“The love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake” (2Cor5:14,15; AMP).

Christ’s love “compels” us. In Greek the word ‘compel’ means: to hold together, to press down (by a crowd), to arrest a prisoner, to afflict, or to stop an action. It means to forcibly compress the energy of the soul into one channel. We are controlled, ruled by Christ’s love for us. Jesus is King Grace and King Agape Love at the same time. His love guides us, presses us down, overmasters us, keeps us focused on only one object, on His will. His Love simplifies and concentrates us. Paul says that the Love of Christ limits his freedom, restraining him from every selfish purpose, directing every act to the good of others. If we die to self, we’ll not desire to ‘live for ourselves’. We’ll be free to share our love and our life. Christ’s Love can’t be manipulated or misused. It is a spiritual fence, directing us to Him who loved us first! 

Christ’s Love is holy and jealous of any rival. “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2Cor 11:2). The jealousy of Love keeps it focused on her Beloved. The fleshly love ‘eros’ is always polygamous. Agape Love has only one aim: to please King Jesus! It has constraining power, directing every act to God’s glory and to the good of others. It keeps us in our place of duty, as soldiers are held together under God’s holy covering. “His banner over me is love” (SS 2:4). In life or in death, we are one, together, in Love with Christ and with one another. Love is extremely bold. It is the only force in the universe that looks at the devil face to face and fearlessly rejects his temptations. Glory to God!

Christ’s love ‘compels’ us. Jesus uses a similar word (distressed), when talking about the Cross He was to suffer upon: “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!” (Lk 12:49, 50). Other translations say: “what constraint I am under until it is completed… how it consumes Me until it is finished… I will suffer until it is over… I have a heavy burden until it is accomplished” (Lk 12:50). Love is bitter and sweet, painful and fruitful at the same time. Our Lord says: “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments” (Jn 14:15; AMP). If Christ’s love compels me, then my eyes and ears are for Him alone. No other face or voice will be sweet to me. Love leads to precious obedience. Love has no Plan B. Love is the Kingdom’s royal badge of honor! Love never betrays. Love never fails to please God! Selah!

THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM 

“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people”… “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt 4:23; 24:14).

Many see the Gospel as a limited blessing, only salvation for their souls. The Gospel is the Good News of God. His Son, Jesus Christ, became a Man, lived on earth, and died on behalf of sinners. By God’s grace, and thru faith in Christ crucified and resurrected we become saved. This is all true. But the Gospel is greater than even our personal salvation. It is called The Gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus, the King of kings came to establish His Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is the realm, rule and reign of God. It is the atmosphere of heaven where God’s authority is accepted by all. This reminds us of the Greatness of the Gospel we preach. The Gospel is more than healing of the body, peace of mind or feeling good in the church. It affects the whole universe.  “In the dispensation of the fullness of the times He (God) might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth—in Him” (Eph1:10). The Gospel tells us that all things in the universe shall be brought together in Jesus Christ, the King of God’s Kingdom. Rebellion against the King shall be punished. The Gospel is not only for ‘sinners’, like drunkards, prostitutes, or thieves. It is for all people! God commands all men to repent and surrender to King Jesus! “God overlooked and disregarded the former ages of ignorance; but now He commands all people everywhere to repent [that is, to change their old way of thinking, to regret their past sins, and to seek God’s purpose for their lives]” (Ac17;30; AMP). “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17). Selah!

The ultimate purpose of the Gospel is not to make us happy, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, to make us holy, and obedient to God’s Word. Christ came into this world to establish the realm, rule and reign of God. “When He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Lk17:20,21). The Pharisees were the religious leaders in Israel at that time. They heard Jesus preaching about the Kingdom of God and they knew that He claims to be the Messiah King. They rejected His claim to be the King of kings. They came to ask Him about the Kingdom of God, not in a humble manner, but deceitfully, to see what He will say. They were teaching the people that the Kingdom of God belongs to Israel, and it will come as a military religious kingdom with visible pompous display. Even John the Baptist and the disciples initially believed the teaching of the Pharisees (Matt 11:3; Acts 1:6). But Jesus said that for now, His Kingdom does not come ‘with observation’. It is not visible. It is in the hearts of men who totally surrender to Him, who have faith in Him, their Savior and King. Until Jesus comes again, the Kingdom is invisible, growing mysteriously, like a mustard seed, in the hearts of the believers. Once deeply planted, it cannot be uprooted. The miracle of becoming born again is the foundation of the Kingdom in the hearts of men. The believers produce fruits of repentance, by the Holy Spirit in them, among which, Agape Love is the first. The Kingdom of God is not “eating and drinking”, which are visible actions. It is Agape Love working in the hearts of men, changing them, and changing their circumstances. Because Jesus gave them food to eat, they wanted to make Him King by force. Men are ready ‘to vote’ for Jesus when they want physical food. But Jesus rejected ‘democracy’ in His Kingdom and withdrew from them (Jn 6:15). Jesus told Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world [nor does it have its origin in this world]. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting [hard] to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this world” (Jn 18:36; AMP). The devil is the ruler or the prince of this world. Jesus conquered Him by His death on the Cross! Hallelujah!

Even after His resurrection, Jesus was telling them about His Kingdom. The devil fights the revelation. The Kingdom spreads by the preaching of God’s Word in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are witnesses of our King. One day, Jesus will come back to earth visibly, just the way He ascended (Ac1:1-3;10,11). When He comes again, all eyes will see His majesty. The whole creation shall be delivered from its bondage to corruption. Everything in this universe will be restored to its original glory! “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all” (1Cor 15:24-28). Glory!

Christ has authority over all men, not only over the Christians. While on earth, He commanded: “Follow Me”, and men followed. He has total authority over nature and the invisible realm. The winds and the sea obeyed Him! Before He died Jesus said: “Now judgment is upon this world [the sentence is being passed]. Now the ruler of this world (Satan) will be cast out” (Jn 12:31; AMP). By His death, Jesus defeated and disgraced Satan. “When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed over them through the cross” (Col2:15; AMP). He made an “open show” of the devil and his demons, who are now disgraced before the whole universe. By His death, Jesus destroyed the power of the devil to accuse us because of sin and his power to intimidate us thru death. Glory!

“How of the Cross He made a throne

On which He reigns, a glorious King” (Ancient Hymn)

Finally, this is a question of life or death: Are you in this Kingdom? Are you born again? The easiest way to know if you are saved or not is by studying your attitude not to God’s promises, but to God’s commandments. If God’s commandments are burdensome to you, it means you are not born again. If they are your delight, then you are a citizen of the Kingdom of God. Welcome in! Praise the Lord!

KINGDOM’S POWER AND LOVE IN THE EARLY CHURCH

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:34,35). “For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (1Jn 3:11).

Most believers know that Love is a command. They know the theory of Love. Few know how to practice Love in the church. Most of the time they manifest agape Love in little groups, in house fellowships, or as friends, they visit one another. Often, they mix agape love with philia love. But they do not know how to manifest the pure agape love to those they do not ‘like’ as friends. Even the church leaders are not able to display agape love daily, to all. The result is that the church is more religious than spiritually real. The early church relied upon a twofold witness as the means of reaching and impressing a cynical and unbelieving world: kerygma (preaching) and koinonia (fellowship). In other words, it was the combination of preaching the Word and Loving with agape love. These two actions made the church’s witness extremely powerful and effective. Pagans could easily ignore the preaching as simply another teaching among many, but they found it much more difficult to reject the evidence of koinonia, agape Love among the brethren. The concern of Christians for each other, and the way they shared their lives, left the pagan world craving this new experience called koinonia. This is what a pagan writer said: ‘How these Christians love one another!’ The present-day church has abandoned the true koinonia (agape Love) almost completely, reducing the witness of the church to preaching (kerygma) alone. The lack of agape love has weakened the body from within. It has also weakened the Church’s influence over the unbelievers. That is why the world sees the church as irrelevant these days. May we go back to our first Love, Jesus Christ and love one another as we are commanded. The result will be power to serve God, power to influence the world around us. That is the glory of the Church! May revival come!

“Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Eph 3:20,21; AMP).

Power is the ability to control or influence people and events. The early Christians knew the secret of living by resurrection power, and nothing else will account for the amazing effect they had upon the world of their day. They did not try to borrow power from the world, for they found they had all they could possibly need, available continuously from a risen, triumphant Lord. Resurrection power is available to every true Christian by faith.

“Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]” (Gal 6:2; AMP). The Apostle Paul says that bearing one another’s burdens is the way to fulfill the Law of Christ, or the Law of Agape Love. In other words, a Christian will live a fulfilled life only when he helps others carry their burdens. For that, you need to be close enough to people and to see their struggles, to feel their pains. You are willing to help others not to prove that you are stronger or better, but to be like Jesus. It means people trust you with their secret pains. That is a great privilege. Most people who attend Church are afraid to tell others of their struggles. Many believers fear rejection and suffer in silence. But we are commanded to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another. We are to rebuke in love and encourage others. The burdens of life are spiritual or natural, addiction to sins, marriage issues, chronic sicknesses, or financial troubles. Burdens are normal to all. Don’t pretend that all is well. Humble yourself! But only Agape Love is strong enough to help others without asking nothing in return. It builds the Body and gives glory to God in the Church.

To help others with the burdens of life can be done in private counselling. For that, you need to be committed to listen well, to be willing to enter another’s pain, to spend time, energy and money to help the one in need. Some say that only the welfare department should do that. It is not true. This command applies to all Christians. “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil 2:4). Practical Agape Love is felt not only in private conversations, but even in the big assembly. As you greet, shake hands, or hug others, Love is displayed and spread. May God help us!

DAVID AND GOLIATH – STANDING ALONE FOR GOD (1 Samuel 17)

*The battle between David and Goliath is a classic story. It never gets old. This is the first battle King Saul must fight since the anointing of the Holy Spirit left him. Saul knew that God has left him, but he does not even try to repent and seek God. The men of Israel chose Saul to be their king because they wanted him to fight their battles (1Sam 8:19-22). For men, stature and physical strength is important. Saul was taller than the rest. But now, Goliath was taller than Saul. King Saul was not really a coward. Together with his son, Jonathan, he led the armies of Israel in many battles. As a king, he was not interested in administration or worshipping God. Being a soldier is what he loved the most. But without God, Saul became a coward. His rise to fame and his tragic fall is a warning to all men. Lesson: Fear God!

*Goliath was a Philistine ‘champion’. This is a particular type of soldier who fights alone, one to one. He was a giant. His height was about 3 meters and 400 pounds in weight. His heavy armor of 120 pounds was covered with scales looking like a snake. He is a type of Satan. He fights with intimidation and fear. Goliath insulted the army of Israel saying something like this: ‘I am a pagan. I hate your God. You are supposed to trust in your God and come to kill me. Why do you run away? Is your God not able to help you?’ Saul and the people of Israel, saw Goliath as a giant in the battlefield. David saw an enemy of God and of God’s people. He knew God’s Word: “Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him, the stranger as well as him who is born in the land. When he blasphemes the name of the Lord, he shall be put to death” (Lev 24:16). Based on God’s Word, Goliath will die.

*This is also the first battle that young David fights since the Holy Spirit came on him as the next king of Israel. His victory confirms the fact that God is not impressed by the outward appearance. God rewards faith and godly character. It also shows that the secret of all David’s success in life was the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon him. David loved God and the righteousness of God. Therefore, David became bold in battle. “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (PV 28:1). In Israel, the minimum age to join the army was 20 years. David’s three older brothers joined the army under King Saul. David was too young to be a soldier. He had no army uniform and no official training as a soldier. But he had faith in God. His brothers mocked him. King Saul mocked him. Goliath mocked him. But God was with David and David was with God. Lesson: in all situations of life, have faith in God! if God is with you, you will win every battle. Learn to mature as a believer. Draw closer to God and God will draw closer to you! (James 4:8).

*King Saul gave his armor to young David. But David refused it. For David, this temptation was greater than fighting Goliath. It is not easy to reject the gift of your king, to refuse to step into the shoes of a disgraced king. If David used Saul’s armor, Saul would share in the glory of the victory. Lesson: the man of faith does not use carnal methods. By removing the armor David presented himself as a living sacrifice to God. He will fight Goliath without man’s protection. Like Queen Esther, David said: If I perish, I perish! (Esther 4:16). This is the voice of faith and courage! David fought Goliath with the simple weapons of a shepherd: a sling and a stone taken from the riverbed. He won the battle not with sword and spear, but with faith in the name of Jehovah Sabaoth, the God of the armies of heaven. That is why, all the glory goes to God. Lesson: Saul’s armor is the power of the flesh. If the pastor does not preach God’s Word but offers religious entertainment, political speeches or secular stories, he is using Saul’s armor. He cannot kill any Goliath. He cannot defeat the devil. The true armor for any believer is the armor of God: The helmet of salvation- the breastplate of righteousness- the belt of truth- the shoes of the Gospel of peace- the shied of faith – and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God spoken in the anointing of the Holy Spirit (Eph 6:14-17). The battle between David and Goliath is a spiritual battle. David stands for Christ and for all the believers in Christ. Goliath stands for the devil who intimidates all men thru the fear of death. When Jesus died, the last enemy of man, the fear of death, died at the Cross. In Christ we are now free. We can now sing the victory song. We can join Apostle Paul and boldly confront death saying: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Cor 15:54-56). Praise the Lord!

*Both King Saul and Goliath have many things in common. They are both proud, tall, and physically strong. They both despised David. They saw him only as ‘a youth’, without wisdom, strength or experience on the battlefield. They saw David as a loser. Both were wrong. This is a reminder that at the Cross, Jesus proved that the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. “The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1Cor 1:25). The world rejects the Gospel of the Kingdom, Christ crucified and resurrected. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for those who believe. Faith is the gift and the mystery of God.

*When David was brought before King Saul, we are not sure if Saul remembered him as the former singer in the palace or his armor bearer. Confidently, David tells Saul that as a shepherd, he has the experience to kill ferocious animals. This is not the foolish boasting of a teenager. It was the truth. Because there was no other man who could do it, Saul agrees to let David go and fight the giant. Saul told David: The Lord be with you! This was prophetic. God’s anointing has left Saul and is now on David. Unknowingly, Saul admires the royal mantle on David, the future king. Lesson: faith developed in the past will help you fight the present battles. Enemies change. But Faith never changes. Why? “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever!” (Heb 13:8).

*When going to war, be sure that your motives are right. David was prepared as a fighter, but he also had the right motives for fighting Goliath. God looks at the heart. The state of your heart is more important to God than your words or actions. David did not fight Goliath to gain fame or fortune. David’s main reason to fight Goliath was his holy desire to defend the name and glory of God. David heard Goliath insulting God and God’s people. That was enough for David to volunteer to fight him. David said to the Philistine: “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands” (1 Sam 17:45-47). “So, the nations shall fear the name of the LORD, And all the kings of the earth Your glory” (Ps 102:15). The second reason why David fought Goliath is to help God’s people. Like a shepherd helps his wounded sheep, David stepped forth as the true leader of Israel and defeated their enemy. Lesson: Victory is on the side of him who has God on his side!

*David was willing to stand all alone for God, even when all others draw back. On that battlefield, David was the only one who saw the reality behind the visible. David stood before Goliath. In no man’s land. That is the loneliest place in the world. No man to help you! But David did not worry about himself, whether he would live or die. All he wanted is that God’s name should be honored. To stand alone you must be sure that God is with you. Also, you must be sure of is that the Battle is the Lord’s. David knew that he was God’s servant and anything that happens to David, concerns God. People like Joseph, Moses, David, Daniel all believed that God watches over them. If you know that God is with you, you will not be easily discouraged. Question: Do you fight your problems alone? You stand for God when you study God’s Word, and you go to church even if nobody in your family does it. David killed Goliath and became the hero to inspire many generations! With all his failures, God said David is a man after His heart. David loved to be identified with God. He is a great example to us all, pointing to Jesus Christ, our Savior and King! Worship the Lord!

THE LORD REIGNS FOREVER (Psalm 2:1-12)

This is a Psalm of David (Acts 4:25). It reveals the settled sovereign purpose of God to establish His Kingdom on earth and to have His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be King over all. Despite opposition from men and devils, it reveals the eternal reign of Jesus Christ as King in God’s Kingdom. David wrote this Psalm because he experienced something similar in his own life. He too was anointed as king despite the opposition of men. He was rejected by his brothers, by King Saul and by his own son, Absalom. David was about 15 years when he was anointed as king by prophet Samuel. King Saul persecuted him for about 15 years. Eventually, at the age of 30, he became king. David remains the greatest king Israel ever had, a man after God’s heart. God sets kings and God removes kings! “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Dan 2:20, 21). Psalm 2 is prophetic revealing the coming of Jesus Christ, who is of the lineage of David. The world rejected Jesus. Men killed Him on the Cross. The rulers of this world did not know God’s plan. By His death, Jesus destroyed the power of death, that belonged to the devil. Jesus will come again in power and glory to destroy what He has defeated. At that time, God’s Kingdom will be visible to all! In Psalm 2 we see the empty rage of men against God and His anointed, Jesus Christ; we see God’s reaction to this opposition; we hear the declaration of God’s Son, the King of kings; and we read the final warning of God against all rebellious men on earth!

1-THE EMPTY RAGE OF MEN

The nations ‘rage’ against God and His Kingdom. All men are born sinners. In this fight against God all the people and their kings are in it together. They ‘rage’ against God the Father and God the Son! The word ‘rage’ means a loud confusing noise of a great crowd. God’s Kingdom brings peace, prosperity, healing and freedom. You expect men to happily welcome these blessings. Why do men hate God and His Kingdom? They do not have a good reason. The only explanation is that unbelievers are ruled by the devil, who is the god of this world. Men love the blessings but hate God, the Giver of the blessings. This is a spiritual battle between heaven and hell and is manifested on earth. It is a cosmic conspiracy to break God’s bands of agape Love towards men.

God says of Israel: “I drew them with gentle cords, With bands of love, And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them” (Hos11:4). But they did not appreciate God’s Love for them. The devil uses men to fight God and all that is good. They rejected Jesus as their Savior, Lord and King. “But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us” (Lk 19:14). The men of this world, religious and political, have rejected and killed ‘this Man’ called Jesus. Despite the opposition, God declares that the unbelievers’ fight against Him and His Kingdom is ‘a vain thing’; an empty, worthless thing. It has no value and no victory. Lesson: Religion cannot help. Jesus died to reconcile us to God. Separate yourself from the unbelievers’ losing battle against God, Jesus Christ and His church! To fight God is foolish and dangerous because God always wins!

2-GOD’S REACTION TO THE EMPTY RAGE OF MEN

Totally separate from the noise of men on earth, God sits enthroned in heaven. No man and no devil can remove God from His throne. Watch the quiet royal dignity of God on His throne. This is the truth: either willingly or un-willingly, man must bow to God. Sited on His throne, God initially laughs and mocks the men who in vain fight His choice. He has declared that His Son Jesus Christ is eternally the King of glory! God can never lose. God does not need to stand from His throne to fight the opposition. His breath is enough to quench any battle against Him. By His Word God created all things. By the same Word God can kill any man. Suddenly, God changes from laughing to holy anger. None can withstand His wrath. God shakes the things on earth and burns the chaff. The purpose is to prove that His Kingdom is unshakable. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:28,29).  In His anger, God speaks: “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion” (Ps 2:6). Oh, the powerful word ‘yet!’ What God says is final! God’s choice, King David, must be king in Jerusalem, on the holy hill of Zion. Against all odds, as God wished it, King Saul is removed, and David became King in Zion. God has already done what the enemies were planning to prevent. God cannot be taken by surprise. His plans are sovereign and eternal! Amen!

Prophetically, this psalm says that Jesus Christ is God’s choice to be the King in His Kingdom. Jesus did not make King by Himself. Men did not choose Him. God the Father declared His Beloved Son to be King. Spiritually, Zion is a symbol of the Living Church. Christ is the King in His Church. He is the King of God’s Kingdom in the hearts of the believers who come together to worship the Living God. Since the Day of Pentecost when the Church was born, millions have come to worship God and to listen to God’s Word in Zion. “Many people shall come and say: Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law” (Isa 2:3). Jesus “shall see the travail of His soul and be satisfied” (Isa 53:11).

Lesson: Jesus, the Lamb upon His throne, is seated in power and glory and reigns forever in the hearts of all the believers in the Church!

3-GOD’S SON DECLARES HIS STAND

Jesus Christ, God’s Beloved Son, stands to declare His relationship with God the Father. Jesus is not an adopted Son like us. He is the only begotten Son of God. Jesus is 100% God and 100% Man. Therefore, Jesus is perfectly entitled and qualified to be King in God’s Kingdom. The fullness of God the Father dwells in Christ, who is the Fountain of all wisdom, power, and authority. Christ died to create the Church. His Blood is stronger than any opposition. “The Gates of Hell cannot prevail against His Church where He is King” (Matt 16:18). By His Grace, Christ makes the believers to be kings, priests and co-heirs with Him. We sit on the throne with Him. We are His Ambassadors and Key-holders in His domain. All worship to God must pass thru God the Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord! The Son of God declares that God told Him: “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel” (Ps 2:8).  Jesus is asking God the Father to give Him as a royal gift the very people who are fighting against Him. By His grace and through His Agape love, His enemies will become His servants and worshippers. Those who will not bend, must be broken. Christ is King not just by name. He has the power to subdue all opposition. Christ said: “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matt 28:18; AMP).

4-FINAL WARNING TO THE UNBELIEVERS

This is a grace warning to all who oppose Christ. They are commanded to ‘be wise’! Wisdom means to stop fighting and surrender to Christ. If not, they will surely perish. They will go to hell! All must come to the throne of mercy and grace and kiss the hand of the Son of God. They must accept the truth that their fight can never succeed. The ruler of this world, the devil, is a liar. He gives sinners false hopes. They must forsake the devil’s camp and cross-over to Jesus. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (PV9:10). As for you, child of God, rejoice with trembling in the mercy received. Fear without joy is torment. Joy without holy fear is presumption and foolishness. Both need to be together. Those who resist the Holy Spirit and continue to rebel against Christ shall perish. Those who have faith in Jesus Christ, shall find mercy and they shall live. Choose life!!! Worship the Lord!

The Parable of the wheat and the tares is one of the parables of Jesus. A parable is a simple short story that illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Human beings respond better when they hear simple stories than when they listen to theories, arguments or principles. In the previous Parable of the Sower, we have one Sower, one type of seed (God’s Word), one field and four different types of soils. Here we have one Man who owns a good field. He sows good seed (wheat) in His field. In the night, when his servants are sleeping, another man called ‘his enemy’ came and planted bad seed (tares) in the same good field. Both types of seed germinate at the same time, and they grow together. The servants observed that there are two types of plants. They asked their Master three questions: “Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?… Do you want us then to go and gather them up?”. The Master said that an enemy has done that. He also said that they should leave the mixed plants to grow together until the harvest. Judgment shall happen during the harvest. Then the separation shall be total. The tares will be gathered and burnt. The wheat will be deposited in the Owner’s storehouse.

Jesus explains that Kingdom of God, and the church in its visible form is a mixed multitude. This is the mystery of evil in the world. Immediately God planted the good seed called Adam and Eve, the devil came to deposit his lies in their hearts. We have many questions about evil and sin: why did God allowed the devil to enter the Garden of Eden? Why is the devil still permitted to ‘to kill, steal and destroy’? From this parable we see that God allows the devil to tempt and attack even the Christians. But evil does not last forever. There is a final judgment when God, sited on the Great White Throne in heaven, will judge and punish the devil and all who followed him. God is the good man who plants the good seed, the believers. Never forget the great picture of God’s plan and purpose in His creation.

Jesus calls the devil ‘an enemy’. The devil is a liar, the enemy of truth, of righteousness, of peace, of joy and of all good things in life. Here we see that part of the strategy of spiritual warfare is to endure side by side with the wicked people, for a time. The deliverance from oppressors and difficult people is not always instant. This closeness is difficult, but God uses it to shine the light from the true believers on the false believers, who have grace opportunities to repent of sin and give their lives to Christ. The unbelievers are our ‘neighbors’. We must love the unlovely. Agape Love is busy in such a field. This is evangelism one to one. This is a reminder that the devil is wicked. He waited for the Owner to plant the good seeds before he planted his wicked seeds. If the devil planted his evil seed where other evil plants grow, then we can understand that. But, no! He planted his evil seed on the good man’s land and among the good man’s seed. This is a reminder that God is the owner of this earth. The devil plants in God’s field.

The devil planted his seed during the night when the good man’s servants were sleeping. This parable tells us that the devil is a coward. He did not attack the man’s children in the daytime, but in the night, where all good men sleep. This is not a careless sleep but the normal sleep of hardworking men. This parable also tells us that this is a time of grace, when men may still repent. All organizations, companies, families, even the visible Church and the Kingdom of God are all a mixed multitude. Wicked people are our neighbors and colleagues in the offices. They are the people we call brethren and pastors in the church. Finally, we are reminded that there is judgment ahead. Evil does not last forever. Wicked, unrepentant people will surely regret their foolish pride! They will be punished in the Lake of Fire forever! But the righteous in Christ have eternal life. Lessons: Fear God! Repent of Sins! Surrender unconditionally to the Lord Jesus Christ! Grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ! Be patient! Be watchful! Pray! Study God’s Word! Worship God! Serve God! Amen!

“Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons” (1Sam 16:1:1). In Hebrew, the word ‘provide’ is ‘rai’. It means to see, to make it appear, to prophesy. It is part of the compound name of God: Jehovah Jireh. Abraham told Isaac: “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering” (Gen 22:8). In the same way, Jehovah Jireh provides a king for Himself. We shall study God’s provision, King David, who is a symbol of King Jesus. Lesson: in God’s Kingdom, men’s choice as their leader or king is rejected by God. Only God chooses the King that can give Him the glory and help humanity! In the Church, all the true leaders are all called by God!

King Saul had great potential. He was tall and handsome. He looked like a king. That is why the people ‘voted’ for him. God agreed with their ‘democratic’ desires. But King Saul’s heart was not good. He openly disobeyed God. Internally, he was not fit to be a king before God and man. Samuel told King Saul: “you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel” (1Sam 15:26). Lesson: obedience to God’s Word is the way to success and greatness!  Surprisingly, God’s choice as king is a teenager, a shepherd, called David, the son of Jesse, from Bethlehem. God says: “I have provided Myself a king”. Samuel, now an old man, so bold in the past, is weeping for Saul, who was one of his disciples in the school of life. But Saul failed both God and Samuel. When God tells Samuel to go to the house of Jesse to anoint one of his sons, the prophet becomes afraid, that Saul might kill him. Lesson: Mourning for lost opportunities is natural, but it should only be for a short time. When mourning for man combines with fear of the same man, that leads to depression and cowardice and backsliding. It is worldly sorrow. It is sin. It blocks the anointing to ministry! Repent of it! Selah!

