A Kingdom not of this World

A Kingdom not of this World

Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.’

There is kingdom higher than what the eye sees.

There is kingdom higher than what the eye sees.

John 18:36

Do a word search on “kingdom” in the New Testament, and you’ll be surprised at how often it pops up.  That’s because the kingdom of God was a very important topic in first-century A.D. Christianity, and rightly so.  Jesus preached about it throughout Galilee, declaring that it was at hand (Mark 1:14-15; cf. Matt. 4:23; 9:35; Luke 4:43; 8:1).  It was the theme of both the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 4:23; 5:1-3, 10, 19-20; 6:10; 7:21-27) and the majority of his parables (cf. Matt. 13:44-46).  He sent his disciples out to preach about it (Luke 9:1-2, 59-60; 10:1, 9-11).  He preached about it after he died and was resurrected (Acts 1:3).  After he ascended, his followers preached about it (Acts 8:12; 14:21-22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 30-31) and wrote about it (cf. 1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Thess. 1:5).

As seen above, while on trial Jesus said to Pilate that his kingdom “is not of this world” (John 18:36).  Other comments he made give us an inclination about the nature of his kingdom.  When a scribe complimented Jesus’ answer about what is the greatest commandment, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:28-34), indicating that the scribe’s understanding of the Scriptures put him in close proximity to the kingdom.  In a way that meant he was close to the geographical borders of a kingdom?  No, for Jesus’ kingdom isn’t of this world.  Thus, Jesus was showing that the kingdom is spiritual in nature (cf. Luke 17:20-21).

Paul’s told the Colossian Christians that God had transferred them into the kingdom of his Son (Col. 1:13).  The writer of Hebrews told the Hebrew Christians that they had received a kingdom (Heb. 12:28).  John said to the churches of Asia Minor that Jesus had made them a kingdom and that he was partners with them in the kingdom (Rev. 1:6, 9).  That tells me that the kingdom of God is the church, Christians are citizens of that kingdom, and Jesus is its King.

Paul also said that at the end when Christ returns he will give the kingdom back to his Father after destroying all other rules, authorities, powers, and after having put his enemies under his feet, including death (1 Cor. 15:24-28).  On that day his angels will take out of his kingdom all who unrepentantly disobey God and cast them into hell, after which the righteous in the kingdom “will shine like the sun” (Matt. 13:41-43).  Christian, what kind of citizen of God’s kingdom are you?  Are you submissive to the King in all things, or are you unrepentant in your sin?  Are you even a part of his spiritual kingdom to begin with?  If not, do what they did in the New Testament (Acts 8:12).  Repent of your sins, confess your faith in Christ, and be baptized into his body (Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 12:13), which is his church (Col. 1:18), which is his kingdom (Col. 1:13).

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A Psalm of Thanksgiving

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

The book of Psalms is remarkable in so many ways. Many of the psalms come from the heart of a shepherd boy of Bethlehem and give us great insight into the very soul of a man after God’s own heart.

By the hand of God, there is much cause for thanksgiving.

By the hand of God, there is much cause for thanksgiving.

One of the psalms repeats a phrase over and over. The psalmist said, “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men” (Psa. 107:1, 8, 15, 21, 31). This phrase makes a natural division of five situations in this psalm where men should be filled with thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving for redemption. The first section (vss. 1-7) describes the times when God brought Israel from adversity and returned them to the land He promised Abraham’s descendants. While it is true the sin of God’s people often was the reason they were scattered, the psalm shows just how merciful God is toward His children. Those who were redeemed from the nations could so readily sing this psalm of thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving for souls which have been refreshed. In this section, the psalmist looks at the souls which have been brought low by the adversity around them. Their hearts are filled with darkness which is the result of ignoring God. They are bound up in affliction. Yet, when they cried out to God, He heard them. Their souls were filled with the blessing He gave to them. Their lives turned into joy because His mercy gave them what had been missing. The psalmist said, “Give thanks to the Lord for His wonderful works.”

Thanksgiving for deliverance to those who were at the gates of death. This third section (vss. 15-20) parallels thoughts found in the previous section of those who were surrounded by distress. They were so burdened they could not even eat, yet when they cried out to the Lord, He heard them and saved them out of all their afflictions. “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness.”

Thanksgiving from those who were tossed in the seas. The psalmist turns his attention to those who sailed the seas and found themselves surrounded by tempestuous waves. As the waves lifted them to the heavens and then dropped them in the depths of the troughs, hope could so easily be lost. At their wit’s end, they cried out to God, and He heard them, calmed the storms and brought them to safe havens.

