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Bible Studies

Beginning the Journey (for new Christians).
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1, 2, and 3 John
1
& 2 Thessalonians
1 & 2 Timothy
1 Peter
2 Peter, Jude
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
7 Last Words of Christ
Abraham
Acts 1-12:
The Early Church
Apostle Paul
Christmas Incarnation
Church
Christ Powered Life (Rom 5-8)
Colossians
Conquering Lamb of Revelation
Daniel
David, Life of
Galatians
Gideon
Grace
Great Prayers
Glorious Kingdom, The
Early Church: Acts1-12
Elijah
Ephesians
Hebrews
Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
Isaiah
James
Jacob
Jesus and the Kingdom
John's Gospel
John's Letters
Joshua
Lamb of God
Listening for God's Voice
Lord's Supper
Luke
Mark
Moses
Names of God
Names of Jesus
Philippians
Psalms
Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books
Resurrection
Revelation
Sermon on the Mount
Songs of Ascent
(Ps 120-135)
Christian Art
About Us
Speaking
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Dr. Wilson's Books
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![]() James Tissot, detail of "The Lord's Prayer"(1886-96), watercolor, Brooklyn Museum, New York. Full image. |
With his cousin, John the Baptist, he came onto the scene and began to preach that the Kingdom of God was at hand. The Reign of God had come to First Century Palestine in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
We like the comfort of the Beatitudes:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."(Matthew 5:3)
How gentle!
But when we actually begin to listen to Jesus' parables of the Kingdom, we are taken aback. Consider, for example:
- The Parable of the Sower and the Soils (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). It teaches that a person's faith can become choked with the thorns of wealth and worries. Is he talking about your faith? Your spiritual life?
- The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35) describes a person who refuses to forgive a minor fault despite the fact that he has just been forgiven a humungous debt. Surely, that doesn't apply to me!
- The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) makes us pause. Does it mean that we will be held accountable to God himself for the way we use what he has given us? Am I the servant who buried his talent?
This can get uncomfortable. I am sure it made Jesus' first hearers uncomfortable too. But they were so fascinated by the power of the unvarnished truth that they came back again and again. And this Man healed them!
What is this Kingdom of God? Why is it Good News? Why does it demand so much from me?
I invite you to come to grips with the raw truths that Jesus taught, without the sugarcoating of modern religion. Come back with me to the first century roads and villages of Galilee and Judea and hear again your Master teach.
![]() A book of the compiled lessons is available in both e-book and paperback formats. |
You'll find that the seed of his word will sprout and grow in you afresh, strong and fruitful. I look forward to walking with you on this journey through Jesus' teachings of the Kingdom.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Ralph
September 24, 2010
Copyright © 2023, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastorjoyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.
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In-depth Bible study books
You can purchase one of Dr. Wilson's complete Bible studies in PDF, Kindle, or paperback format.
- 28 Advent Scriptures
- 1, 2, and 3 John
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter & Jude
- 1 & 2 Thessalonians
- 1 & 2 Timothy
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Apostle Paul
- Abraham, Faith of
- Christ Powered Life (Romans 5-8)
- Christmas Incarnation
- Colossians and Philemon
- Conquering Lamb of Revelation
- Daniel
- David, Life of
- Early Church: Acts 1-12
- Elijah
- Ephesians
- Galatians
- Gideon
- Glorious Kingdom, The
- Grace: Favor for the Undeserving
- Great Prayers of the Bible
- Hebrews
- Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
- Isaiah
- Jacob, Life of
- James
- Jesus and the Kingdom of God
- JesusWalk: Beginning the Journey
- John's Gospel
- Joshua
- Lamb of God
- Listening for God's Voice
- Lord's Supper
- Luke's Gospel
- Moses the Reluctant Leader
- Names and Titles of God
- Names and Titles of Jesus
- Philippians
- Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books
- Resurrection and Easter Faith
- Sermon on the Mount
- Psalms
- Seven Last Words of Christ
- Songs of Ascent (Ps 120-134)
- Revelation
My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.
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