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

Keep It Simple Sir

I'll keep it respectful here. I won't call anyone stupid as the acronym KISS sometimes goes. So here are some suggestions to Keep It Simple Sir  (or Sister).

1) We should keep it simple so the greatest in the kingdom don't get confused.  We are actually commanded to become more like children.

"Then He called a child to Him and had him stand among them. “I assure you,” He said, “unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one child like this in My name welcomes Me." (Matt 18:3-4 HCSB)

If we've made something so complex that children have a hard time understanding or replicating it, maybe we are the ones missing something.

2) Recognize that church is simply people - the body of Christ, the family of God.  With a little church etymology  we see that in Scripture the term 'church' did not refer to buildings, institutions, or Sunday morning programs.  It simply referred to believers and whenever they got together.  Belonging to Christ's church is more like belonging to a tribe or people group than like belonging to a club or organization.

3) Consider every moment with others a moment to teach.  You don't need to prepare sermons, study books or DVD's to teach one another.  We see mostly interactive teaching in the New Testament. Teaching others may be simpler than you think.

4) Recognize you have a role to play in  disciple making.  I used to think of discipleship as a program or branch of the church that some people got involved with.  But we should consider how each of us can make disciples of Christ. We can watch how Jesus made disciples through living in simple relationships with others.  Discipleship may be simpler than we think.

5) Consider how you can be a pastor or shepherd, one who cares for the needs of others. Are there people in your life that you care for, give guidance, and build up so they mature in their relationship with Christ? This may be the basics of shepherding.


6) Understand that SMALL is sometimes big.  Just consider how rabbits reproduce a lot quicker than elephants.  The same principle may apply to church growth.  Small simple gatherings will be easier to reproduce than larger structures.  Many new small gatherings of believers can be started without multimillion dollar fundraising campaigns. Yes this seems like upside-down thinking, but so was a lot of Jesus' teachings about His kingdom. 

7) Leadership does not always mean decision making. I see two different types of leaders.  There are those that make decisions for others, and claim authority to impose their will on others. However others lead simply by living as an example that others follow. This second type of leading seems to fit better with what Jesus says in passages like Matt 20:25-28, Matt 23:8-12, Luke 22:24-27, Matt 19:30, Matt 20:16, Mark 9:35, and Luke 13:30.  Consider taking some leadership lessons from this dancing guy video.

8) You may want to consider taking a break from serving church programs. Scripture is clear we need to serve and care for people. If you find programs keep you too busy to focus on people, you may want to say no to some activities so you can better serve and love the church (the people).  Could less busy = improved relationships?

9) Simplify your list of essentials. Christians tend to only accept other believers who agree to their list of essentials. Unfortunately many lists of essentials include doctrines that have divided the church over the years. I find by recognizing that love is essential, and unity is essential, I am no longer in a position to judge others over many other disputable matters.

My head is often spinning when I look at church history, and the many church traditions we have today.   But I am finding some clarity when I think of church in simpler terms.

I hope this simple list of how to KISS is helpful to some of you.

Have I missed anything?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Related posts:

• What is Simple Church
• Love Feast 
• Church Etymology 
• Small Is Big 
• Caring For Others Is Essential 
• Interactive Teaching in the New Testament

Invitation To Kingdom Banquet

Continuing my series on the secrets of the kingdom. We've all been invited to a banquet with the King. Unfortunately many don't care. Maybe some think the banquet isn't real, or it isn't important, or they think they can ignore the invitation and sneak in later. Others even mistreat the ones who proclaim the message of the King.


Matthew 22:1-14 (NIV)

Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying:  “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.  He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.  Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business.  The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them.  The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.  “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.  So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’  So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.  “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.  He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend ?’ The man was speechless.  “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’  “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” 

 A few other thoughts:

• The banquet is for the King's son.
• The King enlists some servants to send out the message of this banquet 
• It seems everyone is invited.  There were some who were first on the invitation list, but similar to the previous parable in Matt 21:33-46 we see the offer of the Kingdom is taken away and given to others.
• Similar to the previous parable, the kingdom banquet is now given to second class people.  Even bad people!  This reminds me of the sinners and average folks Jesus was known to hang around with.  These are not the people one would expect to be at a banquet with the King.
• Another example of the upside down nature of the kingdom of God.

 Does anything else stand out to you?

Kingdom Taken Away

Continuing my series on the secrets of the kingdom.

Matthew 21:33-46  (HCSB)

“Listen to another parable: There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a watchtower. He leased it to tenant farmers and went away. When the grape harvest drew near, he sent his slaves to the farmers to collect his fruit.  But the farmers took his slaves, beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.  Again, he sent other slaves, more than the first group, and they did the same to them.  Finally, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.  “But when the tenant farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance!’  So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.  Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?”  “He will completely destroy those terrible men,” they told Him, “and lease his vineyard to other farmers who will give him his produce at the harvest.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This came from the Lord and is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing its fruit.  Whoever falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whoever it falls, it will grind him to powder!” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they knew He was speaking about them.  Although they were looking for a way to arrest Him, they feared the crowds, because they regarded Him as a prophet.

Here is another parable where Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God. 


the kingdom of God will be taken away from you...

I welcome your feedback.  Does Jesus take away the kingdom, or is this simply a natural result of how the story goes?  I can't say I fully understand this part.

The farmers repeatedly rejected the landowner. At some point it makes sense that the land is given to someone else who will submit to the will of the owner. In the same way the priests and religious leaders repeatedly rejected Jesus, so it makes sense the offer of the kingdom would go to those who would submit to the rule of the kingdom.



... and given to a nation producing its fruit.

Some translation say "and given to a people producing the fruit of it".

So what type of people would "get" the kingdom of God?  I can't help but think of Gal 5:22 - 23, a familiar verse about what the  "fruit" of the Spirit is.  I'll make the connection then that those who produce the fruit of the Spirit are also those who are part of the kingdom or reign of God. Those with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

Here are some other verses that speak to who 'gets' the kingdom:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:3 NIV)

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:10 NIV)

 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 6:20 (NIV)

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 18:3-4 NIV)

"Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?" James 2:5 (NIV)

This parable speaks of people who were  given responsibility, and the task to produce fruit for the master.  If the Priests and religious leaders were somehow the keepers of the kingdom of God in the days before Jesus, it sounds like things were going to change.  God had entrusted these men to care for His kingdom, but it seems they wanted to claim the kingdom for themselves.

So when Jesus comes things change.  A different type of people are given the responsibility of caring for the kingdom and producing fruit for the master.   He doesn't just replace the old religious leaders with a new set of religious leaders. It seems this time he entrusts His kingdom to the least, the poor, and the lowly ones.

Entering the Kingdom of God

Continuing my series on the secrets of the kingdom. I used to think the kingdom of God or the kingdom of Heaven was a reference to Heaven, some place we could go to in the future after we die. This is one passage that changed my way of thinking about the kingdom Jesus kept talking about.

The Parable of the Two Sons (Matt 21:28 - 32 HCSB)

“But what do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘My son, go, work in the vineyard today.’
“He answered, ‘I don’t want to!’ Yet later he changed his mind and went. Then the man went to the other and said the same thing.

“‘I will, sir,’ he answered. But he didn’t go.

“Which of the two did his father’s will?”

“The first,” they said.

Jesus said to them, “I assure you: Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you! For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him. Tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him, but you, when you saw it, didn’t even change your minds then and believe him.

I'll make three observations from this passage:

1) I find the present tense of this passage interesting. Similar to Luke 16:16 it seems people were already entering this kingdom starting in those days. Living under the reign and rule of God is something that can take place in the present as well.

2) What does this passage say on the Faith vs Works issue? This passage does not lend a lot of support to the salvation by faith alone camp. It seems sometimes actions speak louder than words.

