It is obvious to serious followers of Jesus Christ that certain people in the public eye—newscasters, entertainers, etc.—are enemies of Jesus and His Kingdom. It is not so obvious to those followers that some people in the public eye who profess to be Christians are hurting the cause of Jesus and His Kingdom more than His enemies are. By their private and public behavior, actions, and statements, they are pulling down rather than expanding the Kingdom of God. Some of them are good, well-meaning Christians, but they are in need of proper equipping for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12). Because a church leader carries a title or a degree, it does not mean that Jesus called and sent him or her. Unless called and sent by Jesus, they will sooner or later cause more harm than good.
We have a lot of loose cannons running around representing themselves as Christians, and it should be obvious that they are hindering the Kingdom, but my main emphasis at this moment is on those who are actively involved in a church. If their church was properly equipping them, they would know how to rightly represent Jesus both in private and in public.
There are dark days ahead unless churches everywhere repent, wake up, and teach Christians how to be mature in Christ, how to follow Jesus while being salt and light. This will bring healing to many in the world around them, rather than causing wounds and then pouring salt in them.
If you are concerned, I want to assure you that there are godly answers, but 2 Chronicles 7:14 must become a reality, rather than just a memorized and oft quoted Scripture. We must have a restored Church on this earth that is made up of local churches all over the earth. We must get the message right! There will be no true and lasting restoration unless we get the message right. The message of the Church is the same as the message of Paul that is found twice in the last chapter of Acts. Study the words of Acts 28:23, 31 until they become alive within your mind and heart. Look back at the ministry of Jesus and see what gospel He
went about teaching and preaching. Matthew 4:23 is a good starting place.
Will you be salt that heals and light that awakens? Remember, you have a part in what will happen in the days ahead, but it was never intended to be causing wounds and pouring in salt. Be true to Jesus and His Word; let your light shine! Let it be a big light!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
The Church and the Kingdom of God
The Church is not God’s substitute, or alternative, because Israel rejected Jesus and the Kingdom of God while Jesus was on earth. Just as Jesus was slain in the heart of the Father from the foundation of the world, the Church has always been a part of God’s ultimate plan. He always intended to have a bride for Jesus Christ made up of believing Jews and Gentiles (other nations and/or peoples).
The Church, made up of believing Jews and Gentiles, has been called by Jesus to go into all the world and make disciples. The Church makes disciples by taking (or being) the witness of Jesus and His Kingdom to all nations, that they, also, may have an opportunity to become one who is circumcised inwardly as a part of God’s Israel.
Are the leaders in your church preaching Jesus and Him crucified? Are they also preaching the same thing Jesus preached—the gospel of the Kingdom? Are they preaching it correctly? Unfortunately, it is being taught in some churches today that Jesus is “a way” and the Kingdom is a political kingdom. No! A thousand times, no! Jesus is “the Way,” and the Kingdom is a spiritual Kingdom. Jesus is “the door” to the Kingdom, His Kingdom where He reigns.
The Kingdom is the sphere of the rule of God. The Kingdom is both now and future. Now, right now, God is to rule in the hearts of all who have been born again by faith in Jesus. In the future, when Jesus returns, the Kingdom will be complete. Until then, all ambassadors for Christ are to do as Paul did; they are to preach and teach the Kingdom of God and the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ. Two times this is made clear in the last chapter of the book of Acts (Acts 28:23 and Acts 28:31). By the way, there is no Amen to the book of Acts!
We are in a time when there are wars and rumors of wars, as well as famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. The air waves are filled with so-called prophetic teachers declaring such things and talking about the end of the world. Interestingly, they usually skip or downplay the end of verse 6 in Matthew 24, which emphatically states that the end is not yet. They also usually skip or change the meaning of verse 14, which ends with “and then the end will come.” The end will come when we, as citizens of God’s Kingdom, join with other citizens of God’s Kingdom and witness to all nations the gospel of the Kingdom. Our witness is not in word only, but also in thought, character, lifestyle, and demonstration of the power of the Kingdom of God.
