S o far I have proposed that the objective of prayer, wisdom, understanding and all God's gifts are to make us laborers for His harvest. In the articles preceding this one I would have pointed out that we work for Him as labourers and hence we go only where we are sent. He does not send us into every field. The work of labourers at this time is to peach the Kingdom.
This is intended as a part three to
Teach Us To Pray
and I call it Teach Us to Preach the Kingdom . It assumes the basics covered in
Teach Us To Pray
followed by the next step which is
Teach Us To Pray For Our Children
. This final step is Teach Us to Preach the Kingdom. There are several references to harvests in the gospels but I believe that the one that explains the work of labourers is this one:
John 4:31-38 [KJV]
In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
32
But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
33
Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
34
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
35
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36
And he that reapeth receiveth wages,
and gathereth fruit unto life eternal
: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37
And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
38
I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
The question then becomes how does one become one of those that gathereth fruit unto life eternal
? Another translation puts it this way The one who reaps receives pay and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that the one who sows and the one who reaps can rejoice together
(John 4:36 [NETfree]). Further on in the book of John we read Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. [44] No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day
(John 6:43-44 [KJV]). I believe that I can say without contradiction that gathering fruit unto eternal life is equivalent to enlisting citizens for God's kingdom. We learn from this and other parables that the Father is the sower. Labourers tend what sprouts from what was spiritually sown. We therefore respond to those who want to bear fruit for the kingdom. Preaching the Gospel is responding to what God has sown and hence He has to point the way. It is not a matter of trying to convince everyone that we encounter. In this endeavour the labourer gathers the fruit of the Spirit which develops in responding to tending to the Father's crop. Preaching the Gospel is about interacting with the people that God leads us to.
In this regard Paul makes a statement about planting that can easily be misinterpreted, I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase
(I Corinthians 3:6 [KJV]). On the surface this contradicts the concept of John 4:36 where the only division is God versus labourers. God is the sower based on the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13. While Paul might have been the labourer that actually dashed the seed on the ground, he got the seed from God and was sent to the field that God wanted to plant. It did not start with Paul, it started with God. It is also God that caused the seed to germinate and mature by providing the right nutrients and conditions. God is the one responsible for sowing, harvesting and everything else, while everybody else is a labourer who is part of the process that gathereth fruit unto life eternal
. That is the objective and we all do the manual labour only. I view what Paul said as an unfortunate choice of words. I believe that his intention was to show that while we are all labourers we have different skill sets and not that one is a class above another. Paul did not say the he alone sowed. Based on the explanation of the parable in Matthew 13:18-23 Apollos sowed before Paul did and I believe that the point is that Apollos did not ignore those who heard the Gospel from Paul but watered all.
Towards a definition of preaching the Kingdom
It is John the Baptist that explains preaching the Kingdom.
Matthew 3:1-3 [KJV]
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
It is actually a quotation and synopsis of a passage from Isaiah.
Isaiah 40:3-8 [KJV]
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
5
And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
6
The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
7
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
8
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
The elements are 1) repent, 2) because the kingdom is within your grasp, 3) follow Isaiah's instructions to prepare. Notice that Isaiah has focussed on building a highway in the desert! The desert is a place not traversed by most and it is inhospitable, hence don't expect much accompaniment or help. Christ has once again returned to heaven and we again been pointed to Isaiah's instructions to prepare for his return. In order to do part 3 we have to know the scriptures and know what are obstacles to Christ. This is no literal road but instead a means of access to God. It certainly is not setting up a Jewish kingdom of our own. From Isaiah we see that it is about building a highway: removing mountains, filling in valleys, straightening roads and paving them flat so that there is no obstacle or hindrance in whatever form, to reaching the kingdom. Repent is linked to the awareness that the Kingdom is within reach. We make changes to our lives to reflect that we intend to take hold of the Kingdom. Matthew 11:11-15 [KJV] reports Christ saying Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. [12] And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. [13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. [14] And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. [15] He that hath ears to hear, let him hear
. Notice that it is something to wrestle for or take by force like Jacob. NET puts it this way (Matthew 11:11-14 [NETfree]) I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. [12] From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and forceful people lay hold of it. [13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John appeared. [14] And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who is to come
. This violence
is a reference to Jacob in Genesis 32:22-32 where he would not let go until he was blessed. The Jews at the time of Matthew kept the Torah but according to the Pharisees, which was a very carnal approach. Repent meant to keep it in spirit and in truth
. For gentiles the spirit required making major adjustments, including abandoning long established superstitions, to turn to the true God and keep His law spiritually.
