Following Jesus The Servant King

In Following Jesus, the Servant King, Jonathan Lunde presents a biblical theology of discipleship that gives the "big picture" of God's relationship with humanity.

Featuring a brand-new cover design, this edition of N. T. Wright’s popular Following Jesus -- first published in 1995 -- includes a new preface in which Wright reflects on the book’s origin and significance for him personally and on its continued relevance to believers even though our global context has changed. Wright first outlines the essential messages of six major New Testament books -- Hebrews, Colossians, Matthew, John, Mark, and Revelation -- looking in particular at their portrayal of Jesus and what he accomplished in his sacrificial death. In the second part of the book Wright takes six key New Testament themes — resurrection, rebirth, temptation, hell, heaven, and new life in a new world — and considers their significance for the lives of present-day disciples.

Looks at how the six major New Testament books portray the life and sacrifice of Jesus and takes six key themes and examines their importance for present-day disciples.

The blueprint for becoming the man you were made to be—in marriage, family, work, friendships, with God in all of life. “If you want a no-nonsense guide to getting manhood right, this is it.”—Evander Holyfield, four-time world heavyweight champion Guys often approach life like it’s a pickup football game. They make up the rules as they go. They are sloppy rather than disciplined. Many lose interest and simply watch from the sidelines. Yet a man who knows who he was made to be and what he’s pursuing is a powerful force indeed. In Rise of the Servant Kings, Ken Harrison, the chairman of Promise Keepers and a former Los Angeles police officer, gives men the keys to success and gets them into the battle. He explains what we’re fighting for and the path that will lead to victory by reinforcing the importance of holiness, humility, courage, generosity, masculinity, marriage, parenting, prayer, and more. Through scriptures, stories, and an energizing discussion guide, Harrison helps men remember what matters, defeat the Enemy, and pursue their God-given goals with intensity and passion. God’s plan for you as a man is bigger than you’ve dared to imagine. Stop settling for simply getting by and prepare to rise up as a servant king in every area of life.

We need to know who Jesus is. But where can we turn to find out? Many people look only to the New Testament for answers. But reader of The Servant King will find that the Old Testament, beginning with its very first pages, paints a portrait of the Messiah, the Saviour of the world: where he will come from, what he will be like and what he will do. By the time we reach the New Testament, much of the portrait has emerged, so that the Jesus we encounter is not a stranger. We are able to see, like the first disciples, that he is the Messiah already promised, the Servant King. With great skill, Desmond Alexander helps us see the portrait's first brush-strokes being laid down in Genesis and more being added as the Old Testament story unfolds. Then, as he guides us through the New Testament, we discover how the portrait is completed revealing Jesus in all his glory. This book brings the whole picture into view. It helps us see who Jesus was, where he stood in the plans of God and what he was sent to do. If we read with care and faith, The Servant King will help us enter the richness of God's Word, and we will understand better, not just who Jesus was, but who he is today. "The Servant King is written with the sort of authority only a leading Old Testament specialist can command; but its deep learning is not allowed to intrude and the book has all the charm and helpfulness of a piece of enthusiastic Bible study, presented with freshness and accuracy." -Alec Motyer, Trinity College, Bristol T. D. Alexander (PhD, Queen's University, Belfast) is director of the Magee Institute for Christian Training at Union Theological College in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is also the author of Paradise to the Promised Land.

Research on "following Jesus" has mostly been done in terms of what Jesus' followers ought to do. In this unprecedented study, Kim presents "following Jesus" in John's Gospel through the perspective of what Jesus does for his followers. "Following Jesus" is a journey towards the place where Jesus leads his followers, that is, to a relationship with the Father. It is ultimately participating in the Son's communion with the Father. Jesus, who was in the bosom of the Father, descended from him and ascends to him, taking his followers with him, so that they may be with him where he is with the Father in glory and love. Kim develops this thesis by examining the term akolouthein ("to follow") and correlated motifs in John's Gospel.

A Comprehensive Guide to Discipleship in the New Testament and Today's World Although the concept of discipleship is an integral part of New Testament teaching, it has largely faded from discussion in both the academy and the local church. To revive and reclaim this teaching for believers in the twenty-first century, editors John Goodrich and Mark Strauss have assembled an expert team of scholars to uncover what every New Testament book teaches about discipleship, providing a comprehensive, biblical picture. In addition, other contributors explore discipleship in the context of the local church, spiritual formation, and the life of the mind. Together, these essays point the way forward for becoming more like Jesus Christ, and helping others do the same, in our personal and corporate lives. "An impressive roster of scholars who have addressed a vital but often neglected topic in both the church and in the academy. . . . Rich with insight, Following Jesus Christ represents a major advance in this essential area of study." --Craig A. Evans, Houston Baptist University "We are treated here to a survey of what discipleship means in the New Testament from experts in the field, and we also see some of the wider dimensions of discipleship in this important work. All those wanting to understand discipleship will find this to be a valuable resource." --Thomas R. Schreiner, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary