Children of the Kingdom

I am continuing my series on the secrets of the kingdom, taking a look today at  Mark 10:13-16 (NIV)

"People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them."

Why do you think Jesus would say such things?

Is it that some of us think we are more important than others? In many work environments it may be true.  Some people will be in positions of authority over others. In difference circles of influence it may also be true.

But in the kingdom of God it doesn't seem so. In this world you may be the king or president of a great nation, a CEO of a large company, or the leader of some organization... but we see Jesus saying that anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. 

Why would Jesus say this? I think kingdoms work best when there is only one king. If somebody wants to join the kingdom of God, but also want to be in charge somehow... it's just not going to work out well.

I'm sorry, but if you want to be a king in the kingdom of God, it seems like there is no room in the kingdom for you. That position has already been filled.

Children are welcome. There is always more room for children of the King. 

 Related Posts:

• Secrets of the Kingdom Summary
• Leading The Way 
• Church Hierarchical Leadership  
• Kingdom Without Hierarchy 
• The Kingdom of Heaven Belongs to... 
• Greatest in the Kingdom

Disciples Share Secrets of the Kingdom

Continuing my series on the secrets of the kingdom. I believe the secrets of the kingdom of God have been given to us (Matthew 13:11). This kingdom message is the reason Jesus came (Luke 4:43). So I'm examining different passages related to this kingdom message.

Matt 10 is all about the instructions Jesus gives His disciples as he sends them out to preach for the first time on their own. They had been following Jesus as he preached about the good news of the kingdom of God. They have watched Jesus heal the sick and defeat evil that had a grip on many people. Now it is their turn to go out an do the same.

Matt 10:1 (NIV)

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

...

Matt 10:5 - 15 (NIV)

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Parallel passage in Luke 9:1-6 (NIV)

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

A couple of thoughts:

• To be a disciple meant learning the ways of your rabbi, and following their lead. The disciples of Jesus here are given the task of going out and doing what Jesus had been doing. Preaching about the kingdom of God, healing the sick, and freeing people from the bondage of evil.
• Are we disciples of Jesus today? Should we also be about the same tasks?
• The message was "the kingdom of God has come near." I think this is closer to "the reign or rule of God is here" than "believe in Jesus so you can go to heaven when you die."
  
• The actions were healing the sick, and freeing people from the bondage of evil. Proof that the reign of God was present.
  
• (I may not be the right person to point this out. But it's in this passage, so here are my thoughts. You are welcome to take it or leave it, or share your thoughts.) Freely they received, freely they gave. No talk of passing a plate or collecting tithes and offerings. In the context here, the phrase "the worker is worth his keep" does not imply earning a wage for the work they did. It seems God would find people to provide food and shelter for these men as they traveled from town to town. This passage (nor any NT passage that I've found) says nothing about paying a wage to someone hired to stay in a community and preach every week.

Challenge to myself: What would it look like if I was living like a disciple of Jesus today? How can I share with others that Jesus wants to reign in their lives now and into eternity. How can I bring God's power into their present situations to heal them from the powers of darkness that so often rule.

Related Posts:

• Kingdom of God
• Good News
  
• Why Did Jesus Come?
• Gospel in the Gospels - Summary
• Kingdom Secrets
• Should pastors be paid a salary

I can't figure it out

Ahh... I can't figure it all out.

I wish the Bible was written like a catechism or statement of faith.

Why do I find more than one answer to the question "What must I do..."? And neither of the answers Jesus gives sounds like the typical evangelical gospel message and sinners prayer.

What is the deal with God's wrath. Does God love sinners, or does he want to torture them for eternity? If God hates sinners can I too? (No - just in-case you think I'm really nuts). But there are verses that speak of God's wrath. I want to ignore them, but they are there.

I don't buy that my sin separated God from me. I understand that when I go my selfish ways, like the prodigal son, I am separating myself from God. But do I ever go so far that God is not able to reach out and love me in my sinfulness? While we were sinners Christ loved us. Satan was even in God's presence in Job. Jesus was a friend of sinners.

Why did God have to kill Jesus? Or was it my sins that killed Jesus? Was it simply to symbolize an end to the Jewish sacrifice system, being the final perfect lamb of God? Or is there also a meaning that I (a non-Jew) need to understand? Because to be honest, I don't understand why a loving Father would kill his own son.