3) This is also another example of the upside-down nature of this kingdom. In this passage Jesus was talking to the religious leaders and elders of the community. People would have assumed these people were closer to God's will than prostitutes and tax collectors. The types of people that Jesus says are entering are not the ones we would expect. You would think Jesus could have found some people who were more respectable, educated, honorable, and put together to be part of His kingdom.

Does anything else stand out to you from this passage?

Related Posts:

• The Kingdom of Heaven Belongs to...
• That Is Not Fair!
• Kingdom Without Hierarchy
• Secrets of the Kingdom Summary
• Kingdom Confusion John and Forceful Men
• Sola Fide

Kingdom Without Hierarchy

Continuing my series on the secrets of the kingdom. Hierarchy is common in earthly kingdoms or realms of influence. Most governments, workplaces, sports teams, and even families operate with different people holding different levels of authority. It seems to be a natural way to organize ourselves.

But when Jesus talks about His kingdom, somehow he expects things to be different.

Matthew 20:20 - 28 (HCSB)

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached Him with her sons. She knelt down to ask Him for something. “What do you want?” He asked her.
“Promise,” she said to Him, “that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and the other on Your left, in Your kingdom.”
But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?”
“We are able,” they said to Him.
He told them, “You will indeed drink My cup. But to sit at My right and left is not Mine to give; instead, it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” When the 10 disciples heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”

So we have the mother of James and John making a pretty big request. She wants her two sons to be second in command in this new kingdom Jesus keeps talking about.

She doesn't realize this kingdom doesn't work that way. It is not about climbing the ladder to gain positions of authority over others. In fact in this upside-down kingdom it is the opposite.

Jesus rules by serving, and by giving His life to free us from sin.

If you want to be great in this kingdom, you must simply start serving and caring for others.

What about the 10 disciples that got indignant when they heard others were trying to climb the ladder of hierarchy to gain authority over the rest? Yes, we too can get indignant when we see our brothers and sisters claim to be higher up the ladder than we are. But I'm trying to understand Jesus' advice here to me. I need not worry - that's really not how the kingdom works. Let others do their thing, but my task is to serve others.

Related Posts:

• The Kingdom of Heaven Belongs to...
• Jesus on Leadership
• Summary on Elders Overseers Shepherds - 9 post series

That Is Not Fair!

Continuing my series on the secrets of the kingdom. Jesus says some strange things that don't make sense about the kingdom. Matt 19 ends with Jesus saying that many who are first will be last, and the last first. He was talking about possessions being a liability and not an asset in His kingdom. Matt 20 continues with another example of how the first can be last and the last can be first.

Matthew 20:1 - 16 (HCSB) The Parable of the Vineyard Workers

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the workers on one denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine in the morning, he saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. To those men he said, ‘You also go to my vineyard, and I’ll give you whatever is right.’ So off they went. About noon and at three, he went out again and did the same thing. Then about five he went and found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day doing nothing?’
“‘Because no one hired us,’ they said to him.

“‘You also go to my vineyard,’ he told them. When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told his foreman, ‘Call the workers and give them their pay, starting with the last and ending with the first.’

“When those who were hired about five came, they each received one denarius. So when the first ones came, they assumed they would get more, but they also received a denarius each. When they received it, they began to complain to the landowner: ‘These last men put in one hour, and you made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day and the burning heat!’

“He replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I’m doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me on a denarius? Take what’s yours and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my business? Are you jealous because I’m generous?’

“So the last will be first, and the first last.”

So what secrets of the kingdom can we learn from this parable? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

This reminds me a bit of the lesson every child needs to learn in life. Children will often say "That's not fair!". And often the only response is "Life is not always fair." As adults we often need reminders of this as well. I don't know why life isn't always fair, but it seems to be a universal truth.

My other thought with this passage is it is not up to us to figure out who is first in the kingdom, whatever that means. We may have some ideas about who God is most pleased with, who His special people are... but don't get upset if it turns out opposite of what makes sense to us.