Both John and Isaiah introduce their messages by pointing out that there is only one way. Isaiah indicates that it is one highway while John focuses on the footsteps of each person. Both are true, on the one highway people can trace their steps differently hence John is quoted as saying make His paths straight
. All the paths belong to God because all are on His highway and the highway leads to Him. The writer of Hebrews makes a statement that may clarify the importance of this, which is: And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed
(Hebrews 12:13 [KJV]). He is talking about clearing the way ahead so that injury is negated, current injuries are allowed to heal and progress is not hindered. These are spiritual and emotional injuries. Walking on an unsteady path slows progress. We want to be among those who make the process and path leading to the Kingdom as easily traversed as possible. Individual people may meander around on that highway and even turn back temporarily, but whatever course they take it must maintain the highway standards. We want to be among those who help. It is in contrast to the way of the Pharisees.
Matthew 23:25-28 [KJV]
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
26
Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
28
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Let us take a closer look allegorically at what John said in the context of Isaiah.
every mountain and hill shall be made low
Isaiah 2:2 [KJV]
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
The Lord's house is therefore a mountain and hence the other mountains are houses of others. Your house is where your seat of authority is and is your sanctuary. Every other mountain must be cut through or levelled on the highway so there is always clear line of sight to the destination and the final destination is higher than all.
Every valley shall be exalted
Psalms 23:4 [KJV]
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
The valley is a place of vulnerability. A valley is sandwiched between high places from where you can be ambushed with no escape. The high areas cast a shadow of death over those passing through. The highway must be elevated so that no shadow threatens those who travel on it.
the crooked shall be made straight
Sometime straight can mean narrow.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it
(Matthew 7:13-14 [KJV]).
Since we are building a highway that is hardly the case here. It is more likely to be the shortest path between two points.
Proverbs 3:5-6 [KJV] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
This is translated by the New English Translation (NET) version as,
Proverbs 3:5-6 [NETfree] Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. 6 Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.
The objective is to have the distance or complexity reduced to as little as possible. For example no beating around the bush.
the rough places plain
The final point is making rough places plain
. I simplify this to paving the road flat.
Psalms 121:1-4 [KJV]
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
God is making sure that it is not only built on the solid rock but that you cannot trip. A road built on a poor foundation will soon develop potholes.
John's approach was before Christ came the first time and we are left to do the work as John the baptist would now in preparation for Christ's second coming. A full definition of preaching the Gospel can only come after Christ and it can be summarised this way.
Acts 8:12 [KJV]
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God,
and the name of Jesus Christ
, they were baptized, both men and women.
MIckelson defines a
name
as follows:
Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries- G3686 ὄνομα onoma (on'-om-ah) n.
- 1. a "name" (authority, character){literally or figuratively}
This is the general spirit of preaching the Gospel. A definition of preaching the Gospel therefore is that it reveals the person of Christ and the nature of the Kingdom with the intention of making it as easy as can be, but it is not only about what we say but everything that we do. A key element of the nature of Christ is that He is the son of God.
Acts 8:36-37 [KJV]
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Our preaching the Kingdom must reflect the points made by Isaiah: 1..elevate God above all, 2..remove vulnerabilities, 3..make it direct and straightforward, 4..make sure that it does not put us in danger of spiritual injuries (first do no spiritual harm) or aggravating ones that we already have, 5.. prepare to be building in a spiritual desert.
Christ's evidence
John preached that they needed to
prepare the way
but Christ proclaimed that
the time was fulfilled
and in either case the Kingdom was at hand i.e. within reach and you just needed to believe the evidence that He would present.
Mark 1:14-15 [KJV]
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15
And saying,
The time is fulfilled
, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
The evidence that Christ presented for the present included
healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease
.