I know God loves me.

I know he wants to reign in my life, be my Lord, and be my Savior.

I know he wants me to respond in love to himself and to others.

I know I need to learn to listen to His voice, and follow.

I'm just not sure what to do with some of our beliefs. Do I focus on the verses that speak of God's wrath towards sinners, or do I focus on the verses that speak of God's love and desire to be in a deep relationship with me.

Do I need to figure it all out? Or should I just start living?

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Just a few thoughts on two passages in Mark where Jesus sends out the Twelve.

Mark 6:6-13 (NIV)

"Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Jesus modeled the calling. In previous passages He went from town to town preaching and healing. The training the 12 got was more like an apprenticeship than a training with an academic focus like we are most familiar with. So after the disciples observed the calling that Jesus had, they were sent out with the same calling. Preaching that people should turn to God, and healing the sick as they went.

Mark 16:15-18 (NIV)

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Here is the passage we often consider when we think missions today.... or at least we consider part of this passage.

Is there a connection between the two passages? Has the message changed? Are we to preach a similar gospel that Jesus and His disciples preached? What about the emphasis on healing, should that still be part of our calling? What about money?

Or was this just the calling of the 12?

Related Posts:

• What is the Gospel? - lists verses related to gospel in 'the gospels'
  
• Gospel in other NT verses
• Gospel of kingdom in Romans
  
• Kingdom of God
• What Gospel does you neighbor need to hear?
  
• Why Did Jesus Come?

Chocolate Covered Christ Follower

Luke 14:25-34 bothers me.  This passage is tough to understand.  I wish it wasn't so harsh.

Luke 14:25-35 (NIV)

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

I don't want to hate my father, mother, sister, wife, children and myself.  I sometimes wish I could hate my enemies, but this.... ?

I wish Jesus had simply said, "Make me a priority in your life.  Sure you can love lots of other things, just make sure you love me too. "

I want to follow Jesus, but do I need to take up a cross, does there need to be sacrifice?

Do I need to be salty?  I prefer sweets.  Can't I be a chocolate covered Christ follower?

My 95 Thesis - Point 2 - Gospel

Here's my 2nd Point in My 95 Theses.

'Evangelicals' believe we are following Christ's command to go into all the world and preach the gospel.

But I suspect the definition used for 'gospel' is different than the gospel Jesus and his disciples preached.

The words 'gospel' or 'good news' show up 23 times in 'the gospels' (mostly pre-cross).

Was the gospel message that Jesus shared something like this?

God - God is Holy - completely without sin and never does anything wrong - He's always right and can't have sin in His presence. Isaiah 59:1-2
Ourselves - we are all sinners - we've all broken God's standard of holiness and perfection - we're all offenders of God. Romans 3:23
Sentence - what we deserve, what we've earned for our offences towards a Holy god - our punishment - is eternal separation from Him forever! Romans 6:23a
Powerless - there's nothing in and of ourselves that we can do to make things right before a Holy God! Isaiah 64:6
Extreme love - God demonstrates extreme love towards us. He sends His perfect and sinless Son, Jesus to take our punishment. Romans 5:8, 2 Cor 5:21
Life - The offer is ours to receive or reject. God in His Love provides a way for relationship with Him. God in His Mercy offers pardon for our wrongdoing. God in His Grace offers us forgiveness of sin and eternal joy and life through His Son Jesus - starting right now! If we choose to receive what God offers us in love, then we need to turn from our sin and by faith, embrace all that Jesus has done. Romans 6:23b, Ephesioans 2:8-9

Or something like this:

Jesus is Lord!
God's kingdom is here!
The reign of God is here!
Change your life, believe this message!

Did you know God's power is available to you? You don't have to do everything in your own strength and wisdom. If you allow God to rule in your life (the work of the Holy Spirit), instead of your selfish ambitions, He will restore your life to what it was intended to be.

I've seen many different definitions of the gospel. Many of them are full of truths. But I suspect they are an attempt to summarize all the key doctrines of their unique brand of Christianity and tag some supporting Bible verses that go along with their teachings... and using the label gospel to create or maintain divisions in Christ's church.

I think it is worth asking:

• What was the gospel message Jesus and his disciples preached?
• And would this same gospel message work today?

