What does genuine Christian living look like in the 21st century, and how can we be motivated to live that way?
The answer comes from Jesusā sermon in Luke 6 (sometimes known as the Sermon on the Plain), which starts, āBlessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of Godā, and goes on to lay out Godās vision statement for the Christian life. It is a manifesto that transcends politics, culture and personality, detailing Godās intentions for his people.
Alistair Begg unpacks this sermon, encouraging Christians to live a radically different life that upends the world's values and philosophies. It's a lifestyle that is counterintuitive and countercultural, yet one that God ...blesses with true meaning and impact.
As we look at the kindness and compassion of Jesus and ask for the Holy Spiritās help, weāll grow in both the motivation and the ability to obey Jesusā teaching and experience the blessing that comes from that.
This compelling book will remind you of God's grace and what it means to follow him, helping you discover the ultimate blessing that is found in him.
(Review written for 'The Christian Manifesto')
This was by far one of my most favorite books that Iāve read this year. It was equally encouraging and convincing with the repeated refrain of the gospel woven throughout each chapter. Alistair uses the words of our risen Lord to remind Christians of the life they have been called to as followers of Jesus. We are not meant to be ānormalā by the standard set in society, but rather to pursue a Christ-like response in all that we do. The gift of salvation that we have been given through the shed blood of Jesus should be evident in our ...daily lives. This counter-culture life is also counter-intuitive to our sinful nature. Alistair reminds us that we too were once enemies of God and that itās only because of His mercy and love that we can be reconciled to Him. While being justified, weāre still sinners and our ānaturalā response is not always, or even often, in line with how God instructs us to live.
This is a rather short book and Alistair does a fantastic job at cramming so much gospel truth in every page. Honestly, each of these chapters couldāve been twice as long and I wouldāve joyfully read each one. Alistair is always such a wise and gracious theologian and this book is no different. He makes the Bible plain - not in a boring way, but in an easily understood and compassionately encouraging way.
I typically share some of my favorite quotes from books, but Iāve noted nearly every paragraph of this book because itās just that good. The way Alistair has taken familiar Scripture and brought it to light in a new way, reminding the Christian of the amazing privilege of being in Godās Kingdom while also exhorting them to live out that faith, has made this a must-read book in my opinion.
(Review written for 'The Christian Manifesto')
The Christian Manifesto by Alistair Begg is a short but concisely fleshed out book on the power behind the sermon on the Plain.
āThe Sermon on the Plain, then, is Jesusā invitation to you to experience life at its very best. It is his description of what life in His kingdom-a kingdom where all that is wrong is being made right- looks like as we live in this world.ā
He also touches on a few misquoted verses from the sermon, effectively breaking down the context and meaning of each.
āYou will hear the phrase āDo not judgeā trotted out by the most unlikely people at the most unlikely times and used in the most unlikely ways. So, again, we need to understand exactly what Jesus is, and is not saying hereā.
As someone who is admittedly a bit unfamiliar with the phrase ā The Sermon of the Plain,ā I was pleasantly appreciative of this little book which shed some much needed insight on the true meanings behind Jesusā words.
I recommend for all believers.
(Review written for 'The Christian Manifesto')
{Full review posted here: https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/the-christian-manifesto-by-alistair-begg-book-review}
The mass of tulip bulbs in my garden bucket are all brown, covered in dirt. You can't tell from these what color the flower will bloom. Who we are in Christ will be reflected by how we bloom, the ways we give and love and serve.
In the hustle and bustle of our days, a ...pause is beneficial, to stop and consider how our being influences our doing.
"When Jesus challenges us not just to say, āLord, Lordā but to mean it and to live it, it is this Jesus, full of compassion and power, who is issuing that challenge. When Jesus calls us to be differentāto embrace upside-down values, to pursue a different kind of love, to be marked by integrity, and to live a life of obedienceāit is this Jesus who is calling us."
We will spend our life learning and striving for this life. One where good works flow from a good heart.
The author writes this book to invite you to the best possible life. Itās not a gimmick. Itās a personal and relational life outlined for us in Jesusā sermon on the plain, found in Luke 6:20-49.
Each chapter takes us through a segment of Jesusā sermon on the plain in Luke 6. He provides us with the context of the passage, helps us understand the teaching, and unpacks how we can take these truths into our lives today.
This journey through Luke 6 is an invitation to live a counter-cultural life in Christ. If youāve felt the Lord leading you to a new lifestyle or have been searching for how to be a light in this darkness, this resource will help you understand and show you the difference we, as his disciples, can be.
*A big thanks to the Good Book Company for the complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to post an honest review!
