Pastor Lawson Perdue

The radical teachings of Jesus turned the world upside down—let’s find out why. We often think of radicalism as a negative trait that encompasses extreme counter-cultural views. However, Jesus and His teachings were very counter-cultural in a positive way. He clarified that He was God’s Son, sent from heaven with a message that could change people’s lives and eternities. John 12:49 states, “For I have not spoken on My authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.” Jesus’ message about the Father’s love and salvation from sins still stirs those who want to deny God’s existence and indulge in their sinful natures.

What did Jesus teach? To answer that, we need to examine Jesus’ teachings in the Bible. Jesus taught about the kingdom of God, which was not an earthly or political kingdom that Jews expected from the Messiah. Jesus taught that in His kingdom, “the last will be first, and the first last” (Matthew 20:16). This upside-down kingdom where leaders served rather than be served infuriated the Jewish religious leaders. 

Jesus knew the accepted teaching of the day was to love your neighbor and hate your enemy. He radically taught, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Jesus challenged His followers to choose to follow Him and His ways, which would change their world—and continue to change the world today!

The main teachings of Jesus focused on God, love, salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life. He talked about His relationship with God, His Father—another radical statement. In John 14:6, Jesus told His followers, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” It was radical to say that He was the only way to God because the Jewish religious leaders prided themselves on keeping the law and earning favor with God. It is still a radical statement to tell someone that Jesus is the only way to the kingdom of heaven. Many people want to trust their good works and believe that a loving God would provide many ways to find Him. Jesus’ death and resurrection secured the payment for sin and provided the only way to heaven—all that is left for us to do is to accept His gift of grace. 

The truth is that Jesus was a radical when He walked on this earth, and His teachings are still radical. We live in a time when self-centeredness is at an all-time high, and an attitude of entitlement is pervasive. Jesus called on His followers to do some radical things, such as serve others (Mark 10:43), turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), and pray for those who persecuted them (Matthew 5:44). I’m sure some people would instead have listened to Him teach non-radical messages that didn’t point out their legalistic or sinful nature. Jesus didn’t leave heaven to come to the earth to teach people some principles to feel good about themselves—His mission was to teach people the truth about the kingdom of God and show them the way to the Father.  

Jesus was a radical, and I believe what He says, so you could call me a radical, too! 

I’m glad Jesus was a radical who came to this earth with a message of salvation through His grace, which allowed me to be part of God’s family. 

Praise God that Jesus’ teachings are as powerful and true today as when He spoke them. If you want to learn more about Jesus and His teachings, join us at Charis Christian Center on Sundays at 8:30 and 11:30 AM and Wednesdays at 7:00 PM. Also, please look at the free downloads of sermons and children’s Bible curriculum available at https://www.charischristiancenter.com/.