Related Posts:

• Greatest in the Kingdom
• The Kingdom of Heaven Belongs to...
• Asset or Liability in the Kingdom
• Secrets of the Kingdom Summary

Asset or Liability in the Kingdom

Continuing my series on the secrets of the kingdom. Earthly kingdoms are interested in wealth. The more money you have the more power and influence you have in this world. Money and possessions are real assets in our society. In many ways money rules. Those with money are king.

But when Jesus talks about money and His kingdom in Matthew 19 we see the opposite.

The stage is set in Matt 19:16-22 (HCSB)

"Just then someone came up and asked Him, “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?”
“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” He said to him. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
“Which ones?” he asked Him. Jesus answered:
Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.
“I have kept all these,” the young man told Him. “What do I still lack?”
“If you want to be perfect,” Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
When the young man heard that command, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

Was Jesus pushing this rich young ruler on the issue of "loving your neighbor as yourself"? The young ruler claims to be following these commandments, but to what degree? Selling his possessions and giving them to the poor could be evidence of loving his neighbor as himself... but this was too much to ask of this rich young ruler.

Jesus goes on in Matt 19:23-30 (HCSB)

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “I assure you: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved?”
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Then Peter responded to Him, “Look, we have left everything and followed You. So what will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “I assure you: In the Messianic Age, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, children, or fields because of My name will receive 100 times more and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

I'm with the disciples, I don't fully understand what Jesus is saying here.

But it seems Jesus is saying that money and possessions are not assets in His kingdom.

It seems that money and possessions are more like liabilities in the kingdom of God.

Those with the most are in a way those with the least.

Here are a few other related verses:

Matthew 5:3 (NIV)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 6:20 (NIV)

"Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God."

Matthew 11:5 (NIV)

"The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor."

Luke 4:18 (NIV)

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

Luke 7:22 (NIV)

So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.

James 2:5 (NIV)

"Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?"

This logic seems upside-down to what we are used to. It doesn't make complete sense to me. I'd love you hear your thoughts.

The Kingdom of Heaven Belongs to...

You may have heard this line from Jesus before. If so, imagine for a moment that you haven't. How would we naturally finish the following sentence?

The kingdom of heaven belongs to...

What groups of people would you guess make up the kingdom of heaven?

• Missionaries?
• Theologians?
• Evangelists?
• Sunday School Teachers?
• Pastors?
• Nuns, Monks?
• Those most generous?
• Those most caring?
• Those most wise?
• Those that have said the sinners prayer?
• Those who are baptized?
  

If you were Jesus how would you have finished this sentence? I don't think I would have ever thought to say it the way Jesus did.

Jesus has some weird upside-down concepts for His kingdom.

Matt 19:13 - 15 (NIV)

"Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there."

So what kingdom qualities do children have?

• Lack of pride
• They don't have stuff figured out, and they don't care
• They don't have a clue about important things like the value of money
  
• Dependence on their parents/guardian
• Need comfort of being close to parents/gaurdian
  
• Simple faith. They are very gullible
• Forgive others quickly
• Enjoy simple things in life
• Loving
  

What do you think?

Why do you think Jesus said such a strange thing?


Related Posts:

• Greatest in the Kingdom
• Secrets of the Kingdom Summary

Small Is Big

I've been procrastinating on writing a review of Small Is Big (originally published as The Rabbit and the Elephant) by Tony Dale, Felicity Dale and George Barna. The problem with this book is there are so many parts to it that I find encouraging. I don't know if a short summary will do justice. I'd like to say "I like this part", and then quote the whole book, but that may break some copyright rules.

If I were to write a short summary of this book, this is a thought that kept coming to me as I read it:

"This is a record of somebody who is actually living the way I've been thinking lately."

I enjoyed reading their personal stories of their involvement in simple relational church life. I found it encouraging to read stories that had a familiar resemblance to what we find in the New Testament. Tony and Filicity have numerous first hand accounts where the living spirit of Jesus has made an impact on the lives of others and resulted in groups of people following Jesus together. They are actively making disciples of Jesus, building them up, and sending them out to make more disciples.

