Wilderness Messiah


Book Description




Mysteries of the Messiah


Book Description

Are you settling for half the story? Highlighting connections that have been hidden from non-Jewish eyes, Rabbi Jason Sobel will connect the dots between the Old and New Testament, helping you see the Bible with clarity as God intended. Most people—even people of faith—do not understand how the Bible fits together. Too many Christians accept half an inheritance, content to embrace merely the New Testament, while Jewish people may often experience the same by embracing only the Old Testament. But God has an intricate plan and purpose for both the Old and the New. In Mysteries of the Messiah, Rabbi Jason Sobel reveals the many connections in Scripture hidden in plain sight. Known for his emphatic declaration “but there’s more!” he guides us in seeing the passion and purpose of the Messiah. Mysteries of the Messiah: Uncovers connections between the Old and New Testaments Connects the dots for readers with details about Jesus, the Torah, and biblical characters Written with the unique perspective of a rabbi with an evangelical theological degree No matter how many times you have read the Bible, Mysteries of the Messiah will bring fresh perspective and insight. God’s Word, written by many people over thousands of years, is not a random selection of people and stories. Rabbi Jason Sobel connects the dots and helps us see with clarity what God intended.







The Wrong Messiah


Book Description

He came from the wrong social class, the wrong place and the wrong profession. He ate with the wrong people, championed the wrong causes and attracted the wrong kind of supporters. He even spoke with the wrong accent. In fact everything about Jesus of Nazareth was wrong. How could this odd-job man be God's Messiah?To the authorities he was a dangerous rebel; to the pious he was scandalously unorthodox. Even his family thought he was mad. But somehow this builder from 'up north' - this outrageous, unorthodox, rebellious teacher and miracle worker - changed the world. In this illuminating new biography, Nick Page strips away centuries of misrepresentation and myth to reveal the real personality portrayed in the gospels. Drawing on a wealth of historical and archaeological research, the result is a startling and vivid new portrait of Yeshua ben Yosef - Jesus of Nazareth. Challenging and thought-provoking, THE WRONG MESSIAH will change the way you view Jesus: the man who in so many ways seemed utterly wrong, but who history has proved triumphantly to be right.




Recognizing the Messiah's Message


Book Description

Hebrews were waiting for the Messiah to come and set them free; free from the bondage of the Roman enemy. But then, announced to a group of shepherds one night, the Messiah arrived, was wrapped in strips of cloth, and took His royal position in a feed trough. This was the Son of God who takes away the sins of the world! He was given authority from His Father. He would show signs of His Messiahship and have a great following because of His miraculous healings; even bringing the dead back to life! But His message was confusing to some. He didnt meet the expectations of the Messiah. He said that we should love our enemies. He said that God was a loving heavenly Father and even referred to Him as Daddy (Abba Father). And then there was His message of relating to God through humility. Matthews writing helped the early Hebrew Christians recognize Jesus is the Messiah; an important message that encourages one to stand firmly in faith. Recognizing and identifying with the Messiahs message will lead us to call upon our one true Teacher and Savior, Jesus Christ through whom we receive Gods loving grace and mercy.




Jesus and the Missional Movement in Galilee


Book Description

In New Testament scholarship, the study of space has been underrepresented in comparison with the study of time. While Jesus' life and ministry have been intensively explored in terms of eschatology--i.e., with time significance--space has tended to be treated as simply a given room or inactive backdrop where events took place. Interest in the space where Jesus ministered has, however, gradually increased, and space has received greater attention from sociological and literary perspectives. In particular, spatial investigations into the social circumstances of Galilee, the place of origin of Jesus' missional movement, have begun to attract serious scholarly attention. The important functions of space in literature are also becoming better recognized: spatial settings serve not only to generate atmosphere but also to disclose the purposes and themes of narratives. This book explores Jesus' Galilean ministry in Mark 4:35--8:21 through the use of spatial analysis, dividing space into three categories: social, geographical, and allusive. The study of each space discovers social, literary, and theological implications of Jesus' missional movement in Galilee.