Samuel goes to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse, to find and anoint the new king of Israel. Jesse has eight sons. He presents the first seven. They are all tall and good looking. Samuel was tempted to choose one of them. They reminded him of young king Saul. But God restrains him saying: “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1Sam 16:7). Like Samuel, we all tend to approve men based on their outward gifts. We tend to lean towards physical beauty, eloquent speakers, academic degrees, or social status. We choose charisma over character. This tendency to choose the visible gifts over the invisible spirituality is idolatry. It is rejecting God’s will. Lesson: in choosing our pastors, marriage partners or friends, we must seek God’s face and never be led by the lust of the eyes! Selah!  

God rejected all the seven sons of Jesse. Samuel asked if there was any other son. Slowly, Jesse admits that there is still the youngest, David, who is taking care of the sheep. He was not even informed about this ‘interview’. That is when Samuel told everyone: “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here” (1Sam 16:11). Spiritually, many people sit down! They have lost the vision of King Jesus in His Kingdom. They are depressed. Lesson: We are to stand to honor and expect the King to come! We are like the wise virgins! We cannot relax or sleep until we see the King of glory! “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed” (Rev 16:15). Selah!

David came into the room. Behold the King of Israel!!! David came straight from tending the flock; sweating, dressed in dirty clothes, smelling like sheep. He was excited as any teenager can be. “He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the LORD said, “This is the one; anoint him” (1Sam16:12;NLT). God’s command to Samuel was clear: ‘This is the One!’ David looked healthy and physically fit. His beauty came from within, from a kind and humble spirit. David was the 8th son. Number 8 is the number of a new beginning. God’s choice as king for His people has entered the pages of history. Later, the same David said: “Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter” (Ps 24:9; NLT). Lesson: God allows the flesh to manifest and fail before He brings His choice. That is why Ishmael is born before Isaac; Esau is born before Jacob; Herod is born before Jesus! God’s ways are not our ways! Be patient!

King Saul was the first king. He was chosen by people. God approved their choice. Samuel anointed him with oil from a flask. King Saul was a tall handsome man, looking like a king. At the beginning he looked humble and zealous for God. But King Saul disobeyed God’s commands. God removed His Spirit and anointing from him. Lesson: in God’s Kingdom unrepentant rebellion is punished. Samuel anointed David with oil from an animal horn. This ceremony was held in the presence of his father and his brothers. Lesson: Both Saul and David were anointed with the same olive oil and by the same prophet Samuel. The difference was in the containers of oil. In the case of Saul, the oil was poured from a man-made flask (1 Sam10:1). But Samuel poured the oil on David from an animal’s horn (1Sam16:13). That speaks of sacrifice. The bull must be killed to remove the horn. Blood must shed for the oil to flow. This is a symbol of the Cross, strength coming out of death. We are called to be royal priesthood in God’s Kingdom by the power of the Cross! Oh, the Blood of Jesus!!!

Immediately the new king is anointed, the Holy Spirit leaves Saul and goes to David (1Sam16:13). “The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him” (1Sam16:14). Without God’s covering, an evil spirit appointed by God Himself, comes to trouble Saul’s mind. The word ‘distressing’ is also translated as evil, wicked, wild, depressive, ugly, or hurtful spirit. This demon ‘troubled’ Saul. The word means to attack, overwhelm, or terrorize with fear. This demon gave Saul panic attacks that drove him to become mad. His mental decline has started. He is still the king on the throne for some years, but he becomes erratic, paranoic and violent. He suspects everybody around him.

There is a mental health situation called ‘panic attack’. It is a sudden feeling of anxiety or fear when there is no danger around. It lasts about 10 minutes. It manifests as a sudden fear or death; the heartbeat increases; he sweats; feels hot or cold; feels nausea, like sick at the stomach; he feels chest pains. He feels dizzy, fainting, like he has a heart attack, or is going to die. The effect of this attack is that the patient starts to avoid crowded places and people. He becomes lonely. Medically, the patient is given psychotherapy and medication.  

His servants advised a cure: Music! A skillful musician who can play the harp to help Saul have some peace of mind. One of the servants recommends young David, who has just been anointed to be the new king in Israel.

David did not seek visibility. He did not really like fame. He was truly a humble man. Study him! After David was anointed as king, what did he do? He went back to take care of the sheep. He did not make noise about it. The anointing with oil as a king did not change his character. David’s ‘contract’ to be the King’s entertainer did not make him proud. When David did ministry in song Saul became refreshed and well. But David still did not become proud. Even after he killed Goliath, he remained humble. Lesson: God uses and blesses humble servants who give Him all the glory! David “served his own generation by the will of God” (Ac 13:36). May this be our portion too!

Listen to what Hannah, Samuel’s mother said: “The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. 7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. 8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory. “For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and He has set the world upon them. 9 He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. “For by strength no man shall prevail. 10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to His king and exalt the horn of His anointed” (1 Sam 2:6-10). Lesson: God is not impressed by man’s outward appearance, titles or fashion sense. God is seeking for true worshippers with a servant’s attitude. God looks for men who want to love Him more than His gifts. Once God finds someone like that, He will anoint that one. David is not ugly. It is not wrong to be handsome, skillful, or talented. But for God, the top of His list in choosing His servants is a desire to know His heart and obey His voice. Lesson: the key to success in ministry and greatness in life is to be humble, faithful, to seek God’s Heart, God’s Kingdom and to be like Jesus!

It is interesting to note that no one in the Bible has the name of David except the greater Son of David, our Lord Jesus Christ. David was a visible example of God to others. People noticed that the Lord was with him. Godliness cannot be hidden. Light shines in the darkness!

King Saul is now rejected by God. He is still on the throne but without God’s covering and anointing. As the Holy Spirit left Saul, He went on young David. King Saul became king in his middle age. God did not train him to be king. But with David, God calls and anoints him as a young man. For many years, before David sits on the throne, God trains him in the wilderness. Lesson: if God calls you to serve Him, He will train you in the school of life! “Before his downfall a person’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor” (PV 18:12). King Saul is now attacked by a tormenting spirit. He needed someone who could play the harp well. Music helps him to have some peace. See how a servant introduces young David to King Saul: “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him” (1Sam16:18). David is a good example of a citizen, an ambassador, and a peacemaker in the Kingdom of God. Let us look at each of young David’s qualities:

*He was skillful in playing (the harp). As a shepherd, David lived a lonely life. His harp was his ‘friend’. He learned to play it very well. In some of his Psalms he wrote ‘To the Chief Musician’. It means that the psalms should be played by the master musician, by the music director, and not by the beginners in the art of making beautiful sounds. David’s fingers were sensitive to the touch of the strings. He was a poet and musician at heart. Lesson: we should improve the skill of making music as we worship God.

*He was a mighty man of valor. He had a good character. As a shepherd, he learned how to take care of his sheep. He was a responsible and courageous leader. He took the sheep to green pastures and still water. He treated their sicknesses. He looked for the lost sheep. The shepherd type of leader is the opposite of a proud tyrant. David has a servant’s heart. With humility and patience, he displays agape love towards the weak.

*He was a man of war. David learned how to fight and kill the enemies. He killed the bear and the lion that attacked his flock. It is strange to see that the same sensitive fingers that could play the harp were the ones that can kill the animals. Not long after this, he proved to be a true champion, and a man of faith, by killing the giant called Goliath who insulted Jehovah God!

*He was prudent in speech. This word means to be a good communicator especially when speaking in public. A godly eloquent person speaks clearly, passionately, directly, and moves his listeners. God’s Spirit gave David the gift of speech. He spoke wisely. He did not insult the people. He was respectful. When people heard Jesus speak, they said: “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (Jn 7:46).

*He was handsome. His beauty came mostly from within. It was the beauty of holiness.

*The Lord was with Him. This is the greatest quality in any man. God’s presence is the secret of all godly success in life. People observed that God guides David in his decisions and prospers him. David “was successful in all he did, because the LORD was with him” (1Sam 18:14; Good News Translation). The knowledge on how to host the Holy Spirit thru personal anointing, is the secret of all success in life and ministry. It was the same with Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Esther, the old prophets, Apostles Paul and John. Selah!

“And when He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king: of him He testified and said, ‘I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART [conforming to My will and purposes], who will do all My will” (Ac 13:22; AMP). King David was the opposite of King Saul who was proud and rebellious. A man after God’s heart is humble and obedient to God’s Word. In words and deeds, he honors and fears God. As a King and Priest, the believer chooses to die to his own will and does God’s Will. He hates idolatry. In his heart, he is a worshipper of God. David prepared to build the temple of God. As believers we love attending the local church and serve God there. When we sin, we quicky repent. God took pleasure in blessing David. Out of his lineage, the Lord Jesus Christ came to earth as a man. This is the greatest honor given to man on earth. May we be like David, people after God’s Heart! Amen!

FINALLY…

Studying the life of King Saul and the lack of fruits of repentance, we can safely say that he was not saved. God gave him a chance in life. He became the first king of Israel. He was handsome. People liked him and followed him. Though initially he looked humble, he was proud and stubborn in his heart. Two times he openly disobeyed God’s Word that came to him thru the man of God. He could not wait patiently for Prophet Samuel to offer the sacrifices. He was not ordained as a priest but took it upon himself to offer the sacrifices. He also disobeyed God’s command and refused to kill the Amalekites, according to God’s Word. God then removed His anointing from Saul. That is how he lost his mental health and peace. God sent an evil spirit to torment him. This evil spirit was God’s judgment because of his stubbornness, pride and disobedience. In His mercy, God sent His servant and ambassador, young man David. The sound of David’s harp would calm Saul’s mind, for a time. David’s music ministry was God’s gift of Kindness to Saul. He was to receive it with thanksgiving and repent of his sins. But Saul refused to repent.  “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds” (Rom 2:4-6). To the end of his life Saul rejected David and his music ministry. His daughter, Michal, David’s wife, also rejected David’s music ministry. King Saul died a miserable death and David took over his throne. Lesson: Fear God!

What are then the main qualities of a man (a woman) who is after God’s heart? Being inspired by David we say that such a person must first of all be born again and Spirit-filled. The election of David as King was by grace. God provided Himself with the king of His choice. This man must have total faith in God. He must Love God’s Word. He is grateful to God. He must be in harmony with God’s will. He must be a humble man, deeply sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Like David, when he sins, he truly repents, he gets up and stands again to follow God. He must be a God seeker and a God pleaser. May God help us to pay the price to please Him alone! Amen!

God says: I need someone who will serve Me in any place, no matter how humble. Even though he was anointed to be king, David takes care of his flock and plays the harp to a rejected king. David learned many things in the palace and in the wilderness. Lesson: Learn what you can, when you can, and where you can. God usually uses a man who is already serving Him in a little way. God rewards a man who is willing to wait in humility until God calls him to visibility. When Goliath was insulting the armies of the Living God, it means that he was insulting God! All the men of Israel, including King Saul were drawing back and shaking with fear. But David was angry because someone insults his God. This is a holy anger that produces faith, and boldness. God loves this kind of man. Fear of man is a snare to anointing and promotion. David defended God’s name, reputation and glory!!! David’s brothers mocked him too, but David was too angry to care about that. Even King Saul said ‘you are too young. You are not able to kill Goliath’. But David declared his total trust in God. He refused Saul’s armor and with a stone taken from the river, he killed the giant. He trusted in God alone. He defended God’s glory. He trusted in God’s power and faithfulness to defend him. Goliath had no chance against a man who trusts God! There are so many lessons to learn. Do you trust God to help you defend His glory? To defeat His enemies? To give God all the glory? Don’t you want to be like David, to feel like a young man again? Don’t you want to be a dreamer, a worshipper and a warrior? To sing to Jesus? To dance to Jesus? King Jesus, the greater Son of David, killed death and defeated the devil. May we never lose our wonder… Worship the Lord!

Please read Isaiah 22:20-23 and 9:6,7. Isaiah says that Shebna, the chief steward to David’s house will be violently removed from his office. Shebna is called ‘a shame to his master’s house’. Jewish history says that he betrayed his king. In his place, God installs Eliakim. His name means ‘God will rise you up’ or ‘the Resurrection of God’. The fulfilment of his name applies to Jesus Christ. God gives Eliakim the substantial authority and responsibility that Shebna had. He “shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.” This is the same promotion as with Joseph who said: God “has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt” (Gen 45:8). For both Eliakim and Joseph, their authority as ‘fathers’ was exceeded by only their kings.

The keys of the house of David were placed on Eliakim’s shoulder. Keys are signs of authority and power. Note that Eliakim is not an ordinary door keeper. He is the chief steward over the royal house of King David. The keys in his hand represent all authority to invite or to drive away any person from the palace. The king trusts him with his life! God promised to David that his descendants will be kings. “For thus says the Lord: ‘David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel” (Jer 33:17). This is a prophesy that is fulfilled in Christ, who as a Man, came from the lineage of David. In Christ we are all priests and kings and carry the keys of His Kingdom.

In his position as second-in-command, Eliakim served as the ultimate gatekeeper, granting or denying access to the throne room using his discretion. He could open the door, and no one could shut it. Having the door opened meant access to the king’s presence, and thus to the God-given authority, favor and royal blessings, as well as to all the resources of the treasury and storehouse. But if Eliakim shut the door, he blocked all that access, and no one (except the king) could overrule his decision. It was a highly privileged position. As you see, God doesn’t tolerate men like Shebna, who was more interested in personal fame than fulfilling his office with humility and faithfulness.

Our Lord confirms the authority of Eliakim to open and shut doors at his discretion. “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you” (Rev 3:7-9). The false believers, men like Shebna, members of the synagogue of Satan, are liars and losers. Jesus gives the keys to the believers in the church in Philadelphia because though they have little strength, they are faithful in their works to serve Him. They keep God’s Word and do not deny the name of Jesus. Lesson: the revelation of the power of the keys in God’s Kingdom is given when we honor God’s name and obey His Word. Amen!

“Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matt 16:15-19).  Jesus is laying the foundation of His church, which is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Eph 2:20). The disciples will be the leaders of this new institution. Jesus is giving them the authority to open the doors of heaven and invite the world to enter. It is important to understand how, biblically speaking, one enters the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus said that, unless one is born again, he will not see the Kingdom of Heaven (John 3:3). One is born again as the Holy Spirit works through the Word of God to bring about new life in a dead sinner. The sinner must repent and believe in Christ crucified and resurrected.

Salvation is by grace and thru faith in Jesus who died on behalf of sinners. Faith in the heart must be openly proclaimed to prove salvation. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom 10:9,10). So, the faithful preaching of the gospel is the key to the kingdom. An open door means an opportunity to preach the Gospel, to make progress in life and ministry, without using force.  In both the Old and New Testaments, keys symbolize power and authority. You use the key to open or to shut a door. The delivery of the keys of a city, or to a person, symbolizes the handing over of the authority to that person.

The Church is ‘the headquarter’ of the Kingdom of God. Jesus personally promises Peter a certain authority. This is a personal reward for his good confession. This promise was fulfilled after the Day of Pentecost. At this time, it was only promised, not actually activated upon Peter. The actual gift of the power of the keys given to him, and to the other apostles, took place after Resurrection (Jn 20:22, 23).  The Apostles received the authority from Jesus, to operate in His name. They will use the keys to open or to shut, to approve or not, who is entering and who is rejected from entering the kingdom of heaven. In particular, it concerns acts of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Believers use the keys of the Kingdom like ambassadors give visa to people to enter their country or reject their applications for visa. This authority is always in total agreement with the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ, who is in heaven. The Kingdom keys have the power to open and shut doors without using physical force. That power belongs to God the Father. “Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand” (Deut 32:39). The “power of the keys,” has two branches – legislative (authority to make laws) and absolving (authority to release from guilt, to forgive).

1=Peter exercised the legislative authority of the Kingdom keys as he opens the door to three groups of people: the Jews, the Samaritans and the Gentiles. Jesus commanded the disciples to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). The Gospel spreads by the preaching of God’s Word in the power of the Holy Spirit. The first group was the Jews in Jerusalem. Peter preached his first sermon to them on the day of Pentecost (Ac 2:37-39). By preaching the Gospel, Peter opens the door to all the Jews who repented of the sin of rejecting and killing Jesus. Peter promised them that if they repent, they will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Three thousand Jews entered the Kingdom that day. The Holy Spirit came and baptized them, proof that they are now saved. Peter leaves the door open for all will do the same in the future. Later, Peter goes to Samaria and preaches the Gospel. The Jews and the Samaritans hated each other for centuries. But Peter, the Peacemaker, opens the door to the Samaritans to also enter the Kingdom (Acts 8).

It was also Peter’s action that admitted the Gentiles to the privileges of the gospel. Peter preaches the Gospel to the centurion and his family. They believed and got baptized with the Holy Spirit and in water (Acts 10). Later, at the Jerusalem council, Peter convinced everyone that there is no need for the Gentiles to be circumcised (like the Jews), saying that they too are saved by Grace and thru faith in Christ, just like the Jews. With one word Peter waved away the need for the Gentiles to obey the ceremonial Jewish Law to become saved. This is the legislative authority of the Kingdom’ keys (Ac 15:7-11). Peter opens salvation door to the Gentiles. This dramatic event is part of the history of the church, and this new law now stands forever.

An example of Peter shutting the door of the kingdom in the face of a false believer is his rebuke to Simon the Sorcerer. “Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God” (Ac 8:20, 21). Peter rejected his application for visa to enter heaven!

2=The absolving power of the Keys is related to forgiveness of sins and church discipline. It manifests in acts of binding and loosing in prayer. “To bind” is to forbid, to pronounce unlawful, to arrest, to constrain, to prevent the person from escaping. “To loose” is to let go, to declare lawful; to let go from a cage, to fly away, or to be free. Simply said, to bind means to arrest, to loosen means to set the victim free.  

Jesus said: “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matt 18:18). Specifically, it relates to the authority to forgive or not. “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (Jn 20:23). The “power of the keys” has also been understood as the authority to exercise discipline using the act of excommunication in cases of rebellious unrepentant members of the church (Matt 18:15-17).

So, the keys of the kingdom are God’s gift to His people to declare heaven’s verdict on who will and will not enter the kingdom based on their response to the gospel. All who faithfully preach and teach the gospel can exercise the keys under the authority of Jesus Christ Himself. The Keys are the teachings of Jesus! When you preach the Gospel, you use the Keys to open heaven or to shut it down. Knowledge withheld or ignorance of the Gospel shuts the door to men to enter. “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered” (Lk 11:52).  God’s will is that sinners be granted access to heaven through the righteousness of Christ. Consider Jesus’ warning to the Pharisees: If the gospel message is distorted or ignored, or if unrepentant sin is not adequately disciplined, the doors to the Kingdom of Heaven are being shut in people’s faces. The apostles were not to usurp Christ’s authority over individual believers and their eternal destiny, but they were to exercise authority to discipline erring believers and, if necessary, excommunicate disobedient church members. Based on God’s Word, believers today can declare an unrepentant sinner to be unsaved (“bound”) and a repentant believer in Jesus Christ to be saved (“loosed”). The binding or the loosing, based on one’s rejection or acceptance of the gospel, reflects heaven’s perspective on the matter. In heaven, Christ ratifies what is done in His name and in obedience to His Word on earth.

There was a school of prophets at Bethel. Elijah, followed later by Elisha, were mentors there (2Kings 6:1-7). The students needed a bigger hostel. They were ready to build the house, to do the manual labor. But they wanted their Master, Elisha, to go with them. They appreciated the presence of the old Prophet. Elisha could sit in the shadow of a tree by River Jordan and teach them God’s Word of pray for them. You see that at that time, the prophets were not wealthy. They had to borrow their tools. Elisha rejected the money offered by Naaman. It is a great blessing when younger Christians desire the presence of elderly servants of God. They knew that Elisha had more wisdom and experience than them. ‘An old man sited on the ground sees farther away than a young man who climbs an iroko tree’ (Naija proverb). Elisha agreed and went with them. It is beautiful when pastor and congregation serve God together in the unity of the Spirit! Suddenly, one of the young men, as he was cutting down a tree, lost the iron head of his ax in the water. Jordan river is muddy, and the ax could not be seen again. He panicked because it was a borrowed head. The young man did two things that saved him from this crisis. First, he immediately ‘cried out’. He did not hide his mistake. He could have pretended that all is well and continued to work with only the wooden stick. Many Christians are too proud to confess their sins, that they need help or prayer. If this young man used the wooden stick to work, he could have greatly slowed down his work. Also, when the metal ax head is later found, the wooden stick will be too damaged to fit in. The second good thing this young man did was to go to the old prophet. He knew that Elisha has more wisdom, more experience. Selah!

Elisha asked him: where is the exact place where it fell? Lesson: When you commit sin, there is a moment in time when you chose to rebel. There is a moment in time when you chose to resist the voice of the Holy Spirit. You must visit that painful and shameful moment. Many refuse to do so. They hinder the recovery miracle. Lesson: humble yourself; tell God and your pastor where I started to go astray. It is a place and moment in time. It is important to visit the beginning of your sin. Go to the Cross. Christ crucified for your sins. That is the place where the lost shall be found. The heavy iron head is a symbol of our sins. The story here is a symbol of baptism in water. You die in the mud of sin, and you rise by God’s power. The ax is a symbol of power for the ministry. “As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion]” (PV 27:17; AMP). This power can be lost through disobedience, love for the world, and lack of prayer. “If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength; but wisdom [to sharpen the axe] helps him succeed (with less effort)” (Ecc10:10; AMP).  Selah!

Just the way Moses cut a tree and threw it into the bitter water to make it sweet (Exo 15), Elisha also cut a stick and threw it into the river. Suddenly, the iron ax head floated to the surface. Elisha told the young man: Pick it up for yourself. There was no need for the man to swim into the muddy waters and get injured. All he had to do was to stretch his hand and take back his lost blessing. Christ is the Head of the Church. If you disconnect from the Head, you will sink into the mud of sin. You can’t work for God with only a stick in your hand. That stick represents the power of the flesh. Jesus said: “Without Me, you can do nothing!” (Jn15:5). But once you reconnect with Christ, you can do all things thru Him who continually strengthens you (Phil 4:13). Lesson: God is the God of miracles. He has the keys to every closed door. He helps us even with the little things. In Christ, the lost shall be found. The prodigals will come back home. The power of resurrection can locate and retrieve your lost blessings. The same power is the key to pay off any debt, to bring you out from poverty and shame, to build a house for you. Just believe! The work of God never stops! The worship of God continues forever! Worship the Lord!

“Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God… “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God” (Matt 5:9; NKJ; AMP).

A peacemaker is a person who helps others solve a conflict and reach a peaceful solution. If two countries are engaged in a long war, peacemakers might help negotiate a ceasefire. Ambassadors and mediators are peacemakers. Some people don’t care about peace. They are troublemakers. But all believers are commanded to live in peace with others. “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom 12:18). Jesus blesses the peacemakers.To make peace in a time of war is much more difficult than to maintain the peace achieved. There are differences between peacekeepers and peacemakers. For example: peacekeepers operate under the authority of the Law. They punish anyone who is seen as a threat to peace. They sacrifice righteousness, even kill men to keep peace. They want peace by force. They can even compromise their conscience and spiritual values to maintain peace in the land. But Biblical peacemakers do not keep peace at all costs. They operate under the greater Law of Agape Love and Divine Wisdom. Purity of heart and motives is never compromised in the process of making peace. Purity is first, peace is second. “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (Jam 3:17,18). Peacemakers produce a harvest of righteousness in the land. Peacemakers are all humble. They love people. They do not withdraw from their communities. They are active in society and wise in their relationship with people. They are not easily discouraged by problems. They are always hopeful that peace can be made. There is a difference between unity and coexistence. Peacekeepers use threats of violence, or the presence of physical power, to maintain peace. But peacemakers, thru prayer, and by God’s Grace, aim at the root of the problem: the hearts of people, starting with themselves. Glory!

Peace is defined as a state of calmness and quietness; freedom from worries, fear, anger, obsession, and oppressive thoughts; mutual harmony between people and nations; no fighting and no war. When you are at peace with yourself, you are content with the way God created you, even with your weaknesses and flaws. In a state of peace people live and work together happily, without disagreements. In both Hebrew and Greek, the word ‘peace’ also means prosperity, health, favor with God and men. Christ is our King and our Peace. He shed His Blood on the Cross to reconcile Jew and Gentile, to make them one Body, in Him, before God the Father. “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation” (Eph2:14).

Jesus told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). In both Hebrew and Greek, the word ‘peace’ also means property, health, and favor with God and men. To be troubled means to be agitated, disturbed, angry. The word ‘afraid’ means to be a coward, to be timid, and to shrink back. Like Agape Love, peace is bold like a lion. Jesus was clarifying the difference between worldly peace and godly peace. Many people do not have peace of mind. “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 “There is no peace,” Says my God, “for the wicked” (Isa 57:20,21). The world has external peace connected with beauty, wealth and social status. The worldly man believes that he creates his peace. When money and youthful strength go away, that peace is scattered. But for the believers, peace starts with a right relationship with God, thru Christ. This peace is God’s gift to His children. It is deep spiritual calmness

free from the changing circumstances. Peace is freedom from worries and protection of mind and emotions (Phil 4:6, 7).

“Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God” (Matt 5:9).

The scripture is taken from the Sermon on the Mount, preached by our Lord Jesus Christ. The word ‘Blessed’ means to be truly happy, to be congratulated and honored by all. In this world, it is common to hear of wars or rumors of war. The root of these tragic events is sin in man’s heart. Man is born a sinner. In his heart, there is wickedness, selfishness, jealousy, greed, pride, sexual immorality and many other sins. The natural man loves to quarrel and cannot make or maintain peace. Jesus said that natural men love darkness and hate the light (Jn 3:19). Sinners love trouble. They see it as entertainment. They hate peace. They see it as boring.

To be a peacemaker you must be a child of God, a citizen of the Kingdom of God. A new heart, a new perspective of life must guide you to appreciate peace with God and peace with men. The Jews imagined that the Kingdom of God is a military kingdom, and the Messiah King is an army commander. They rejected Jesus because He looked too peaceful and gentle for them. Jesus came from heaven to reinstate God’s Kingdom. When the people saw that Jesus could feed thousands, they decided to make Him King ‘by force’. But Jesus withdrew from them. They did not know Him, and they did not know the type of Kingdom He came to establish. He said tom Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (Jn 18:36). To see and enter the Kingdom of God you need the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Selah!