Matthew 4:23-25 [KJV]
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
24
And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
25
And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
Matthew 9:32-36 [KJV]
As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
33
And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
34
But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
35
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
He also revealed the evidence for the future, His final return.
Matthew 24:3-14 [KJV]
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying,
Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my names sake.
10
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Judas vs Peter
Judas brings out the importance of preaching Christ. Judas was among those who had successfully passed the exam to be an apostle.
Matthew 10:2-10 [KJV]
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4
Simon the Canaanite,
and Judas Iscariot
, who also betrayed him.
5
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
9
Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10
Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
Luke 22:35 [KJV]
And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Judas had healed the sick and preached the gospel. He had the evidence.
There was another thief just like Judas was (Matthew 27:38, Luke 23:32-43 and Mark 15:27). The thief on the cross recognised that somebody has gone out of their way to present him with an unparalleled opportunity. He recognised that it demanded that he should change his former approach (repent) and defend that person, not just fall in line with the establishment. Christ defended him and made him a promise (Luke 23:42-43) Just as He did for Peter. We cannot be too judgemental about Judas. When we are faced with such a situation do we always defend Christ or fall in line with the establishment for whatever reason we tell ourselves? That is the nature of repentance and Christ always has to intercede for us.
The other apostles were just as vulnerable as Judas but they did not know it.
Mark 14:30-31 [KJV] And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. 31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
All of us are vulnerable and this is the key point of preaching Christ.
Luke 22:31-32 [KJV] And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
John 10:27-29 [KJV] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Satan wanted Peter too. Christ opposed it just as He needs to for our Children and for us. We will not survive otherwise. In contrast to Judas Peter loved God's kingdom and He loved Christ. He dedicated time to serving Christ and preparing for the Kingdom. Judas was using that time to see what He could get for Himself. He was too caught up with his own personal interests for which he needed money.
The apostle's example
Matthew recorded that when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd
(Matthew 9:36 [KJV]), consequently Christ provided apostles. They all followed Christ's example of preaching the Gospel and have exceeded his works collectively but as individuals did not match His example in healing. Notice I Corinthians 12:30 [KJV], Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret
. It appears that the feature of healing was primarily to provide evidence of the authenticity of Christ and not for each individual Christian.
Acts 14:21-28 [KJV] And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed . 24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: 26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.
Paul also referred to the Gospel of the Kingdom as the gospel of the grace of God
, which confirms that it is the story of our salvation.
Acts 20:24-27 [KJV]
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
That salvation is extended to embrace gentiles.
Acts 28:28-31 [KJV]
Be it known therefore unto you, that
the salvation of God
is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
29
And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
30
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
31
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
All this is summarised in what had been written to the Romans prior to Acts 28, since Acts was written after Paul had reached Rome, but Romans was written while he was in Corinth some time before.
Romans 1:1-6 [KJV]
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2
(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6
Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
Christ's preaching
In giving us our marching orders Christ reminds us that along with the talk of preaching the kingdom we must perform genuine acts of kindness to walk the walk.
Matt 10:16-42 (KJV)
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17
But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18
And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
21
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
23
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
24
The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
25
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
26
Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36
And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
37
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39
He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
42
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Christ preached in such a way that only His disciples understood, however anybody could become a disciple. It only took commitment. Christ was encouraging to His disciples explaining that all who made the effort would be rewarded (parable of the talents, Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-28) and supported by statements like these.
Luke 9:23-24 [KJV]
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Matthew 16:24-26 [KJV]
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
The Parable of the Talents revels that it is not attained in this life but as long as we produce even the least benefit then we will be rewarded.
Luke 19:11-28 [KJV]
And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
12
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
14
But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
15
And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
16
Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
17
And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18
And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
19
And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
20
And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
21
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
22
And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
23
Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
24
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25
(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26
For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
27
But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
28
And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
It is not easy and it is particularly diffficult if you are rich.
Matthew 19:23-26 [KJV]
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Luke 18:18-24 [KJV]
And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
20
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
21
And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23
And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
24
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Acts 1:6-8 [KJV]
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Juda, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
If we put the kingdom first then God will provide the rest.