O, let the Church be the Church! Let the Church deny all to follow Christ, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and proclaim in the entire world the good news of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
Brief Definitions: (1) The Church is the redeemed of all time, those already with God and those who are in Christ on earth. (2) The Kingdom of God is the sphere of God's rule. One enters the Kingdom when they are born again; the Kingdom is presently at work in those who have fully surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Kingdom will only be fully realized after the return of Jesus Christ and the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ; He will reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15).
The Church, made up of believing Jews and Gentiles, has been called by Jesus to go into all the world and make disciples. The Church makes disciples by taking (or being) the witness of Jesus and His Kingdom to all nations, that they, also, may have an opportunity to become one who is circumcised inwardly as a part of God’s Israel.
Are the leaders in your church preaching Jesus and Him crucified? Are they also preaching the same thing Jesus preached—the gospel of the Kingdom? Are they preaching it correctly? Unfortunately, it is being taught in some churches today that Jesus is “a way” and the Kingdom is a political kingdom. No! A thousand times, no! Jesus is “the Way,” and the Kingdom is a spiritual Kingdom. Jesus is “the door” to the Kingdom, His Kingdom where He reigns.
The Kingdom is the sphere of the rule of God. The Kingdom is both now and future. Now, right now, God is to rule in the hearts of all who have been born again by faith in Jesus. In the future, when Jesus returns, the Kingdom will be complete. Until then, all ambassadors for Christ are to do as Paul did; they are to preach and teach the Kingdom of God and the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ. Two times this is made clear in the last chapter of the book of Acts (Acts 28:23 and Acts 28:31). By the way, there is no Amen to the book of Acts!
We are in a time when there are wars and rumors of wars, as well as famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. The air waves are filled with so-called prophetic teachers declaring such things and talking about the end of the world. Interestingly, they usually skip or downplay the end of verse 6 in Matthew 24, which emphatically states that the end is not yet. They also usually skip or change the meaning of verse 14, which ends with “and then the end will come.” The end will come when we, as citizens of God’s Kingdom, join with other citizens of God’s Kingdom and witness to all nations the gospel of the Kingdom. Our witness is not in word only, but also in thought, character, lifestyle, and demonstration of the power of the Kingdom of God.
O, let the Church be the Church! Let the Church deny all to follow Christ, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and proclaim in the entire world the good news of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
Brief Definitions: (1) The Church is the redeemed of all time, those already with God and those who are in Christ on earth. (2) The Kingdom of God is the sphere of God's rule. One enters the Kingdom when they are born again; the Kingdom is presently at work in those who have fully surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Kingdom will only be fully realized after the return of Jesus Christ and the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ; He will reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15).
Prophetic Words of Restoration (March 2012)
Jesus said, "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. He said, Pray for God's Kingdom to come to earth. Through Jesus we enter the Kingdom of God and are ambassadors of God and His Kingdom on earth. We can't lose because Jesus has overcome the world! We are victorious in Christ. When people learn of Jesus, His Kingdom and the benefits of following Him into the Kingdom there will be a great gathering of souls to the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:33; 24:14). We must do as Paul did and tell people the good news of Jesus and His Kingdom (Acts 28:23, 31). Are you a Kingdom man, woman, boy or girl? If so, say "I am a Kingdom _____". (03/02/2012)
Let's be witnesses of Jesus and His Kingdom. Last night the Spirit of the Lord was speaking to me about how Christians in America can change America. They must first act like citizens of the Kingdom of God rather than first acting like citizens of an earthly kingdom or country. This does not mean we do not vote, etc. It means we get our priorities in line. It is all about priority! Too many Christians are first trying to change things from the perspective of being a citizen of an earthly country. We change things in our earthly country by being representatives of the Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33 is very important; we need the Spirit of Christ to make it come alive for us. (03/07/2012)
Let's be witnesses of Jesus and His Kingdom. Last night the Spirit of the Lord was speaking to me about how Christians in America can change America. They must first act like citizens of the Kingdom of God rather than first acting like citizens of an earthly kingdom or country. This does not mean we do not vote, etc. It means we get our priorities in line. It is all about priority! Too many Christians are first trying to change things from the perspective of being a citizen of an earthly country. We change things in our earthly country by being representatives of the Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33 is very important; we need the Spirit of Christ to make it come alive for us. (03/07/2012)
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