No matter how educated, having good moral character, or being very religious, no unbeliever can be a peacemaker. According to the Bible, the only person who can be a peacemaker is the born-again, Spirit filled. He is not just a nice person who hides from trouble. He is a spiritually mature believer. He hates division and quarrels. He loves peace with God and peace with men. He knows the price paid for peace on earth. He knows that Jesus died to set men free from the punishment on sin. He actively looks for opportunities to make peace when there are divisions. His heart is free from selfishness, envy, jealousy and greed. He is fearless, dead to self, and totally free from self-interest. This is a high level of sanctification. If a man is not dead to the flesh, he will be too self-conscious. He will try to protect his reputation. He will be defensive during arguments. That is why a carnal Christian cannot be a peacemaker. A peacemaker is not always looking to gain fame for himself. He is morally neutral. He is not on the side of any man. He is on the side of Jesus. He behaves like Jesus. He knows that he was a sinner. Therefore, he has nothing to lose or to protect. You insult him and he keeps quiet. His desire is not to defend himself, but to give glory to God in everything he says or does.

Peacemakers actively involved in ministry are quite rare to find. A peacemaker is a special person, a blessing to humanity. He knows when and how to talk. He is sensitive, discreet, and wise. He never speaks wicked words that directly or indirectly hurt others. He does not intimidate or manipulate. He speaks words of grace that build others up. He is emotionally intelligent. The peacemaker knows his Bible. He uses God’s Word to guide his thinking and his decisions. If he sees an opportunity to make peace between two people, he is ready to suffer so that peace is achieved!!! He loves bringing people together, “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:2, 3). The Holy Spirit helps him and gives him favor with men. He is like Jesus. If Jesus was trying to defend His rights as God, He would not have died on the Cross for sinners. But Jesus humbled Himself, becoming a servant, to save men from sin. Jesus died to make peace between God and man, and between men themselves. The sacrifice of death to self is necessary to become like Jesus, our Prince of Peace.

The peacemakers are called ‘sons of God’. The word ‘called’ also means ‘owned’. As a peacemaker, God will own you. To owe it means to belong to God, to love and protect, to possess, to control, or to treasure. God will manifest His presence with you. He will cover your mistakes as you try your best to find creative ways to bring peace into this dark world. God highly rewards the peacemakers. Selah!

THIS IS A DAY OF GOOD NEWS (2 Kings 6:24- 33; 7:1-20)

This is a wonderful story of resurrection power and supernatural provision. During a time of great famine, God opened the windows of heaven and saved the people in the city. The King of Syria attacked and surrounded Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom. Food became scarce. The Jews do not eat donkey meat. It was forbidden in the Law of Moses. But now, the people were so hungry that they killed their donkeys. The donkey’s head sold for eighty pieces of silver, and a cup of dove’s dung used as fuel for fire was sold for five pieces of silver. These are exorbitant prices. It was the law of supply and demand in action. If a product has a high demand and low supply, the price will increase. If there is low demand and high supply, the price will decrease. Market balancing occurs when demand and supply intersect to create a stable price. The people were so desperate that they became cannibals. Mothers and fathers lost their feelings of love towards their children. Just to survive, they killed their children and ate them. This is part of the curses send by God against His rebellious people (Deut 28:52-57). The King of Israel (Joram, perhaps) was totally helpless. This is a picture of total disaster, of death reigning in the city. Only God can help now!

There were four lepers who were sitting outside the the city gate. Because of their leprosy, they could not enter the city. They discussed their options: if they enter the city, or stay at the gate, they will die of hunger. The only option is to surrender to the enemy. Is the Syrians pity them, they will live. If not, they will kill them. Between death and death, they decided to surrender to the enemy. hey discovered that all the Syrians ran away and abandoned everything, their tents, food, weapons, horses, gold and silver. Imagine the joy! God fought their battle, and they did not even know it. God prepared for them a table on the midst of their enemies. They ate and drank wine. They hid some of the treasures. Then they felt guilty. They declared that this is the day of good news. Good news must be shared with others. They told the king’s officers about the story. Initially. There was joy in the whole city. Death has been defeated. The only man who did not partake from this celebration was the king’s chief of staff. Elisha prophesied that the next day, the price of food would go down to normal. But he doubted the prophet’s words and God’s power to open the windows of heaven. The next day, as the people found the treasures of the enemy, the price of food items dropped immediately. The chief of staff saw the miracle but could not partake in it. He was trampled to death by the mob who joyously ran to share in the bounty.

Spiritually, this is a story about sharing the Gospel with a dying world. In Greek, the word ‘Gospel’ is ‘euangelion’. It simply means ‘good news’. Once we become saved, we are supposed to do evangelism. Good news is not to be hidden or stored. It is to be shared. If you repent and believe the Gospel, you shall enter the Kingdom of God. If like the chief of staff, you reject the Gospel, you will die and go to hell. May we be willing to accept Jesus Christ and His Gospel and be saved!

Lessons: God is the God of miracles! God is a God of Grace. The king and the people inside Samaria were rebellious against God. That is why the curses of disobedience came upon them. But God still intervened by His Grace. The lepers went to the enemy to find mercy. The Syrians did not invite them, but they went anyway. How much more we should go to God, who invites us to find mercy and grace in time of need. God does not fight with spears. He fights with His Word. The Syrians heard the noise of battle, and they ran away. God can defeat any enemy, spiritual or physical. Trust Him! God cares for the needy! God supplies seed for the Sower and bread for the eater. Not to share in the good news is called the sin of silence! God’s Word in the mouth of His prophet cannot fall to the ground, powerless. Both in mercy and in judgment, God’s Word must be Fulfilled! Help is closer than you imagine! Help was at the gate! By God’s grace the rejected Lepers become saviors and heroes! God can use anyone, anytime! Worship the Lord!

DO NOT WORRY! (Matt 6:25-34)

This passage is part of the Sermon on the Mount. Our Lord addresses the issue of faith, and its enemies, which are worries and doubt. As you can see, our Lord gives these matters serious attention. We should do the same. There is a close connection between the way we regard money and how we worry in this life. ‘Little faith’ is immature faith. The Christian believes that he is saved but he struggles with doubts when he prays about the blessings associated with salvation. We often see money as a god (Mammon). We think that money has the power to give us a better life. The natural man loves money and gathers his treasures on earth. He uses money to buy food, clothes, medicine, so that he will have a longer and happier life. Jesus uses the word ‘therefore’ to connect man’s attitude about money with the worries about his life. In other words, Mamon produces anxiety, but God gives faith and peace! The Kingdom of God is not built on intimidation, oppression, or fear. Earthly kings or rulers enjoy intimidating others. They think that oppressing people is the way to rule. On the contrary, King Jesus rules by God’s Word and delivers you from fear and anxiety. His will is that you too be totally free from doubt, fear and anxiety.  Selah!

In Greek, the word ‘worry’ means being over-anxious about something, distracted, caring too much about something. To worry means to live in a constant state of unhappiness because of the problems you have or because of bad things that might happen in the future. Anxiety is your body’s reaction to stress. It is an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry about something that is happening or might happen in the future. Fear and anxiety are related but also different. Fear concerns the present and anxiety is mostly connected with the future, with the danger you see or imagine to be ahead. Anxiety, the fear of the future, are negative emotions that prevent God’s Word and love to mature. “The worries and cares of the world [the distractions of this age with its worldly pleasures], and the deceitfulness [and the false security or glamour] of wealth [or fame], and the passionate desires for all the other things creep in and choke out the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mk 4:19; AMP). The word ‘to choke’ means to crowd upon, to strangle, or to drown. Anxiety feels like drowning in the ocean. It is a terrible feeling that weakens the body and mind.

We are born with a sinful tendency towards anxiety. We worry too much about money and the things we can buy with money. We think too much about things that are temporal. We fall into the trap of thinking that the Kingdom of God is made of earthly things like ‘eating and drinking’. We imagine that we can ‘sponsor’ ourselves to become Kingdom’ citizens. With that mind-set, we miss the powerful revelation of the Kingdom of God. We minimize the revelation of the price paid on the Cross by our Lord, to set sinners free, so that they become kings and priests. We reduce the glory of God the Father and the glory of Jesus Christ, the King of kings. Anxiety is an extremely negative emotion. It can become an addiction, a spiritual stronghold in the mind. It is spiritually poisonous, and it damages your faith in God. It divides the mind. It produces doubt. A double minded man is like a man who has ‘two souls’. He is unstable, confused, and frustrated. God ignores his prayers (Jam 1:6-8). A double minded man lacks the discretion and the true wisdom of God. He loves to argue with himself and others. He does not have settled principles. He moves led by his emotions, easily influenced by public opinion. He cannot be a faithful friend. One day he is good and the next day, he is bad. He is a hypocrite. He is confused. One day he prays to God, then another day he prays to something else. One day he has hope to go to heaven and other day he fears that he may go to hell. He prays, but he does not wait for God to answer. He always changes the topic of his prayers. He punishes and troubles himself. This man needs deliverance. But a mature Christian has only one ‘mind’. In any situation of life, he always goes to God in prayer. He has no other god. He is settled in his mind about his identity in Christ. He has the assurance of his salvation. He is free from anxiety and doubts.

The Lord Jesus commands that we should not worry about life, the body, food, or clothes! The Lord does not say that we should have a passive attitude about the things of this life. He does not say that we should be lazy, and never think or make plans about the future. He points to the birds. God the Father feeds them. But, at the same time, these birds ‘work for food’. They fly everywhere to find worms or seeds to eat. They do not store food for tomorrow. They wake up every morning trusting that God is still alive and will provide food for them for that very day. Jesus says that as God’s Children, we are more valuable than birds. God is our ‘heavenly Father’. For example, if a man takes care of his pets or animals, he will surely not neglect his own children. The birds don’t have faith. They have a survival instinct. That is how they look for their food. They do not know that it is God who gives them food. But as God’s children we live by faith. God appreciates and rewards faith. Faith in God is strong and active. Living by faith does not mean to be lazy. Each morning, we pray for health for our bodies and for the provision of our daily bread. Faith and our works combined are the secret of godly successful living. Selah!

Taking the birds as an example, we also are to work for food, for clothes to wear, and to pay bills. In fact, God’s Word says this: “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2Thess 3:10). Our Lord reminds us that Life is a gift. It is God’s gift. No man decides to come to this earth by his own power. God created all people, one by one. The deduction is that if God created you, then He will take care of you. To create something from nothing is harder than to keep that thing who is already created. Jesus says that if God created you, He would not abandon you because He created you for His purpose.

It is strange to see how much of our energy is used in worries about temporal things. Even the Christians think, talk, argue about the price of food and clothes. Jesus says we should look at the birds. This is a simple fact. God feeds them. But man’s way of providing food and clothes is different than that of the birds. Man must work so that he can eat. God told Adam: “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread” (Gen 3:19). Here, The Lord compares the birds with men so that we can see the lower and the higher. Jesus says, if God provides for the birds, who are lower in the level of creation, how much more God will provide for men, who are made in the image of God and have faith to believe in God? This is wise thinking: Compare things and conclude. For example, the Bible says: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Rom 8:32). If God gave us His Son to die for our sins (the higher price), He will surely give us food to eat (the lower price). Jesus is saying: Work but don’t Worry! To work is good! To worry, it is sin! The root of worry is doubt, pride, and rebellion. You need to repent of it.

Another reason why you should not worry about your life it is because The Gentiles seek after material things. All unbelievers live in fear, anxiety and doubt. But we must be different! If the Christian worries about food and clothes, he demotes himself to the level of the unbelievers. Jesus said that God the Father knows all your needs. Once you stop your anxiety, God will start being anxious for you! Don’t drag tomorrow’s pain into today. It will become anxiety and depression. God gives us a portion of His mercy, grace, wisdom, strength, and provision only for today. If you worry about tomorrow, the burden for today will be too much for you to bear. When you go to sleep this evening, have faith that God will still be God in the morning, when you wake up. Lesson: Jesus does not want you to worry about your life!!! Re-surrender your life totally and unconditionally to Jesus Christ, the King of kings! Live by that faith!

Anxiety or worry connects with the future. Our Lord uses verbs to describe the future. The Christian who worries is a Christian who doubt God’s sovereign care over his future. He may have faith for things concerning today, but he is not sure that God will help him in the future. He doubts the scriptures reveal God as the Master of the future. Listen to God: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer 29:11). Only God knows the future. But He really knows it because God gives us the future. “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” (Isa 46:10; NIV). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8). Selah!

What is the cure for this anxiety? Doctor Jesus recommends the activity of seeking the Kingdom of God and its righteousness. Practically, it means to enthrone Jesus as King over every circumstance. You cannot stop anxiety by yourself. The only way to defeat it is by using your strength to seek the Kingdom of God. The greater revelation you have about God’s Kingdom, the more you shall live in the Freedom, Provision, Peace and Joy that He provides. Why do people worry about food and clothes? Without food and clothes, you lose the pleasure of eating and the compliments you receive for dressing well. Being naked in cold countries can kill you. Life is not only about experiencing natural pleasures. If we worry about food and clothes, we have forgotten the greater, eternal things. Life is fulfilled by knowing God, being saved and going to heaven. Jesus said that the Lilies are beautiful. But they do not work for food. They drink the water God supplies thru the rain. As you can see, God loves to make beautiful things. That is why the grass is green, the sky is blue, and the flowers have many colors. Learn to enjoy your life on earth every day! Be good and do good. In that way, you will never be worried about tomorrow. Selah!

Jesus says: “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”. He says that Life is more important than food. God will keep you alive until His purpose on earth for you is fulfilled. To worry is useless. If you worry, you cannot prolong your life. Worry may even shorten your life. He uses this figure of speech referring to the length of life. In other words, by worrying you cannot add one hour to your life. It is a fact that medical science and the doctors’ skill cannot prolong life. We think that living in a big city that has good hospitals gives us a better chance to live longer. But this is just an imagination. In any country and in any hospital, it is a fact that people die. Sometimes, the same sickness kills one and the other survives. Life is a gift from God. He determines when life starts and when life ends. Our lives are in the hands of God. If we trust God completely, worry has no place in our hearts. May our life and love give God all the glory! Amen!

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Phil 1:9-11).

This is one of Apostle Paul’s prayers. If you study them, you discover that each prayer is intelligent, passionate, unique, and powerful. He always prays with both his mind and with his heart (his spirit). His prayers are based on deep understanding of doctrine and application to the present need. He always thanks God for the good he sees in the church and encourages the weak believers in the assembly. He is a balanced Christian. Paul’s first request is that God will grant the Christians in Philippi that their “love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment”. He acknowledges that the believers over there know how to love God and others. But their love must grow, become deeper, more mature, abounding in practical insight, and producing fruits of righteousness (of good behavior). In Greek the word ‘abound’ means to overflow, or to excel above all. Mature Love has this unique manifestation of an excellent wise spirit. The word ‘excellent’ means to be the best quality, unsurpassed, lovely, noble, royal, and a wonderful leader. Love chooses God’s will in every matter. Love is the world champion. Love always wins the gold medal. No other gift or skill rivals love in creativity, strength, perseverance, courage, and wisdom. The enemy of the best is not the bad, but the good. Love is the only power that can oppose sin and evil face to face and fight it to finish. Lovers never give up! Love abides forever! Love is even greater than Faith and Hope! Love never fails (1Cor13:8,13).

Mature, fruitful love multiplies in two ways: ‘in knowledge and discernment’. Love changes both the mind and the heart. Knowledge means truth, doctrine, or revelation. We must study God’s Word to understand how God loves. We look at the price Jesus paid for love. Like Jesus, we chose to live a life of sacrifice. We apply the Bible doctrines in our daily lives. Paul prays that we see how intelligent love is. Many Christians are ignorant of God’s Word. They make mistakes and blame it on ‘love’. For example, a Christian man says that he fell in love with an unbelieving girl. He wants to marry her saying that God will ‘understand’. He uses love as an excuse for being disobedient to God’s Word. But Agape Love is not selfish, foolish, wasteful or childish. Love is extremely intelligent and has a ‘PHD’ in human relations!!!

Love must also grow in discernment. This is the second ‘fruit’ of mature Love. Discernment is the skill, the power to see what is hidden, what is not evident to the average mind, and to find the excellency ‘behind the scenes.’ It is the ability to judge circumstances and people well, according to what God shows you. Love’s discernment manifests as excellent sight and pure vision. Only Love sees the best inside the worst of men. Love has the eyes of an eagle. Love sees the difference between what is true and what is false, between what is right and what is wrong. This discernment is extremely powerful. It’s God’s opinion in any matter. Discernment is to have the mind of Christ, to think Biblically. By testing we find the true value of someone. “Test all things; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1Thess 5:21,22). “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1Jn 4:1). This ‘testing’ is Love’s discernment to always make the right decisions!

To love is not easy. There are many snares in the path of love. Discernment is valuable in making decisions. Discernment grows only by the study of God’s Word and prayer. For a believer, discernment is not a luxury, but a necessity. “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb 5:12-14). The more you apply discernment, the greater your love and your wisdom will be, and the less mistakes you will make in life.

“Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather, it is telling the difference between right and almost right” (Charles Spurgeon). Love fine-tunes our emotions. For a baby Christian, discernment starts with the insight to know the truth about himself. An immature Christian has difficulty in knowing his own soul. He does not see clearly the difference between the works of his flesh and the fruit of the Spirit in him. He is still selfish. His decisions are based more on self-confidence than on agape love. He can be deceived. But the mature Christian sees himself clearly. He is humble and not afraid to take risks to love. Unfortunately, discernment is an area where most Christians stumble. They make legalistic decisions based on fear, doubt, or confusion. Their Love is still immature. Discernment is clearly manifested in those who are pure in heart because they see God (Matt5:8). If you see God, then you will see the truth in all situations. You will live in freedom. You will have peace with your decisions as you practice love.

Discernment is also a great weapon in spiritual warfare. The Bible commands that we should discern the strategy of the devil before we attack with prayers. “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2Cor 2:11). “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1Jn 4:18). Love and fear are opposites. Love brings people together. Fear separates them. The word ‘perfect’ means to be whole, complete, fulfilled, lacking nothing good. It also means to be trained, accomplished, and skilled to successfully bring a matter to an expected end. When Jesus died on the Cross He said: “It is finished!” (Jn19:30). He perfectly brought the work of salvation to an expected end. Fear relates to torment. The word ‘torment’ means punishment, serious pain and suffering in the body and especially in the mind. The victim becomes weak and feels like dying. We are told that Hell is a place of torment (Lk 16:23, 28). Therefore, fear is a sample of hell on earth. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2Tim 1:7). Perfect Love is the ideal Love. No one of us can achieve the fulness of this Love while on earth. But we strive towards it. May God help us!

Practically, the best way to show love to another is not to buy a gift, but to pray for him (her). Prayer based on spiritual discernment is the best gift you can give to anyone, if he is poor or rich. To pray that a Christian may know and experience the overflow of agape Love, that he may love another and produce fruits of righteous behavior is an eternal investment paid in your heavenly treasure. Money cannot buy these gifts. This is the practical purpose of the preaching of the Gospel. The Christian must prove his love not only in times of peace, but especially during painful conflict. A mature Christian is extremely sensitive to what is of God and what is evil. This capacity grows with time, as the Christian pays the price for fruitful love. May our eyes be opened to that which pleases God, who is Love Himself! Amen!

WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2Cor 5:20). “(Pray) for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph 6:19, 20).

An ambassador is King’s (President’s) highest-ranking representative to another nation. An ambassador is a strong leader, not easily discouraged, a good manager and communicator, a successful negotiator, and a respected representative of his country. His duty is to influence the country where he is posted with the good will of his King. He studies the people in the country where he is posted. He helps the citizens of his own country who live in the diaspora. He is totally committed to his king. When speaking in public, he never gives his personal opinion in any matter. He only voices the opinion of his king.

An ambassador never becomes a citizen of the country where he works. That means betrayal. He is totally protected by his King. He is well paid. His King pays for all his expenses while he is on duty. He is not voted for by people. He is appointed by his King. None can arrest him. Based on international law, ambassadors have diplomatic immunity. They have the right to resist their random arrest while on official duty. If he is suspected of a crime, the host country will not arrest him, but it can expel him. His King is the only one who can call him back from duty. The ground of the embassy belongs to his country. (For example, when a Nigerian living in France enters the Nigerian embassy in Paris, he is on Nigerian soil. Nigeria has 109 missions, 76 embassies, 22 high commissions and 11 consulates globally).

Ambassadors must navigate complex political and cultural landscapes while representing their country’s interests. This requires a high level of emotional intelligence and the ability to handle difficult conversations and negotiations with wisdom and skill. Ambassadors are special people. They have leadership qualities. They tend to be artistic, intuitive, discreet, sensitive, articulate, original, and expressive. They are enterprising, adventurous, ambitious, extroverted, energetic, confident, and optimistic.

God has always used men to represent Him, to speak in His name. For example, at the burning bush, God called Moses to be His servant, prophet, and His ambassador to Egypt. Moses was well educated in the best universities of Egypt. But now, as an old man of 80, living as a shepherd in the desert for 40 years, Moses has lost his confidence that he could represent Jehovah. He argues with God saying that he is not qualified for such a high position. God encourages him saying that He will be with Moses in and out of Egypt. “Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say” (Exo 4:10-12). God tells Moses that because Pharoah will reject him, Egypt will be punished and let go of all the Jews living there. Soon, about 2 million Jews who were slaves, left Egypt as free people.  Who is like unto Thee, Oh, Lord! Lesson: God does not call the qualified. God qualifies the called! Selah!

The Greatest Ambassador of God is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God the Father sent God the Son to earth, to become a Man, to teach men His will, and to die for them. He came as the King of God’s Kingdom. He came as the Ambassador of heaven, speaking on behalf of God the Father. Thru the Holy Spirit, Jesus had access to all the resources of heaven. He said that He does not speak His words and He does not do His will. Jesus, the perfect Ambassador of heaven, only speaks His Father’s Word and does His Father’s will. “Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (Jn 8:28, 29). “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. 12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (Jn 14:10-12). Jesus is our Example, Mentor, and King!

In Greek, the word ‘ambassador’ means an elderly person, a senior citizen, the King’s representative. As Christians, we are servants and ambassadors of Christ to all the nations. It is the highest privilege. We preach the Gospel of Christ crucified and resurrected. We manifest agape love to all. This work is a mystery. God uses us to advance His Kingdom to the ends of the world. We are totally protected by Christ. He provides us with all that we need. As ambassadors, we do not advertise ourselves. We lift the name of King Jesus, speaking only God’s Word! “We do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake” (2Cor 4:5). King Jesus prepared us as His ambassadors saying: “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” (Lk 12:11,12). He gave us full authority in His name, to bind and to loosen. Jesus said: “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:21-22). As ambassadors of the Prince of Peace, we need to be filled with His Spirit, expanding God’s Kingdom. Rejecting us means rejecting our King! To represent King Jesus is the highest privilege given to man! May we always please our King in the work He gave us to do! Amen!

Questions: When people look at you, what impression do you give? By your words and deeds, how do you represent God’s Kingdom to others? Look at yourself, examine yourself. Do you give the impression that all you are interested in are the things of this world? Are you so experienced in cooking, or in the latest fashion style, in the latest news in politics, or the gist of Nollywood? Or do you have the revelation of eternal life, standing as a signpost, faithfully pointing people to the Lord! May we be found faithful! Worship the Lord!

WEALTH IN THE KINGDOM

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 25 “Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matt 6:19-25)

Jesus spoke about wealth more than about any other social issue, including marriage, work, sex, politics or power. This is a difficult subject to preach and hard to listen to. But we must give our attention to it, examine ourselves and repent if necessary. Jesus exposes the sin of loving and trusting money. This attitude has no place in God’s Kingdom. All unbelievers are greedy, and selfish. They hoard money and possessions. This is natural for them because they do not believe in a God who cares for men. Christians should be different in attitude and behavior. But even the Christians fall into the sin of greed. These days, wealth is displayed and advertised openly. For example, to sell an expensive car, the advert says: ‘Imagine yourself at the wheel’. Trying to imagine that you may fall into the sin of covetousness. Someone asked a question: ‘What are you willing to do for one million dollars?’ Half of the people said that they are ready to spend time in jail, divorce, or never see their best friend again. May God open our spiritual eyes to see the truth that sets free! Amen!

King Jesus commands us, the believers, the citizens of His Kingdom how to make and handle wealth. First, we are told not to lay (or store) our treasures on earth. The reason is that they will surely be lost, either gradually in this life (thru rust, moth or by thieves) or at death. “As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand” (Ecc 5:15). This is a fact: storing treasures on earth is never safe. To save is wise. King Jesus redirects our desire to save. He said that we should ‘lay up for ourselves’ treasures in heaven, where none has access to destroy or steal. This is a fact: storing our treasures in heaven is safe forever. Jesus does not forbid us to work hard, save money or plan regarding money or property to be used in the future. The Bible commands us to work hard and save. “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children… ” (PV 13:22). We are told to study the ant because she works hard, to store food for the winter (PV 6:6-8). We are commanded to work hard, to take care of our responsibilities, to save money and to be generous. “A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion… He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor” (Ps 112:5, 9). “There is one who scatters yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. 25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself” (PV 11:24, 25). “He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor” (PV 22:9). “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad; He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever” (2Cor 9:6-9). God provides wealth and the wisdom to manage it, for our good and for His glory! Selah!

God commands blessings on those who are generous and invest in God’s work on earth. When we give money to God’s work and to God’s people, we show thru our actions that our King is good. Generosity is a proof that we are saved, and we are citizens of God’s Kingdom, where there is no lack. Greed is a sign of unbelief or backsliding. By giving to others, we worship God; we remove the hindrance that stops the river of grace coming from heaven to earth, being a channel of blessings to others. God in return promised to bless us the more.

Jesus said that where we deposit our treasures, there our hearts will go to. If you store your treasures on earth, your heart will be earth bound, and you will be filled with doubts and anxiety. If you lay your treasures in heaven, your heart will be set on heaven. You will be filled with hope, faith, peace and joy, having the assurance of your salvation. You will not fear the devil or hell anymore. How do we store our treasures in heaven? By studying the Bible, prayer, by loving God and our neighbors, by paying tithes and offerings for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom on earth, by helping the poor, the sick, the weak, the elderly and the prisoners. This is a fact: the only safe place to keep our treasures, is heaven, for God’s protects them. This is God’s Word: “Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]” (Col 3:2; AMP). Examine your spiritual focus!

