November 13, 2014

"The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all." Psalm 103:19

As Christ-followers in 2014 America, it is not easy to get our minds around the importance of a spiritual kingdom ruled by God.

We don't know about kingdoms. We only understand about a representative democracy where we elect our leaders. We only know a system of government where our leaders are chosen for the purpose of serving us!

Because the Kingdom of God is such a core principle of our faith, it is vital to understand what is and why it matters.

The presence and coming of the Kingdom of God was the central message of Jesus. For example, "his teaching was designed to show men how they might enter the Kingdom of God (Matt. 5:20; 7:21). His mighty works were intended to prove that the Kingdom of God had come upon them (Matt. 12: 28). His parables illustrated to His disciples the truth about the Kingdom of God (Matt. 13:11). And when He taught His followers to pray, at the heart of their petition were the words, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10). On the eve of His death, He assured His disciples that He would yet share with them the happiness and the fellowship of the Kingdom (Luke 22:22-30). And He promised that He would appear again. on the earth in glory to bring the blessedness of the Kingdom to those for whom it was prepared (Matt. 25:31, 34)." 

The term "Kingdom of God" occurs four times in Matthew (12:28; 19:24; 21:31; 21:43), fourteen times in Mark, thirty-two times in Luke, twice in the Gospel of John (3:3, 5), six times in Acts, eight times in Paul, and once in Revelation (12:10). Matthew actually prefers the term "Kingdom of heaven" which he uses over 20 times in his gospel.

While Matthew primarily uses the term “kingdom of heaven” and other gospel writers (notably Luke) use the term “kingdom of God,” it is clear that these two expressions mean exactly the same thing (e.g. compare Matt. 5:3 with Luke 6:20). In the past some have tried to maintain a distinction between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God; however, the vast majority of theologians today recognize the terms as synonymous.

Graeme Goldsworthy has summarized a definition of the Kingdom of God as "God's people in God's place under God's rule." 

Anthony Hoekema has described God's Kingdom as "the reign of God dynamically active in human history through Jesus Christ, the purpose of which is the redemption of his people from sin and from demonic powers, and the final establishment of the new heavens and the new earth." 

George Eldon Ladd notes that "The primary meaning of both the Hebrew word "malkuth" in the Old Testament and of the Greek "wordbasileia" in the New Testament is the rank, authority and sovereignty exercised by a king. A "basileia" may indeed be a realm over which a sovereign exercises his authority; and it may be the people who belong to that realm and over whom authority is exercised; but these are secondary and derived meanings. First of all, a kingdom is the authority to rule, the sovereignty of the king." 

In short, God's Kingdom is wherever He is acknowledged, honored, worshiped, obeyed and served as King.

Have you crowned Him King in your life?

November 12, 2014

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Luke 9:20

Do you find it curious that Jesus is asking them if they know Who He is after they have walked with Him and worked with Him for almost three years now?

Further, consider when He asked this probing question. They had recently went out on a mission in His name healing people and driving out demons! The day before they had miraculously fed thousands of people with one simple lunch!

Is it possible to do all those amazing feats and still not know Who Jesus is?

Apparently.

Consider what Jesus said on another occasion:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:21-23

Chilling isn't it? Jesus makes it plain that you can do amazing things in His name but not necessarily know Him.

Could it be that discipleship is not so much about what you do are as what you are? Could it be that discipleship is about intimately understanding Who Jesus is? It makes sense that there is a difference between knowing Jesus and knowing about Him.

That is a HUGE difference! That is THE difference - relationship vs. religion. Religion is based on the belief that you can "do" and "not do" yourself into believing. But Jesus pokes a whole through that notion! He wants to live in relationship with you and desires to live His life out through you. Your doing for Christ results from being in Christ.

If your focus is on what you do or don't do for Christ, you are not a disciple. Even if you are doing miracles and deliverance it is about "being" not "doing". True discipleship is knowing Jesus and living in intimate relationship with Him.

Are you in Christ today? 

Do you know Him? 

Don't settle for doing.

November 11, 2014

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:13

Happy Veteran's Day!

I offer my deep and sincere appreciation to each of you who served our great nation. Thank you for defending my freedom!

As I thoughtfully considered the most meaningful way to express my profound respect for those of you who have served in our military I found this tribute from one of my heroes, President Ronald Reagan. Cut and paste it into your browser and enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt8y18YFH70&feature=youtu.be&t=3m31s

God bless you!

God bless America!

November 10, 2014

Do you think it is possible to live without anxiety? Would you like to do so? Five times in the 10 verses, Matthew 6:24-34, Jesus used the word worry.

And in three of these instances, He spoke it as a command: "'Don't worry'" He wasn't merely making a suggestion or trying to calm people down. This was an order! "Worry." He said, should be banned from the hearts of kingdom people.

Why is it wrong for kingdom people to be fraught with worry?

1) Worry is futile and counterproductive. Jesus pointedly asked whether anxiety could add even a short time to our life spans (v. 27). In truth, doctors tell us that anxiety will most likely shorten our lives.

2) Worry indicates a lack of understanding. The nature and character of our Father is to feed the songbirds and water the wildflowers. "'Aren't you worth more than they?'"

