Posts by John Longmire (Page 150)

The parable of the sower is one of the most important parables Jesus taught. It explains the many reasons why people do not follow through in following Christ. It also explains how we can make our lives into good ground for the seed of God’s word to grow. Luke 8:4-15 When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he…

Jesus Christ leads his people by speaking. He does not manipulate us nor does he rig the circumstances of our lives to produce an intended outcome. Instead, Jesus invites us into a relationship with him, and directs us through holy conversation. Jesus used the analogy of a shepherd who leads the sheep by speaking. John 10:1-18 “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief…

Jesus welcomes religious and non-religious people alike. More than a Historical Figure. Jesus Christ is much more than a historical figure; he is the living Son of God who has established the kingdom of God and invites us all to participate. He relates to us person-to-person, and desires to shape our lives according to his purposes. Follow Me. Christians are followers of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we focus on the church’s doctrine or on the practices of the Christian faith to…

Remember, I am with you.  After Jesus gave the Great Commission, he reminded his disciples that he would be with them. If the disciples were worried about having to fulfill the great commission on their own, their worries would be set at ease. Christ himself would be with them as they did his work. It is important for us to remember that Christ is with us as well. Often times, we attempt to live our lives by our own power and…

The Great Commission: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Baptism  Baptism is the sign of new life. It references the water of the womb…

All Authority in Heaven and Earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples. (Matthew 28:18) Jesus Christ has made an astonishing claim: that God has made him king over heaven and earth. The theme of his authority is expressed consistently throughout all his teaching. The modern notion that Jesus of Nazareth was merely a human being who was deified after his death is a falsehood. Jesus quite clearly claimed to be the divine Son of God throughout…

The Great Commission reveals the goal of discipleship and the central purpose for the Christian community. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”(Matthew 28:18-20) GO! Jesus Christ…

At the end of 2nd Corinthians, Paul speaks of a translated experience where he was taken into heaven and shown things of which he could not speak. He then speaks of a “thorn in his flesh” that was given to keep him humble. It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up…

The goal of the Christian life is that we would serve as ambassadors for Jesus Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul explains the purpose of ambassadorship. From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is…

The main theme of Jesus’ teaching is “The Kingdom of God.” Within this main theme are some essential sub themes:  1.  The Authority of Jesus as Messiah and King 2.  The Fulfillment of the Old Covenant 3.  The Character of the Kingdom 4.  The Kingdom’s Place in History 5.  Righteousness 6.  Faith  7.  Discipleship 8.  The Holy Spirit 9.  Opposition to the Kingdom 10.  Expectation of Christ’s Return The stories of Jesus in the gospels reveal these themes; the further…