Ten Things I Wish Jesus Never Said

by Kuligin, Victor

• ISBN13: 9781581347753
• ISBN10: 1581347758
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-17
• Publisher: Crossway Books

Summary

"Plenty of books hype the benefits of belief in Jesus. This one warns, ls"Count the cost!rs" Drawing on a decade of tough service in Africa, on lessons from church history, and most of all on Scripture, Kuligin offers loving but stringent counsel to Western Christians. By changing the way we think about things like church, Godrs"s blessing, and Jesus himself, this book can transform the way we live." -Robert W. Yarbrough, Associate Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School"When unbelieving Mark Twain quipped, ls"Itrs"s not what I donrs"t understand about the Bible that bothers me; itrs"s what I do understand,rs" he ironically voiced the thoughts of many believing hearts because, for the most part, Jesusrs"s hard sayings are frightfully understandable. The hardest thing about Christrs"s hard words is applying them. And here Victor Kuliginrs"s Ten Things I Wish Jesus Never Said will prove a substantial grace to every thoughtful reader. The authorrs"s engagement with how the great men and women of church history have lived out the hard words is sure to make this a book that will be read and reread." -R. Kent Hughes, Senior Pastor, College Church, Wheaton, IllinoisOnly when we have a healthy realization of our spiritual needs can we understand how surrender brings peace and freedom. With honesty and humility, Kuligin examines ten of Christrs"s difficult sayings and offers practical advice for following Christ. Blended into each chapter are personal anecdotes, a healthy quantity of biblical support, and reflections from historical figures.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	9	(2)
Preface	11	(234)
1 The Art of Spiritual Poverty	15	(28)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
2 The Art of Spiritual Self-Mutilation	43	(18)
"If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away."
3 The Art of Spiritual Commitment	61	(24)
"No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
4 The Art of Spiritual Self-Crucifixion	85	(24)
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
5 The Art of Spiritual Martyrdom	109	(26)
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me."
6 The Art of Spiritual Love	135	(24)
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."
7 The Art of Spiritual Forgiveness	159	(26)
"If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
8 The Art of Spiritual Self-Loathing	185	(34)
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple."
9 The Art of Spiritual Discernment	219	(26)
"Judge not, or you too will be judged."
10 The Art of Spiritual Self-Assessment	245	(28)
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven."
11 The Art of Spiritual Surrender	273	(12)
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Notes	285	(10)
Author Index	295