It is true that people love money. But it is also true that wealth alone does not satisfy. “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its gain. This too is vanity (emptiness)” (Ecc 5:10; AMP). Why then men think that money can be a god to compete with Jesus in their hearts? What is the powerful attraction of Mammon? The word ‘Mammon’ means money, or riches, especially when you love, admire, and lust for them. Mamon is a god that demands people to trust in wealth, social status, and fame. Mammon is not like our God. He is like a god among other gods. He is not jealous! He does not mind part-time worship, combined with adultery, selfish ambition, and love for power. Even as a secondary god, Mammon has the power to corrupt the heart and the mind. The point of entrance for Mammon is the eyes. The lodging place is the soul (the mind and the heart). Jesus says that the eyes of the believer must be good. In Greek, the word ‘good’ also means pure, generous, whole or healthy. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be filled with light, truth, and divine health. If your eyes are bad, there is spiritual darkness in your mind. The word ‘bad’ also means evil, wicked, or jealous. What you see affects the health of your body and your mind. For example, Jesus said that adultery starts with the lust of the eyes. Its ‘virus’ enters the mind and makes it restless. The body becomes weak and sick. In the same way, through the eyes, Mammon can negatively affect the soul and the body. If you gaze long at your neighbor’s expensive car, or house, your eyes become evil or jealous. This jealousy leads you to dream of sinful ways to make more money. This is a warning to protect your eyes. Be careful and wise! Do not look too long at seducing adverts for material things that do not belong to you. You can appreciate a nice car but be careful not to covet it. There is a thin line. Learn to keep your eyes on Jesus! Learn to discipline your eyes! Be careful with the videos or pictures on the internet. Pornography has the power to pollute your heart. In the same way, expensive, luxurious things the rich people boast of can temp you. This is a simple sign that you may be under the influence of Mammon: If your little son asks for a bicycle, then you answer: ‘we cannot afford it now…’. The answer is a sign that Mammon influences your mind. Money is your master telling you what you can afford and what not you cannot. The better answer may be: ‘this is not the time to buy a bicycle’. To be protected and free, the power of the Cross must work in you! “So put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body [with its sensual, self-centered instincts] immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is [a kind of] idolatry [because it replaces your devotion to God]” (Col 3:5; AMP).

As you cannot be greedy and generous at the same time, so you cannot serve Mammon and God together. A slave belongs to only one master. Many people look at Jesus as their boss in the office. They think that they can have three jobs, and three bosses at the same time. But King Jesus is not your boss. He is the King of His domain and demands total allegiance. He provides all that you need according to His riches in glory. A righteous man never needs to beg for food. King Jesus searches your eyes and your heart. The cure for evil eyes and stingy hearts is Loving God and loving your neighbor. Jesus said: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mk 12:30, 31). To love God with all your heart, be sure that your heart is in love with Jesus. To love God with all your mind it means to meditate on God’s Word. To love God with all your strength, it means to use your natural and spiritual power to invest in eternal things, in obeying God’s Word to deposit your treasures in heaven. This is the only way you can live a good, clean, peaceful, joyful life in this difficult world. This is the price to pay for the ideal testimony to have favor with God and man. In the absence of this wisdom, you will surely become anxious and troubled, no matter how much money you have stored in the bank.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear now!  

THE EMPTY VESSELS ARE NOW ALL FULL (2Kings 4:1-7)

This is a touching story of how God supplied much needed help thru His prophet Elisha. A woman who was married to a prophet in Israel came to Elisha, desperately asking for help. Her husband died and left her and their two sons poor. He borrowed money and now, the creditor came to take his money or the two sons as slaves. The prophet did not make plans to take care of his family. That was no good. But the good thing, according to his widow, was that ‘he feared the Lord’. The Word of God promises blessings upon a man who fears the Lord (Read Psalm 112). Here we see that a man who fears the Lord is celebrated by heaven and earth. He is a worshipper of God. His family and children are blessed. He is a fruitful man. God’s light of revealed truth comes to him even during spiritual darkness. He is kind, loving, generous, and discreet. He is strong, courageous and fearless, a true spiritual leader of men. His reputation among angels and men is established. His heart is established. Wealth and riches are found in his house. His descendants are mighty on the earth. They are champions and heroes. The enemies of the righteous man are totally disappointed and defeated. These are mighty promises that this widow should have known. But the reality was that she and her sons were poor. She went to the prophet Eisha having just two things: faith in God’s Word in her heart and a little olive oil in her house. This little treasure was more than enough for a miracle. Elisha tells her what to do. She borrows many vessels from her neighbors. Behind the closed door, she pours the little oil and miraculously, she fills all the available vessels. She sells the olive oil. She pays off the debt and uses the rest to live well with her sons. This is a story of miraculous supply which is found in the realm of God’s Kingdom.

Lessons:

*God is alive! God does miracles! God is merciful! Nothing is impossible for God!

*God is our Provider! He answers prayers, especially desperate prayers of faith in His promises.

*When you are in trouble, seek God’s wisdom thru fasting and prayer. Ask a mature Christian that you trust for prophetic word and prayer!

*The Bible commands that we treat widows, orphans and needy with kindness. The creditors are wicked! Only God can save us!

*Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and joy! It was used as fuel for the lamps, to anoint kings and priests, and for the healing of bodies.

*Elijah’s prophetic word to the widow in Zarephath was that the oil in the jar will not run dry (1Kg 17:16). Elisha’s word to the widow was that the oil would pour and fill all the empty vessels. Both prophecies are symbols of God’s fountain or blessings that never runs dry!

*Jesus said that when we pray to God, we should do it in the secret place (Matt 6:6). Shut doors and open hearts are the key to answered prayers and miracles. Publicity, desire to be seen by men, to achieve fame in the religious world, interrupts the flow of the Holy Spirit.

*Have faith in God’s Promises found in the Bible. God’s Word is settled in heaven. It must manifest on earth. Circumstances bow to God!

*Trust and obey God’s commands! Do what He says! Cooperate with God. Do the little you can, and God will do the rest!

*Humble yourself! Ask for help from other Christians, your spiritual neighbors.

*Be ready to give to God the little (oil) you have so that God can use it to bless you and others! Little (oil) is much when God is in it!

*Gd gives you the wisdom and power to make wealth! God also gives you the wisdom to manage your wealth!

*God does not waste His resources. He never gives too little, in such a way that you cannot solve the problem. He never gives too much!

*God does not only save you from poverty, slavery and death. He keeps you alive to testify to His glory!

*God helps you thru miracles of provision to pay your debt. The only debt that cannot be paid in this life is the debt of Love (Rom 13:8). Jesus died to pay our debt to God, for “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 6:23). Therefore, we too must pay the debt of love to Jesus, by preaching His Gospel (Rom 1:14).

*Remember to testify to God’s mercy, goodness, and power! Give all the glory to God! Worship the Lord!

LOVE IS THE NEW COMMANDMENT (42)/ THE KINGDOM OF GOD (10)

This Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached another sermon in the series titled ‘Love is The New Commandment’. Her main scriptures were taken from the books of Romans 14:16-18; Psalm 112:1-10; John 21:15-17.

THE AGAPE LOVE OF GOD

Love is the greatest word in the Bible. Agape means unconditional sacrificial love. This Love is not just a feeling. It is the highest, most pure form of love, born not out of natural attraction or obligation, but a willful choice and a command to be obeyed.  It is the unselfish, pure, powerful, and sacrificial love that desires the best in another person. This love is best expressed as the Fatherly Love of God for humanity. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16). The unbelievers may be religious, but they do not know this agape love. Love is a gift given only to the children of God, who are saved by grace and thru faith in Christ. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (Jn15:13). Because we are born sinners, agape love does not come naturally to us. Agape love requires faithfulness, commitment, courage, strength, wisdom, faith, and sacrifice. Agape love is the magnet God uses to attract the world to Jesus! It was so in the early church, and during all the revivals in the history of the Church! Selah!

Question: what is the difference between human genuine love and agape love? Human love can be as strong as death. Many unbelievers have loved others and sacrificed their lives for them. But there is a vital difference between human and agape love:

*The Source of Agape love is found in the Cross. Christ died for me. He loved me first. Therefore, I love others. Human love is based on the flesh, on emotions, which can fail anytime. Agape Love proceeds from the Will. Phileo Love proceeds from emotions. Selah!

*The Power to sustain Agape Love is through the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s heart. It never fails. Human love is sustained by emotions and personal commitments which can fail anytime.

*The Goal of Agape Love is to give glory to God. The goal of human love is to make humanity ‘a better place’. The goal is earthly.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).

The Kingdom of God is the realm, rule, and reign of God, where Jesus Christ is King, advancing on earth, by the power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, bringing righteousness, peace, joy, healing, freedom, prosperity, and deliverance, by driving away the forces of darkness. Jesus said: “But if I drive out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already come upon you” (Lk 11:20; AMP). As a citizen of heaven, you must experience deliverance, victory upon victory in every area of your life! Amen!  God’s Kingdom is the realm of God Himself, filled with truth, love, holiness, righteousness, power, grace, and Glory!  It points to spiritual things, to eternal life, to the atmosphere of heaven, to the worship there, and to the authority of God. The Kingdom of God has three basic attributes: Righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Spirit! The concept of the Kingdom has almost been lost. Most people do not understand the authority of the King in his domain, and the blessings of the subjects. This is because most countries have other types of government: democracy, communism, or dictatorship. God invented the concept of Kingdom so that it is easier for us understand His plan and purpose for men.

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen 1:26-28). God created the human beings to populate the earth. He created them male and female. He created them in His own image and likeness. God blessed man and gave him authority over the earth. “The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, But the earth He has given to the children of men” (Ps 115:16; AMP). God did not give authority to men over the heavens. God commanded man to subdue the earth. The word ‘subdue’ means to control something by force and discipline, to master or to overcome it. To subdue someone, it means to establish superiority. Practically, God commanded man to master the earth by planting and producing harvests, by digging into the ground and bringing out gold and diamonds. Because of man’s rebellion, the earth was cursed to produce thorns and thistles. Now, it is harder for man to work, to master the earth, to produce harvests (Gen 3:17-19). It is only in Christ that there is redemption for man and for nature. Christ, as we understand our position as Kings and Priests, we can produce harvests, to prosper supernaturally like never before. Praise the Lord!

God gave them ‘dominion’ over all the animals. The word ‘dominion’ is a Kingdom Word. It means to have sovereign authority, absolute power to rule, to control or master another. Even at creation, before sin entered, God’s plan and purpose for them was to be kings in their domain, to be royal priesthood in Christ. Man was to rule and reign over all the animals, but not over one another. When Adam sinned, he lost a Kingdom. Jesus came to live and die, to re-establish God’s Kingdom on earth. He is now the King of kings! What makes the Kingdom of God different from any other kingdom, is that all its citizens (subjects) are the relatives of the King, and they are all kings themselves! What a privilege to be the royal priesthood in Christ!!! Glory!

The word ‘Kingdom’ comes from two words: King and Domain. God has always been God. Then God created the spiritual (invisible) world and the physical world (man). He did it for His own pleasure and because He is a Creator. Once God created His domain, He became King over His domain. Let us start with what the Kingdom of God is not. The Apostle Paul says that it is not ‘eating and drinking’. It is not ‘meat and drink’ (KJ). It is not made from material things, man-made, temporal, or perishable items. It is not a collection of some little things that you buy with money. We often forget the littleness of this material world and the amazing majesty of the eternal God. We forget that all things do not have the same power or value. For example, Jesus said that life is more valuable than food and the body is more than the clothes that cover it. “Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matt 6:25). To worry about food and dress, and to ignore your life, is foolish. For unbelievers, food, and clothes are more important than their souls. Here you see that the doctrine of the Kingdom of God is not a matter of indifference. The Kingdom of God is not just a little religious behavior, something small, narrow, and negative. It is a grand concept, fit for the King of kings to rule and to reign. The Holy Spirit must give you the revelation! Selah!

THE ESTABLISHED HEART (Psalm 112:1-10)

This is God’s sure promise to us: “The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself” (Deut 28:9). In Psalm 112, we find a heavenly royal banquet of spiritual food. This is the ideal Christian testimony, having favor with God and with men. Christ is our Righteousness. He died to save our souls from the condemnation, guilt, pollution, and shame of sin. Righteousness is defined as the right standing before God. Practically, it manifests as being good and doing good to the glory of God. Here we see that a righteous man is celebrated by heaven and earth. He is a worshipper of God. His family and children are blessed. He is a fruitful man. God’s light of revealed truth comes to him even during spiritual darkness. He is kind, loving, generous, and discreet. He is strong, courageous and fearless, a true spiritual leader of men. His reputation among angels and men is established. Even his enemies agree that this one is a righteous man, favored by God. To have an established heart and confirmed testimony is our portion in Christ! Glory to God!

“Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments”

It is always good to praise the Lord! The proud man praises himself. The righteous remembers to praise the God of His salvation. The believer not only fears the Lord, but also loves the Lord. He is a respectful and responsible son. The religious unbelievers like to listen to Bible stories, but they hate God’s commandments. It is not the rich, handsome man who is blessed. We do not read that God blesses the man who fears in general … but the one who fears GOD! The object of fear is most important. It is the child of God who loves the Bible. He becomes “bold as a lion” (PV 28:1). He does not fear “evil tidings” (Ps112:7). “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (PV 9:10).

“His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endures forever”

It is better to leave behind godly children than money in the bank. The descendants of the godly are ‘mighty’. In Hebrew, the word is ‘Gibor’. It means to be a champion, a wealthy man of valor, or a courageous man of war. It is a fact that the children born in homes where both parents are committed Christians have an advantage over other children. They know God’s Word and feel God’s presence. Many of the great men and heroes from all nations come from a Christian background. The blessings upon the descendants are both spiritual and material. God not only gives wealth, but He helps the righteous man to manage his wealth. When riches increase, he does not get proud. He is not deceived by material wealth. He uses it to bless others. In the Old Testament, God’s blessings upon the descendants were counted as the greatest blessings. Both God and His child have something in common: Their “righteousness endures forever” (Ps111:3). God uses this man to do good things that are rewarded eternally. God takes care of his needs and protects his legacy. “The memory of the righteous is blessed” (PV10:7). This is a mystery, how, for a long time, people remember the godly with love in their hearts!!! Selah!

“Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous”

Most men admire the sunsets, but few wake up early enough to see the sun rising. Each sunrise testifies to light’s victory over darkness. God promises to reveal His truth and light to the righteous man. In all circumstances, during attacks of the enemy, sickness, persecution, bereavement, or loneliness, the Christian has hope and peace. To him, depression is a foreign language and confusion is a stranger. He manifests agape love to all, friends or enemies. Pain does not make him rude or selfish. He is always kind to people. God’s light of revelation increases daily. “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (PV 4:18; NIV). The future for the child of God is better than his past or present!

“A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion”

A Christian is good with money!!! Lesson: to have a generous heart you need a good mind. God blesses him materially. He is wise when helping people. He is not wasteful and not greedy. He uses money as a spiritual weapon for blessing others and helping them to be free. He never gives too much and ends in poverty. He never gives too little in such a way that the recipient cannot benefit from his gift. The gift of money mixed with prayer, given by a godly man, is powerful and effectual to help others in their times of need. The lesson we learn in poverty is patience. The lesson we must apply in riches is generosity.

The righteous man is discreet. Discretion is a form of wisdom. It is the skill to behave well, in a quiet humble way, not attracting much attention to yourself. It is freedom of personal choice. You do what you plan to do. None manipulates or intimidates you. You speak and behave in such a way that you do not embarrass yourself or others. Discretion tells you when to say yes and when to say no. Like Jesus said, when doing good, your right hand does not know what your left hand is doing. Discretion is the queen of good behavior. The steward needs discretion when working for his master. He knows the mind of his master. Knowledge or wealth, without discretion, is like a sword in the hand of a mad man. When working for God, Discretion becomes power, protection, and progress in life. Selah!

“Surely, he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies”

The Righteous man will never be shaken, slip or fall. His testimony is secure. Security is necessary for happiness. His testimony and his memory are protected by God. He is not afraid and does not expect bad news. These may come but he does not welcome them halfway. He is not intimidated or anxious by negative stories. The reason for this strength and peace is total faith in God. His heart is steadfast, prepared, made ready for any possibility. The word ‘steadfast’ means to be like a nail, firm in its place, staying in one position for a long time, constant, and not changing suddenly. His heart is established in the Lord.  To be ‘established’ means to be strong and confident; to have a deep foundation, like a house built on the Rock or be like a tree planted by the river. To be established means to be approved and honored by people as the right person in the right place. This man cannot be uprooted or fired from his place. He increases in strength, wisdom and resources. It never gets weaker. He is fearless, strong and courageous. He is a pillar in God’s house. He perseveres in battles until he sees his desire upon his enemies. Because he is a man of grace, his desire is that his enemies repent and surrender to Christ. He does not take pleasure in private revenge. But if the wicked continue in their evil way, the godly man will witness their downfall.

“He has dispersed abroad; He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor”

God blesses the righteous man with material blesses. This man is not selfish. He loves to share with others, especially with those who are in need. His generosity is a matter of principle. He gives out of a deep well of agape love expecting nothing in return from men but trusting God for His reward. This man is our hero. Everything he does has eternal value. His reputation as a servant of God is approved by God and cannot be damaged by evil people. His memory is blessed! The horn of an animal is a symbol of power. It is a container filled with olive oil, to anoint kings and priests. It is a trumpet that sounds the victory sound. The horn is like a bank, filled with gold. The horn is also a sign of maturity. The mature Christian shall be honored by all for his spiritual strength, consecration and resources.

“The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked shall perish”

After describing the righteous man, we are reminded that not all men are like him. In this world, there are evil people who take pleasure in hurting others. Like their master, the devil, they desire to steal, kill, and destroy. But their evil plans are powerless against the righteous. The wicked see the righteous blessed and envy them. But the same wicked cannot see their own desires fulfilled. God knows all men. God rewards all men according to their works. This is a reminder that there is a final judgment and a hell. May we examine ourselves. May we be found in the Kingdom of God, where there is Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit, and eternal life in Christ alone! Amen!

THE SUCCESS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Over the years, God sent prophets who told the people of Israel that one day, the Messiah King will come. Great kingdoms like Babylon, Persia, and Greece, rose and fell. They all played a part in the history of mankind. But God decided to send Jesus during the time of the Roman Empire. Though not perfect, it was the best model to understand God’s Kingdom. God never makes mistake. His timing is perfect. The Roman Empire had a King (the Ceasar) who desired good for all the people. He invested much in the economy. There were human rights, safety, peace, and prosperity. The Jews hated the Romans and refused to submit to them. But the truth is that the Romans were fair to the people they conquered. When Jesus spoke about His kingdom, men understood what He was talking about, because they saw examples in the Roman Empire. An Empire is an expansive territory, a group of countries, that are under the control of a single ruler (king).

During its peak, the Roman Empire was the most successful empire. From the time of Augustus, who became the first Roman emperor in 27AD until the death of Marcus Aurelius in 180AD, the Empire expanded and prospered like no other. The empire doubled in size, from Great Britain to the North of Africa. A quarter of the world population belonged to the Roman Empire. New righteous laws were instituted. For example, Augustus decreed that all the soldiers in the Roman army should be paid their pensions not by their military commanders, but directly from the public treasury in Rome. This law made all the soldiers have peace of mind about their retirement and not afraid of manipulation from their senior commanders. Augustus created a governmental system that could investigate and punish corruption found in the governors who exploited their position for personal gain. Once the Roman army conquered a territory, if the local king submitted to Rome, and agreed to pay taxes to Rome, then he will remain in charge of his domain. The people in the conquered territory were treated well. They were not forced to change their customs or their religion. This kind attitude towards kept peace in the Empire.

Augustus destroyed all the oppressors. He killed all the pirates on the Mediterranean Sea. He built big ships and encouraged free trade on the Sea. Under Augustus alone, Rome built 50,000 miles of new roads that eased the movement of troops, information and goods. These roads were well built. Many of them are still used till today. Rome built bridges and ports. Water flowing through Roman aqueducts allowed cities to prosper. The Romans gave citizenship to good locals. Most people learned Latin, took Roman names, changed their hair styles, fashion and customs to be like the Romans. Life was better and happier. Every city had their own amphitheater where they did chariot races. For the first time in the ancient world, the Romans built public baths and toilets. Using a mixture of volcanic ash, lime, and seawater, The Romans were the first to use concrete and built mighty structures. The Colosseum in Rome still stands to this day.

The Roman army was very well organized. This is the first army that trained its soldiers. There was discipline, new improved weapons, and good strategy. For almost 200 years nobody could defeat the Roman army.  At its highest the Roman army was made up of half a million well-trained soldiers. Only men were allowed to be soldiers. A soldier had to be at least 17 years old, and at least 1.6 meters tall. The soldiers trained very hard. They were forced to walk 20 miles daily, rain or shine, using full armor. Any soldier who disobeyed his commander or was found sleeping on duty was punished with severe flogging or even sentenced to death.

Roman society was divided into citizens, non-citizens and slaves. Citizens had many rights, including the right to vote (only male citizens had this right) and the right to a fair trial. Except for treason, the Roman citizens could not be sentenced to death. Non-citizens could earn their citizenship if they achieved something special, such as faithful service in the army. But the life of a slave was difficult. They were considered the property of the family they served and could be beaten for little or no reason. Latin was the main language of the Roman empire. Women, whether citizens or not, had very few rights in Rome. They received a very basic education and were expected to take a traditional role in the household, preparing and cooking meals, making clothes and raising children.

As we have studied the Roman Empire, we deduce that in the Kingdom of God there is economic prosperity, order, discipline, peace, joy, security, justice (sin is punished), hope for greater things, submission to authority, creativity, respect and love among people.   

DESTROYING THE STRONGHOLD OF POVERTY

“How long will you lie there, you sluggard?  When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man” (PV 6:9-11; NIV).

This is a warning given especially to the sluggard. A sluggard is a habitually lazy person, who loves sleep and hates work. In the Bible, poverty is described as an armed robber that attacks you in the night, when you sleep! Do you love sleep? Sleep is a good servant, but a bad master. Do not take sleeping pills! Too much sleep is a sign of sickness, depression or laziness leading to poverty. Do you fear armed men coming to attack you at night? The attack of poverty is worse than an attack with EK47. Poverty is a spiritual bandit. It attacks when you relax too much, when you are not watchful and prayerful (ask Samson, he will tell you..) Once poverty pounces on you, it will chain your feet, your hands, your eyes and your mind. You become its prisoner. It will carry you to its smelly dungeon and steal all your dreams. It will kill the wonder, the romance of your worship. You will not be able to make progress in life. Your hands become too weak to work. Your mind becomes too tired to think well! You become easily bored, restless, blind to opportunities to invest, foolish, fearful, and confused, especially when it comes to financial decisions!

The subject of material prosperity and poverty is something that interests everybody. Right now, I am speaking only to believers in Christ. As children of God, we must have the mind of Christ. We must view everything thru the eyes of Christ, as it is revealed in the Bible. We must avoid and reject the worldly way of preaching prosperity. As Christians, we do not love money and we do not hate money! We love God and hate the devil! This is a fact: There are more ‘poor people’ in this world than the ones called ‘wealthy’. But poverty is relative. A hut in your village may be a palace in my country. Let me be more practical… There is something called ‘poverty mentality’. It is a spiritual evil stronghold in your mind, the devil’s seed, possibly planted in your youth. If you water it with anxiety and doubt, it will become a harvest of lack. Even if you work hard, you will always be in need. Even when you have money, you feel poor. As a child of God, you need to discover this evil plantation, uproot it and destroy it. God’s Word has greater authority than any idea, imagination or theory in your mind! This stronghold affects the rich and the poor, the educated and the illiterate. It is a spiritual wall that forms a hindrance in your mind when you want to think about material prosperity in life! That is the danger! Selah!

These are some of the characteristics of poverty mentality type of stronghold in the mind:

*You hate spending money. You feel guilty after spending more money than you have planned.

*You think that opportunities to make money are limited. You think that material success is temporary and hard to achieve.

*You are anxious when trying to start a business. You feel it is too risky.

*You stay passive or neutral. When it comes to finances you choose to follow than to lead others to a greater level of prosperity.

*You fear that you’ll never be able to save money.

*You are silently jealous of others who have more money than you.

*You love being on a form of welfare plan and you do not plan to stop it; you love receiving ‘free money’ and ‘palliatives’ from others.

*You daydream about being wealthy, winning the lottery, thinking that one day ‘you’ll hammer’ (Naija) but you can’t visualize it clearly.

*Your mind-set concerning money is to eat and enjoy and not to plant! You are a consumer and not a creator!

*You have an inferiority complex when it comes to your finances.

*You see the world through the lenses of the poor people who hate the rich! For example: If a poor man driving keke enters in front of a car and injures himself, you tend to blame the owner of the car just because he is richer!

*You see wealth as a mysterious stranger who is mocking you from afar! For you to stay poor is more comfortable; The path to stay poor is easier than the ‘wohala’ of struggling to make money!

Let’s pray: “Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the revelation of the root of this poverty mentality and bondage. We take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, and we destroy every chain or stronghold binding our minds concerning God’s material blessings. Holy Spirit please take control! Open our eyes to see the freedom and the blessings we have in Christ, as citizens of God’s Kingdom! We destroy all yokes of bondage, all wrong ways of thinking! From this moment on, by the grace of God, we shall make spiritual and natural (visible) progress in life! Our testimony is to the glory of God! The long-waited season of change has come! We arise and shine for the glory of God is risen upon us! Thank You Father God! In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!”  Worship the Lord!

PENTECOST OPENED THE ROYAL ETERNAL TREASURE OF AGAPE LOVE

Before the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, agape love was still a stranger to the apostles. Jesus talked often about Love. He told them about the God the Father’s Love for Him and for them. He talked about His own Love towards them. But it is interesting to observe that not one of the apostles told the Lord: “Jesus, Master, Lord, I love you”. They worshipped and honored Him but could not express their love in words. After the Resurrection, when Jesus met with them on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, and prepared breakfast for them, the topic of love was brought again. Jesus wanted to reinstate Peter after his painful backsliding. He did it through Love. Three times Jesus asked Peter: “Peter, do you love me?”. Three times Peter answered Him, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love you”. During the first two questions, Jesus uses the word ‘agape’ for Love. But Peter could not rise to that level. He answered using the word “phileo”, which is a friendly type of love, a lower level of love. The third time, Jesus lowers Himself to the level of Peter. Like him, Jesus uses the word “Phileo”. Peter is grieved, hurt, sad, that Jesus is still asking about love. Sadly, Peter answered saying “Lord, I love You” still using the Greek word “Phileo” (Jn 21:15-17). Lesson: to love with agape love, you need to be born again and Spirit filled! Selah!

