips to Israel, and continues to develop innovative, educational trips that inspire students of all ages through experiential education.

Much has been said about why Jesus died. This book focuses on why Jesus lived. God with Us: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew shows that Jesus didn’t just come to be our teacher, a miracle work or prophet, or even just Israel’s savior and redeemer. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. Notable Scripture scholar Edward Sri leads readers on a faithful exploration of Jesus’s kingdom-building mission and how it revealed God presence, which remains with us today. Helpful discussion questions are provided for personal and group study. This newly expanded edition of the study originally titled The Mystery of the Kingdom: On the Gospel of Matthew is an outstanding introduction to the first gospel.

New York Times bestselling author of The Prodigal Prophet Timothy Keller explores how people are changed by meeting Jesus personally—and how we can be changed encountering him today. The people who met Jesus Christ in person faced the same big life questions we face today. Like most of us, the answers handed down to them didn’t seem to work in the real world. But when they met Jesus, things immediately started to change for them. It seems he not only had the answers—he was the answer. In Encounters with Jesus, Timothy Keller shows how the central events and meetings in Jesus’ life can change our own lives forever. "Keller's work belongs on the bookshelf of every serious Bible student." —Examiner "Keller has mined the gold from these texts of Scripture, and any Christian is bound to have their minds expanded and hearts stirred." —Grace for Sinners

In this eight-session LifeGuide® Bible Study, Douglas Connelly examines the stories of how eight people--among them a scholar, a failure, a blind man and an adulteress--found their lives changed forever when they met Jesus Christ. Looking at their lives can give you hope when you find yourself dealing failure or with an emptiness nothing in life seems to fill.

A New York Times Bestseller! "Who do you say that I am?" Uttered by Jesus Christ, this profound question has presented an age-old challenge to believers, skeptics, scholars, and rulers. In attempting to answer this question, The True Jesus goes straight to the unimpeachable source: the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Only in the Gospels, says #1 New York Times bestselling author David Limbaugh, do we come face-to-face with the Son of God, Whose sublime teachings, miraculous actions, and divine essence leap off every page and into our hearts. In this book, Limbaugh combines the four Gospel stories into a unified account (though not, he humbly admits, a perfect harmony) and guides readers on a faith journey through the Four Evangelists' testimonies of the life of Jesus Christ. Along the way, Limbaugh shares his insights on Jesus' words and deeds as well as His unique nature as fully human and fully divine. In The True Jesus, you will learn: - Why even the apostles failed to completely understand Jesus' true identity and mission until after His crucifixion - The real basis for the rejection of Jesus' message by skeptics in His hometown and elsewhere - The historical events preceding Jesus' birth that providentially paved the way for Christianity - How Jesus' message utterly contradicted modern attempts to portray Him as being non-judgmental Limbaugh's passion for the Gospels infuses the pages of The True Jesus, which is both a primer for new Bible readers and an outstanding guide to the Gospels for long-time believers. Who really is the true Jesus? Open this book and begin your odyssey toward the answer.

With a firm conviction from years of ministry that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, Father Ronald Leinen shares stories of the living, healing, and life-renewing power he has found in Jesus the Saviour. As chaplain, pastoral counsellor, teacher, and priest, Father Leinen has met hundreds of people whose lives have been transformed by the love of Jesus. From the Gospels and the lives of both laity and religious who have encountered the person of Jesus, Father Leinen shows us how Jesus is alive today and working in people's lives.

The Unexpected Teachings of Jesus presents the Gospels not as simplistic solutions to everyday problems but as a collection of sacred stories that are challenging and can teach us all how to live in today's world. Filled with wise, wonderful, and sometimes quirky stories from John Coleman's own life and experiences as a father, teacher, and minister, the book delves into the Gospels to uncover the essence of what it means to believe in and follow the radical, compassionate, generous love of Jesus. Reading this collection of reflections is like putting on a new pair of glasses. It offers all Christians a new way of knowing Jesus' words and shows us teachings are sometimes the opposite of what we thought we understood.

A chilling revelation of Christ Jesus to Mankind…. Yes! I ran from Jesus’ invitations, I ignored his callings, I verbally and openly condemned his infinite existence, I betrayed his purpose bestowed upon my life. I refused Jesus for 25 years but, when the Lord got ready, Jesus took only a seven day encounter to arrest me, and save my life. Now I bless the Almighty God through his son Jesus Christ for my salvation and this honor bestowed upon me. “But as I send you back, make sure you tell everyone you meet that at the pronunciation of the name JESUS CHRIST every knee shall bow!” To the human inhabitants of this world who are still roaming from the realities of Jesus and are finding it difficult and impossible to trust that there exist a one true God and his only Son “Jesus Christ” who looks upon us every second of our lives. I have been warned to advise you to stop making this error: Do not judge the things of God using man’s limited means of reasoning: (seeing, smelling, tasting, hearing and, feeling) “1 Cor. 3:19”; sadly it is man’s philosophy that “anything that does not conform to the five senses of man, doesn’t exist.” And it is because of this limitation that God gives men an additional kind of reasoning to use when we worship him, and that reasoning is known as “FAITH in JESUS”, (Eph. 2:8).

In this welcome and wonderfully accessible book, Father William Mills very skillfully cuts through the fog of the current Jesus wars and helps readers discover for themselves the richly diverse answers provided in the gospels to Jesus' own question: "Who do you say that I am?

Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ met face-to-face with people just like you. Broken, imperfect, sometimes fearful and without hope. The Day I Met Jesus is a beautifully crafted narrative that chronicles the remarkable encounters of five women in the Gospels who were desperate to find wholeness, security, and purpose. Like all of us, these women struggled with the regrets of their pasts, the stresses of their presents, and the worries of their tomorrows. Join Frank Viola and Mary DeMuth on a fascinating journey back in time as they retell the dramatic accounts of five women who met Jesus. Each narrative is told from each woman's unique perspective, yet tightly grounded in the Gospel accounts and faithful to first-century history. Elegantly written and profoundly stirring, this book blends creative narrative with uncommon insight, spiritual depth, and practical application. If you are someone who seeks a renewal of hope, faith, and love, The Day I Met Jesus will make your Bible come to life and usher you into a fresh encounter with your Lord.