The Kingdom--Preached In Word, Demonstrated In Power
This is the assignment that the King gave to us: 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, 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.”
Keep in mind, the nature of the king's proclamations was not just in the words he spoke. It was demonstrated in the power emanating from his life. The power of the Kingdom was demonstrated through the Lord Jesus by the miracles, signs and wonders that He performed. Crowds of people were drawn closer to the Kingdom by the words and behavior of Jesus. The ones that embraced the message eventually became His followers and were introduced into the fuller knowledge of who Christ was and of how to enter the Kingdom through faith in Him.
From my perspective, it is really unfair to tell the world about Jesus Christ and the door that has been opened to them, without sharing with them the life on the other side of the door. It just doesn't make sense; when we inform them of a domain where there is life, hope, peace, joy and the power to rise above our daily challenges and difficulties right now and live successfully, prosperously, effectively and victoriously, right now. Please note: As the "church", we must complete this message of Christ by focusing on the Kingdom of God, which was the heart of the words of King Jesus.
Questions for Thought:
Thoughts to meditate on:
Many of us are aware that life is hard and full of suffering and pain. We reside in a world of great anxiety, terrorism, economic collapse, political confusion, unemployment, divorce and despair. People need good news. The Kingdom of God is that good news. It is the last message of King Jesus that needs to be resurrected in our times. We need to be obedient to His message and preach the Gospel of the Kingdom.
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
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.
Now a personal question:
Who do you know that is currently experiencing life's suffering and pain? Will your words or your life more greatly exemplify the victorious Kingdom living they so desperately need?
Matthew 28:19-20 Matthew 4:17, 23
~~W.R. Luchie
Keep in mind, the nature of the king's proclamations was not just in the words he spoke. It was demonstrated in the power emanating from his life. The power of the Kingdom was demonstrated through the Lord Jesus by the miracles, signs and wonders that He performed. Crowds of people were drawn closer to the Kingdom by the words and behavior of Jesus. The ones that embraced the message eventually became His followers and were introduced into the fuller knowledge of who Christ was and of how to enter the Kingdom through faith in Him.
From my perspective, it is really unfair to tell the world about Jesus Christ and the door that has been opened to them, without sharing with them the life on the other side of the door. It just doesn't make sense; when we inform them of a domain where there is life, hope, peace, joy and the power to rise above our daily challenges and difficulties right now and live successfully, prosperously, effectively and victoriously, right now. Please note: As the "church", we must complete this message of Christ by focusing on the Kingdom of God, which was the heart of the words of King Jesus.
Questions for Thought:
- What does "living victoriously" mean? What is life in the Kingdom of God like? What benefits have you experienced that might give a testimony to others?
- King Jesus demonstrated the power of the Kingdom. Name three specific activities that exemplify the range of wonders He performed. How has the knowledge of these wonders affected your walk in the Kingdom?
- King Jesus proclaimed many principles of the Kingdom. Name three points that you feel are very foundational to all the words He spoke. How have these words of Christ affected your life?
- How much of the job of making disciples has to do with the combination of words and power? Which of these two--words or power--seem to be the one most of us use?
Thoughts to meditate on:
Many of us are aware that life is hard and full of suffering and pain. We reside in a world of great anxiety, terrorism, economic collapse, political confusion, unemployment, divorce and despair. People need good news. The Kingdom of God is that good news. It is the last message of King Jesus that needs to be resurrected in our times. We need to be obedient to His message and preach the Gospel of the Kingdom.
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
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.
Now a personal question:
Who do you know that is currently experiencing life's suffering and pain? Will your words or your life more greatly exemplify the victorious Kingdom living they so desperately need?
Matthew 28:19-20 Matthew 4:17, 23
~~W.R. Luchie