How does Jesus restore a backslider? How does Jesus disciples a weak believer who has failed in his commitment? Three times Jesus asks Peter about Love. “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!” (1Cor 16:22). Lacking Love is a curse. Love is the way to disciple a believer and to help him repent! Love never fails! Love is the greatest!

Here you see that even the great Apostle Peter could not rise to the heights or Agape Love before the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came as Wind and Fire. The Wind separates the wheat from the chaff. The Fire burns the chaff. In Greek, the Word used for Holy Spirit is ‘Paraclete’. The word ‘para’ means ‘to be beside’. The word ‘kaleo’ means to call or to come to your side. In other words, the Holy Spirit is the Christian’s truest and most faithful Companion and Friend, walking beside him, giving him strength, wisdom, comfort, guidance, and encouragement, every moment, especially felt during the challenges of life. Praise the Lord!

The Holy Spirit fills the Christian, helping him to become like Jesus. The Holy Spirit doesn’t bypass the personality. He uses it. He polishes it and transforms it to become a new creation. The mind becomes sharper. The memory (remembering God’s Words) is alive and never fails. Emotions follow the mind. Love manifests as a sound mind. The Holy Spirit makes the Christian zealous, creative, spontaneous, and free. The Holy Spirit brings new thoughts into the mind. The believer acts on them without advance preparation. He experiences hot, pure and deep emotions for Jesus and for people. The flesh is dead. Each believer becomes unique. None imitates the others. Only the Holy Spirit can create such original, unique people. They manifest an unquenchable, untiring love for others. Love does not wait for the recipient to appreciate it. Love is not tiring to love. Before Pentecost, the disciples were not capable of loving with such profound intensity. Their souls could not contain such fire. After they got filled with the Holy Spirit, their very souls were given strength and protection to contain this fire of agape love. Like the burning bush, they burn, but are not consumed. This is a miracle. Worship the Lord!

LOVE IS THE NEW COMMANDMENT (41)/ THE KINGDOM OF GOD (9)

This Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached another sermon in the series titled ‘Love is The New Commandment’. Her main scriptures were taken from the books of Romans 14:16-18; Matt 13: 47-52; Acts 5:12-32

THE AGAPE LOVE OF GOD

Love is the greatest word in the Bible. Agape means unconditional sacrificial love. This Love is not just a feeling. It is the highest, most pure form of love, born not out of natural attraction or obligation, but a willful choice and a command to be obeyed.  It is the unselfish, pure, powerful, and sacrificial love that desires the best in another person. This love is best expressed as the Fatherly Love of God for humanity. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16). The unbelievers may be religious, but they do not know this agape love. Love is a gift given only to the children of God, who are saved by grace and thru faith in Christ. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (Jn15:13). Because we are born sinners, agape love does not come naturally to us. Agape love requires faithfulness, commitment, courage, strength, wisdom, faith, and sacrifice. Agape love is the magnet God uses to attract the world to Jesus! It was so in the early church, and during all the revivals in the history of the Church! Selah!

Question: what is the difference between human genuine love and agape love? Human love can be as strong as death. Many unbelievers have loved others and sacrificed their lives for them. But there is a vital difference between human and agape love manifested by the child of God.

*The Source of Agape love is found in the Cross. Christ died for me. He loved me first. Therefore, I love others. Human love is based on the flesh, on emotions, which can fail anytime.

*The Power to sustain Agape Love is through the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s heart. It never fails. Human love is sustained by emotions and personal commitments which can fail anytime.

*The Goal of Agape Love is to give glory to God. It is heavenly. The goal of human love is to make humanity ‘a better place’. The goal is earthly.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).

The Kingdom of God is the realm, rule, and reign of God, where Jesus Christ is King, advancing on earth, by the power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, bringing righteousness, peace, joy, healing, freedom, prosperity, and deliverance, by driving away the forces of darkness. Jesus said: “But if I drive out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already come upon you” (Lk 11:20; AMP). As a citizen of heaven, you must experience deliverance, victory upon victory in every area of your life! Amen!  God’s Kingdom is the realm of God Himself, filled with truth, love, holiness, righteousness, power, grace, and Glory!  It points to spiritual things, to eternal life, to the atmosphere of heaven, to the worship there, and to the authority of God. The Kingdom of God has three basic attributes: Righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Spirit! The concept of the Kingdom has almost been lost. Most people do not understand the authority of the King in his domain, and the blessings of the subjects. This is because most countries have other types of government: democracy, communism, or dictatorship. God invented the concept of Kingdom so that it is easier for us understand His plan and purpose for men.

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen 1:26-28). God created the human beings to populate the earth. He created them male and female. He created them in His own image and likeness. God gave them ‘dominion’ over all the animals. The word ‘dominion’ is a Kingdom Word. It means to have sovereign authority, absolute power to rule, to control or master another. Even at creation, before sin entered, God’s plan and purpose for them was to be kings in their domain, to be royal priesthood in Christ. Man was to rule and reign over all the animals, but not over one another. When Adam sinned, he lost a Kingdom. Jesus came to live and die, to re-establish God’s Kingdom on earth. He is now the King of kings! What makes the Kingdom of God different from any other kingdom, is that all its citizens (subjects) are the relatives of the King, and they are all kings themselves! What a privilege to be the royal priesthood in Christ!!! Glory!

The word ‘Kingdom’ comes from two words: King and Domain. God has always been God. Then God created the spiritual (invisible) world and the physical world (man). He did it for His own pleasure and because He is a Creator. Once God created His domain, He became King over His domain. Let us start with what the Kingdom of God is not. The Apostle Paul says that it is not ‘eating and drinking’. It is not ‘meat and drink’ (KJ). It is not made from material things, man-made, temporal, or perishable items. It is not a collection of some little things that you buy with money. We often forget the littleness of this material world and the amazing majesty of the eternal God. We forget that all things do not have the same power or value. For example, Jesus said that life is more valuable than food and the body is more than the clothes that cover it. “Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matt 6:25). To worry about food and dress, and to ignore your life, is foolish. For unbelievers, food, and clothes are more important than their souls. Here you see that the doctrine of the Kingdom of God is not a matter of indifference. The Kingdom of God is not just a little religious behavior, something small, narrow, and negative. It is a grand concept, fit for the King of kings to rule and to reign. The Holy Spirit must give you the revelation! Selah!

“O kingdom of God, of everlasting blessedness, where youth never grow old, where beauty never fades, where love never waxes cold, where health never fails, where joy never decreases, where life never ends!” (St. Augustine, 354-430, AD)

THE PARABLES OF THE GREAT DRAGNET AND THE HOUSEHOLDER (Matt 13:47-52)

Parables are little stories that illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. The human brain is wired in a such a way that we remember a little story easier than if someone argues with us or preaches just moral principles. Jesus used parables a lot, to reveal and to hide truth.

The parable of the great dragness is a warning parable of Jesus. God’s Kingdom is like a big dragnet cast into the sea. The net has weights on its borders to go deep and rest at the bottom of the sea. There are at least 24 types of fish in the Sea of Galilee. If you want to catch a particular type of fish, you use a special bait. But this dragnet catches all types of fish. Some fish were good, and others were bad, some clean and others unclean, some alive and others dead. The fishers drew the full net to the shores. They then separated the good fish from the bad. The good fish were gathered into vessels, for the pleasure of the Master who made the sea and sent His workers to cast and drag the net. The bad fish was destroyed, The preaching of the Gospel is the great net. Jesus said: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt 4:19). This command was to make the disciples evangelists. The parable of the net is a judgment parable! Selah!

The sea represents the world, humanity in general. “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues… 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth” (Rev17:15,18). The great harlot called Babylon the Great, is a symbol for the devil, who reigns over the kings of this earth. Once the King’s servants preach Christ crucified and resurrected, many people, good and bad, ‘enter’ its net. Many people are attracted by the Good news of Salvation. They become members of the visible church. The kings of the earth who are under the devil see that Jesus won the battle and now surrender to Him. Jesus is the King of kings. Amen! The truth is that all men are born sinners. They all need salvation. None is good. But in this parable, men are divided in ‘good and bad’ according to their reaction to truth. The good ones, hearing the Gospel, humble themselves, repent and totally surrender to King Jesus. They now become ‘just’. The bad ones are the religious unbelievers. They too are attracted by the offer of salvation in Christ. But they refuse to repent. They do not change. They do not love. They are hypocrites. From being bad, they now become ‘wicked’. The net is not pulled in until it is full. This parable is talking about the future judgment at the end of the age.

This work is seen especially ‘at the end of the age’. Like wheat and tares, the good and the bad stay together for a time. But when the angels separate the people, it becomes clearer who is good and who is bad. The light of God shines on all. The bad ones cannot hide anymore. They will publicly insult God, Christ, the Bible and leaders of His Church. There will be many surprises. Not all who are members of the visible church are citizens of God’s Kingdom. The revelation of the kingdom of heaven forces individuals out into the open, where they manifest for what they really are. The radical truth of the gospel is like a net passing through the restless humanity. The Gospel of the Kingdom is the ultimate reality, the fundamental secret of life eternal. Whoever is caught in the net of truth is forced to declare himself out into the open to reveal whether he is bad or good. You can see this process in your own experience, or in the record of church history. The gospel has this radical character about it. It separates people into two groups: the saved and the lost. Selah!

Jesus said that this separation of the just from the wicked will be accomplished by the angels. This work is not done by men because men can be deceived. The angels are the soldiers protecting the boundaries and the citizens of God’s Kingdom. Angels are always active, but most of the time their activity has been behind the scenes. Some things happen in our lives which cannot be explained by common sense. Miracles are often a manifestation of some kind of angelic activity. This will increase at the end of the age. Increasingly, we will see in the church people divided into either evil or good. It will become plain to all. As we draw near the end of the age, evil will become more and more difficult to hide. It is going to be harder to pretend to be a Christian. People will no longer be able to hide behind some form of outward religious righteousness. Exposing the bad is to destroy them and allowing the good to remain for the harvest of God.

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats” (Matt25:31,32). Here you see King Jesus sitting on His throne. The holy angels who separated the wicked from the good are with Him. He separates the people as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. The ones who welcomed Him into their hearts and lives are blessed. Those who rejected Him are cursed and sent to hell fire. Once again, we must listen to Jesus’ words and the warnings of Scripture. If there is no judgment, then there is no need for salvation. That would mean that many of the wicked in this life would get away with their wickedness and it means we live in an unjust world. But God’s kingdom is a kingdom of justice, and so, yes, there is a day of judgment coming. Selah!

Remember the parables are designed both to conceal and reveal. The parables are meant to conceal the truth from those whose hearts are hardened towards God. And they are meant to reveal spiritual truth to those whose hearts are open towards God. This revelation is a warning. A day of reckoning will come in which God will separate the true believers from mere pretenders, and those found to be false will be cast into hell.  Weeping speaks of remorse and sorrow; gnashing of teeth speaks of frustration, torment, and anger. Jesus is speaking!

From this parable we understand that God’s Kingdom has two components: a visible and an invisible one. It gathers within it not only true subjects of the kingdom but also others like Judas, Ananias, Sapphira, Demas, and others who were in the Kingdom, but the Kingdom is not in them. The visible church is still a mixed multitude. There are essentially two separations in this parable: the first is by the net and the second is on the shore. The good fish are those who were once sinners (bad fish in the sea) but had faith in Christ and God justified them. The bad fish rejected Christ in the sea and on the shore. As faithful, holy, and spiritual beings, the angels will separate the good from the bad. Swiftly and exactly, they will separate men according to God’s standard. What a perfect separation that will be! Not one wicked person will make it into heaven; not one of God’s saved people will accidentally be lost in hell. None can beg the angels! All that matters is what orders the Lord has given to the angels, and Christ is revealing that to us here. At the final judgment truth shall be seen!

After Jesus died and resurrected, He told them: “When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen” (Matt 28:17-20). They knew that their work is to preach the Gospel and to teach the Bible. Bible teachers and preachers are blessed! We must teach men the commandments of King Jesus and how to obey them. This is the great commission to make disciples and obedient citizens of the Kingdom. The presence of King Jesus with us, to the end of the world is our only protection and provision. The presence of King Grace is more than enough for any challenge in life. The Holy Spirit teaches us all that we need to know. He leads us from victory to victory until the end of time. Worship the Lord!

LESSONS:

*There is hell!!! Christ is very graphic while describing hell as a place of torment for both body and soul (Matt 13:50). There will be darkness, fire, suffering, screaming, gnashing of teeth and endless torment. Jesus is Agape Love. He warns us of hell more than anyone!

*There is a final judgment on sin! God is the Judge of all! “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb9:27)

*We must examine ourselves! “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified” (2Cor 13:5, 6).

*We must humble ourselves. We must see ourselves thru the eyes of God, not thru our own opinion. Pay the price to be holy! The Bible makes clear that without holiness, no man shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:14).

After telling the disciples the parable of the great dragnet, Jesus asked them: “Have you understood all these things. They said to Him, “Yes, Lord”. They did not understand all the mysteries of the Kingdom and their work as servants, but they understood enough for now. Then Jesus tells the disciples: “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old”. In the Old Testament, the scribes were godly men who copied, studied, and taught the Bible to their students. The best example is Ezra, who was from the priestly family of Aaron. “Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given… For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:6,10). Jesus said that the scribe who understands the revelation of the Kingdom of God is a Bible teacher. He is like a wealthy ‘householder’, or Master of his house, which is filled with treasures, containing things new and old. In Greek, the word ‘householder’ is ‘despotes’, which is the root of ‘despot’. A despot is a ruler, or a king, who has absolute power in his domain and uses it sometimes in an oppressive way. Jesus is the original Master of the House. All sinners see Jesus as a Tyrant, or a Despot. But God has already decided that all men, good or bad, must bow their knees to Jesus, and worship Him as God King of kings!

Lessons: We are the citizens of God’s Kingdom. We have access to the treasures of the royal palace. We bring these treasures out and share it to men. Whosever receives and surrenders to Christ, will be saved. Whosoever rejects the offer of free salvation, will perish in the fire. The old and new treasures are the revelations of God’s Word. In other words, both the Old Testament and the New Testament are important. They are both the Word of God. The hidden prophecies in the Old Testament, are now made plain by the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. The ‘old’ scriptures come with fresh power because of the Holy Spirit’s new revelation about Christ and His Kingdom. The newer teachings do not replace the old teachings. Rather the new teachings complete them and fulfill them. Jesus said: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matt 5:17) A teacher of the law who only knows the Old Testament can only teach the law. But those who know the New Testament also teach faith in Christ and God’s grace given to us in his Son Jesus. Notice that Jesus puts the new treasures before the old treasures. The ‘New’ comes first because we are New Testament people. Notice the owner doesn’t keep the treasures in the storeroom, but he brings them out for others to see. We are called to share what we learn with others. You learn about God’s kingdom not just for yourself but to share these things with others.

Once you witness revelation upon revelation of the scriptures, it is a sign that you have entered the Kingdom of God. When God wants to bless a person, a church or a nation, He starts to release new revelations of old truths. The Sower sows the seed into the ground and expects a harvest. But here, the Lord says that we should not sow into the ground but ‘bring out’ from the treasure of God’s House and sow into others. By sharing revelations of God’s Word, you don’t waste them. You invest them into souls for the increase of God’s Kingdom. You become like a tree of life for many. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise” (PV11:30). By preaching and teaching God’s Word, you plant treasures into others. By paying the price to have fresh revelations of old truths, you open savings accounts in heaven, for you and for others. You tap into the realm of eternal riches of God’s glory that no money can buy. Glory!

Lessons taken from the parable of the net: All people hear the Gospel. God knows your heart. There is a judgment ahead. God will judge all people by their response to the Gospel. None can hide. None can escape. Jesus is coming again. When He comes, this world will end. God’s great dragnet will sweep through the earth, and none will escape. All people great and small will stand before the throne and be judged according to their works (Rev 20:11-15). The punishment for sin will be serious and severe. Those who reject Jesus will experience eternal pain, mourning and regret. Only those whose names are found written in the Lamb’s book of life will be saved. And so, now is the time to make your decision about Jesus. It will be too late after you die or after Jesus returns. Now is the time for salvation. When Jesus returns, that will be the time for judgment. Have you trusted Jesus for salvation? If not, I urge you, I encourage you, I invite you, I welcome you – come to Jesus today. He loves you. He died for you. He is waiting for you. What are you waiting for?

CHRIST, THE PRINCE! (Ac 5:12-32)

This is a wonderful scene in the early church. It shows us the power of the Holy Spirit manifested through the disciples. They were arrested for teaching the people that Jesus is the Savior and the Prince (King) of His Kingdom. The Religious rulers hated this message because it exposed them as fake. They believed they are the saviors and princes of Israel. They put the apostles in prison. But an angel freed them telling them to continue to teach the Gospel. Their deliverance was a miracle. The angel could not preach. Preaching is the privilege of saints. The angel commanded them to continue teaching the people about Jesus. The religious rulers arrested them and warned them not to teach in the name of Jesus. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly declared that they must obey God (and His angel) rather than men. He accused them directly of killing Jesus by ‘hanging Him on a tree’ (a poetic expression referring to crucifixion). He said that Jehovah God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him to His right hand to be Prince and Savior. In His name, the people of Israel must repent of sins. Peter declared that they were witnesses to these facts, together with the Holy Spirit who came in the name of Jesus.

Here you see the citizens of two kingdoms opposing each other. The kingdom of this world, whose prince is the devil, was represented by religious rulers. On the other side, the Kingdom of God, whose Prince is Jesus Christ, was represented by Peter and the disciples. Face to face, two kingdoms and two ways of life, temporal and eternal, human and divine. It is the battle between death and life, law and grace, darkness and light, bondage to sin and freedom in Christ. Here you see side by side human history and God’s history. When Jesus was born, most of the people in Jerusalem ignored that event. For them, Jesus was a small baby born to a poor couple. But in the history of God, the King of kings was born on earth. God was introducing His own Kingdom un the midst of the kingdoms of this earth. Herod, the fake king of the Jews panicked. He killed many children just to kill baby Jesus. But He failed to do so. Jesus came to live and die, to be Savior and Prince to those who will believe in Him. Those like Herod who reject Him, will die eternal death.

Study the citizens of both Kingdoms, as they confront each other. Peter and the rest of the apostles were ready to die for their King. They could not stop praising Jesus and continued to teach all people that Jesus is Savior and Prince. But the Pharisees are spiritually blind, proud, stubborn, and foolish men. Everyone in Jerusalem knew that a man called Jesus, who did many miracles, who declared that He is the Son of God, and King in his Kingdom, was crucified between two thieves. These were facts, not stories. But the religious rulers refused to face the facts. They did not know how the cripple man was healed. They refused to believe in Jesus and in His miracles. Unbelief is proud and willingly blind. After the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., these Pharisees, and Herod dynasty, disappeared from the earth. Selah!

The center of the revelation was Jesus Christ, the King of His Kingdom. The religious rulers rejected Jesus as the Savior of men. They totally ignored Him as the King of kings. Even today, many Christians know and confess Jesus as their Savior. It is true that when you encounter Jesus for the first time, you meet Him as your Savior. But you must press on to have a deeper revelation of Him. They are ignorant that Jesus is much more than the Savior of sinners. Humanly speaking, Jesus came as King, in the lineage of King David. But Jesus is the Son of God. He came as the King of His Kingdom. He came with the authority of heaven. God the Father exalted Him as Savior not only of sinners, but of the whole universe. The creation itself has been affected by the fall of man. The creation itself is waiting to be saved from the ravages of sin and rebellion. The whole creation, visible and invisible, must bow before its Creator, Savior and Prince. This is the purpose and will of God the Father, who “made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, with regard to the fulfillment of the times [that is, the end of history, the climax of the ages]—to bring all things together in Christ, [both] things in the heavens and things on the earth” (Eph 1:9,10; AMP). Christ is the King of God’s Kingdom.

As he was dying, the thief on the Cross, received the revelation that Jesus is not just an innocent victim but the King of His Kingdom. He said: “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Lk 23:42,43). Jesus was beaten almost beyond recognition. But the thief’s eyes got open to see the King in His glory and beauty! Hallelujah!

“The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself…” (Deut 28:9). This is the promise of God: if you diligently obey God’s Word, He will establish you as a holy godly) person. Selah! To establish it means to have a strong foundation, or deep roots. It speaks of being strong and enduring any storm of life. To establish it means to be recognized and admired by all as successful. It means that your life and memory will continue for a long time. As Christ is the King of His kingdom, so the child of God becomes established in His name! Glory!

Everything and everyone, in heaven and on earth, must bow to Him. Jesus Christ is the only Person who can successfully rule all things and keep order and peace in the whole universe. No other is qualified to be the King of kings! Christ alone has the right to be called Prince! He alone can write His Law in people’s hearts. He alone has the authority to call sinners saying: “Follow Me”, and they follow. He alone promised to build His church and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. All civilizations, empires and kingdoms of men, can only force men to bow by force. Christ alone makes men bow by the power of His Love. One day, Jesus will come back again, to destroy what He has defeated. All men will see Him seated on the throne. All men shall be judged by Him. King Jesus shall rule forever! “Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice” (Isa 32:1). Worship the Lord!

‘Crown Him with many crowns,

the Lamb upon His throne.

Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns

all music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing

of Him who died for thee,

and hail Him as thy matchless King

through all eternity!’ (M. Bridges)

LOVE IS THE NEW COMMANDMENT (40)/ THE KINGDOM OF GOD (8)

This Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached another sermon in the series titled ‘Love is The New Commandment’. Her main scriptures were taken from the books of Romans 14:16-18; Col 1:13, 14; AMP; Matthew 18:1-5; Luke 18:15-17; 1Sam 3:1-21;

THE AGAPE LOVE OF GOD

Love is the greatest word in the Bible. Agape means unconditional sacrificial love. This Love is not just a feeling. It is the highest, most pure form of love, born not out of natural attraction or obligation, but a willful choice and a command to be obeyed.  It is the unselfish, pure, powerful, and sacrificial love that desires the best in another person. This love is best expressed as the Fatherly Love of God for humanity. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16). The unbelievers may be religious, but they do not know this agape love. Love is a gift given only to the children of God, who are saved by grace and thru faith in Christ. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (Jn15:13). Because we are born sinners, agape love does not come naturally to us. Agape love requires faithfulness, commitment, courage, strength, wisdom, faith, and sacrifice. Agape love is the magnet God uses to attract the world to Jesus! It was so in the early church, and during all the revivals in the history of the Church! Selah!

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).

The Kingdom of God is the realm, rule, and reign of God, where Jesus Christ is King, advancing on earth, by the power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, bringing righteousness, peace, joy, healing, freedom, prosperity, and deliverance, by driving away the forces of darkness. Jesus said: “But if I drive out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already come upon you” (Lk 11:20; AMP). As a citizen of heaven, you must experience deliverance, victory upon victory in every area of your life! Amen!  God’s Kingdom is the realm of God Himself, filled with truth, love, holiness, righteousness, power, grace, and Glory!  It points to spiritual things, to eternal life, to the atmosphere of heaven, to the worship there, and to the authority of God. The Kingdom of God has three basic attributes: Righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Spirit! The concept of the Kingdom has almost been lost. Most people do not understand the authority of the King in his domain, and the blessings of the subjects. This is because most countries have other types of government: democracy, communism, or dictatorship. God invented the concept of Kingdom so that it is easier for us understand His plan and purpose for men.

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen 1:26-28). God created the human beings to populate the earth. He created them male and female. He created them in His own image and likeness. God gave them ‘dominion’ over all the animals. The word ‘dominion’ is a Kingdom Word. It means to have sovereign authority, absolute power to rule, to control or master another. Even at creation, before sin entered, God’s plan and purpose for them was to be kings in their domain, to be royal priesthood in Christ. Man was to rule and reign over all the animals, but not over one another. When Adam sinned, he lost a Kingdom. Jesus came to live and die, to re-establish God’s Kingdom on earth. He is now the King of kings! What makes the Kingdom of God different from any other kingdom, is that all its citizens (subjects) are the relatives of the King, and they are all kings themselves! What a privilege to be the royal priesthood in Christ!!! Glory!

The word ‘Kingdom’ comes from two words: King and Domain. God has always been God. Then God created the spiritual (invisible) world and the physical world (man). He did it for His own pleasure and because He is a Creator. Once God created His domain, He became King over His domain. Let us start with what the Kingdom of God is not. The Apostle Paul says that it is not ‘eating and drinking’. It is not ‘meat and drink’ (KJ). It is not made from material things, man-made, temporal, or perishable items. It is not a collection of some little things that you buy with money. We often forget the littleness of this material world and the amazing majesty of the eternal God. We forget that all things do not have the same power or value. For example, Jesus said that life is more valuable than food and the body is more than the clothes that cover it. “Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matt 6:25). To worry about food and dress, and to ignore your life, is foolish. For unbelievers, food, and clothes are more important than their souls. Here you see that the doctrine of the Kingdom of God is not a matter of indifference. The Kingdom of God is not just a little religious behavior, something small, narrow, and negative. It is a grand concept, fit for the King of kings to rule and to reign. The Holy Spirit must give you the revelation! Selah!

TRANSFERRED UNTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD

“For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty]” (Col 1:13, 14; AMP).

All believers in Christ are ‘rescued’

 and ‘transferred’ (or ‘translated’) people. In Greek, the word ‘rescued’ means to deliver from danger or destruction; to drag away a victim from fire or from lion’s mouth. The word ‘transferred’ means to translate, to carry away from one place to another, to relocate. It is a picture of refugees who ran from war zones and were given new land to settle. We are not just saved from the prison of sin but given a new home in the land of liberty. These two actions are different, but they go together. Jesus saved us from the ghettos of the world and gave us a home in His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. Now, our Savior is our King. A new behavior is now expected from us. All God’s children are prepared for heaven while they live on earth. This preparation is called imparted righteousness or sanctification. Once, we were slaves to the devil. We have been bought by King Jesus from the slave sin market. This purchase was made with His Blood shed on the Cross. Now, we are the willing subjects and lovers of King Jesus. We are in the Kingdom of God’s Beloved Son (or the Son of His Love, or the Son on whom His Love rests). Agape Love is the power engine for both the rescue, the settlement, and the growing in grace in the Kingdom of God. Words are not enough to praise God for this great salvation. Praise the Lord!