Matthew 6:32-34 [KJV]
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
It is a packaged deal where we move ahead on all fronts. Clearly we cannot see God (verse 8) if we are not in the Kingdom of heaven (verse 3) hence you must be
poor in spirit
as well as
pure in heart
, and that goes for all of the others.
Matthew 5:3-12 [KJV]
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Galatians 5:22-23 [KJV]
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Support from the preaching of the Apostles
Only those born again can see the kingdom. These are a couple of scriptures that point that out but there are several others. The real Kingdom is something that we can only see once we go through a transformation to immortality.
The first man
is of course Adam while
the Lord from heaven
is Christ who is the
first of many brethren
(Romans 8:29) and shows our transformation and future.
John 3:3-8 [KJV]
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mothers womb, and be born?
5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
I Corinthians 15:47-58 [KJV]
The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
The Kingdom is in conflict with the present society and Christians need to make judgements based on the objective of the Kingdom.
Romans 14:16-23 [KJV]
Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18
For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Galatians 5:16-26 [KJV]
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24
And they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Romans 8:7-10 [KJV]
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Death is certain because of sin but for those who have the Spirit there is another society to look forward to.
people like to listen to
fables
.
II Timothy 4:1-5 [KJV]
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
God is not to be triffled with
Hebrews 12:28-29 [KJV]
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29
For our God is a consuming fire.
In the kingdom there is no respect of persons.
James 2:5-10 [KJV]
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7
Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
God considers it justification of his fairness that those who suffer now are rewarded with blessing while those who indulge now at the expense of the Church are rewarded with suffering.
II Thessalonians 1:3-10 [KJV]
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
4
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
The Bible speaks bluntly that some behaviours will not be tolerated.
I Corinthians 6:9-20 [KJV]
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
12
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
13
Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
14
And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
15
Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16
What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods.
Some behaviours are required.
Matthew 22:36-40 [KJV]
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38
This is the first and great commandment.
39
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Galatians 5:14-26 [KJV]
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15
But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24
And they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
I John 2:3-4 [KJV]
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
I John 5:2 [KJV]
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
The way to get the facts is scripture, not any person whether pastor, apostle or whatever.
II Timothy 3:16-17 [KJV]
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Tithing versus Generosity
I thought that I should conclude with an area of great concern to me. This has to do with narcissistic hegemony and wealth accumulation. Another way to frame it is the question of the preeminence of God, gold or glory and I believe that this is the concern of the letter to Pergamos in Revelation 2. There is no way that I can comprehensibly cover this here however I will touch on some biblical topics that I see as foundational. The New Testament church is based on a spiritual version of the Old Testament Law. The Spiritual component is a continuation of the Ten Commandments and can be condensed into two main commandments viz. 1.. love God and 2.. love brother. The rest of what is given in the Torah has to be considered in the light of spiritual significance especially when we consider Hebrews 10.
(Hebrews 10:4-10 [KJV]) For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10:28-31 [KJV] He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
There is such a thing as Moses' Law
and the Christian needs to be able to distinguish between that and the other law spoken of in Hebrews 10. The subject of this article is preaching the Kingdom and I believe that this has to do with the law that is contrasted there with Moses' law.
Under the Torah (Numbers 18:24) tithes were mandatory and all went to the Levites. Numbers 18:24-29 covers Moses' law on tithes and shows that the levites too paid tithes but theirs went to the priests. This arrangement therefore depended on a priesthood with levites. The problem with this under the New Covenant is that everyone is a priest (1 Peter 2:9) and we are all one brotherhood. The New Covenant does not speak of tithing but of generosity. The most outstanding example of this is Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37) who (interestingly was a levite). He sold land and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. There were also women who pioneered teh New Covenant approach, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, [3] And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance
(Luke 8:2-3 [KJV]). Whole church groups were also commended for their self sacrifice to assist others Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; [2] How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. [3] For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; [4] Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. [5] And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God
(II Corinthians 8:1-5 [KJV]). As far as their hegemony in the church is concerned, that would have been highlighted in the earlier articles of this series. Hegemony is maintained by a combination of controlling the narrative, threats and superstition.