Thanksgiving from those who assemble to worship in the company of the elders. The mercy of God is shown in the fruitful seasons where He waters the wilderness and feeds His people. Their crops increase and their herds multiply. He exalts the poor. Oh, that men would give thanks for all He does.

Thanksgiving from our hearts. The imagery in this psalm is different from what is around us, but the lesson is so obvious. God help us to give thanksgiving for all He does!

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The Church is the People

The Church Is The People

We teach it. We preach it. We say we believe it. We just seem to have a devil of a time understanding it – and a far worse one of fully accepting and living it! How many times have we preached, taught, heard, read, said, and/or were convinced we understood it? “The church is the people.” Yes, it is a very simple statement. And yet, it is one not all of us apparently understand the full implications of. You see, when a church member complains or finds fault about what “the church” is not doing (and they themselves are guilty of any similar if not the exact same negligence), they are actually complaining about, and condemning themselves! Why? Because “the church is the people,” and the complainers in the church, are “the church” they are into complaining about!

The church is not made of wood and stone, flesh or bone, but faithful souls serving God.

The church is not made of wood and stone, flesh or bone, but faithful souls serving God.

For example, when a church member complains that the church is not doing enough to bring new folks in, they need to be immediately asked, “So; when was the last time YOU brought someone new in… or invited someone to sit down and study the bible with YOU… seeing as how YOU are the church? When a church member contends that the church either has not done, or is not doing enough now to hold onto our youth, they need to be immediately asked, “So, why haven’t YOU done more, and why aren’t YOU doing more now to hold onto them… seeing as how YOU are the church?” When all some brethren want to do is sit back and criticize “the church” for supposedly being so divided they can’t work or get along together, they need to be immediately asked, “So, why are YOU so quick to complain, alienate, and justify your own not working with your brethren by staying home and not supporting their unity, harmony, and labor of love whenever there’s an opportunity to get and work together for growth, fellowship, and service events… because YOU are the church?”

But you see, that’s not usually what brethren mean when they start griping and complaining about “the church.” Their meaning is more often instead, to point the finger of blame at the elders, the preacher, the older, the younger, the richer, the poorer, and/or any or all of the other people who make up “the church” – but surely not themselves! And certainly never with the vim and vigor with which they routinely judge and condemn their brethren! Oh, on occasion you might hear some throw in the obligatory “And I’m guilty of it too.” But the sincerity of such statements can often be easily determined by simply observing the strength of the efforts they put into personal repentance in the days to come.

But for those Christians who want to constantly just gripe and complain about “the church” – which is what they themselves are – and point their fingers of blame at all the rest of their blood-bought brethren while giving themselves a self-justified free pass to continue right on along without ‘Being and making the changes they want to see,’ Jesus has some incredibly stern words of warning…

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matt. 7:1-5). Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you…” (Ro. 2:17-24. Essential additional instruction can be found in Lk. 6:35-38 & Phil. 1:27-2:16.)

The following adage is true. So the next time you hear a church member complaining about “the church” not having done this or that, remember: “Whenever someone points their finger of blame at someone else, they have three of their own fingers pointing back at themselves.” And they’d better not be guilty of what they’re judging “the church” for not doing… For the church, is THEM!

 

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A Million Days of Life

How Long is Time?

There’s an old saying, Another day, another dollar; a million days, a million dollars. But do you know how long a million days are? Hold your breath! You would have to live 2,739 years to live a million days!

Have time enough for a million years of days? What would you do with it?

Have time enough for a million years of days? What would you do with it?

Actually, the Bible suggest we have three-score years and ten to live. That is seventy years or about 25,000 days. A magazine article once suggested that teenagers will live, on the average, one hundred years and your children might well live until they reach the ripe old age of one hundred fifty. The author of the article suggested that old age is just a disease and we have a right to expect science to conquer this disease as well as many others.

Of course, nobody wants to die. Life is wonderful and the more of it we have, the better. Yet, how well you live is much more important than how long you live. Jesus was only thirty-three, but look at the mark He made upon the     world. ?Oh, yes, you say, but He was God’s Son. True. And we will never match Him. But, we are also God’s children—in a different sense, of course—but we, too, can fill life full of great living—in our way.

How? Here are some ideas in brief. Suppose you add some others. Talk this over with your friends:

1. Conquer the inner frustrations that keep you unhappy—the fears, the doubts, the inner turmoil. Become emotionally stable.

2. Respect yourself, but learn to live for others. The selfish life is an unhappy life. Minister to others; serve; give yourself away.

3. Be sensitive to the things of the spirit. Walk with God. Confess your sins and receive God’s forgiveness.

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Ten Commandments Today?

Are we to follow the Ten Commandments? Are they written for us?