Unfortunately these stories are too many and too long to include in a blog post here. So you'll have to get your own copy of their book if you want to be encouraged by these stories. (and/or follow their blog here)

I will share a couple of sound bites of what they have learned along the way:

"The phenomenon that is occurring in front of our eyes is a rebirthing of the church - God is taking an event-based institution and re-forming it so that it is becoming life - and relationship-based.".


"The Gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus was very focused on His Father's Kingdom, speaking about it more than any other subject. The Gospels include more than a hundred references to the word Kingdom. Jesus preached about it (Luke 4:43) and told people to seek it above all else (Matthew 6:33). He told parables about it (Matthew 13; 25) and said that the Kingdom was near to people who were healed (Luke 10:9)"


"This Kingdom of God is an upside-down kingdom. It takes the world's values and exposes them for what they are: hollow and superficial. And then it sets its own standards: up is down, death leads to life, law is transformed by grace, the poor are rich, leaders serve, and the humble are exalted."

"Liquid church happens when we stop inviting others to come to church and instead we go out into every sphere of society as the Lord leads. We reach out to our neighbors or our coworkers, and instead of asking them to come to church, we get together with those people right where they live or work. In this way segments of society that might never have experienced church life are affected by the Kingdom of God"

"Jesus is far more interested in our hearts than He is in our pursuit of correct doctrine or the right church structure. All who know Jesus as Lord are the body of Christ, no matter which spiritual family they may belong to (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). "

"Non-religious Christianity.... This kind of spiritual life cannot be put into a box or placed on an agenda. It cannot be programmed or reduced to a curriculum. As Wolfgang Simson likes to say "Programs are what the church resorts to when the Holy Spirit leaves."

"One of the biggest paradigm shifts within the simple church reformation is the understanding that when we are following the Holy Spirit, there is little need for organization and no neeed for hierarchical control. Ordinary people can be entrusted with the affairs of the church, and since Jesus is head of the church, we need to be willing to risk letting the Holy Spirit direct things as He wills."

Secrets of the Kingdom Summary

This is a summary post for my series on the secrets of the kingdom. I will add to it as I study this topic further.

Luke 8:10 (NIV)

He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’"

Matthew 13:11 and Mark 4:11 have similar records.

I don't know why Jesus chose to speak this way. Maybe it's because we all love secrets, and we like to share those secrets with others.

So I'm examining different passages related to this kingdom message. Each of the following brief summaries links to larger posts on each passage. I welcome feedback on any of these posts.

Note: We don't need to be thinking castles and knights etc when we think kingdom of God. Thinking more along the lines of God's reign, rule, authority, and dominion may be helpful.
Change Your Way of Thinking - The message Jesus seemed to share was that the kingdom of God was near or here, and He called people to repent, to change their way of thinking and/or living. (Matt 3:1-2)

Greatest in the Kingdom - We all know who the greatest in kingdom of heaven are right? Jesus shares some weird upside-down thinking on this. What type of people does the kingdom belong to? (Matt 5:3, Matt 5:10, Matt 18:3-4, Matt 19:13-17)

Children of the Kingdom - 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. (Mark 10:13-1)

Healing Kingdom - (similar post healing and the kingdom) Divine healing accompanied the message of God's reign, rule and authority. Jesus healed the sick as he preached about the kingdom. His disciples later did the same. When we teach about God's rule and authority, we should expect God's healing powers to be present. This is evidence that God's reign is present. (Matthew 4:23-25, Matt 9:35, Luke 9:1-2, Luke 10:9, Mark 16:15-18, Mark 5).