Related Posts:

• Gospel in the Gospels - Summary - 6 part series
• Importance of the cross - a look at many verses talking about meanings of the cross
• Good News -Mark 1:14-15
• What is the Gospel? - lists some verses related to gospel in the gospels
• Gospel in other NT verses
• Kingdom of God - lists verses about the good news of the Kingdom of God
• What Gospel does you neighbor need to hear?
• What does evangelical mean?
• Dr Dwight Pryor on-Kingdom Of God - Part 1
• Dr Dwight Pryor on-Kingdom Of God - Part 2
• Rob Bell on Good News

What Are You Waiting For?

The Jews in Jesus day were waiting for the Messiah, someone to lead and restore their nation to a position of power - free from the domination of Rome.

Jews are still waiting for the Messiah:

"Basically, the Messiah in Jewish thought is a descendant of King David who will also be a king and will bring the Jews together to live in the Land of Israel and to keep the commandments. He will fight wars against the enemies of the Jews, will prevail, and will inaugurate an era of everlasting peace when the Third Holy Temple will be built in Jerusalem. It is commandment to long for the Messiah every day and to expect him to arrive. There is no time that it is impossible for the Messiah to come, even in the darkest hours. "
http://jewish.families.com/blog/messiah-who-and-what-are-we-waiting-for1

The Muslims are also waiting for a Messiah/Savior:

"According to the unanimously accepted saying of the Prophet Muhammad, God will bring about a saviour before the end of time to establish the global domination of Islam over all religions. In other words, the saviour will establish the Kingdom of God on this earth. In Islamic traditions, that saviour is known by the name of "al-Mahdi".
http://www.ummah.net/khoei/mahdi.htm

Christians are waiting for the second coming of Messiah:

The second coming of Jesus Christ is the hope of believers that God is in control of all things, and is faithful to the promises and prophecies in His Word. In His first coming, Jesus Christ came to earth as a baby in a manager in Bethlehem, just as prophesied. Jesus fulfilled many of the prophecies of the Messiah during His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. However, there are some prophecies regarding the Messiah that Jesus has not yet fulfilled. The second coming of Christ will be the return of Christ to fulfill these remaining prophecies. In His first coming, Jesus was the suffering Servant. In His second coming, Jesus will be the conquering King. In His first coming, Jesus arrived in the most humble of circumstances. In His second coming, Jesus will arrive with the armies of heaven at His side.
http://www.gotquestions.org/second-coming-Jesus-Christ.html

What are you waiting for?

• To Grow up and move out of your parents home?
• To find a spouse?
• For your kids to get out of the diaper stage?
• For your kids to get past the rebellious stage?
  
• Retirement?
• Going to Heaven?
• Are you waiting for someone to come and save you from the mess you are in?

What was Jesus message to those who were waiting for Messiah?

He claimed to be the Messiah:

The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he." (John 4:25-26 NIV)

However His Kingdom was not of this world:

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." (John 18:36 NIV)

His Kingdom was starting during that generation:

I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." (Matthew 16:28 NIV)

Jesus core message was about this Kingdom of His. He often used parables to describe it, and focused his preaching on it.

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matthew 4:17 NIV)

You don't have to be like the religious leaders of Jesus day:

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. (Matthew 21:32 NIV)

The good news is that God's Kingdom is here now. Change your way of thinking, believe this message:

"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15 NIV)

Related Posts:

• What is the Gospel?
• Good News
  
• Kingdom of God
  
• What does evangelical mean?
• Why Did Jesus Come?
• A child in the kingdom
  
• Dr Dwight Pryor on-Kingdom Of God - Part 1
• Dr Dwight Pryor on-Kingdom Of God - Part 2
• Rob Bell on Good News

Why did Jesus Come?

I figure this is an important question to consider. Why did Jesus come to earth 2000 years ago? Understanding His purpose and mission should give us a better understanding of our Lord.

So I tried to collect the different verses where Jesus describes why he came.

To preach the good news of the kingdom of God

But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." Luke 4:43 (NIV)

To speak the truth - that he is king.

Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"

"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

"You are a king, then!" said Pilate.
Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
John 18:33-37 (NIV)

Seek and save the lost

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10 (NIV)

To save the world

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (NIV)

To give life

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)

Do His father's will - give eternal life

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:38-40 (NIV)

To be a light

"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." John 12:46 (NIV)

Jesus is King. That is the truth. God rules in our lives, and in our world, now and for eternity. He came to let us know about His Kingdom, and that we can be part of it. He came to be a light, so we can see the truth and believe the truth. Those who believe and submit to God's rule instead of their selfish sin, will not perish, but have eternal life.

Leave time in your schedule to feast

Luke 14:16 - 23 (NIV)

Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'

"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'

"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'

"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'

"The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'

" 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'

"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' "

What kind of feast was Jesus talking about?

I don't think we're just talking about a future feast in heaven. I'm not sure if the excuses make sense for that time frame. Once we're dead I think our days of excuse making will end. I think we're talking about something in our present lives that we are invited to partake in.

I think Jesus is talking about feasting with Him now in His kingdom. I think he's calling us to spend some quality time resting in His presence, partaking of His goodness, and seeking His will.

What kind of excuses do we have today?

OK, it looks like I won't be using any of the excuses listed... I'm already married, and don't plan on buying any oxen or fields in the foreseeable future.

But are there other things in our lives that we use as an excuse from spending quality time feasting and fellowshipping with our Lord and friend. It is very common, and easy to be busy with all sorts of things in our culture. Many of the things we get busy with are good things, there was nothing wrong with the excuses Jesus listed either... but feasting with Jesus is way better than anything else.

Summer schedules are often different than the rest of the year. As we head into our 'regular season' game plan, I pray we don't get too busy to feast with Jesus.

What are you seeking?

Matt 6:25-34 (NIV)

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Challenging passage to most of us. How much of our time and thought life is spent seeking health, wealth, good food and entertainment?

We should be seeking His kingdom...

And if we don't have an understanding of what Jesus meant by His kingdom, we need to do some studying first... then learn to live in it.

Dr. Dwight A. Pryor's Kingship video Part 2

"There is no other subject more important to the life of the man Yeshua than the subject of the kingdom of heaven." If you don't have a clear understanding of the good news message of the kingdom of God, which was the focus of Jesus message and life example, I'd highly recommend watching these two videos. Yes they are a bit long - the length of a regular sermon or lecture. But shorter than most movies and many TV shows. I'd urge you to make time to watch them.

I've summarized some of the main points bellow.

This is Part 2. Part 1 is here.



0:00

"Yeshua not only announces, proclaims, explains, illustrates and demonstrates the kingdom Himself in His ministry.... He also empowers and sends out His own disciples to announce and implement this good news."

0:46

"... heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you'". Luke 10:9

The disciples did not heal people, and tell them the kingdom of God would come many years from now... they were saying the kingdom of God is present.

3:18
Luke 11:20

"But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."

5:22

"The kingdom is already... and yet even more. It does have a future indicative but it's a present imperative. The kingdom is advancing... and it will come to fruition."

Typically Kingdom in the gospels is referring to the present, but there are cases that are referring to the future. Typically Jesus used "coming" language, and "Son of Man" language to talk about the future.

8:40

"The good news of the kingdom, the poor being comforted and encouraged, the lame being healed, the blind seeing, the mourners comforted - that's the first aspect of the kingdom. The judgment of the apocalypse is coming later."

Luke 17:20-21

Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." (NIV)

Jesus is telling them that they shouldn't be looking for the kingdom of God coming in a visible way. And neither should we. He said it is "within you" or "in your midst".

Then Jesus goes on talking about the days of the 'Son of Man'. And those are references to the future.

14:34
3 things about he kingdom
When Jesus talks about the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God he is emphasizing 1 of 3 things (or all 3).

1. A Person - That He is King
   
2. A Power at work in a process - the power of the spirit of God in the people of God
   
3. A People - all those who submit to His authority, who receive him as King, they are joined to a community that bears wittiness to the fact that for us there is one God and one Lord. Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
   

17:30
I appreciate the explanation given here for this verse. I didn't understand the forcefully advancing, or forceful men lay hold of it. His explanation here makes sense... it's a bit long for me to repeat here though... so watch the video at 17:30 if interested.
Matthew 11:12 "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it."

Matthew 7:21

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (NIV)

This is not a verse about how to get to Heaven when we die. This is talking about who is part of Christ's kingdom here and now.

28:40

"It takes more than verbal affirmation to be part of Jesus people. It takes the fruits of repentance. It takes the obedience of faith."