As believers, we have been carried away by the Lord Jesus Christ, from the power of darkness into the Kingdom of God, to receive a new identity, standing, and status before God. The power of darkness refers to the devil and the demons. The devil does not really have a kingdom. It is an illegal Kingdom. God’s judgment upon Babylon, the Prostitute, Jezebel, the so called ‘queen of the world’, is sure: “Sit in silence, and go into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans; For you shall no longer be called The Lady of Kingdoms” (Is 47:5). The powers of darkness are totally defeated at the Cross. But God allows them to still manifest for a time. They will be destroyed at the second coming of Christ. The power of darkness manifests as bondage to sin, sickness, suffering and death. As sinners, we could not

deliver ourselves from these unbreakable chains. Jesus had to die on the Cross to set us free. Glory to the Lamb upon the throne!

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1Pet 2:9). The word ‘marvelous’ means something to wonder at.

The Kingdom of God is a real Kingdom. It is the spiritual domain where God’s rule and law is obeyed and where God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ is the supreme King. A kingdom is not made of random people. Like the members of the body, all the citizens of God’s Kingdom are part of the Kingdom. They all worship and love their King. Each believer is connected directly to King Jesus and connected to the other believers. It is an unbreakable holy network. This connection is based on love, which is the first commandment in the Kingdom. All citizens gladly submit to King Jesus and to one other another. This submission is also powered by agape Love for Jesus. Love is the proof that we fear and honor God the Father. We are “submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Eph 5:21). Selah!

THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me” (Matt 18:1-5).

“Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it” (Lk 18:15-17).

King Jesus describes the character necessary to receive ‘entry visa’ into the Kingdom of God. “You must be born again!” (Jn 3:3). To be born again it means to become ‘like a child’. What is the meaning of that? Great teacher Nicodemus did not understand this word. To be ‘like a child’ describes not only a citizen of the Kingdom, but also a leader among men in that Kingdom. In the world, if you ask people, who is the greatest in a family, a community, or in a church, they will bring out the most handsome, best educated, best speaker, best dressed man among them. Remember that men look at “the outward appearance but God looks at the heart” (1Sam 16:7).

The words ‘child or children’ appear almost 2000 times in the Bible. Adam and Eve never had a childhood. Adam was made a perfect man and Eve was made a perfect woman by God. To be a parent, is a gift from God. God loves and protects all children. Ruben warned his brothers when they decided to kill Joseph. He said: “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us” (Gen 42:22). Jesus’ warning against pedophiles is terrifying. He said: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt 18:6).  Children are God’s gift and reward. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth” (Ps127:3,4). For the Jewish women, barrenness was seen as punishment from God. In Israel, the boys and the girls were taken care and educated by their mothers. As they grew, the girls continued to stay in the house. The mother would teach her daughters until they got married. After the boys grow a little, they will be trained by their fathers. The children grew to love their parents, especially their mothers.

Observe what King Jesus is doing: the disciples were struggling for positions of authority in the Kingdom. Each thought that he was more qualified than the others to lead. Then Jesus called a little child and ‘set him in the midst’ of the disciples. He was not a special child, well dressed, well mannered, who was the best in his class or in the synagogue. No! He was an ‘ordinary’ child, playing around. I imagine that his clothes were dirty, his fingernails not clean, his nose was running… He was just a child. Jesus says that this child is a type of the greatest citizen in His Kingdom. The disciples looked at the children as having low social significance, low value. They thought that Jesus should not waste His precious time with the children. But Jesus corrected them. He told the disciples that the children represent the citizens and the ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. What did He have in mind? What are the attributes of a child?

*First, a child is just a child. He is natural, open-minded. He has nothing to hide. He is curious. He asks questions. A child simply loves you. A child loves to dream, to imagine things. A child is creative. A child does not pretend. He is not a hypocrite, not a traitor or a seducer. He is born a sinner. That is true. A child learns to behave badly to survive in the world of sinners as he is growing up. But a little child has the innocence of mind and heart, that reminds us of God. A child is poor in spirit; therefore, theirs is the Kingdom of God.

*Children have joy. They are happy with little things. They are happy because they are not anxious about the cares of this world.

*Children have faith. They tend to trust others and become influenced by them. They are not bitter. They do not doubt any good person they meet. They trust the adults. Children are fearless. If the father or mother tells his child ‘jump into my arms’, he jumps.

*Children have hope that the future is better than the present. They came to Jesus expecting good. They were not disappointed.

*Children are humble. They know that they are little in size. Their power is limited. They know that they are vulnerable. Their hands are empty as those of a beggar. That is why Jesus can take them by hand of give them gifts.

*Children do not get tired of playing. They are a symbol of Christians who persevere. We do not get tired of praying and praising Jesus.

*Children do not discriminate. Study the behavior of people. Adults behave differently according to their culture. But all children, all over the world, behave in the same way.

*Children are teachable. A child’s character can be molded to become a good person. They desire to change for the better. Two things influence us in life. One is hereditary and the second is the environment. Between the two, the environment is stronger. Take a child from the ghetto. Train him with love and care, and he will become a good person. Many of the adopted children in Christian families prove this fact. Adults change much slower than children. A child changes faster! A child can improve his behavior!

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Lk 10:19). Jesus delegated His authority to His ambassadors who were like children. This is hard for us to understand. Remember that once a child becomes born again, his eyes are opened to the reality of God’s Kingdom. He can pray and worship God even better than the adults. They are filled with the same Holy Spriit. There is nothing like ‘mini’ Holy Spirit. In Christ, there is no male nor female. Also, there is no adult, no child. We are all one in Christ! Never look down on a child! Pray for him!

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1Cor13:11,12). Children are immature in their understanding of life. Thru the study of the Bible, prayer and mentoring of the parents, they become spiritually mature. God invented marriage. God created men and women to have children. Often, the children are wiser than the adults. A child can lead his parents to the Lord. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them” (Isa 11:6). When King Jesus entered Jerusalem, the religious men withdrew. But the children joyfully praised Him. When adults were blind, the children saw the glory in King Jesus and openly praised Him. “But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?” (Matt21:15,16). Glory to God!

Jesus did not say that we should be childish or foolish. He said we should be ‘child-like’. A childish spirit is selfish, unloving, impatient, cruel, demanding and vengeful, but a child-like spirit is kind, gentle and forgiving. God doesn’t tell us to be childish, immature men. Too many men are boys in a man’s body. They are terrible as friends, husbands (or wives). God teaches us to be like little children when we are adults. The Holy Spirit is not childish. Children lose their trust in their parents when they see adults behaving like them. Some sins hinder this desire to please Jesus, to have a child-like attitude: bitterness, anger, doubt, unforgiveness, hypocrisy, anxiety, and hardness of heart. These strongholds are common among religious people. May God deliver us! May we never lose our wonder of King Jesus!

“Old men and old women shall again sit In the streets of Jerusalem, Each one with his staff in his hand Because of great age. 5 The streets of the city Shall be full of boys and girls Playing in its streets” (Zech 8:4, 5). This is a prophetic picture of God’s Kingdom. Families are united and happy. There is a sweet unity between the generations. “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Children are not hiding in the house. They are not afraid to play in the streets. There is righteousness, peace and joy in the city. This is a picture of revival. May it come, Lord!

GOD SPEAKS TO CHILDREN AND USES THEM IN HIS KINGDOM (1Sam 3:1-21)

This is the story of God’s calling the boy Samuel to prophetic ministry. Samuel may now be about 8-10 years old. God calls Samuel four times before He can speak to him. Samuel did not know God’s voice. It means that Eli the priest was not a good teacher. He did not tell Samuel that God can speak to children like him. Why? Because like many adults, Eli himself did not believe that God can speak to children. Hannah left her first son at the temple so that he can learn how to serve God. But Eli was not a good father or mentor. This is a warning to all parents and pastors! God Himself came and ‘stood’ by Samuel to speak to him. This is wonderful!

At that time, In Israel, religion was strong. But religion was mixed with immorality. At the same time, there was no revelation of God’s Word. There was spiritual darkness over the land. But little Samuel loved God and His Word. That is why God speaks to him. God is patient with Samuel when He sees that he does not understand His voice. This is God’s Grace! This is Agape Love. Samuel loves Eli. The first time God spoke, Samuel ran to Eli. He thought it was Eli speaking. After God spoke His judgment upon the house of Eli, Samuel waited until morning before telling Eli the painful news. Lesson: it is not easy to preach the truth, God’s judgment on sin. God trusts small boy Samuel with preaching His Word when even adults fear to do that. Lesson: God always judges sin! God speaks to those who love His Word! God spoke to Moses only when ‘he turned away from the flock to look” (Ex 3:4: AMP). God’s Word brings revival to the nation.

Finally, the boy Samuel is a wonderful example of what it means to be child-like, a citizen and leader in the Kingdom of God. When God spoke to him, he immediately answered “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears” (1Sam 3:10). May our hearts and ears be open to God. Day or night, may we listen to God’s voice! May we trust and obey God! May we preach the truth is love, even when it is uncomfortable. May we love God’s Word! May God use us to ignite revival in the church and in the nation! In Jesus’ name, amen! Worship the Lord!

LOVE IS THE NEW COMMANDMENT (39)/ THE KINGDOM OF GOD (7)

This Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached another sermon in the series titled ‘Love is The New Commandment’. Her main scriptures were taken from the books of Romans 14:16-18; John 11:1-48;

THE AGAPE LOVE OF GOD

Love is the greatest word in the Bible. In Greek, there are three words for love. Eros refers to sexual love. Philio refers to friendly attachment. Agape means unconditional sacrificial love. This Love is not just a feeling. It is the highest, most pure form of love, born not out of natural attraction or obligation, but a willful choice and a command to be obeyed.  It is the unselfish, pure, powerful, and sacrificial love that desires the best in another person. This love is best expressed as the Fatherly Love of God for humanity. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16). This is the Gospel: God the Father sent God the Son to become a Man and die on behalf of sinners. The unbelievers may be religious, but they do not know this agape love. Love is a gift given only to the children of God, who are saved by grace and thru faith in Christ. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (Jn15:13). Because we are born sinners, agape love does not come naturally to us. Agape love requires faithfulness, commitment, courage, strength, wisdom, faith, and sacrifice. Agape love is the magnet God uses to attract the world to Jesus! It was so in the early church, and during all the revivals in the history of the Church! Selah!

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).

The Kingdom of God is the realm, rule, and reign of God, where Jesus Christ is King, advancing on earth, by the power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, bringing righteousness, peace, joy, healing, freedom, prosperity, and deliverance, by driving away the forces of darkness. Jesus said: “But if I drive out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already come upon you” (Lk 11:20; AMP). As a citizen of heaven, you must experience deliverance, victory upon victory in every area of your life! Amen!  God’s Kingdom is the realm of God Himself, filled with truth, love, holiness, righteousness, power, grace, and Glory!  It points to spiritual things, to eternal life, to the atmosphere of heaven, to the worship there, and to the authority of God. The Kingdom of God has three basic attributes: Righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Spirit! The concept of the Kingdom has almost been lost. Most people do not understand the authority of the King in his domain, and the blessings of the subjects. This is because most countries have other types of government: democracy, communism, or dictatorship. God invented the concept of Kingdom so that it is easier for us understand His plan and purpose for men.

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen 1:26-28). God created the human beings to populate the earth. He created them male and female. He created them in His own image and likeness. God gave them ‘dominion’ over all the animals. The word ‘dominion’ is a Kingdom Word. It means to have sovereign authority, absolute power to rule, to control or master another. Even at creation, before sin entered, God’s plan and purpose for them was to be kings in their domain, to be royal priesthood in Christ. Man was to rule and reign over all the animals, but not over one another. When Adam sinned, he lost a Kingdom. Jesus came to live and die, to re-establish God’s Kingdom on earth. He is now the King of kings! What makes the Kingdom of God different from any other kingdom, is that all its citizens (subjects) are the relatives of the King, and they are all kings themselves! What a privilege to be the royal priesthood in Christ!!! Glory!

The word ‘Kingdom’ comes from two words: King and Domain. God has always been God. Then God created the spiritual (invisible) world and the physical world (man). He did it for His own pleasure and because He is a Creator. Once God created His domain, He became King over His domain. Let us start with what the Kingdom of God is not. The Apostle Paul says that it is not ‘eating and drinking’. It is not ‘meat and drink’ (KJ). It is not made from material things, man-made, temporal, or perishable items. It is not a collection of some little things that you buy with money. We often forget the littleness of this material world and the amazing majesty of the eternal God. We forget that all things do not have the same power or value. For example, Jesus said that life is more valuable than food and the body is more than the clothes that cover it. “Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matt 6:25). To worry about food and dress, and to ignore your life, is foolish. For unbelievers, food, and clothes are more important than their souls. Here you see that the doctrine of the Kingdom of God is not a matter of indifference. The Kingdom of God is not just a little religious behavior, something small, narrow, and negative. It is a grand concept, fit for the King of kings to rule and to reign. The Holy Spirit must give you the revelation! Selah!

JESUS IS THE KING OF KINGS

Immediately after Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan, He started preaching. “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17). This is the first royal command: Repent! Why? Because the Kingdom of heaven is at hand! The words ‘at hand’ mean ‘coming close, it is near’. Jesus commands all men to repent! In Greek, the word ‘repent’ means to think again, re-consider, think differently. Repentance applies to sins or to a wrong course of action. To repent it means that you stop going the wrong way, you turn around (180 degrees) and you now move on a new path. It is a matter of re-thinking. Jesus commands this repentance in connection with the Kingdom of God. He knows that we have a wrong concept of Him as the King in His Kingdom. Until we understand God’s purpose of establishing His Kingdom on earth, and setting His Son as King, we have not repented yet. Selah!

God created Adam and Eve in His own image and likeness. He created Adam as man and as king. It was the same with Eve. Both were kings and ambassadors of heaven to earth. God gave them ‘dominion’ over His creation (Gen 1:26-28). ‘Dominion’ is a Kingdom word. They had control or dominion over all the animals God has created. The devil deceived Eve by saying that if she eats from the fruit of knowledge of good and evil, she will become ‘like God’ (Gen 3:5). But she and Adam were already ‘like God’. Her ignorance of her identity was the cause of her fall. She obeyed the serpent, the devil. Adam also disobeyed God’s command. This is how sin entered humanity. When Adam fell, he lost not only his fellowship with God, his place in the garden, but also his crown and throne as king before God. That was a major tragic loss. As a sinner, he now became ‘an ordinary man’. He sold his crown to the devil who now became ‘royalty’ on earth in Adam’s place. Our Lord Jesus recognized this and called the devil ‘the ruler or the prince of this world’. “Now judgment is upon this world [the sentence is being passed]. Now the ruler of this world (Satan) will be cast out… I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming. And he has no claim on Me [no power over Me nor anything that he can use against Me]… about judgment [the certainty of it], because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged and condemned” (Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). It is painful to see that Jesus calls the devil ‘ruler or prince’ of this world. He deceived Adam to gain this title and position. We see that Jesus respects the fake authority of the devil. Jesus became Man to confront and defeat the ruler of this world. By His death on the Cross, Jesus exposed the devil and his wickedness. By shedding His Blood on the Cross Jesus set free the devil’s prisoners. Salvation is by grace alone, thru faith alone in Jesus Christ alone! To the glory of God alone!

The sinner is commanded to repent from submitting and loving Satan, his master and king. He must forsake his place as a citizen of the kingdom of darkness and come to the Kingdom of God, and of light. When Jesus became Man, He came as the King of His Kingdom. That was His main identity. The Angel told Mary that she will have a son who will be a king on the lineage of David. “Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Lk 1:30-33). Mary believed that her son called Jesus will be a King whose Kingdom will never end.

When the wise men came to see baby Jesus, they did not see Him as Priest or Prophet. They saw Him as King in His domain. They asked: “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him” (Matt 2:2). They brought Him gifts fit for a King. That is why king Herod panicked and wanted Jesus dead. Jesus came to earth as the King to redeem the kingdom lost by Adam. He fought and defeated the fake evil king, Satan. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1Jn 3:8). Jesus died on behalf of sinners. He took from the devil the keys of life and death. He also took from the devil the throne, crown, and scepter he stole from Adam. Lesson: Once you become born again, your soul is eternally saved.  You also take your position as king and priest unto God. This redemption of our souls and our royal identity in Christ was paid with the Blood of Jesus. King Jesus died to save the other kings. This is the greatest manifestation of Agape Love!

This is the revelation given to Apostle John: “John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Rev 1:4-6). Glory!

Lesson: Because we are selfish, we tend to focus too much on the ministry of Jesus as OUR Savior. We forget that our Savior is not an ordinary Man. He is the King of His Kingdom. Once saved by Jesus, we must bow before Him! Salvation leads to worship! If not, you are not saved! Selah!

THE PERFECT KINGDOM OF GOD

The Kingdom of God is a unique Kingdom. Jesus Christ is the eternal King seated on His Throne. It is God’s decree to ordain and appoint His Son to be King in His domain. Men did not vote for Jesus to be king. Men can never vote to remove Jesus from His Throne. His reign is everlasting. “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom” (Ps 45:6). Hallelujah! The Kingdom of God is made of citizens who are all kings and the King’s relatives. Jesus is the King of kings. The Church is the Bride of Christ, and the center of God’s Kingdom. King Jesus takes care of all His subjects. In God’s Kingdom, in the Spirit realm, there are hospitals, police, schools, leaders, administrators, and ambassadors. The citizens have faith that their King died and rose again to save their souls, restore their identity and heal their bodies. “By your stripes we are healed!”, they proclaim! The King provides for all the needs of the citizens. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19). King Jesus is not an oppressor. He is a King Shepherd. “The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want” (Ps 23:1; AMP). In the Kingdom all the citizens go to school. The Holy Spirit is their Teacher. King Jesus said: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (Jn 14:26).

The citizens pay tax so that the Kingdom’s work is financed on the earth. That tax is called ‘tithe’. Paying the tax is a Law in the Kingdom. It is a form of honor and worship to the King. The King rewards those who pay their taxes. “Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine” (PV 3:9,10). The Kingdom has a prosperous economy. The Law of planting and reaping works in the Kingdom. “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal 6:7). “Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed]” (2Cor 9:6). The Kingdom has leaders, who are the under shepherds, appointed by King Jesus. These are the leaders in the church. The Kingdom also has ambassadors who proclaim to other nations the glory of their King. “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor 5:20). By pushing away the forces of darkness, the borders of the Kingdom increase every day. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (Isa 9:6,7). Glory to the King of kings!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEMOCRACY AND MONARCHY

King Jesus commanded that we should “Repent!” in our mindset about His Kingdom. Most people today live in democratic countries. That is why it is hard for them to imagine God’s Kingdom. We need to repent from our understanding of Jesus as King in His domain.  

*In a democratic country the people vote and choose their rulers through elections. In a monarchy the king (or the queen) is installed when his (her) father (mother queen) dies. The people do not vote for their king. The pattern of ‘democracy’ was invented by the Greek Philosophers. In Greek, the word ‘democracy’ means ‘the rule of the people’. The word ‘monarchy’ means ‘alone’ or ‘one ruler’.

In a democracy, the laws are written in a Constitution. All the leaders and all the people must submit to the Constitution. In an absolute Monarchy, there is no constitution. The word of the King is the law in that country. In a democracy, the people have the right to free speech. They can criticize their president or their leaders. They can ask that laws should be amended. The leaders are accountable to the people who voted them into their positions. In a monarchy, the people do not have the right to criticize the king. The king is above the law. In a democracy, civil rights, equal opportunities concerning jobs and other social benefits regardless of race or religion are granted by the state. In a monarchy, civil rights are not granted to the people. There is no freedom of speech or religion. What the King wants, that is what everyone does. The King can discriminate against people. He gives gifts and rewards to whom He pleases. The people cannot complain. For now, Democracy is regarded are the most favored type of government. There are about 100 democratic countries in the world. For example, USA, France, India, Nigeria are democratic countries. Because of the lack of freedom of speech, monarchy is not liked by most people in the world. There are 43 sovereign states in the world that have a king (or queen) as head of state. Among them are The United Kingdom, Saudia Arabia, United Emirates, Thailand, Jordan and others. For example, in Thailand, whoever, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, or the Heir-apparent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years!

Jesus said that we must repent from the mindset of democracy to understand the value, authority, and power of the Kingdom of God. This repentance is not an easy process. At the Cross, the wisdom of men proved to be foolishness. “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Cor 1:18-25). May our eyes be open to see the King in His beauty, power and glory! Amen!

KING JESUS IS THE MIRACLE PROVIDER 

If you study the life of King Jesus, you discover that He did many miracles. He healed and provided for the needs of many people. His miracles are a sign that the Kingdom of God is supernatural. Faith in the God of miracles is part of the Kingdom mindset.

These are some of the characteristics that we observe as King Jesus did miracles when He was on earth: Most of the miracles were done as a response to His compassion, care and love for needy people. He acted as Shepherd to His sheep. They are ‘mercy-miracles’. The miracles were done to ordinary people. He never did a miracle to help Himself. He never did any miracle before He entered His public ministry. For 30 years, living with His parents, He did not perform miracles. He never did miracles to attract attention to Himself or to attract followers. He refused to do miracles when He saw unbelief in the hearts of men. He did not heal every sick person. He was always led by the will of the Father and by the Holy Spirit. He appreciated genuine faith in people. He granted their request based on their faith. Many took His miracles for granted. They did not humble themselves and were not grateful to Him. He was creative when performing miracles. He could use physical means. But most of the time, the miracles were done by His Word and by His Will. All the miracles were done to the glory of God. His miracles prove that He is Lord and King overall, over the natural and spiritual realm. Praise the Lord!

WHEN LOVE IS SICK (Jn 11:1-48)

This is one of the greatest Agape Love stories. It happened about one month before Jesus went to the Cross. King Jesus was followed by many people. Each one desired a miracle or a gift. There was a simple house in Bethany, a small village near Jerusalem. Together with His disciples, Jesus would often go there to rest and have fellowship. It was the house of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. They were siblings. They were the only family who allowed Jesus to stay without asking anything from Him. They were truly His friends. Martha was the hardworking practical host. Mary was the spiritual prophetic one. Lazarus, the younger brother, was the quiet one. “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus”. From this sentence we see that Jesus loved each one personally. Lesson: Jesus related to each one of us in a particular unique way. Lazarus got seriously sick. The sisters sent a message to Jesus saying: “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick”. They did not command Him to come. They only told Jesus of their need. Their brother was sick. Agape Love does not need to talk too much. A little signal from the heart, a whisper from the spirit is enough. Love understands. But Jesus delayed His coming. That was the hardest thing to explain or bear. Jesus is their best friend, and He loves them. But Love does not always protect from heart ache. Eventually, Jesus came. He met the people weeping and morning. Lazarus was dead for four days. The Jews thought that a resurrection miracle can happen in maximum three days after death. From the fourth day, they believe that the body is decomposed and there is ‘a stench’ of death. Jesus revealed Himself to Martha and Mary as the Resurrection and the Life. Then, He wept. He went to the grave and called Lazarus forth. Lazarus came out alive. Here you see Jesus as Man and God. He wept as a man and called the dead to life as God. Worship the Lord!!!

LOVE IS THE NEW COMMANDMENT (38)/ THE KINGDOM OF GOD (6)

This Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached another sermon in the series titled ‘Love is The New Commandment’. Her main scriptures were taken from the books of Romans 14:16-18; Matthew 13:31,32; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15;

THE AGAPE LOVE OF GOD

Love is the greatest word in the Bible. In Greek, there are three words for love. Eros refers to sexual love. Philio refers to friendly attachment. Agape means unconditional sacrificial love. This Love is not just a feeling. It is the highest, most pure form of love, born not out of natural attraction or obligation, but a willful choice and a command to be obeyed.  It is the unselfish, pure, powerful, and sacrificial love that desires the best in another person. This love is best expressed as the Fatherly Love of God for humanity. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16). This is the Gospel: God the Father sent God the Son to become a Man and die on behalf of sinners. The unbelievers may be religious, but they do not know this agape love. Love is a gift given only to the children of God, who are saved by grace and thru faith in Christ. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (Jn15:13). Because we are born sinners, agape love does not come naturally to us. Agape love requires faithfulness, commitment, courage, strength, wisdom, faith, and sacrifice. Agape love is the magnet God uses to attract the world to Jesus! It was so in the early church, and during all the revivals in the history of the Church! Selah!

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).

The Kingdom of God is the realm, rule, and reign of God, where Jesus Christ is King, advancing on earth, by the power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, bringing righteousness, peace, joy, healing, freedom, prosperity, and deliverance, by driving away the forces of darkness. Jesus said: “But if I drive out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already come upon you” (Lk 11:20; AMP). As a citizen of heaven, you must experience deliverance, victory upon victory in every area of your life! Amen!  God’s Kingdom is the realm of God Himself, filled with truth, love, holiness, righteousness, power, grace, and Glory!  It points to spiritual things, to eternal life, to the atmosphere of heaven, to the worship there, and to the authority of God. The Kingdom of God has three basic attributes: Righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Spirit! The concept of the Kingdom has almost been lost. Most people do not understand the authority of the King in his domain, and the blessings of the subjects. This is because most countries have other types of government: democracy, communism, or dictatorship. God invented the concept of Kingdom so that it is easier for us understand His plan and purpose for men.

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of

the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen 1:26-28). God created the human beings to populate the earth. He created them male and female. He created them in His own image and likeness. God gave them ‘dominion’ over all the animals. The word ‘dominion’ is a Kingdom Word. Even at creation, before sin entered, God’s plan and purpose for them was to be kings in their domain, to be royal priesthood in Christ. Man was to rule and reign over all the animals, but not over one another. When Adam sinned, he lost a Kingdom. Jesus came to live and die, to re-establish God’s Kingdom on earth. He is now the King of kings! What makes the Kingdom of God different from any other kingdom, is that all its citizens (subjects) are the relatives of the King, and they are all kings themselves! What a privilege to be the royal priesthood in Christ!!! Praise the Lord! 