3) Worry shows a lack of faith. Jesus said it takes a person "'of little'" to worry about His needs being met (v. 30). What impact does anxiety have on our kingdom witness?

4) Worry is an ungodly response to life. Of all the arguments against anxiety, this one should perhaps stun us. If worry is the pattern that comes most naturally to everyone (V. 32), why would we want to be known for being like the average unbeliever.

As kingdom people, there should be numerous things about us that can only be explained by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Freedom from worry is one of them.

When I pray, "Thy kingdom come," I am establishing that my first concern each day is God's kingdom and not mine. Further, I am asking the Father to show me what He s doing and allow me to participate with Him as He advances His kingdom on earth. Ask God to strengthen your faith and put your focus and the kingdom so that you can put worry behind you.

November 9, 2014

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say this— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe," Psalm 107:1-2

Who are the "redeemed"? What does it mean to be "redeemed"?

To be redeemed means to be "bought back". In this case, "Redeemed from the hand of the foe".

So, what's the deal with that?

The deal is we were sold out by Adam when he disobeyed God and sinned. When Adam sinned he became sinful, his nature became corrupted and his mind became wicked. Since we are his heirs we inherited his sinful and corrupt nature. Everyone born since Adam has been born as a sinner spiritually separated from God and therefore, spiritually dead.

Because we are born as sinners we are cut off from the goodness of God. Even worse, we are unable to receive the love of God. His goodness and love have no effect on us when we are dead in our trespasses and sins. There is no hope in His goodness and no connection to his love.

But, because God is good and because His love endures forever, He would not allow us to spend time and eternity separated from His goodness and love. Something had to be done. His goodness and love demanded it. A price had to be paid if we were to be redeemed.

What God did out His goodness and love was to send His Son, Jesus. Jesus became the second Adam and was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. That enabled Him to be born with a sinless nature. He was uniquely and divinely designed to redeem us, to buy us back. Because He was without sin He could take our sins upon Himself and become the sacrifice. Only One so filled with goodness and love would do such a thing.

Jesus redeemed us. God bought us back at the cost of His Son. We have been ransomed and set free!

Let the redeemed of the Lord say this, "God is good! His love endures forever!" 

Thanks be to God!

November 8, 2014

"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

Is your life "ship" shape? What is your state of being?

The "ship" I want to examine is "worship".

What is worship and what should I "be" to enjoy it? I think Jesus gives some clues.

Let's begin with a definition of the word "worship". It has its roots in "worth". To "worship" means to acknowledge and honor the "worthiness" of God.

Therefore, to "be" a worshiper means to be a giver. What does Jesus ask you to give?

Give your best. "Deny yourself", Jesus says.

Being a worshiper requires that I give God my best energy, my best effort, and my best focus. That means I withhold it from myself and my other interests and give it all to Him! He gets my first and I keep the leftovers.

How does that work?

My first thoughts in the morning should be directed toward Him. My heart is aimed at Him. My first hour is given to Him. As a worshiper I am being brought into fellowship with Him. I am acknowledging His worth and drawing value from Him.

Worship is not something reserved for one hour on Sunday morning. Worship is something I do 24/7 365! It is a state of being. I don't "do" worship but I must "be" a worshiper. I deny myself to honor Him. I offer my best to Him. I acknowledge His worthiness and draw my worth from Him. Sunday morning "worship" should be the gathering of worshipers who come together to corporately share what they have individually enjoyed all week!

Have you worshiped God today?

How will you have you acknowledged His worth? Have you attached your worth to Him?

Will you purpose to go to church next week not to worship but to go worshiping? 

Determine not to "do" worship but to "be" a worshiper!

November 7, 2014

“These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” Revelation 3:7-8

As FredWes reaches the halfway point of its 20^th year, it may be a good time to pause and reflect on the open doors God has led us through and those He is setting before us in these days.

We may be a small church, but let me ask you:

How many small churches intentionally and enthusiastically embrace two worship styles and is growing because of it?

FredWes does!

How many small churches have 85+ years of successful and productive pastoral leadership experience available to guide them?

FredWes does!

How many small churches have carved out an entire national mission field (Guatemala) to the benefit of its Denomination?

FredWes has thanks to the vision of Gerald Rodgers and the anointed ministry of Luis Martinez!

How many small churches are directly involved fighting on the Ebola epidemic on the front lines in Sierra Leone?

FredWes is through the well we sponsored in Makeni, Sierra Leone, on the campus of the University of Makeni!

How many small churches have a regular and ongoing gospel witness in a public elementary school?

FredWes does through the Good News Club at R. E. Lee Elementary School! Every other Wednesday our ladies have the privilege of presenting a Bible lesson to over 40 children!

Let me remind you that it isn’t about the size of our church it is about the size of our God! And it is also about the size of our vision!

FredWes’ legacy has been when God puts an open door before us, we always walk through it in His Strength. That must be true of our future as well! What will be our legacy for the second generation of Wesleyans at FredWes?

Decisions we make over the next several years will have a significant impact on FredWes’ next 20 years!

Guide us Holy Spirit!