Kingdom For The Poor - There seems to be a strong connection between the good news of the kingdom of God and the poor. I pray for wisdom in this area. (Matthew 5:3, Luke 6:20, Matthew 11:5, Luke 4:18, Luke 7:22, James 2:5, Matthew 19:23, Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:23-24)

Kingdom Come God's Will Be Done - I am now recognizing that the kingdom of God is not just a distant future reality, but an active kingdom that God wants me to be part of right now. (Matt 6:9-13)

Kingdom or Stuff - Where are the desires of my heart? Kingdom focused or stuff focused? (Matthew 6:28-34)

Kingdom of Doers - To enter the kingdom of heaven you must be a doer. Talking the talk just doesn't cut it. (Matt 7:21 - 23)

Kingdom for all Races - Elements of racism have existed in society and the church from time to time throughout church history. But there is no place for racism in Christ's kingdom. (Matt 8:10-12)

Kingdom Confusion John and Forceful Men - A look at what Jesus may have meant when talking about John the Baptist being great, yet lesser than anyone in the kingdom. Also an explanation regarding the reference to forceful men and the kingdom? (Matthew 11:11-15)

Divided Kingdom (similar post Divided Kingdom Blasphemy) - If you see God at work, then the reign of God is present. If you think God's kingdom is divided... think again. (Matt 12:25 - 30, Mark 3:23-30, Luke 11:17-23).

Receiving the kingdom seed - Not everyone receives the message of the kingdom the same way. Which type of soil are we going to be? (Matt 13:3-9, Matt 13:18 - 23, Mark 4:4-20)

Kingdom and Weeds - The kingdom of heaven is also a present reality. I think this passage has something to say about our lack of ability to judging others. My God is a good judge, I`ll leave that to Him. (Matt 13:24 - 29)

Kingdom grows like a weeds (similar post Viral Kingdom ) - A less than desirable crowd was part of a growth that spread throughout the region and around the world. Many people haven't welcomed the growth, but many have taken shelter in it. (Matt 13:31-32, Mark 4:30 - 32).

Kingdom is like yeast - a similar point as the previous passage. The way the kingdom of heaven spreads in our lives and in the world is similar to how yeast spreads through flour. (Matt 13:33)

Kingdom like treasure - What will you sacrifice to seek this treasure? Your own selfish desires? Your pride? Religion? Wealth? Other? (Matt 13:44)

Kingdom like searching for Pearls - Do we recognize the value of the kingdom of heaven? Are we searching for it? Are we willing to give up all we have for God's reign? (Matt 13:45-46)

Kingdom like a net - There may be good fish and bad fish that seem to be part of the present kingdom of God. It is not the job of the good fish to dispose of the bad fish. (Mat 13:47-50)

Student of Scripture Instructed in the Kingdom - A full spiritual banquet can be prepared by properly mixing something old and something new. (Matt 13:51-52)

Gates of Hades and Keys of the Kingdom - What sort of keys could there be that can open the gates that separate the realm of death with the realm of life? (Matt 16:15-19)

Not Taste Death Until Kingdom - Some of the people listening will see and experience the reign and rule of God in their lives and in the world around them. They will follow Jesus and take up their cross. As a result they will not taste death but find life. (Matt 16:24-28)

Rock Star Christians - Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (Matt 18:1-5)

Kingdom Mercy Pay It Forward - I think Jesus was saying the kingdom of heaven is like pay it forward with forgiveness and mercy. (Matt 18:21-35)

Eunuchs for the Kingdom - some are like eunuchs and won't have divided loyalties in kingdom. Others who can't go without family relations should get married. (Matt 19:8-12)

Asset or Liability in the Kingdom - It seems Jesus is saying that money and possessions are not assets in His kingdom. It seems that money and possessions are more like liabilities in the kingdom of God. (Matt 19:16-30)

That Is Not Fair! - A parable that gives an example how the last will be first, and the first last. (Matthew 20:1 - 16)

Kingdom Without Hierarchy - Hierarchy is common in earthly kingdoms or realms of influence. This kingdom doesn't work that way. It is not about climbing the ladder to gain positions of authority over others. In fact in this upside-down kingdom it is the opposite. (Matthew 20:20 - 28)

Entering the Kingdom of God I find the present tense of this passage interesting. Similar to Luke 16:16 it seems people were already entering this kingdom starting in those days. Living under the reign and rule of God is something that can take place in the present as well. And a few more observations from Matt 21:28 - 32.