John 8:31-32

"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)

The kingdom is about setting captives free.

To have the fullness of the kingdom you must have

• redemption
• revelation
• responsibility
  

32:50
Distinction between God's kingship/kingdom and God's sovereignty.

• Kingship - particular, conditional, volitional
• Sovereignty - universal, unconditional, inescapable

We can choose to be under God's Kingship, but being under God's Sovereignty happens whether we like it or not.

Matt 6:9-13

"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.'

I pray we can understand the good news of the kingdom of God, be able to apply it to our lives, and share this good news with the world around us.

What was Jesus Like?

Part of a great post by iMonk on What Was Jesus Like:

Jesus wasn’t building an institution or an organization, but an efficient, flexible movement with the Gospel at the center and grace as the fuel.

The church Jesus left in history was more a “band of brothers (and sisters)” than an organization of programs and buildings.

The message at the heart of all Jesus said and did was the Kingdom of God, which implicitly included himself as King and the status of all the world as rebels in need of forgiveness and surrender.

The movement Jesus’ left behind was made up of the last, the lost, the least, the losers and the recently dead. The world would never recognize this Jesus shaped collection of nobodies as successful.

Jesus treated women, sexual sinners and notoriously scandalous sinners with inexplicable acceptance.

Jesus taught the message, power and presence of the Kingdom. He did not teach how to be rich, how to improve yourself, how to be a good person or how to be successful.

Jesus didn’t teach principles. He taught the presence of a whole new world where God reigns and all things are made right.

Jesus rejected the claims of organized religion to have an exclusive franchise on God, and embodied the proof that God was in the world by his Son and through his Spirit to whomever has faith in Jesus.

Jesus practiced radical acceptance in a way that was dangerous, upsetting and world-changing.

Jesus calls all persons to follow him as disciples in the Kingdom of God. This invitation doesn’t look identical to the experiences of the apostles, but the claims and commands of Jesus to his apostles extend to all Jesus-followers anywhere.

God is revealed in Jesus in a unique way. What God has to show us and to say to us is there in Jesus of Nazareth. All the fullness of God lives in him, and to be united to Jesus by faith is to have the fullness of all God’s promises and blessings.

Jesus didn’t talk much about how to get to heaven, and certainly never gave a “gospel presentation” like today’s evangelicals. Nor did he teach that any organization of earth controlled who goes to heaven.

Jesus never fought the culture war.

Jesus was political because the Kingdom of God is here now, but he was the opposite of the political mindset of his time as expressed in various parties and sects.

Jesus was radically simple in his spirituality.

Jesus was radically simple in his worship.

Jesus wasn’t an advocate of family values as much as he was a cause of family division.

Jesus fulfills the old testament scriptures completely, and they can not be rightly understood without him as their ultimate focus.

The only people Jesus was ever angry at was the clergy. He called out clergy corruption and demanded honesty and integrity from those who claimed to speak for God and lead his people.

Jesus embraced slavery and servanthood as the primary identifiers of the leaders of his movement.

Jesus didn’t waste his time with religious and doctrinal debates. He always moves to the heart of the matter. Love God, Love Neighbor, Live the Kingdom.

Jesus expected his disciples to get it, and was frustrated when they didn’t.

Jesus died for being a true revolutionary, proclaiming a Kingdom whose foundations are the City of God.

Does this sound like Jesus as you’ve encountered?

Jesus and the Kingdom

Here's a video clip by Brian McLaren looking at Jesus and his message about the kingdom of God. (shorter than the last videos I posted)



Making the point that the message Jesus came to share wasn't so much about a way to get to Heaven after we die - but a way to live under His reign in this life.

Dr. Dwight A Pryor on Kingdom of God

"There is no other subject more important to the life of the man Yeshua than the subject of the kingdom of heaven." I've been around church all my life, and I don't think I've ever heard it explained this way. Yes, this is a long video, and the sound quality is not the best, but I think this is the best presentation of the message that Jesus came to give, that I've heard to date.

Dr. Dwight A. Pryor speaks on the Hebraic understanding of the Kingdom of God, comparing it to the Greco-Roman (Western) mindset.



Yes, you may notice that this video is 32 minutes long... if you don't have time to watch it let me try to summarize some of the main points here.