On the Death and Resurrection of the Messiah


Book Description

The completely new Faith Lessons curriculum takes your small group on a round trip to ancient times, places, and customs, and back again. This lively, interactive journey is more than fascinating -- it's faith-inspiring and life-changing. Your job as a group leader is simplified with this all-new Leader's Guide: fresh, clear, and easy to follow, designed to minimize your preparation time and maximize your effectiveness. Nothing is left for you to guess. This volume contains all the material in the Participant's Guide, including maps, photos, sidebars, and other study aids, plus instructions and tips that will take you step-by-step through each faith lesson. The carefully organized format makes it easy to conduct the following invigorating, discussion-filled sessions: 1. When Storms Come 2. Piercing the Darkness 3. Gates of Hell 4. City of the Great King (I) 5. City of the Great King (II) 6. The Lamb of God 7. The Weight of the World 8. Roll Away the Stone 9. Power to the People 10. Total Commitment -- Zondervan Group Resources deliver personal spiritual growth through: - great content - minimal preparation time for both leader and participant - proven learning techniques using a variety of media - meaningful interaction in groups of any size, in any setting




Life and Ministry of the Messiah Discovery Guide


Book Description

This eight-session small group Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately) from noted teacher and historian, Ray Vander Laan, is volume three of the That the World May Know series. In it, Vander Laan illustrates how Jesus’ call to follow him turned the world upside down. Journey back to the time of Jesus. Marvel at the magnificence of Herod’s palace. Scramble among the ruins of Qumran. And wonder at the simplicity and wisdom of Jesus’ parables. You and your group will discover how the events of Jesus’ day impacted his life, ministry and communication… and then you’ll learn how it affects yours. Faith Lessons is a unique video series that brings God's Word to life with astounding relevance. By weaving together the Bible's fascinating historical, cultural, religious, and geographical contexts, teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan reveals unique insights into the Scriptures' significance for modern believers. Each lesson: Focuses on passages of Scripture explored in the DVD Includes sidebars, maps, photos and other study tools Features questions that facilitate discussion and inspire personal reflection Includes 30 personal Bible studies to help you deepen your learning experience between sessions, and turn lessons from the past into applications that impact how you live out your faith today. Filmed on location in Israel, these illuminating "faith lessons" afford a new understanding of the Bible that will ground your convictions and transform your life. The Faith Lessons video series is ideal for use in small groups, personal and family Bible studies, and adult Sunday school. Individual believers and families will gain vital insights from long-ago times and cultures through this innovative approach to Bible study. Lessons include: In the Shadow of Herod – Herodion My Rock and My Fortress – Masada The Time Had Fully Come – Filmed in Qumran No Greater Love – Filmed in Korazin/Mount of Beatitudes The Rabbi – Filmed in Gamla Language of Culture – Filmed in Sepphoris Misguided Faith – Filmed in Belvoir Living Water – Filmed in En Gedi Designed for use with the Life and Ministry of the Messiah Video Study (sold separately).




The Davidic Messiah in Luke-Acts


Book Description

The nature of Lukan christology has been much debated in recent years, with scholars claiming the pre-eminence of such categories as Lord, Prophet, Christ, or Isaianic Servant. In the present work the author examines one major theme within Luke's christology, that of the coming king from the line of David. A study of the Lukan birth narrative and the speeches in Acts reveals that Luke shows a strong interest in this royal-messianic theme, introducing it into passages which are introductory and programmatic for his christology as a sermon, portraying Jesus in strongly prophetic terms. The author seeks a synthesis of these seemingly conflicting royal and prophetic portraits in Luke's interpretation of the Old Testament book of Isaiah. When Isaiah is read as a unity, the eschatological deliverer is at the same time Davidic king (Isa. 9.11), suffering servant of Yahweh (Isa. 42-53), and prophet herald of salvation (Isa. 61), leading God's people on an eschatological new exodus. On the basis of this synthesis the christology of Luke-Acts is seen to be both consistent and unified, forming an integral part of Luke's wider purpose in his two-volume work.




Jesus as Teacher in the Gospel of Matthew


Book Description

Inspired by the work of Richard France and his highly influential Matthew: Evangelist and Teacher, Charles L. Quarles and Charles Nathan Ridlehoover have gathered together a collection of works that argue for a re-examination of the defining features of Jesus's role as a teacher in the Gospel of Matthew. This volume suggests that, while each of the Gospel writers display Jesus leading disciples along, speaking to crowds, and confronting Jewish authorities with effective and timely teachings, Matthew's portrayal of Jesus as a teacher contains distinctives that deserve further exploration. After examining Jesus's Old Testament and Second Temple influences and comparing his methods to the contemporary Greco-Roman tradition, the contributors explore Jesus's position as a teacher of faith and forgiveness and a trainer of scribes, and analyse his relationship with several different apostles. Including responsive essays, and concluding with a summary of Jesus and Matthew himself as evangelists and teachers, this journey through the aspects of Jesus's teaching ministry gives readers a more complete look at Jesus's vocation.