Do You Know What Jesus Really Said?
Maybe you think you know the story of the carpenter’s son from Nazareth pretty well – Jesus the Son of God, who is gentle, kind, loving and full of compassion. But do you really know who He was, what He did, what He said and what it means now?
Jesus, who is “the truth,” was a fearless and passionate truth teller.
Jesus never engaged in the business of preaching a vapid, “feel good”, consumer friendly, sugar-coated gospel message in order to make it more palatable and appealing – and that’s a good thing to remember in today’s über-lenient age of tolerance.
- The honest truth is: An innocuous, diluted gospel is no gospel at all. A watered-down, milquetoast Christianity is really no Christianity at all.
Contrary to popular opinion, Jesus wasn’t just a gentle teacher, meek and mild, who walked the dusty roads of Galilee offering forgiveness and nuggets of wisdom to the flocking crowds.
Jesus was an uncompromising, unapologetic preacher who boldly spoke challenging words – and very often “not politically correct” – unashamedly proclaiming the truth about what God expects and requires from us.
Perhaps that’s why Jesus is the most loved and hated, adored and scorned, figure in human history.
- If you want to know what God thinks, then read and absorb the sayings of Jesus.
- If you want the wisdom of God, then study and shower your mind with the amazing words of Jesus. He spoke more powerfully than anyone else in history.
- If you want to know God’s insights on any subject, then pay close attention to everything Jesus said.
Luke 6:46-49 (CSB)
46: Jesus said, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say?
47: I will show you what someone is like who comes to Me, hears My words, and acts on them:
48: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built.
49: But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great.”
Forty Astonishing Sayings of Jesus
The following list of 40 key truths with supporting Scriptures were taken from my recent sermon series: “The Real Jesus” where I highlighted many of the stunning statements Jesus made concerning everything from seeking God first – to attacking anxiety – to God’s thoughts about money – to embracing the true gospel…
1. Jesus on His True Identity
Revelation 22:13 (NIV) Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
2. Jesus on Where He Came From
John 6:38 (AMP) Jesus said, “I have come down from heaven not to do My own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me.”
3. Jesus on Why He Came To Earth
Luke 19:10 (NKJV) Jesus said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
4. Jesus on Eternal Realities
John 5:24 (NKJV) Jesus said, “Whoever hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
5. Jesus on Becoming a Christian
John 3:3, 7 (NKJV) Jesus said, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”
6. Jesus on The Signs of His Return
Luke 17:26 (NLT) Jesus said, “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.”
Luke 21:25-27 (NLT) Jesus said, “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory.”
7. Jesus on The Greatest Commandment
Matthew 22:37-38 (ESV) Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”
8. Jesus on Praying to Get Results
Mark 11:24 (NKJV) Jesus said, “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
9. Jesus on Making God’s Word Top Priority
Matthew 4:4 (ESV) Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
John 8:47 (NIV) Jesus said, “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.”
10. Jesus on The Life-Changing Gospel
Luke 4:18 (NKJV) Jesus said, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
11. Jesus on The Value of Trusting God
Luke 18:27 (NKJV) Jesus said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
12. Jesus on Recognizing The Real Enemy
John 8:44 (NLT) Jesus said, “You are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
John 10:10 (ESV) Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
13. Jesus on The Real Deplorables
Matthew 23:27-28, 33 (TLB) Jesus said, “Woe to you Pharisees, and you religious leaders! You are like beautiful mausoleums – full of dead men’s bones, foulness and corruption. You try to look like saintly men, but underneath those pious robes of yours are hearts besmirched with every sort of hypocrisy and sin. Snakes! Sons of vipers! How shall you escape the judgment of hell?”
14. Jesus on Spiritual Hunger
Matthew 5:6 (NKJV) Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
15. Jesus on Letting Go of Worry
Matthew 6:34 (NIV) Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 11:28 (NLT) Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
16. Jesus on How to Spot a True Disciple
John 13:34-35 (NKJV) Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
17. Jesus on The Deadly Sin of Greed
Luke 12:15 (NIV) Jesus said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
18. Jesus on The Exclusivity of Salvation
John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
19. Jesus on The Believer’s Secret Place
Matthew 6:6 (NKJV) Jesus said, “When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
20. Jesus on Heaven and Hell
John 14:1-3 (NKJV) Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
Matthew 25:41, 46 (NIV) Jesus said, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
21. Jesus on The High Cost of Discipleship
Luke 9:23 (NIV) Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.”