0:33

"There is no other subject more important to the life of the man Yeshua than the subject of the kingdom of heaven."

Luke 4:43 (NIV)

"But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."

So Jesus spent his short life teaching about the kingdom of God. He taught by explicit teachings, by parables, and by demonstrating how one should live in the kingdom of God. His life taught us what life in the kingdom of God looks like - both by what he said, and by how he lived.

5:27

When Yeshua spoke and said the kingdom of heaven... he's not talking about heaven in the same English way that you and I do... heaven in this phrase is just what the scholars would call an evasive synonym... meaning God.

In Hebrew during the days of Jesus, they did not speak the name of God. So in the book of Matthew we see the Hebrew that Jesus would have spoke translated "kingdom of Heaven".
Mark, Luke and John used the Greek which translates "kingdom of God".

So when we read verses like Matthew 7:21 (NIV)

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

We should not read this and think "will not get to go to Heaven when they die". This should be read "will not enter the kingdom of God". I think there are other verses like this we have often misunderstood as well.

8:57

Yeshua believes in the world to come... he does believe in life after death, of course.. but that's not what he's talking about ...

9:37

For Yeshua when he's talks about kingdom, he's not talking about a realm, he's talking about a reigning, a ruling.

When Jesus talked about kingdom of heaven, or kingdom of God, he wasn't talking about a location or realm, he was talking about who is reigning or ruling. He was talking about the kingship or ruling of God.

10:01

This term kingdom of heaven is a term that is unique to the pharisees, to the sages of Israel.

So the people in Jesus day knew what this meant.

13:07

When he comes out of the wilderness and announces 'the kingdom of heaven is at hand' people don't turn to themselves and say 'what is he talking about?'

13:47

To the sages, to the rabbis, the kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven, means first of all to accept God's authority over your life, and the other side of the coin, to do God's will.

15:45

Point two, there's a fundamental difference between the Hebraic orientation to life, and the Greco-Roman orientation to life.... The Greco-Roman heritage of which we share, fundamentally views spiritual things as being of the other world not of this world.

16:32

The Hebraic mindset... the spiritual is that which bears life... the word spirit and life are parallel... the word spirit... is basically the word for wind or breath.

Jesus message of the kingdom of God was something for the here and now, not just talking about the afterlife.

30:55

The king is here, he's ruling and reigning, and the power of His Holy Spirit, in the lives of all who will submit to His authority and who obey His will. So repent, turn around, the king is present and in the power of the Holy Spirit he's going to set captives free. That's why it's good news.

I pray that we could learn to focus on this same good news of the kingdom of God - the same message that Jesus came to share!

I'm looking forward to watching more of this session.

Related Posts:

• Kingdom of God - lists verses about the good news of the Kingdom of God
  
• Dr Dwight Pryor on-Kingdom Of God - Part 2

Good News in the Gospels

Here is a collection of verses dealing with good news and gospel found in the 'gospels'. Jesus came preaching good news of the kingdom of God. This is before Christ's death and resurrection. Is this a different good news message than the one Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (both are good news stories)?

Is this the same good news that we are commanded to go into the world and preach? (Mark 16:15)

Matthew 4:23
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

Matthew 9:35
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

Matthew 11:5
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Mark 1:1
The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Mark 1:14-15
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Mark 8:35
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Mark 10:29-30 "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.

Mark 16:15
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

Luke 3:18
And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.

Luke 4:16-20 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him,

Luke 4:43
But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."

Luke 9:6
So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.

Luke 16:16
"The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

Luke 20:1
One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. (NIV)

Kingdom slowly growing

Is the Kingdom of God slowly growing now? A reality now but not in its final dramatic state?

The Parable of the Growing Seed

He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." (Mark 4:26-32 NIV)

I don't understand Luke 6:24

Luke 6:20-21 (NIV)

"Looking at his disciples, he said:
"Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.

OK, I think I get this. Those (of His disciples ?) who were hungry would be blessed later.

Luke 6:24-25 (NIV)

But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.

Yikes, I'm not feeling so good about the sounds of this part.

Were these words written directly to me? Or is this a record of Jesus' words to His 12 disciples and some other specific rich people in that audience?

I'm hoping Jesus was talking about some other rich and well fed people - not directly to me!

