Keep in mind, the Kingdom was the embodiment of the Lord Jesus’ teaching, not the cross nor prosperity. In fact, He never taught or preached on them either. There were a number of teachers and philosophers, all with their own school of thought and their own disciples. Even back in Isaiah’s day, he had disciples who were learning from him. Bind up the testimony; seal the law among my disciples. Isaiah 8:16 My wife Arlene and I consider ourselves students and disciples of the Gospel of the Kingdom as King Jesus taught. It is all He and His earthly cousin John proclaimed. In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:1-2 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17
Please note: John the Baptist had been presenting the same message about the Kingdom. The Lord Jesus was fully aware of the message when He went to him for baptism. There were many who were surprised that the Lord Jesus was submitting to John for baptism. He did this to demonstrate to others of the world that His teaching wasn’t independent of John’s but rather He was in total harmony with it. This was the will of His Father. Keep in mind that John had been gaining a number of disciples (followers/students) and when people came to him with a desire to repent and change the way they were thinking and living, he baptized them. Yet, when the Lord Jesus came to John to be baptized by Him, John protested. Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” Matthew 3:13-14
But this was all in the Will of the King, His grand plan for His citizens. The King’s righteousness and will must be accomplished. But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize Him. After His baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy.” Matthew 3:15-17 NLT
Please note that the Lord Jesus needed to be identified with it through baptism. He publicly needed to declare that He belonged to the school of the Kingdom of Heaven, and that He is fully integrated with the mindset and ways of the Kingdom. We all have a part in His Kingdom. Our part was to build this website and teach all who will hear, all things pertaining to life in God’s Kingdom! As citizens, our teacher is the Holy Spirit—our Kingdom Governor—with His Word. However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-15
I notice that many people are of the school of that embraces the prosperity ministry. I will say this flat out: they are being misled. Anyone who takes one benefit of God’s Kingdom and turns it into the focus of their “ministry” is misleading. In the Kingdom, He supplies all your needs, but it is not our focus. We are only to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness. That is our responsibility. It is a part of life in His Kingdom. Ambassador Paul made that personally clear. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
When the Lord Jesus told the young rich ruler to sell all that he had and give it to the poor, He was testing him to see if his riches had him. Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words.
But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” Mark 10:17-25 That does not fit a prosperity “gospel”.
There are many who claim the name of Jesus and know nothing concerning the Kingdom of God and its government. They give from their wealth and not from their faith in the King. My wife and I make it our priority to be led by our Governor—the Holy Spirit—concerning giving. We don’t give out of habit, obligation or manipulation. We give according to His leading.
Here is an excellent model of Kingdom giving: 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. Acts 4:32-37 NLT
The people realized that everything belonged to the King. This is the message that Jesus lived and taught while He was here on earth. Notice, there wasn’t any lack among the Lord God’s people.
Allow yourself to be led by the Holy Spirit to eliminate being deceived and giving to dishonest individuals and organizations. Many mistakes may be avoided if we would just talk to the Father and listen to the Holy Spirit in all of our life decisions. And always remember what the Master teacher has said. Often we listen, learn, but do not put these teachings into action.
Remember, your faith in the Lord God’s Word is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.
All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
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.
Please note: John the Baptist had been presenting the same message about the Kingdom. The Lord Jesus was fully aware of the message when He went to him for baptism. There were many who were surprised that the Lord Jesus was submitting to John for baptism. He did this to demonstrate to others of the world that His teaching wasn’t independent of John’s but rather He was in total harmony with it. This was the will of His Father. Keep in mind that John had been gaining a number of disciples (followers/students) and when people came to him with a desire to repent and change the way they were thinking and living, he baptized them. Yet, when the Lord Jesus came to John to be baptized by Him, John protested. Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” Matthew 3:13-14
But this was all in the Will of the King, His grand plan for His citizens. The King’s righteousness and will must be accomplished. But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize Him. After His baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy.” Matthew 3:15-17 NLT
Please note that the Lord Jesus needed to be identified with it through baptism. He publicly needed to declare that He belonged to the school of the Kingdom of Heaven, and that He is fully integrated with the mindset and ways of the Kingdom. We all have a part in His Kingdom. Our part was to build this website and teach all who will hear, all things pertaining to life in God’s Kingdom! As citizens, our teacher is the Holy Spirit—our Kingdom Governor—with His Word. However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-15
I notice that many people are of the school of that embraces the prosperity ministry. I will say this flat out: they are being misled. Anyone who takes one benefit of God’s Kingdom and turns it into the focus of their “ministry” is misleading. In the Kingdom, He supplies all your needs, but it is not our focus. We are only to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness. That is our responsibility. It is a part of life in His Kingdom. Ambassador Paul made that personally clear. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
When the Lord Jesus told the young rich ruler to sell all that he had and give it to the poor, He was testing him to see if his riches had him. Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words.
But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” Mark 10:17-25 That does not fit a prosperity “gospel”.
There are many who claim the name of Jesus and know nothing concerning the Kingdom of God and its government. They give from their wealth and not from their faith in the King. My wife and I make it our priority to be led by our Governor—the Holy Spirit—concerning giving. We don’t give out of habit, obligation or manipulation. We give according to His leading.
Here is an excellent model of Kingdom giving: 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. Acts 4:32-37 NLT
The people realized that everything belonged to the King. This is the message that Jesus lived and taught while He was here on earth. Notice, there wasn’t any lack among the Lord God’s people.
Allow yourself to be led by the Holy Spirit to eliminate being deceived and giving to dishonest individuals and organizations. Many mistakes may be avoided if we would just talk to the Father and listen to the Holy Spirit in all of our life decisions. And always remember what the Master teacher has said. Often we listen, learn, but do not put these teachings into action.
Remember, your faith in the Lord God’s Word is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.
All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
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.