22. Jesus on The Impact of Our Words
Matthew 12:36-37 (ESV) Jesus said, “On the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
23. Jesus on The Master Key to God’s Provision
Matthew 6:33 (NLT) Jesus said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”
24. Jesus on Pursuing God’s Will
Matthew 7:21 (NKJV) Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
25. Jesus on Our Heaven Sent Helper
John 14:26 (AMP) Jesus said, “The Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name to act on My behalf, He will teach you all things.”
26. Jesus on The Sinfulness of Sin
Mark 7:21-23 (TLB) Jesus said, “From within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts of lust, theft, murder, adultery, wanting what belongs to others, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, pride, and all other folly. All these vile things come from within; they are what pollute you and make you unfit for God.”
27. Jesus on Taxes and Tithing
Matthew 22:21 (AMP) Jesus said, “Pay to Caesar the things that are due to Caesar, and pay to God the things that are due to God.”
28. Jesus on The Danger of Religious Tradition
Mark 7:8, 13 (NIV) Jesus said, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions. Thus you nullify the Word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.”
Matthew 22:29 (MSG) Jesus said, “You’re off base on two counts: You don’t know your Bibles, and you don’t know how God works!”
29. Jesus on Letting Go of Unforgiveness
Mark 11:25 (AMP) Jesus said, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it go, in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your failings.”
30. Jesus on Taking Sin Seriously
Matthew 5:29-30 (ESV) Jesus said, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.”
31. Jesus on Life’s Biggest Loser
Mark 8:36 (NKJV) Jesus said, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
32. Jesus on The Power of Prayer
Matthew 18:18-19 (NIV) Jesus said, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.”
33. Jesus on Money, God and You
Matthew 6:21, 24 (ESV) Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
34. Jesus on The Believer’s Authority
Luke 10:19 (ESV) Jesus said, “I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”
35. Jesus on The Relevance of Repentance
Luke 13:3 (AMP) Jesus said, “Unless you repent you will perish and be lost eternally.”
Matthew 4:17 (NLT) Jesus said, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
36. Jesus on The Two Paths of Life
Matthew 7:13-14 (TLB) Jesus said, “Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate! The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide enough for all the multitudes who choose its easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.”
37. Jesus on The Power of Giving
Luke 6:38 (TLB) Jesus said, “If you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give – large or small – will be used to measure what is given back to you.”
38. Jesus on The Badge of Discipleship
John 8:31 (NASB) Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.”
John 14:15, 21 (NIV) Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will obey what I command. Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me.”
39. Jesus on The Danger of Backsliding
Luke 9:62 (NKJV) Jesus said, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
40. Jesus on Mountain Moving Faith
Mark 11:22-23 (NKJV) Jesus said, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”
Receiving and acting upon the sayings of Jesus can replace stress with peace, sadness with joy, confusion with guidance, and fear with faith – but even more than that – they will draw you into a closer walk with the Lord.
“I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene. Unquestionably no one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.”
– Albert Einstein
Read and heed what Jesus said! Let me encourage you to make a personal study of the words of Jesus – go through the Gospels with a highlighter, notepad and pen – underline and write down everything that the Holy Spirit illuminates and speaks to your heart.
Our personal view of Jesus and the statements He made absolutely affects our faith and the way we view God, the world, ourselves, and every one of our decisions.
Jesus promised that if we abide in Him and His words abide in us, our prayers will be answered, and we will bear much fruit. If anything in this life deserves our undivided attention, it’s the powerful sayings of Jesus.
Absorbing and applying the words of Jesus can increase faith in the hearts of growing Christians; inspire holiness in the lives of believers; and instill new hope in the hearts of struggling people everywhere.
The best advice I can ever give anyone is to listen to the sayings of Jesus and embrace what He says!