The word ‘Kingdom’ comes from two words: King and Domain. God has always been God. Then God created the spiritual (invisible) world and the physical world (man). He did it for His own pleasure and because He is a Creator. Once God created His domain, He became King over His domain. Let us start with what the Kingdom of God is not. The Apostle Paul says that it is not ‘eating and drinking’. It is not ‘meat and drink’ (KJ). It is not made from material things, man-made, temporal, or perishable items. It is not a collection of some little things that you buy with money. We often forget the littleness of this material world and the amazing majesty of the eternal God. We forget that all things do not have the same power or value. For example, Jesus said that life is more valuable than food and the body is more than the clothes that cover it. “Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matt 6:25). To worry about food and dress, and to ignore your life, is foolish. For unbelievers, food, and clothes are more important than their souls. Here you see that the doctrine of the Kingdom of God is not a matter of indifference. The Kingdom of God is not just a little religious behavior, something small, narrow, and negative. It is a grand concept, fit for the King of kings to rule and to reign. The Holy Spirit must give you the revelation! Selah!

THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED      

“Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, 32 which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches” (Matt 13:31,32).

Our Lord employed here a symbol which these people understood. The mustard plant was commonly found in the gardens of the people in Israel. The seeds can be eaten raw or as a paste, which is used as a condiment. The mustard leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The seeds have health benefits. They are rich in vitamins, able to prevent diseases (including cancer), and lower blood sugar. The mustard plants are invasive. They can take over a garden by displacing other plants. The mustard seed has two main characteristics: 1-has a strong smell and taste; 2-is very small in size.

Spiritually, the mustard seed is a symbol of three things: the Kingdom of God, Faith in God and the Gospel. When the Kingdom of God advances on earth, when the Gospel is preached and Faith is rising, because of the harshness of Truth, there is a spiritual disturbance at the beginning. It is like a painful injection given to a sick man. The Gospel excites and changes people. It stirs a whole community, either negatively or positively. “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matt 11:12). In Greek, the word ‘violent’ means an aggressive hunter who is ready to seize his victim. It is the picture of a crowd attacking a city, eager to take possession of it, and to carry away their spoils. Faith in the Gospel of Christ crucified and resurrected, the revelation of Jesus as the King in His Kingdom, always comes into the heart with force, like an armed robber. This describes the zeal to believe the Good News of Christ crucified and resurrected. There is a zeal to conquer sin and the devil. Our Lord admires the energy of those who want to enter the Kingdom of God, to be saved from the power of sin and to have eternal life. The strong smell of the mustard seed is a symbol of this violent zeal.

By comparing the Kingdom of God with the small mustard seed, Our Lord is stressing the apparent insignificance of the Gospel. It does not look or sound like much. Like the Apostle Paul, you proclaim: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Ac 16:31). That message does not sound very impressive to many people. It is so simple that you can teach it to children. So, the world is not very impressed with it. But if you truly believe it, your heart will change. If you really trust Christ as your Savior, Lord, and King, that revelation is revolutionary. As the mustard seed is small, the entrance of God’s Word looks small. The preaching of the Gospel is done by only few faithful believers. The beginning of God’s salvation work looks so small. It can be discouraging. But the effect is always mighty. The elect chose to enter the Kingdom of a supernatural force. The unbelievers get angry and forcefully attack God’s Word and His servants. There is a force that cannot be explained. Like a storm in the sky, it is the supernatural realm that is involved.  

Small is big when God is in it! Think of it! Jesus was the original Mustard Seed. He was not trained in the theological schools of the day. He was not among the recognized teachers. He was a former village carpenter. He called 12 men to Himself. They became His disciples. One betrayed Him and died. Like the planting of the mustard seed, this is indeed the small beginning of the Church. But soon, the Church grew supernaturally. None could stop its growth. The famous Rabbi Gamaliel advised his colleagues to stop persecuting the Christians, lest God’s wrath rises against them. “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God” (Ac 5:38, 39).

The small mustard seed is purposely planted by the Sower in the ground. It grows mysteriously. It becomes a tree that has many great branches, in which birds make their nests. The birds find shelter and food in the tree. Some birds a clean and some are unclean. This is a picture of the visible church, which is made of both the saved and the unsaved religious people. For a seed to grow to become a big tree, that is supernatural. It shows the power of God, of the Gospel, of the Kingdom of God. Every true believer becomes a shelter for many people who listen to his words and believe in his prayers. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (Jam 5:16).

The mustard seed is also a symbol of true faith in God. Jesus said: “for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matt 17:20). As believers, we pray to receive ready-made, great, instant miracles. But Jesus says that a miracle can start with a small seed of faith produced by the hearing of God’s Word. Planted in the heart, and watered by prayer, after some time, it produces the miracle you have been looking for. That is why we are commanded not to look down on little things that have spiritual life in them. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…” (Zech 4:10; NLT). To despise it means to have no respect for, to look down upon someone; to dislike something because you think it has no value or it is bad for you. The natural man has no respect for God, His Word, or His Kingdom. The Gospel is foolishness to the unbelievers. But we join Apostle Paul to declare: “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith” (Rom 1:16,17). Selah!

Remember that the Church started with only one Seed, planted in the ground. That Seed is called Jesus. Before the Cross, our Lord said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (Jn 12:24). Jesus called 12 apostles. One betrayed Him and left. Out of this little beginning, the Church grew. In 150 AD there were already about 40,000 believers. In 200 AD the number of the Christians increased to 218,000. Now, in the 21^st century, Christianity is the biggest religion in the whole world which is made of about 8 billion people. Christianity that began 2,000 years ago in a small country called Israel is now followed by 2.4 billion people. This is the power of God in display upon the earth! His Kingdom has come! Amen!

SOME BENEFITS OF RIGHTEOUS LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Generally, righteousness means conforming (agreement) to the standard of morality, to what is right or good. It means to be good and to do good. Righteousness means acting in accord to God’s moral law and being free from guilt, shame, or sin. Righteousness is found in Christ alone. It is God’s gift to men, thru His grace and His Love. Righteousness means being right with God and man; in your behavior, words, character, and conscience. God gives men His laws. This is a fact: God never makes mistakes! He is always right and good! Righteousness is a Person. It is part of the identity of Jesus Christ, and we share in it. “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1Cor 1:30). Praise the Lord! 

“Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people” (PV14:34). A nation’s real greatness is not found in military strength, beauty of nature, great culture, or magnificent buildings, but in the desire of the people to be right with God, and to obey His commands. Sin is a disgrace, a reproach, an insult, and a national tragedy. Pagan societies are terrible places to live in. Sin is a source of violence, wickedness, sickness, poverty, injustice, corruption, and war. Sin is the shame of sinners. Righteousness is the promotion of the wise. All godly people are humble, hardworking, merciful, helpful, and loving. We pray for revival in Nigeria. Not for empty religion, but for a desire of true righteousness. That is the condition for prosperity and peace in our land.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS – FEEDING THE HUNGRY (LK 9:10-17; Jn 6:1-15)

This miracle is the only miracle that appears in all the four Gospels. It was witnessed by more people than any other miracles. Also, this is the only miracle when all the people partook in it. This is the story: The crowds followed Jesus to listen to His Word and to experience healing miracles. One day, Jesus went to a deserted place. It was after He heard that John the Baptist was killed by Herod. He knew it was a sign for him, to prepare, that the Cross was coming. He needed time to rest His soul and pray to the Father for comfort and strength. This is a spiritual Law: working with people or speaking too much to people drains the spirit. But staying long in God’s presence revives the spirit. Jesus needed balance in His life, between prayer to God and helping the needy. Lesson: we too need the same balance. We should never neglect our quiet times with God, by studying His Word, prayer and worship, to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We need God to give us wisdom and strength to fulfill our responsibilities towards our families and other people. Selah!

The crowds followed Him and stayed until evening. Because the place was isolated and it was late, the disciples advised Jesus to send the crowds away so that they can look for food. They never had in mind that Jesus can do a miracle. Surprisingly, Jesus said to them: “you give them something to eat”. They said that ‘a lad’ (young man) had 5 loaves of barley bread and 2 fish. (It is possible that his mother prepared his food pack). It was barley bread. That is the cheaper type of bread only the poor people ate. Just imagine! Amid that crowd, this lad was the only one who had some food. But the disciples expressed their doubts. How can this little dinner feed thousands?

Here you see the voice of doubt and the limitation of man on display. Are we not all the same? Practical people who never think of miracles! Jesus ignored their doubts and fears and commands His disciples to organize the crowd. There were about 5000 men, besides women and children. They should sit in groups of fifty. They all became expectant to receive food. Lesson: Men look for food first before they can sit to eat it. But Jesus wants the people to sit down first, prepare their mind, exercise faith, and then, the food will be supplied. Lesson: God is a God of order. “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints… God wants everything to be done peacefully and in order. When God’s people meet in church” (1Cor 14:33; NKJ; CEV). In Greek, the word ‘confusion’ means mental instability. Confusion means to listen to many voices in your mind, at the same time. A confused man does not understand what is happening around him or what he should do. If he acts in confusion, he will surely make mistakes because he cannot see clearly. Confusion is found when people are selfish or jealous. “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (Jam 3:16-18). Confusion is an open door for the devil to enter. He will destroy the peace of mind, the peace of a family or a church. This will lead to division and quarrels. In this spiritually polluted atmosphere, righteousness (being good and doing good) cannot manifest and miracles cannot happen. Jesus brings order and peace into that crowd. They sit on the grass and expect food. Then the miracle of provision happened! Lesson: reject selfishness, envy, confusion! Pray! Calm your mind! Be filled with the Holy Spirit! Have faith! Then the miracle will come!

LESSONS

King Jesus receives the boy’s little lunch: 5 loaves and the 2 fish. He looks up to heaven. He possibly prayed a quick prayer to God the Father. He blesses the bread and the fish. He gives thanks to God and then He breaks them into pieces. He gave the food to the disciples, and they gave it to the multitude. They all ate and were filled. Twelve baskets of leftover pieces were left. Jesus Himself commanded: “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” Lesson: We should not be wasteful! We should appreciate every drop of grace, every little blessing. We should economize our resources, material and spiritual. No miracle should be wasted! The crumbs under the table are still the healing bread for the sick!

This is a miracle of provision. The miracle of multiplication happened in the Hands of Jesus. Lesson: give Jesus your little. Once that little touches His hands, it will multiply. The same little will come back to you as hundredfold. Praise the Lord!

King Jesus is compassionate. He truly loves and cares for the hungry, sick, weak, and the needy. His care for the needy was one of the spiritual magnets that attracted people to Him. It is the same today. “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8).  

King Jesus is omnipotent. He is God. He is greater than any human need. God uses what is available, what is given to Him, to multiply and bless others. God can use small things. David killed Goliath with a sling and a stone. Little is much when God is in it.  Jesus used the humble dinner of a boy to feed the multitude. Jesus blessed that boy!

God uses His children to bless others. In this case, Jesus used the disciples to bring order in the crowd, preparing them for a miracle. It was the disciples that brought to Jesus the bread and the fish, the ‘raw material’ to produce the miracle. Jesus used the disciples to distribute the food to the people. Why did Jesus do that? The people were happier to receive the food from men like them. Receiving the provision directly from the hands of Jesus may have created some anxiety to eat the food. Also, Jesus wanted the disciples to learn to do ministry, to be co-laborers with God. To work for Jesus increased their faith much more than if they are only spectators to the miracle.  Lesson: God uses our hands to bless others. Let us work for God!

Because Jesus is God, He thinks like God. But the disciples were thinking like men. Their faith was still small. It was hard for them to see Jesus as the King of His Kingdom. One of the King’s responsibilities is to provide for His subjects. We must have the revelation that Jesus is our King and our provider. The provision was more than the need. There was an overflow of provision. Jesus ordered to gather and keep the leftovers. After everybody ate the food, and were satisfied, they gathered 12 baskets of leftover pieces of bread and fish. King Jesus ordered to keep the leftover food. This is wisdom. God is not wasteful. I read that in the UK, food waste is estimated at 680 million pounds sterling per year. This is some advice given on how to reduce food waste in a restaurant. Audit the food you order, receive and throw away. Based on the type of food left on a plate by the customers, review your menu. Train the staff on how to reduce waste. Advice the customers to take the leftovers home. Give the leftover food to charities. When serving buffet, give the customers smaller size plates. Miracles of provision are wonderful. But by reducing waste, you increase your profit. This is the strategy in the Kingdom of God.

The boy that gave his dinner is not named. We don’t know if he was tall or short, handsome or not. All we need to know is that the boy was available to be used by God. He was sensitive to the needs of others. He prepared for the future. 5000 men came without lunch. But he bought his lunch. He was ready to share. That was not easy. The boy could have sold his lunch to the people. He could have become a rich man in that field. He could have shared his lunch with others and kept some food for himself. But the boy gave it all to Jesus. He was ready to sacrifice his lunch. Why? Because he was ready to partake in a miracle that will increase his faith and change his life forever.  

The boy was sure that Jesus can do a miracle with his lunch. Jesus can do what he could not do. The boy gave to Jesus his barley bread, which means humble bread. He did not just give Jesus 2 big fishes. It was 2 small fish. Lesson: God can use anything we give to Him and He can do something with the little offering. Once the humble food touched the hands of Jesus, it became holy. Jesus gave thanks to God and blessed the bread and fish before He gave it to the multitude. Do you want to be a blessing to your generation? Are you ready to give your whole life to Jesus? If the answer is yes, then Jesus will receive your humble life, bless you, break you, and give you away to bless multitudes. What Jesus did with that boy’s little lunch, He will do it with you!

Because of the miracles of healing and feeding, the crowds concluded that Jesus is the Messiah, the Prophet of God. They wanted to make Him their King by force. But Jesus withdrew from them. No man can make Jesus King. Why? Because only God can make His Son King over all. No man can take the glory of setting Jesus on the throne of the universe. That is the unique privilege of God the Father. Men rejected King Jesus. This is the story of the Cross. But the Father exalted Him above all names in the universe and kings on earth. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. His name is Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of God, and God Himself! Worship the Lord!

LOVE IS THE NEW COMMANDMENT (37)/ THE KINGDOM OF GOD (5)

This Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached another sermon in the series titled ‘Love is The New Commandment’. Her main scriptures were taken from the books of Romans 14:16-18; Matthew 5:3; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 11:29; AMP.

THE AGAPE LOVE OF GOD

Love is the greatest word in the Bible. In Greek, there are three words for love. Eros refers to sexual love. Philio refers to friendly attachment. Agape means unconditional sacrificial love. This Love is not just a feeling. It is the highest, most pure form of love, born not out of natural attraction or obligation, but a willful choice and a command to be obeyed.  It is the unselfish, pure, powerful, and sacrificial love that desires the best in another person. This love is best expressed as the Fatherly Love of God for humanity. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16). This is the Gospel: God the Father sent God the Son to become a Man and die on behalf of sinners. The unbelievers may be religious, but they do not know this agape love. Love is a gift given only to the children of God, who are saved by grace and thru faith in Christ. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (Jn15:13). Because we are born sinners, agape love does not come naturally to us. Agape love requires faithfulness, commitment, courage, strength, wisdom, faith, and sacrifice. Agape love is the magnet God uses to attract the world to Jesus! It was so in the early church, and during all the revivals in the history of the Church! Selah!

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).

The Kingdom of God is the realm, rule, and reign of God, where Jesus Christ is King, advancing on earth, by the power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, bringing righteousness, peace, joy, healing, freedom, prosperity, and deliverance, by driving away the forces of darkness. Jesus said: “But if I drive out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already come upon you” (Lk 11:20; AMP). As a citizen of heaven, you must experience deliverance, victory upon victory in every area of your life! Amen!  God’s Kingdom is the realm of God Himself, filled with truth, love, holiness, righteousness, power, grace, and Glory!  It points to spiritual things, to eternal life, to the atmosphere of heaven, to the worship there, and to the authority of God. The Kingdom of God has three basic attributes: Righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Spirit!   

The concept of the Kingdom has been almost lost. Most people do not understand the authority of the King in his domain, and the blessings of the subjects. This is because most countries have other types of government: democracy, communism, or dictatorship. God invented the concept of His Kingdom so that it is easier for us understand His plan and purpose for men. That is why we need to study it. When Adam sinned, he lost a Kingdom. Jesus came to live and die, to re-establish God’s Kingdom on earth. He is now the King of kings! What makes the Kingdom of God different from any other kingdom, is that all its citizens (subjects) are the relatives of the King, and they are all kings themselves! What a privilege to be the royal priesthood in Christ!!! Praise the Lord!  

The word ‘Kingdom’ comes from two words: King and Domain. God has always been God. Then God created the spiritual (invisible) world and the physical world (man). He did it for His own pleasure and because He is a Creator. Once God created His domain, He became King over His domain. Let us start with what the Kingdom of God is not. The Apostle Paul says that it is not ‘eating and drinking’. It is not ‘meat and drink’ (KJ). It is not made from material things, man-made, temporal, or perishable items. It is not a collection of some little things that you buy with money. We often forget the littleness of this material world and the amazing majesty of the eternal God. We forget that all things do not have the same power or value. For example, Jesus said that life is more valuable than food and the body is more than the clothes that cover it. “Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matt 6:25). To worry about food and dress, and to ignore your life, is foolish. For unbelievers, food, and clothes are more important than their souls. Here you see that the doctrine of the Kingdom of God is not a matter of indifference. The Kingdom of God is not just a little religious behavior, something small, narrow, and negative. It is a grand concept, fit for the King of kings to rule and to reign. The Holy Spirit must give you the revelation! Selah!

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever] … God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven… Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them” (Matt 5:3; NKJ; AMP; CEV; God’s Word).

This is the first statement our Lord is making when preaching the Sermon on the Mount. It is the foundation of all the other declarations. Here we have the basic description of a child of God, as a citizen of the Kingdom of God. The first word is ‘blessed’. In Greek it is ‘makario’. It is translated as happy, spiritually prosperous, to be envied, admired, and congratulated. It describes a state of permanent happiness, unhindered by circumstances; a state of supreme blessing, given by God, not by man. When God declares you blessed, none can curse!

What does it mean to be poor in spirit? First, it does not mean physical poverty. The Catholic Church is preaching that becoming poor in the natural brings special blessings. One of their best examples is Saint Franciss of Assisi (1181-1226). He was born into a wealthy family. He wanted to be like Jesus. He gave up his father’s wealth to become an evangelist. He chose to live by begging. Many became his disciples. He founded the Order of the Franciscans. It is made of monks who care mostly to the poor. Before entering the order, the monks make three vows: poverty, chastity, and obedience. They willingly chose to let go of wealth, sex (marriage), and personal freedom (they chose to strictly obey their mentors). They deny themselves in this way for the sake of Christ and His work. Their choice is sacrificial, but it is not Biblical. Others say that to be poor in spirit you must deny your personality. You must behave in ‘a religious’ way (you walk slowly and talk quietly). Many admire them but these lifestyles are not Biblical. These patterns of behavior are errors coming from religious spirits. This is not what the Bible calls to be ‘poor in spirit’. Selah!

To be poor in spirit is to be genuinely humble, totally depended on God for your very life. Only the true believers in Christ can be poor in spirit. It’s the opposite of the world’s idea of poverty. The unbelievers do not understand the principle of being poor in spirit. They hate the idea to be dependent of God for their very breath. In the world, people see themselves as self-confident. They trust themselves to become successful, to be seen and admired. Boasting of self is part of the world’s culture. For example, if a man applies for a job and says that without God, he can do nothing, he will surely fail the interview. In the world, boasting of self is the normal way of behaving!

What then does it mean to be poor in spirit? It is spiritual poverty and total submission to God. It is not a physical, visible poverty. It is the way you see yourself before God and His Throne. It is not the way people see you, but the way you see yourself in God’s presence, before King Jesus. Before God, you see yourself as nothing. You can do nothing. You have nothing. You depend on God for everything. You are like a desperate beggar before the King of kings. If the King does not give you food, you will die of hunger. At the same time, you see God as All in all. He is your everything. For example, you have no strength, but God is your strength. You have no wisdom, but God is your wisdom. The man who is poor in spirit, because of the revelation of his nothingness and God’s majesty, he willingly submits to God, in everything! Humble people are submissive people. The man who lives by the Grace of God alone, sustained and filled by God’s Spirit, is the one who is poor in spirit. It is only a child of God who is poor in spirit. Spiritual poverty is a good test for you to know if you are saved or not. Question: how do you see yourself before God, especially when you worship Him? If there is any boasting in your heart about your standing before God, about your salvation, or your achievements, then you are not poor in spirit. You are not a citizen of heaven. Selah!

To be poor in spirit means to be dead to self, completely empty from pride. It also means to be completely free from the selfish ambition to be visibly successful in this world, by using your natural gifts and personal ‘charisma.’  Selfish ambition is of the devil. It disqualifies you from entering the Kingdom of God. Humble people are wise people. “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness” (Jam 3:13-18; NIV). We are all born sinners. We are proud, selfish, and envious of others. Pride is an attitude of life by which you elevate yourself above all others. A selfishly ambitious man climbs the ladder of success on the bent backs of others. He is an oppressor, a lonely selfish monster. He knows nothing about love. He cannot be a citizen of the Kingdom of God.

To be poor in spirit it means to correctly assess yourself before the throne of God. You totally depend on God and His resources. You do not depend on your wisdom, strength, or gifts. You know that it is only by God’s grace that you are alive, standing before God, forgiven, and redeemed. You know that without God you are nothing. Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Your identity as citizen of the Kingdom comes from your intimate connection with Jesus, like the union of the branches and the vine. If you are not connected, you cannot produce fruits and you can do nothing good. Education, wealth, fame, good family background, physical beauty, all these can become great hindrances on the road to humility. Pride is an evil spirit. But Christ can change anyone. There are many well-educated, wealthy people who are poor in spirit. They know that all they have in this life is a gift from God. They are humble, grateful, generous with their time and resources. Their always worship God. Jesus said that only those who are poor in spirit are citizens of the Kingdom. They totally submit to King Jesus. They worship Him and He blesses them. This is a picture of the Kingdom of God!

To be poor is spirit is not the same as having an inferiority complex. It is different from being a coward or having a grasshopper mentality. Being poor in spirit may look like weakness but it is strength from God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones” (PV 3:5-8). Trusting only God in every situation brings direct guidance from God, divine healing, and supernatural strength. “In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]” (PV 3:6; AMP). Acknowledging God in all things is not just a religious formula. You must engage the whole soul in trusting that God is with you, and by His providence He will help you make fast and easy progress. This is the benefit given only to the citizens of the Kingdom of God, to those who are poor in spirit. Praise the Lord!

Righteousness and Love cannot exist except when there is humility. You cannot be good and do good if you are proud. That is impossible. Love cannot exist in a proud heart. Humility is more than just a quality of character. It is the soil where the seeds of all the other qualities are planted, and they will grow. Just like Agape Love, humility does not come naturally to us. We are all born sinners. We are rebellious and proud. When God created Adam and Eve, they were humble people. But they fell to the temptation ‘to be like God’. The truth is that they were already like God, but the devil deceived them to feel inferior. Once they disobeyed God’s command, they died. The relationship between them and God was seriously damaged. They lost many attributes and benefits. Among those, they lost their humility. This is how pride entered. It is now a battle to be humble. Even after conversion, humility does not come automatically. God creates circumstances to help us humble ourselves. It is part of the process of sanctification. But the Bible commands us to humble ourselves! Selah!

PRIDE AND FALSE HUMILITY

The opposite of genuine humility is pride and false humility. Pride is defined as a belief that you are better than others. False humility is the attitude when you use humility to cover up pride. You pretend to be humble so that people will compliment you. Most proud people do not even pretend to be humble. But some proud people know that humility is a better virtue, admired among men. That is why they learn the skill to appear humble to cover up their pride. This fake (false) humility is the work of evil spirits. It is rejected by God!

These are some signs of false humility:

*You boast about your humility. The true humble people are not self-conscious of their humility. They don’t pretend. They are themselves.  

*You are a hypocrite. talk about how good it is to love, serve and help others, but you do not really practice the things you talk about.

*You have a double life. With your superiors, or in public, you seem humble. At home, or with those of lower status, you are wicked. The people who are truly humble, both in public and in private, have only ‘one face’. They always behave the same!

 *The people who know you the best, know the truth. They say that you are bad, proud, and rude. It is said that you need to stay with a person for at least 6 months before you know their true character. Listen to the spouse or the friends of these people.

*When people try to publicly flatter you, or to lift you up, to boast your ego, you like it, and you keep quiet. You don’t discourage such actions. But people who are truly humble do not accept public lifting above others. They discourage flattery towards themselves.  

*You help others only if you can gain something from that service. Truly humble people help all, even those who cannot pay them back.

False humility is common with false prophets and false brethren. They use it to deceive others. It is a sin before God. You must repent of it. “Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. 20. Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh” (Col 2:18-23). Stop pretending! Humble yourself! Then God will bless you! Amen!

TRUE HUMILITY

As a topic of sermons, humility has been neglected in many churches. Most Christians do not know what humility is. To be poor in spirit means to be genuinely humble. Humility is a basic Christian attitude. It is a mental attitude of lowliness, the opposite of pride. The word ‘humility’ comes from the Latin word ‘humilis’ which means low.  Only the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer in Christ can produce this special grace fruit of humility. Humility is defined as having a modest opinion about yourself, about your importance in this world. Another way you can describe humility is submission. Humble people submit to God and to others. Proud people are rebellious against God and others. Humble people are loving. They are true worshippers. They recognize the gifts in others, especially when they are better than their own, and openly acknowledge them. They are not afraid to recognize their limitations. A humble man is not selfishly ambitious. He doesn’t claim what is not his own. Humility is highly appreciated in God’s Word. “Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility” (PV18:12). “When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom” (PV 11:2). “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life” (PV 22:4). God blesses the humble with honor, wisdom, riches, and long life!

EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO WERE POOR IN SPIRIT

*Moses – “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth” (Nu 12:3). *Gideon: “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house” (Jdg 6:15).

*Isaiah said to God: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts” (Is 6:5).

*King David – David depended totally on God when he fought and killed Goliath. After he committed great sins (adultery with Barsheba, killing Uriah, numbering the people of Israel…) David truly repented. David’s greatness and legacy was not in his bravery, even though he was very brave. It was not in the battles that he won, even though he won many. It was not in the glory of his reign, even though he had his share of glory. It was in his willingness to submit to the will of God and to humble his heart in genuine repentance when he sinned.

*Apostle Peter– “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (Lk 5:8).

*Apostle Paul was a great man of God. He never recovered from the fact that he was once a great sinner, a persecutor of the church. But he received mercy, grace, and a new identity in Christ. He said: “To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph 3:8).