Kingdom Taken Away - The religious leaders of Jesus day were given responsibility, and the task to produce fruit for the master.  But they claimed the kingdom as their own. Now a different type of people are given the responsibility of caring for the kingdom and producing fruit for the master. (Matt 21:33-46)

Invitation To Kingdom Banquet - It seems everyone is invited.  There were some who were first on the invitation list, but similar to the previous parable in Matt 21:33-46 we see the offer of the Kingdom is taken away and given to others.

Woe To You - if you shut the door of the kingdom for others. This is only 1 of 7 "woe to you" points as Jesus goes on a little rant towards the religious leaders of His day.

Playdough Scripture Matt 24:14 - And the gospel of ____ will be preached in the whole world.... (Matt 24:14)

Parable of the Ten Virgins - mentions kingdom "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins", but sorry I didn't make many firm conclusion on this one. (Matt 25:1-13)

Blood Covenant and Kingdom - This passage seems to be of a future time and place of God's rule. It also talks about a commitment or promise made. (Matt 26:27-29)

Kingdom Good News - Did Jesus preach the gospel? What was the good news that Jesus preached? (Mark 1:14 - 15)

Kingdom Of God Coming With Power - Have you experienced times in your own life where God's power felt near, and His reign felt close? (Mark 9:1)

Kingdom Like Seed Growing - We have a tendency to try to plan and control the service that we feel God leading us into. But we don't need to do all the work. (Mark 4:26-29)

What must I do to gain eternal life? "If God asked me to give it all up would I?  Do I trust God more than I trust my wealth?  To what degree am I OK with letting God alone reign in my life?"  These are questions of faith. Mark 10:17 - 27

More to come...

I pray for wisdom. I suspect if we seek God for clarity He will give us enough answers as needed as we study the kingdom secrets further.

Greatest in the Kingdom

We all know who the greatest in kingdom of heaven is right?

• Those who study the truths of Scripture the most
• Those who read the most Christian books
• Those who spend the most time at Church meetings
• Those who are role models in the community
• The ones who give the most
• The ones who lead the most
• The ones whose lives appear to have it all together
• Writers of popular Christian books
• Popular Christian musicians
• Successful Christian leaders
  

Just think for a moment about the characteristics we promote in Christianity. Who else should be on this list?

Then consider what Jesus says here:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:3 NIV)

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:10 NIV)

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 18:3-4 NIV)

All I can say is Jesus has some weird upside-down concepts for His kingdom.

Jesus on Leadership

First I must mention my angst with these types of posts. What I write may be sharply opposed to what you believe. Please do not assume this means I am judging you. I am not. I maintain high respect and love for brothers and sisters who don't share my viewpoint on a number of issues. I don't expect everyone to agree with me, and I don't assume I have any authority to judge my brothers and sisters.

I admit I am struggling with some tension on the topic of leadership. I do see elders playing a role in the early church. Elders in the OT society had a leadership role in their communities. The elders in the NT church would have also played a leadership role in the church community.

There are a number of key verses that come up in discussions on this topic. I will take a look at those soon. However, I think it makes sense to first look at what Jesus had to say on the topic of leadership.

As you take a look at the following verses, consider these questions.

According to Jesus does leadership mean a decision making authority?

Should church leadership resemble government or corporation leadership models?

Or does Jesus simply want his followers to serve each other? Are the leaders among us the ones who serve best and model a servant life the rest should follow?


Jewish Religious Leaders

I think it is worth noting that Jesus was persecuted by the Jewish religious leaders. I think it is safe to say Jesus didn't get along well with most of the religious leaders of the day. They were threatened by Him, and He was challenging their authority. Jesus was known more as a friend of sinners. There were some exceptions where the religious leaders hearts were seeking truth.

Stuff like this were common Matthew 23:26 (NIV)

"Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."

and a long rant in Matthew 23:13-39 (NIV)

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to....."