Do commandments of the Law of Moses have authority over the Christian?

Do commandments of the Law of Moses have authority over the Christian?

Your question really involves two separate questions with which I want to deal with separately. First, let’s ask the question, “Were the Ten Commandments originally written for all mankind?” The answer to this question is, “no.” The Ten Commandments as originally given are found in Exodus 20:1-17. They are part of the covenant that God made with Israel when they came out of Egyptian bondage. We read in at least two places in the Old Testament that the Mosaic Covenant was not intended for all mankind, but for the nation of Israel alone. In Exodus 34:27, 28 we find this explicitly stated. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel. And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.” (KJV). Notice that the covenant was with Moses and with Israel specifically. It was not for any other nations. Notice the content of the covenant in verse 28, “the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.” So the Ten Commandments were only given as a covenant to Moses and to Israel. Let’s look at another passage of scripture dealing with this same issue. In fact, this passage is actually a commentary by Moses on Exodus 34:27, 28 because Moses is restating the Ten Commandments for the children of Israel who are about to go into the land of Cannan. We read in Deuteronomy 5:1-3, “And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them. The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.” The covenant was made with Israel. This covenant did not apply to their fathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), but to them specifically. Now let’s ask some practical questions regarding this first question. If we were to draw up a covenant between two parties today (let’s say between Kevin and Tony) and we were to say that this covenant which we have is between Kevin and Tony, then automatically everyone understands that other people are excluded from the covenant. The same common sense applies to the Old Covenant. God made that covenant between him and the children of Israel. That is the entire scope of the Old Covenant and it does not have application to any other party or group of people outside of that nation of Israel.

Your second question is as follows: “Do the principles and content within the Ten Commandments have application for us today?” The answer to that question is a resounding, “Yes!” There are aspects of the Ten Commandments that are still applicable for mankind because these aspects are against man’s moral nature. In other words, committing these sins would be acting in a way that is against the way in which God created us. Such is the case with murder, adultery, theft, lying, covetousness, and failing to honor father and mother. The principles under-girding the Ten Commandments themselves will never cease to be applicable as long as man walks upon the face of the earth, because man is who God made him to be. The remainder of the Ten Commandments is applicable in principle as well. Don’t worship idols and don’t use God’s name in vain. The one commandment that most people have questions about today is, “Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.” Here is where we must understand the principle undergirding the commandment. God’s principle was for the children of Israel to set aside a day out of the week to rest and to worship. This day was the Sabbath or seventh day; what we today would call Saturday. Is Saturday binding today as the day of God’s worship? No. Must we worship God today on Saturday? No. Has God changed the Sabbath so that it is now Sunday? No. Sunday is NOT the Sabbath day. Is the principle of worshipping God at least one day out of the week still in effect? Yes. Absolutely. Today, God commands us that we worship upon the “first day of the week” (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor.16:2) or Sunday.

Now, what is the key to understanding the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament. I would recommend that you study a few passages. First, in Colossians 2:13, 14 Paul writes, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” The “handwriting of ordinances” is a reference to the Mosaic covenant. This passage clearly teaches that it was “nailed to the cross” along with our sins. Those who suggest that we need to keep the Old Covenant are, according to this passage, making the equal suggestion that we should remain in our sins. That is just a suggestion that cannot be tolerated. Notice also Hebrews 8:13, “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” The first covenant is now the “old” covenant. It has decayed, waxed old, and vanished away in its authority. In contrast, the New Covenant is new, young, and visible–it is the one that contains all authority from God. Notice Hebrews 9:15a, “And for this cause he is the mediator of the New Testament….” Jesus mediates for a new covenant now. To try to place oneself under the Old Covenant now is to reject the mediating power of Jesus Christ. Notice Hebrews 10:9b, “…He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.” The first needed to be done away with in order for the second to contain authority for all mankind.

There are several other passages that one should look at and study: Galatians 4:1-7; Galatians 4:21-31; Romans 7:1-4; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Matthew 5:17, 18; 2 Corinthians 3:11-16. Each of these passages makes it abundantly clear that it was never God’s intention for the Old Covenant to be an authority for all mankind. It was a temporary system for a limited amount of time. When Jesus died on the cross, he fulfilled the Old Law and established the New Covenant. Today, we must hear the words of Jesus
(Hebrews 1:1-4).

Are the Ten Commandments still in effect? In principle, they are, not as part of the Old Covenant, but rather as part of the New Covenant–the covenant for which Jesus is NOW mediator. Inasmuch as these commandments are restated under the New Covenant, we are to follow them and give our complete allegiance to them, as we would to any part of God’s will for man today.

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