The Gospel of the Kingdom preaches Christ crucified and resurrected. The life of King Jesus reveals to us that you must go down before God brings you up. There is a Cross on your back before there are many Crowns on your head. You need to die to self, to sin, and to the world, before God can promote and reward you openly. To arrive at a place of visibility and success without passing through the Cross will end in disaster. “The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools” (PV 3:35; KJ). It is a terrible thing to become successful before God’s appointed time. Saul became king instantly. He did not pass through any trial to become humble. Eventually, he lost his crown. He became a fool (1Sam 26:21). After his death, the crown went to David. King Saul tried to kill him. But he failed to do so. David lived in the wilderness for 14 years, learning to be obedient to God’s Word. He became humble, wise, and spiritual, a true king!

Humility was highly appreciated in the character of the Kings. King Hezekiah got very sick, to the point of death. He humbled himself. God answered his prayer and added years to his life (2Chr 32:24-26). Humility is a sign that God will send revival and blessings upon the Land. God told King Solomon: “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place” (2Chr 7:13-15). May the Nigerian people humble themselves before God!  

THE HUMILITY OF CHRIST (Phil 2:1-11)

Listen to our Lord: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST (renewal, blessed quiet) FOR YOUR SOULS” (Matt 11:29; AMP).

It may surprise us to know that the Almighty God, is a humble God. Humility is a divine and royal attribute. Jesus Christ, The Son of God, is the very definition of humility. Among all the qualities we see in Jesus in His work of redemption, humility shines the brightest. Study how humble our Lord is! It took great humility to leave the glories of heaven and to come to earth, to live in a human limiting body. It took great humility to become a baby, born in a manger, to a poor carpenter and his wife. It took great humility to depend on people for food. Jesus is the Water of Life, Nevertheless, He said to the woman at the well: “Give Me a drink” (Jn 4:7). Finally, it took great humility to go to the Cross; to be beaten and rejected by God and men! All this because He wanted to pay the price for our salvation! We are encouraged to study the Person of Jesus and to be like Him. It is very easy to forget His lovely Person and to only study His words. But the teachings of Jesus, even His miracles and good deeds cannot save your soul. When you repented and became born-again, you surrendered your life to the Person of Jesus, the Lord, not to a doctrine about Him. We are commanded to pay the price to Love God and one another. We are to esteem others better’ than ourselves. This is what Jesus did. He was in heaven. He knew that we are all born sinners and we shall end in hell. We had no helper. No man or angel could save us from the power of sin. The world was in darkness. The devil was the prince of this world. All men were in bondage to the devil. The earth was filled with graves filled with dead men’s bones. There was no light, no love, no hope. If Jesus thought only about Himself, His comfort, His rights as God, He would never leave heaven to come to earth to save us. But He did! This is true love! This is true humility! There is none like Jesus!

Read Philippians 2:1-11. These words are some of the most beautiful words in the whole Bible. Apostle Paul takes us on a journey, to remind us of who Jesus is. He starts from heaven, goes to earth, and ends back to heaven. In few words, this is the Gospel of Christ Crucified and Resurrected. Jesus humbled Himself by becoming a bondservant to God to serve men. Why? To save those who will believe in Him! He went even lower. He became obedient unto death, even the shameful death on the Cross. This was God’s plan for Him. He obeyed God from beginning to the end. He fulfilled God’s Law. God the Father honored and rewarded His Son for displaying this extraordinary humility. Jesus was always God. But this exaltation as God-Man was because Jesus humbled Himself. God honored Jesus to be the Center of the whole universe. He made Him the King of God’s Kingdom. Because Jesus humbled Himself to die for men, all creation must now bow to Jesus and worship Him. This is God’s Law: Both Faith and Humility are rewarded and honored by God! We, the believers, gladly bow before Jesus and worship Him on earth. One day, the heavens will open, and Christ will come to earth the second time. He will come not as a suffering servant, but as King of kings and Lord of lords, to destroy what He had defeated. Those who refuse to bow to Jesus now, will bow by force, even against their wills, when Christ comes again.

How do we worship Jesus? One way is by freely confessing His name. We confess that Jesus is Lord! That Jesus is our Lord! The meaning of the word ‘Lord’ here is the same as God. In other words, we confess that Jesus Christ is Jehovah God!!! By confessing the name of Jesus, we give glory to God the Father. God has decreed that if you want to worship Him, you must worship His Son. We worship God by worshipping Jesus! Trying to worship God and rejecting Jesus, is not acceptable to God. Jesus has triumphed over all evil forces working on earth. He has overcome the power of sin and death. In Him alone we have the hope of eternal life. He is the only way to heaven. God the Father set Jesus in control of the whole universe. He is now the King of the Kingdom of God. After He resurrected, Jesus said: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt 28:18). He now rules and reigns as the King of God’s Kingdom until everything is perfected. Then He will hand over the Kingdom to God the Father (1Cor 15:24, 25). Halleluiah! We worship the Lord Jesus by studying His Word, by praying to Him and by serving Him in the church.

As we can see, humility is originally found in heaven. Anytime the Church fails to show humility, she damages her glory. The 24 elders cast their crowns before King Jesus, who is seated on the throne. They humble themselves before Him. “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created” (Rev 4:9-11). Amen!

We are told that Jesus made Himself of no reputation (He emptied Himself). That is the greatest humility displayed in the universe. Jesus was totally unselfish. When He became a Man, He did not empty Himself of His deity. He did not exchange His deity for humanity. The incarnation was not an exchange and not a subtraction. It was an addition. Jesus became 100% God and 100% Man. People believed that Jesus was a Man, but many did not believe that He was God in the flesh. Jesus never stopped being God even when He was on earth, living as Man. But when He became a Man, He emptied Himself, He let go of His heavenly glory. When He became Man, Jesus gave up His rights and privileges as God in heaven. For example, He could have called the angels to defend Him, but He did not. He gave up His heavenly riches. He did not use the immense wealth of heaven. He willingly reduced Himself to be a Man who had nowhere to lay His head. Think about this: Jesus humbled Himself… He made Himself low… He became obedient to death. Why? Because God the Father chose Him to be the Sacrifice for the sins of men. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2Cor 8:9). It is hard for us to understand how humble Jesus is. On the Cross, He even gave up His relationship with His Father. He became sin, under the wrath of God. He said: “My God, My God, why did You forsake Me?” No man can go so far. None of us can lose so much. Amazing Love! Undying Love! The King and Lover of our hearts!

Think of this too: Jesus had to learn obedience. As God, He does not obey anyone. But on earth, He had to learn to obey and submit to the authority of His Father. “Although He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Heb 5:8). On earth, His glory was veiled by His flesh. Occasionally the glory shone through. At the transfiguration, the glory was seen. In His last Priestly prayer, just before the Cross, Jesus prayed: “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (Jn 17:5). He was ready to go back to heaven and to take back His visible glory as God and Lord over all!

This world is a dark hopeless place. Nobody knows the future, except God. Knowing that the humble suffering servant called Jesus, is now the Lord of all, that He rules and reigns from heaven, is a great encouragement to all believers. The Love and Humility of Jesus has touched and changed us all. We now want to be like Jesus. We want to pay the price to be loving, humble, and faithful like Jesus. At the right time, in His own way, God will honor us too, by His Grace. “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1Pet 5:10,11). Jesus attracted men by His Life, His humility, His authority of His words, and by truly caring for people! It is the same now! Glory to the Lamb upon the Throne!

Finally, we need to say this: to become truly loving and humble like Jesus is extremely heard. It is man’s greatest testimony. Humility is highly rewarded and honored on earth and in heaven. Humility is the stairway that connects earth to heaven. It is the only way of promotion and success approved by God. Jesus said: “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt 23:11,12). “But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” (Jam 4:6). God rewards humble people by adding more grace to them. This grace manifests as strength, wisdom, righteousness, peace, and joy, honor and favor before God and men. Be like Jesus! Humble yourself! Pride is the ugliest sin of all! Before God, pride is criminal! What do you have that you did not receive from God? Yes, we are God’s children, kings, priests, and friends of Jesus, ambassadors of Christ… but remember that all these titles and blessings are given to us By God’s grace alone. Blood was shed for us to be saved. Unity in the Church is the product of Love and Humility!!! Jesus is not only our Redeemer but also our Example! Let us pray: ‘God, humble us so that one day we may be exalted in Your presence.’ Worship the Lord!

LOVE IS THE NEW COMMANDMENT (36)/ THE KINGDOM OF GOD (4)

This Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached another sermon in the series titled ‘Love is The New Commandment’. Her main scriptures were taken from the books of Romans 14:16-18; Matthew 5:6; Mk 10:35-52.

THE AGAPE LOVE OF GOD

Love is the greatest word in the Bible. In Greek, there are three words for love. Eros refers to sexual love. Philio refers to friendly attachment. Agape means unconditional sacrificial love. This Love is not just a feeling. It is the highest, most pure form of love, born not out of natural attraction or obligation, but a willful choice and a command to be obeyed.  It is the unselfish, pure, powerful, and sacrificial love that desires the best in another person. This love is best expressed as the Fatherly Love of God for humanity. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16). This is the Gospel: God the Father sent God the Son to become a Man and die on behalf of sinners. The unbelievers may be religious, but they do not know this agape love. Love is a gift given only to the children of God, who are saved by grace and thru faith in Christ. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (Jn15:13). Because we are born sinners, agape love does not come naturally to us. Agape love requires faithfulness, commitment, courage, strength, wisdom, faith, and sacrifice. Agape love is the magnet God uses to attract the world to Jesus! It was so in the early church, and during all the revivals in the history of the Church! God the Father gave us His only begotten Son, to save us! God the Son gave up His Life to pay for our sins! There is no greater Love than that!!!

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).

Apostle Paul reminds us about the Kingdom of God. It is easy to get lost in detail, until we forget the main issue. Matters of indifference are not as important as the central revelation that we are citizens of the Kingdom of God. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil 3:20). The Kingdom of God is defined as the rule and reign of God done by His Word and thru His Spirit. The Lord Jesus Christ is the King of His Kingdom. “He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev 19:16). Let us not get distracted by other matters and forget our King!          

The word Kingdom comes from two words: King and Domain. God has always been God. Then God created the spiritual (invisible) world and the physical world (man). He created it for His own pleasure and because He is a Creator. Once God created His domain, He became King over His domain. Let us start with what the Kingdom of God is not. The Apostle Paul says that it is not ‘eating and drinking’. It is not ‘meat and drink’ (KJ). It is not made from material things, man-made, temporal, or perishable items. It is not a collection of some little things that you buy with money. We often forget the littleness of this material world and the amazing majesty of the eternal God. We forget that all things do not have the same power or value. For example, Jesus said that life is more valuable than food and the body is more than the clothes that cover it. “Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matt 6:25). To worry about food and clothes, and to ignore your life, is foolish. For unbelievers, food, and clothes are more important than their souls. Here you see that the doctrine of the Kingdom of God is not a matter of indifference. The Kingdom of God is not just a little religious behavior. It is not something small, narrow and negative.

The Kingdom of God is the realm, rule, and reign of God, where Jesus Christ is King, advancing on earth, by the power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, bringing righteousness, peace, joy, healing, freedom, prosperity, and deliverance, by driving away the forces of darkness. Jesus said: “But if I drive out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already come upon you” (Lk 11:20; AMP). As a citizen of heaven, you must experience deliverance, victory upon victory in every area of your life! Amen!  God’s Kingdom is the realm of God Himself, filled with truth, love, holiness, righteousness, power, grace, and Glory!  It points to spiritual things, to eternal life, to the atmosphere of heaven, to the worship there, and to the authority of God. The Kingdom of God has three basic attributes: Righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Spirit! 

PRACTICING RIGHTEOUSNESS

Generally, righteousness means conforming (agreement) to the standard of morality, to what is right or good. It means to be good and to do good. The righteousness of men is conformity to the laws in the Constitution or according to their culture. God does not accept that. Righteousness is an attribute that belongs to God, our King, Savior, Judge, and Lawgiver. It’s revealed in His laws. “For the Lord is our Judge, The Lord is our Lawgiver, The Lord is our King; He will save us” (Is 33:22). This is a fact: God never makes mistakes! Righteousness means acting in accord to God’s moral law and being free from guilt, shame, or sin. Righteousness is found in Christ alone. It is God’s gift to men, thru His grace and His Love. Righteousness means being right with God and man; in your behavior, words, character, and conscience. God gives men His laws.

Practical righteousness, behaving well, means defeating sin and death. “In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway, there is no death” (PV 12:28). “The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion” (PV 28:1). Righteous behavior should be jealously guarded, especially from the influence of bad company. “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray” (PV 12:26).

HUNGRY AND THIRSTY FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled” (Matt 5:6)

One of the best definitions of a Christian is one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness. The word ‘blessed’ means happiness. Please observe that the Christians does not hunger for happiness. It is the world who hungers for it. There are many ‘toys and things’ to make a man happy in the world. Even so, as much as man desires to be happy, happiness runs away from him. It is not found by pursuing it. Happiness is a byproduct of righteous behavior. In other words, if you are right with God and man, then you will have joy; you will be truly happy. This is the Gospel. You cannot be filled with righteousness by working for it. But you can desire, seek, hunger, and thirst for it.

What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness? This is a fact: only the born-again Christians desires to be righteous! Selah! Only the believer wants to be right with God. This longing to please God, to be free from sin, becomes heavy on his heart. It is like a pain he carries daily, that has no cure in this world. This desire intensifies from one level to another. It rises from hunger to desperation. For example, when the prodigal son became hungry, he went to look for a job. He was hired to feed swine. But during that time, the hunger increased and became desperation. That is when he abandoned his job and decided to go home to his father. Nothing else could make him stay in that strange country that he once loved. Seeing his father before he dies became an obsession that nothing else could satisfy. Therefore, natural hunger leads to finding work and money. Desperation (spiritual hunger) leads to finding God.

Once a believer becomes hungry for righteousness, the spiritual warfare starts full force. The believer becomes desperate and violent in his pursuit of righteousness. “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matt 11:12). He starts to hate sin and fights to remove every stain from his character. He hates not only sin in general, but his own familiar sin. Despite that, and against his own will, he finds that he still takes pleasure in committing sin. He knows that by his own efforts, he cannot stop this evil power working in his body. Like a dying man, he prays for the Holy Spirit to help him overcome the power and the pollution of sin; to be free from the bondage of sin. Thirst is more powerful than hunger. The believer becomes more desperate to have victory and freedom against the bondage of sin. He wants to be a righteous, good Christian! God’s promise is that he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, with the manifested righteousness of Christ. Seeking God is never in vain! God rewards faith and perseverance!

These are some signs that you are a truly saved, that you seek this righteousness from God, to be conformed to the image of God’s Son:

*Genuine humility. By God’s grace, you now know that your own self-righteousness is useless to impress God. In the past, you used to be proud of yourself, of your religious achievements. You used to congratulate yourself for your work done in church and boast about your success in life. You got angry when people did not appreciate your social status, wealth, or fame. But now, you have been humbled before God. Like with Apostle Paul, all your past success seems like ‘dung or rubbish’ in your eyes (Phil 3:8). Lesson: If you still argue and defend your success and achievements, you are not yet hungry for the righteousness of God. Search your heart and repent!

*A deep desire to repent and change your life. You come to a place where you are tired of yourself. There is a spiritual depression holding you captive. You stop trusting yourself or other men. You stop trusting in money. You have tried all these things. You know what they can do. But now, you feel that none can help you except God. There is a desire to encounter God, to experience a miracle. You read about the great men and women in the Bible and now, you want to be like them. In the past, your idols were millionaires, divas, singers, or actors. Now, your perspective has changed. You want to be like Moses, Samuel, King David, Apostle Paul, Prophetess Deborah, Queen Esther, and others. They are your new mentors. You are truly surprised at the deep change in your soul. Most of all, you want to be like Jesus. He was always so loving, merciful, wise, patient, generous, kind, calm in the mist of troubles, having faith to move all mountains. “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14). Once you genuinely start to admire Jesus and want to be like Him, the hunger for righteousness has started in you. You are now blessed!

*You have faith to position yourself where the Holy Spirit can fill you. This is your prayer now: “Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face” (Ps 5:8). It is true that you cannot buy this righteousness with money. You cannot produce it by your works. But you are ready to do anything it takes to receive it. For example, blind Bartimaeus could not heal himself but when he heard that Jesus is passing by, he positioned himself on that road and shouted for help. Hannah wanted a son. When Eli, the Priest, insulted her, she was not offended. She stayed at the altar until the same priest Eli, repented of his mistake, and blessed her. The woman with the issue of blood took the risk to be beaten by religious men, for breaking the law. She was supposed to stay hidden, but she passed thru the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. The widow who was seeking justice went to the same judge again and again, until she got what she wanted. Are you like that? How hungry are you for an encounter with Jesus? To be filled!

This is a fact: all true believers love to go to church. Nobody is forcing them to go to the house of God. They faithfully come and attend the services, believing God for a word, a touch, or a miracle. They eventually get filled with the Holy Spirit and receive their hearts’ desire. But the people who complain that going to church, reading the Bible, or praying, is too much labor, never get anything. Selah!

AS THE DEER PANTS FOR THE WATER BROOKS

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?”… A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, deep drafts of God. I’m thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, “Will I ever make it; arrive and drink in God’s presence?” I’m on a diet of tears; tears for breakfast, tears for supper. All day long people knock at my door, Pestering, “Where is this God of yours?” (Ps 42:1-3; NKJ, TM).

The deer is chased by dogs and hunters. The psalmist is talking about a female deer or an antelope. She is gentle and beautiful. She is now in great danger. She runs and runs. She becomes tired, thirsty, feeling faint in the heat of the day. She longs for water to drink. If she does not find a brook of water, she will die. The thirst becomes a monster. It is stronger and more dangerous than hunger. In the same way, the believer’s soul pants for God. To pant it means to gasp, to breathe hard, quickly and loudly, because of strong physical exercise. 

This is how the Christian feels when he gets thirsty for God. He misses church. But going to church alone does not satisfy his soul. He longs for an encounter, for a personal touch from the only Living God. Here, the psalmist cannot go to the sanctuary. He misses God’s presence. He misses the fellowship of the brethren. He is restless until he goes to find God. Lesson: believers cannot find rest, peace, joy, or satisfaction outside God’s presence. To appear before King Jesus is a dream come true for any believer. It is also the greatest horror for the wicked. The believer longs for God’s presence, to receive a Word, a kiss of Love, a light to guide… The desire to know God is the greatest, purest, of all desires in the human soul. Have you experienced it? Are you like that? Do you long for God’s presence, for His Word? Do you miss cooperate worship or reading the Bible? If the answer is yes, then you are blessed! It is well with your soul!

BLIND BARTIMAEUS SEES HIS KING (Mk 10:35-53)

This is a special story. The only person who was healed and named in the Bible is Bartimaeus. The word ‘bar’ means ‘son of’. He was the son of Timaeus. Jesus just told His disciples that the greatest in the Kingdom is the servant (Mk 10:42-45). Bartimaeus was a beggar. On the social ladder, for the Jews, a blind beggar is as low as a lepper. Therefore, Bartimaeus is a role model for a servant we should imitate. He was begging for food. It means he was not only blind, but he was a poor man. Rich people that are blind do not beg. They have help in their fancy homes. Despite his blindness and poverty, Bartimaeus never stopped dreaming that one day he can see God’s creation, can enter God’s House and see the worshippers. As a blind man he could not enter the temple. But he wanted to enter God’s house. He possibly heard about Jesus, how kind He was, how He healed many people. A mustard seed size of Faith was planted in his heart. He sat on the side of the road, outside the city of Jericho, which is an oasis in the desert. It is situated lower than Jerusalem.  The road between Jericho to Jerusalem was a very busy road. Many travelers and businessmen still travel on that road. Most beggars sit inside the city, not on the road going out of the city. But Bartimaeus positioned himself so that as Jesus was leaving the city, he could reach Him for help. As Jesus and His disciples passed by, with all the noise and the dust, Bartimaeus knew that this is his destiny moment. Jesus was leaving Jericho, on His way to Jerusalem, to die on the Cross. Bartimaeus knew somehow that his opportunity for a miracle was now or never. The people who are healthy, who are not blind or crippled, do not understand the isolation, the painful loneliness, and the frustration of the sick. Many look down on the blind, seeing them as mentally retarded.

Though blind and illiterate, Bartimeus was not a fool. He had a strategy. He calculated in his mind the best time to call the name of Jesus. He was ready to shout as loud as he could, above the noise of the crowd. He decided to call the name of Jesus without stopping. He made up his mind that no man will shut his mouth. He decided not to give up until Jesus hears him and heals him. This faith in Jesus and his stubborn persistence, born out of desperation, is the key to his miracle. “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mk 10:47, 48). He addressed Jesus by His prophetic messianic royal name: The Son of David. Then he asked for mercy. He did not ask for money, not even for healing, but for mercy. When told to shut up, he shouted even louder. Bartimaeus was desperate. He was persistent. He had nothing to lose. His shout was like the cry of a baby who has fallen and cannot get up. A mother knows when the baby is crying just to get attention, or when the baby cries because he is in danger. Jesus is more loving than any mother. He heard the cry. He stopped. He commanded that Bartimaeus be brought to him.

This was the moment of destiny! Face to face with the King of the Kingdom. Jesus asked him what he wants. Many people will ask for money, power, marriage or fame. But Bartimaeus was not distracted. He knew what he wanted. He asked Jesus for his sight. Jesus healed him immediately. Jesus said it was his faith that made him well. Lesson: Faith in King Jesus is the key to receive a miracle from God. Faith is another word for being hungry and thirsty to be filled. Faith pleases God. Faith is the helper of the true seeker. Faith believes in rewards from God. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb 11:6). May we recognize the power of true faith in God!

Once healed, Bartimaeus never went back to Jericho. He did not go back to say goodbye to his family and friends. He celebrated his eyes by looking unto Jesus. He followed Jesus to Jerusalem, to the cross. According to God’s promise: his eyes have seen the King in His beauty and the glory ahead (Is 33:17). He sang: “The world behind me, the Cross before me!” The story of Blind Bartimaeus happened more than 2000 years ago. It is written for our learning. “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Rom 15:4). We too must have faith, patience, and hope as we apply these spiritual principles to our lives. As a poor beggar, Bartimaeus was at the mercy of people. But he wanted the mercy of God. David said it is better to fall into the hands of God than in the hands of men. “I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man” (2 Sam 24:14). Bartimaeus knew that only Jesus can help him. There was no other Helper. People tried to discourage him. But his faith did not shake. He did not stop shouting. He increased the sound of his prayers. Jesus always recognizes the cry of His elect. He called him and granted his request!

When Jesus called Bartimaeus, this call is a destiny moment! It is one thing for you to call upon Jesus, to pray. It is another thing for Jesus to call you! Observe the way Bartimaeus answered the call. He did three things: he threw his garment of begging, he rose, and he came to Jesus! Note that Jesus asked the blind man the same question he asked James and John, few minutes previously: “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Mk 10:36, 51). Bartimaeus did not want money, promotions, positions, or gifts. He was a simple Christian. He said: “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight”.  James and John addressed Jesus as “Teacher”. But Bartimaeus addresses him as “Rabboni”, which means master, mentor, coach, my life teacher, and Lord. It is an intimate word of worship and total submission. It is the same word Mary Magdalene addressed the resurrected Christ. “Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher)” (Jn 20:16). Jesus healed this humble man, Bartimaeus, to teach His disciples a lesson in humility, submission and genuine faith. Where the disciples failed, this blind man succeeded. His faith was rewarded openly. He got his sight. His spiritual and natural eyes got opened. Immediately, he became a follower or Jesus.

This story is about healing, about a miracle. This is a reminder: only God can perform miracles. The healing came through the power of faith. What was special about Bartimaeus? Nothing! He was a poor blind beggar. The only special thing about him was his faith. Jesus praised him for his faith. This is the story of a man who was determined to do everything he can to receive his miracle. He knew that he had no power to heal himself. Building his faith, he refused to be silenced by others who had eyes to see. He cried louder and louder to Jesus, the only One who could help him. But even before Jesus called him, he believed that Jesus is the Son of David. The Pharisees rejected Jesus as King. They even said that Jesus has the power of the devil. But Bartimaeus believed the truth about Jesus and shouted with all his strength that Jesus is the promised Messiah and the King of God’s Kingdom.

Once Bartimaeus heard the call of Jesus, he threw his outer garment, his cloak, and went to Him. For a Jew, the cloak is an important piece of clothing. It was a long garment, down to the ankles, sleeveless, a coat worn on top of the shirt. It serves as a covering for the cold weather, or a blanket to sleep on it. The cloak had a great value for any Jew. It could be used as a pledge when taking a loan. God’s law insisted that each man should have his cloak in the evening. “If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. 27 For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious” (Ex 22:26, 27). The rich men wore expensive cloaks. But Bartimaeus was a poor beggar. His cloak was a poor cloak. He used it to cover himself when sleeping. He also used it to catch money when men gave to him. He threw the cloak and never went back to it. It represented his old identity as a blind poor beggar. He was now ready to follow Jesus. The cloak must change too. Throwing his old cloak was an act of faith, of letting the past go and move into the future.

What are some of the lessons for us?

*When you seek the Kingdom of God, when you chase after Jesus, do not allow the voices of men to quench your spirit! Observe the zeal of Bartimaeus. He was not afraid to lose whatever reputation he had. He wanted a miracle. He became a disturbance to men. He did not care. The people ‘warned’ him to shut up. The word ‘warned’ is also translated ‘rebuked’. It is a strong word. Like Bartimaeus, learn to keep focus on Jesus and ignore the negative voices of those who hinder your encounter with Jesus, to have a miracle. Lesson: when you start praying, there will be much opposition.

*Be ready for the moment of destiny. Be sure you know what you want! Stay focused. You must desire one thing only, not to create doubt.

*Salvation is personal. Seeking God is personal. You need to believe that Jesus will stop what He is doing just because of your cry for help. Believe that Jesus will wait for you! Jesus waited until someone told Bartimaeus He is calling him. Jesus waited until Bartimaeus came. Jesus waited until Bartimaeus answers. I am excited that King Jesus waits for me. He is so patient until I come, to grant my miracle.

*Remove all obstacles that may slow you down from seeking Jesus. Bartimaeus’ cloak was long to the ankles. He did not want to take the risk of falling as he was going to Jesus. Better lose my cloak than my destiny moment.

Finally, Seek God and pray until we have an answer. Once you receive your miracle, follow Jesus! Jesus is not on earth now. But, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is closer to you than your breath. Ask, and you shall receive! If you hunger and thirst for righteousness, if you want to be good and do good like Jesus, you shall be filled with the same grace! Be healed! Be filled with the Holy Spirit! In Jesus’ name, amen! Worship the Lord!