Who did Jesus pick to be leaders?

Who were the men he chose to be his disciples? Did he find the most educated, the best orators, the most respected men to take on this task. Did he look for natural leaders? No, he picked ordinary people: fishermen, tax collectors, a doctor, and a rebel zealot.

Upside Down Kingdom

Matt 19:30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Matt 20:16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Mark 9:35 "Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Luke 13:30 "Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”

Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Servant Leaders

Matt 20:25-28 (NIV)

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 23:8-12 (New International Version)

"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 22:24-27 (NIV)

Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

From these verses:

• should church leadership include some decision making authority over others?
• should church leadership models resemble government or corporation leadership models?

Or does Jesus simply want his followers to serve each other? The leaders among us are the ones who serve best and model a servant life the rest should follow. Isn't this the life (and death) he modeled for us?

Personally I find His example very challenging to follow.

Related Posts:

• Summary on Elders Overseers Shepherds - 9 post series

Who wants to be a leader

I read a comment somewhere by 'A. Amos Love' that got me thinking. It went something like this: "Jesus told His disciples not to be called leaders... and none of them did."

So. Is this accurate?

Did Jesus say we shouldn't be called leaders?

Matthew 23:8-12 (New International Version)

"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

No, Jesus didn't say "don't be called leader". But it does seem pretty close.

Similarly Luke 22:24-27 (NIV)

Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

'Leader' in the NT

A quick search of 'Leader' in the New Testament does give a few verses that use the word leader, like in Hebrews 13:7.


Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Young's Literal Translation is slightly different, Hebrews 13:17:

Be obedient to those leading you, and be subject, for these do watch for your souls, as about to give account, that with joy they may do this, and not sighing, for this [is] unprofitable to you.

Or Romans 12:8 (NIV)

if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

So, yes.... there will be members in Christ's body that will show leadership and lead others. As I write this... it sounds too simple and obvious. Of course there will be brothers and sisters that go before us. We will learn from and follow those who are living examples of what it means to follow Christ. You can't be a disciple maker without doing some leading.

But... the question still is: Did any of Jesus disciples call themselves leaders?

I can't find any verses. Maybe I'm searching the wrong key words. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

But here are some titles they did use:

Rom 1:1 "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,..."

Php 1:1 "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus..."

Col 4:12 "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings..."

Tit 1:1 "Paul, a servant of God..."

Jas 1:1 "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ..."

2Pe 1:1 "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ..."

Jude 1:1 "Judas, of Jesus Christ a servant..."

Rev 1:1 "...his servant John,"

Phil 1:1 "Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother..."

They also frequently use the title Apostle - one who is sent as a messenger: 1 Cor 1:1, 2 Cor 1:1, Gal 1:1, Eph 1:1, Col 1:1, 1 Tim 1:1, 2 Tim 1:1, 1 Pet 1:1

And 'The Elder" in 2 John 1:1, 3 John 1:1

Is it just a coincidence that those leading the early church did not call themselves leaders? Or is there a difference between leading, and being called a leader?

If the people we look up to for leadership like their positions of authority... those that follow will naturally want to climb the ladder as well. Young disciples will hope some day they can be leaders. They will think that is the highest calling. Is that what should be modeled?

But I think Jesus wants disciples that learn how to serve. So he wants those mature in the faith to humbly be examples of those who serve, so others will see how to follow.

P.S. don't follow me on this one yet...


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Church Leaders

I see two definitions for leadership.

1. Someone placed in a position of authority who should be listened to or there is some consequence. (A boss at work, an army officer)
   
2. Someone who is taking the lead in some project or activity which is observed by others who can learn from them and follow their example. (team captain)
   

Which type of leadership do you think of when you consider church leaders in 'evangelical churches'?

"Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—" (Matthew 20:25-28 NIV)

"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matt 23:8-12 NIV)

Leaders in Christ's body are the ones who behave like servants.

We should follow the example of those who serve.

Have we formed our leadership model from the words of Jesus, or have we inherited it from some other tradition with slight modifications?