​“Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your Father.  And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."  The sons of the Kingdom were set apart to be very different from the religious of their day.  The Scribes and Pharisees were devoted to displaying their outward religious appearance.  They wore their religion and were recognized as such because of their attire, not by their behavior.  

The Lord Jesus made this point to make us aware, or should I say to beware, of certain titles, which carry with them certain un-kingdom attitudes.  First, "Be not called teachers" for the attitude of a teacher is "I know more than you know--listen, for wisdom is now speaking".  This attitude is self-assertive.  The attitude of the Kingdom is to become as a little child.  Not childish, but childlike--open, receptive, eager to learn.  Second, "And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your Father."  For the attitude of the Father is "Because of my age, I know and you don't know--respect and listen to me".  The father's attitude is the attitude that the Lord Jesus condemned when He said Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”

But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”   

​Third, And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah.  The greatest among you must be a servant.  ​ Don't be called leaders for the attitude of the leader is "I am your leader, follow me".  It is also self-assertive.  I have studied God's Word about the Kingdom and I teach the Kingdom concepts without being called a teacher.  There are churches that hold leadership classes, but this does not always produce leaders.  It only produces uncertain managers, followers with a list of instructions to do.  Often men who can't control their own habits or their own households.  Sons of the Kingdom know how to lead their families first and foremost because they are led by the Governor (Holy Spirit).  They want to always follow His leading.  Then they know how to conduct themselves, as well as their own household.  ...you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth...​But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers. 

The root of the problem of such titles is that it brings pride and being separate from the very people they are to help.  The titles and special attire draws attention and that invites pride.

On a personal note, I am learning every day to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.  I am learning to stay focused on His voice and guidance.  That way I will always be in line with His Word.  

Remember, as always, that your greatest asset is your faith in King Jesus.  No titles nor robes required.

Matthew 23:8-12   Luke 9:61-62   I Timothy 3:15; 5:8

~~W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
 
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Citizens of the Kingdom should always be led by the Governor (Holy Spirit).  Their attitude and behavior is quite different from the world.  The Lord Jesus made this statement while speaking to a crowd that had gathered.   “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven."  When the Scribes and Pharisees did something it was to catch the attention of those around them.  It is often the same today in religious circles, but on a much larger stage because of social media.

In those days, religious leaders, such as the Pharisees and Scribes, made their phylacteries.  What was a phylactery?  Two small, black, leather cubes containing a piece of parchment inscribed with Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Deuteronomy 11:13-21, and Exodus 13:1-16. One is attached with straps to the left arm and the other to the forehead during weekday morning prayers by Orthodox and Conservative Jewish men.  Here are those verses:  "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil.  And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’  “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, lest the Lord’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you."

“Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,  that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth."

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.”

And Moses said to the people: “Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out of this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. 

On this day you are going out, in the month Abib.  And it shall be, when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord. 

Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days. And no leavened bread shall be seen among you, nor shall leaven be seen among you in all your quarters.  And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘This is done because of what the Lord did for me when I came up from Egypt.’  It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt. You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.

And it shall be, when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you,  that you shall set apart to the Lord all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the Lord’s.  But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.  So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall say to him, ‘By strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’  It shall be as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.” NKJV

They also wore large tassels, were fond of the best seats at banquets and the front seats in the synagogue.  They also liked to be saluted in the marketplaces and to be called Rabbi by men.  None of these things had anything to do with serving God or His people. We find many of the same behaviors in today's society. Only the clothes and material possessions have changed.  The attitudes are the same.

In the early church, they supported one another with their physical and financial substance.  They shared all things.   All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.  There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus.  He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.  These were the sons of the Kingdom.  Do you hear about this same giving spirit in religion today?  In your experience, do the church leaders live on the same level as their members?  If not, do they sell their possessions and share with those in need?  Would you consider some leaders thieves and robbers?  “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."  Those who are being deceived by those religious leaders aren't of His fold.  Those are the ones who don't believe in the Kingdom message.  But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep.  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 

We will continue this next time.

Matthew 5:17-19   Deuteronomy 6:4-9;11:13-21   Exodus 13:1-16
Acts 4:32-37   John 10:7-10, 26-27 

~~W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
 
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you