Another look at Rich Young Ruler

I've been struggling to understand God's will for my family regarding the poor. Some previous posts on this struggle are here in this label category. I'm slowly working through "He Loves Me" by Wayne Jacobsen, and in chapter 8 he takes a look at the Rich Young Ruler. Here is the story again:

The Rich Ruler (Luke 18:18-29 NIV)

A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'"
"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?"
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
Peter said to him, "We have left all we had to follow you!"
"I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."

Wayne Jacobsen's has given me a different viewpoint on it.

Maybe Jesus wasn't saying "go sell all your possessions and I'll give you eternal life".

Maybe Jesus was trying to prove a point that the rich young ruler was asking for eternal life the wrong way.

"What must I do?" - is that the wrong question to ask?

If that's the wrong question, then here's the impossible answer: "Keep the law"

Since the rich young ruler thinks he is has righteously kept the law, Jesus adds an unrealistic request: "Sell all you have".

And the rich young ruler learns that he is not capable of earning God's favor.

Was that the point of this story?

The rich may have a greater tenancy to try to earn God's favor. Our pride and feelings of being self-sufficient. The poor may be more willing to accept Father's love the way a child accepts it. Not because we deserve it, just because He chooses to love us.

I like this view of this story.

But I'm not certain if that was the point Jesus was making here. Was Jesus making the point that we need give all to follow Him? Or that it's impossible to give enough to earn His favor? Luke 14:33, luke 12:22-34 (note verse 33) are similar commands to consider.

What do you think? Is it an offer of salvation regardless of our sacrifices?

Or is sacrifice necessary?

I guess this is similar to the faith vs works issue. Faith comes first, but both are required.

Love is Essential

When we consider Christian unity a common reaction by many is to say, sure I can be united with those who hold to the essentials. The problem often is that we make our list of essentials to include most of our beliefs. This excludes many Christ followers who have interpreted the often not so clear parts of scripture in different ways.

What are the essentials?

I believe we need to reconsider our list of essentials for the sake of unity. I believe love is one of the essentials to our shared faith. If we don't highly value loving all those who follow Christ (and everyone else), we are not placing high value on the word's of Christ.

Is it possible to love God and not love other Christ followers?

"We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." (1 John 4:19-21)

Just love those I fellowship with?

"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?" (Matthew 5:46 NIV)

Loving others is the sign of who we are.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:33-35 NIV)

Jesus chose me... to love! I think this is amazing, why me?

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other. "(John 15:16-17 NIV)

Isn't correct theology more important than love?

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:36-39 NIV)

Again, we are commanded to love.

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:11-13 NIV)

I think we can all be challenged by this. We may know better than using the word "hate" to describe our feelings towards someone, but do our actions and words demonstrate our love towards our brothers (and sisters)? Even those brothers and sisters who don't have all the same beliefs as us?

The scriptures are clear that placing a high value on love is essential to our faith.

I propose that whenever we encounter an issue that is dividing Christ's Church we ask this questions:

Is this issue more essential to my faith than Christ's command to love? Then how should I respond?

This is no insignificant part of our faith - it is the greatest commandment.



Related Posts:

• Commanded to love
  
• Because he first loved us
  
• Respond to disagreements in love
  
• Permanent residence in a life of love
• I was made to love you (song)
• Graham Cooke Inheritance
• A. W. Tozer on fundamentalism and love
  
• He loves me (book)
• Do you believe in love?
• How can I gain your love?
• Dearly loved children
• Love Your Enemies

Sell all I have and give to the poor?

I still don't get what Jesus wants me to do with this story of the rich young ruler asking "what must I do to inherit eternal life?".

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Luke 18:22 (NIV)

I don't view myself rich by North American stantandards, but I'm rich considering this:

At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day
http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats

So is Jesus asking me to sell all I have and give to the poor to be saved?

Would this be a responsible action to take? Removing all financial security from my wife and kids?

Then I find the story of Zacchaeus on the next page.

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke 19:8-9 NIV)

Zacchaeus only gave half of his possessions to the poor, and Jesus declared him saved.

Whew, I only have to give half my possessions to the poor now? This should be much easier!

Just a minute... I've got to do some number crunching...

Uh....nope, that $30 to Compassion Canada isn't quite half.

:(

OK, I still don't understand what Jesus is asking of me here. I pray for wisdom and then courage to follow.