September 28, 2018 LIFE IN THE KINGDOM part 1
Matthew 23:10-12 “And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant, and whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
As we read and study the New Testament, it becomes very obvious that life in the kingdom of God is totally unlike life in the kingdom of this world. Only as one comes to know God can he or she experience life in God’s kingdom as it takes the Holy Spirit in us to reveal the kingdom of God. Because the world cannot comprehend in any way the things of God, it rejects, and even opposes the kingdom of God. The basic conflict is that the world believes that self is in control, whereas in the kingdom of God, God is the One who is in control. It is incomprehensible to the world that we, as believers, are to ‘die to ourselves’ if we are to find real life. The two verses above are just two of the many verses that give us insight into kingdom living. First, as believers, we are to see Jesus as THE Leader, and that everything revolves around Him and flows out of Him as He is the source of our life. We may, and should learn from others who are following God, but our focus is to be on Christ. In God’s kingdom, serving is paramount; we serve because Jesus served. The world may promote the idea of serving, particular in the business community, but this serving is based on getting something in return-customer retention, more sales, etc. In the kingdom of God, the motive for serving is to truly bless others-with no strings attached. Jesus came to serve by securing our salvation that we may be made a part of His kingdom. It is a part of our new nature to want to serve and bless others-let us look for ways to express that part of our new nature. Jesus plainly states that the greatest among us is the one who serves. Another clashing reality of the two kingdoms is that of pride and humility. Pride is at the core of the one who rejects God. Man wants his way, man wants recognition, and man takes pride in what he does by his own strength. Jesus came as Savior, and He came to inaugurate and make known the kingdom of God. Each individual, including believers, must choose to live according to the kingdom of this world, or according to the kingdom of God, and the choice we make has for reaching implications. We are most blessed to have the opportunity to live in and experience the kingdom of God, even as we live in this world. Let us examine the life we live and make sure we are indeed living in the kingdom of God.
Acts 19:8 “And He entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.”
Blessings,
Buddy
Matthew 23:10-12 “And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant, and whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
As we read and study the New Testament, it becomes very obvious that life in the kingdom of God is totally unlike life in the kingdom of this world. Only as one comes to know God can he or she experience life in God’s kingdom as it takes the Holy Spirit in us to reveal the kingdom of God. Because the world cannot comprehend in any way the things of God, it rejects, and even opposes the kingdom of God. The basic conflict is that the world believes that self is in control, whereas in the kingdom of God, God is the One who is in control. It is incomprehensible to the world that we, as believers, are to ‘die to ourselves’ if we are to find real life. The two verses above are just two of the many verses that give us insight into kingdom living. First, as believers, we are to see Jesus as THE Leader, and that everything revolves around Him and flows out of Him as He is the source of our life. We may, and should learn from others who are following God, but our focus is to be on Christ. In God’s kingdom, serving is paramount; we serve because Jesus served. The world may promote the idea of serving, particular in the business community, but this serving is based on getting something in return-customer retention, more sales, etc. In the kingdom of God, the motive for serving is to truly bless others-with no strings attached. Jesus came to serve by securing our salvation that we may be made a part of His kingdom. It is a part of our new nature to want to serve and bless others-let us look for ways to express that part of our new nature. Jesus plainly states that the greatest among us is the one who serves. Another clashing reality of the two kingdoms is that of pride and humility. Pride is at the core of the one who rejects God. Man wants his way, man wants recognition, and man takes pride in what he does by his own strength. Jesus came as Savior, and He came to inaugurate and make known the kingdom of God. Each individual, including believers, must choose to live according to the kingdom of this world, or according to the kingdom of God, and the choice we make has for reaching implications. We are most blessed to have the opportunity to live in and experience the kingdom of God, even as we live in this world. Let us examine the life we live and make sure we are indeed living in the kingdom of God.
Acts 19:8 “And He entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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