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Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
What is the Kingdom of God like?
Mark chapter 9.
Couldn't figure what it had for me to learn.
I've been going through the Gospel of Mark one verse at a time for months. I'm learning more than I ever knew before about Jesus. Some days I spend a time on just a few words. Other days I step back and look at the big picture.
Today I read the verses about the transfiguration of Jesus on the mount. He said just before this that some people there would see the Kingdom of God. Then he took Peter, James, and John up into a mountain to give them (and us) a glimpse. So what can we learn about the Kingdom of God --- that place or time when we will be with Jesus.
They went into a high mountain. The Kingdom is part of the world yet separated from it. On a mountain, you see the world from a whole new perspective. When we get into the Kingdom, we will not see the world from the same eyes.
Jesus was changed before them. We will be changed too. Totally different than we are today. There are some things about me I'll be glad to be rid of.
Jesus clothes were whiter than anyone on earth could possibly bleach them. Things will not look the same when we get into the kingdom. The things we know will be better. Whites will be whiter. Fresh will be fresher. Sweet will be sweeter. Blues will be bluer and reds will be redder. Clear will be clearer. The best things on earth will be better. It seems we will remember the things of earth, but we will say, "Oh! That's the way it was supposed to be."
We'll declare, "Oh, that's the way strawberries were supposed to taste." and on and on.
The three disciples recognized Elijah and Moses. How? There were no photographs, no portraits, not even any discriptions in the Scripture. They would have looked like any other Jewish man. Yet they knew them. Revelation says, "We shall know as we are known."
God spoke from heaven, "This is my son." Everything in the Kingdom will point to Jesus. The focus will be on HIm. He is the joy of the kingdom.
The Kingdom is our destination. What do you think?
Couldn't figure what it had for me to learn.
I've been going through the Gospel of Mark one verse at a time for months. I'm learning more than I ever knew before about Jesus. Some days I spend a time on just a few words. Other days I step back and look at the big picture.
Today I read the verses about the transfiguration of Jesus on the mount. He said just before this that some people there would see the Kingdom of God. Then he took Peter, James, and John up into a mountain to give them (and us) a glimpse. So what can we learn about the Kingdom of God --- that place or time when we will be with Jesus.
They went into a high mountain. The Kingdom is part of the world yet separated from it. On a mountain, you see the world from a whole new perspective. When we get into the Kingdom, we will not see the world from the same eyes.
Jesus was changed before them. We will be changed too. Totally different than we are today. There are some things about me I'll be glad to be rid of.
Jesus clothes were whiter than anyone on earth could possibly bleach them. Things will not look the same when we get into the kingdom. The things we know will be better. Whites will be whiter. Fresh will be fresher. Sweet will be sweeter. Blues will be bluer and reds will be redder. Clear will be clearer. The best things on earth will be better. It seems we will remember the things of earth, but we will say, "Oh! That's the way it was supposed to be."
We'll declare, "Oh, that's the way strawberries were supposed to taste." and on and on.
The three disciples recognized Elijah and Moses. How? There were no photographs, no portraits, not even any discriptions in the Scripture. They would have looked like any other Jewish man. Yet they knew them. Revelation says, "We shall know as we are known."
God spoke from heaven, "This is my son." Everything in the Kingdom will point to Jesus. The focus will be on HIm. He is the joy of the kingdom.
The Kingdom is our destination. What do you think?
Monday, February 15, 2010
OPEN DOORS - BIG OBSTACLES
Yesterday I entered the church sanctuary with a heavy heart about a big decision.
My pastor, Steve Riggle, read from Numbers 13-14 about Israel cowering at the edge of the Promised Land saying, "there are giants." Then he read from I Cor 16:9 "For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."
I felt his message was for me alone in the crowd of thousands. Thought you might like to see some of my sermon notes.
Both Paul and Israel came to an open door. Isreal trembled in fear of the giants on the other side. Paul saw the opportunity for ministry even though there were giant obstacles.
If something is from God, will it be easy, smooth, and worry-free? Not necessarily. There are many adversaries.
1. What (or who) opposes us? We have an enemy who wants to stop the kingdom work
2. What divides us? Do our personal agendas keep us from seeing God?
3. What distracts us? Are we so busy we can't focus?
4. What keeps us from the vision? Vision is beyond what our eyes can see because eyes see giants and vision sees God.
Do we see obstacles or opportunity?
Do we see doors or difficulties?
The message isn't against frugal decisions or fiscal responsibilities but the message is about asking the question: "Is this opportunities credible and does it honor God?"
The measurement is the voice of God. (We recognize the voice because we've heard it before-in smaller decisions-like David did when the lion and the bear attacked his sheep. He knew the voice and power of God so when he saw the giant, he said, "You're too big to miss!"
The biggest obstacle may be the biggest opportunity. IF God has opened a door, he will help us walk through it.
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