The disciples were instructed by Jesus to preach the kingdom of Heaven is near
A Kingdom is a politically organized community or major territorial unit having a monarchical form of government headed by a king or queen.
Matthew 10:7,8
– As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Matthew 4: 17
– From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Jesus begins his preaching ministry after he’s water baptized, baptized in the Holy Spirit and overcomes the temptations of the enemy.
Their are three things that should predicate an authoritative preaching ministry
1. Personal Repentance – Water Baptism is a symbolic event that demonstrates an immersion into Christ and a death to self and selfish desires. Jesus never sinned but was water baptized as an example to us.
2. Holy Spirit Empowerment – When we are Baptized in the Holy Spirit we are endued with power (dunamis) from on high to be witnesses for the Lord.
3. Walking in Victory – Jesus overcomes the temptations that he’s faced with. Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
What’s the Kingdom of Heaven Like?
Of the 35 times the words kingdom and heaven appear together in the New Testament, 32 times they appear in the book of Matthew. Let’s take a look into the book of Matthew to try and develop our understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven.
1. Poor In Spirit
– Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
People who come to a realization that they are lost without a savior thus poor in spirit and come to saving faith in Christ will receive the kingdom of Heaven.
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
Before a person can come to Christ they must see some kind of need. This need generally comes when they realize they are poor in spirit. They may be wealthy in other areas of their lives but people who are poor in spirit are never satisfied and always striving for something. When Christ comes in they find the life that is truly life.
The Law is very good at getting people to see their need. It crushes a person’s ideas of self righteousness and brings them to a place of realization that they are a sinner in need of a savior.
Let’s watch this video clip of Ray Comfort sharing the Law of God with a young man so they come to an honest realization that they are poor in spirit.
• Psalm 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Watch this video now
2. The Persecuted– Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Persecution will come to the righteous.
• John 15:20
Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
• 2 Timothy 3:12
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
• The Persecution Curve
3. Taught by example– Matthew 5:19
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
• Break and Teach commandments
– Least in the kingdom of Heaven
• Practice and Teach commands
– Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
• Jesus is saying here that what you do teaches others very loudly. What you do springs from what you are. We must allow Jesus Christ to have our hearts and lives so we become transformed into his image and likeness.
4. True Righteousness– Matthew 5:20
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
• Righteousness that surpasses the Pharisees.
Leviticus 19:2
"Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
• 1 Peter 1:16
for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
• Luke 18:9-14
– To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
• Self Righteousness will not allow a person to see the kingdom of Heaven.
– Isaiah 64:6
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
Jonathan Edwards
July 8th 1741
Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell; and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf, and your healthy constitution, and your own care and prudence, and best contrivance, and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider's web would have to stop a falling rock.
• Righteous By Faith
Romans 3:21
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
Romans 4:9
Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness.
5. Pray for the Heavenly kingdom to take over the Earthly kingdoms– Matthew 6:10
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
• Jesus teaches us to pray that the Kingdom of God would come.
– This can come in majesty and glory with the heavenly angels and the triumphal second coming of Christ.
• This is somewhat out of our realm of control
– This can come in our daily witness where the kingdom of God within our hearts expresses itself through words, deeds and attitudes. People around us surrender their hearts to the Lordship / Kingship of Christ as a result. This causes the kingdom to advance and thus take over the kingdoms of this world.
• The kingdom of heaven is a hidden kingdom now that will one day be revealed.
Colossians 3:3
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
6. Obedience is a key to entering the Kingdom– Matthew 7:21
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Obedience prompted by faith is a true measure of a kingdom person. Kingdom people will be about the business of the kingdom. They won’t be only talking about the kingdom they will be talking and working.
It’s important to not get faith and works reversed. Works without faith are dead just like faith without works is dead.
7. Heaven is not a birthright– Matthew 8:11,12 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Romans 9:30-32
30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."
Jubilee Family Church
October 31, 2008
October 25, 2008
Low Power FM Radio Station
I wanted to update you all on the progress with the radio stations. Right now the Low Power FM Radio Station KCCJ 106.9 is on the air! The format is contemporary worship and their are some sponsorship spots that randomly appear about once per hour. I'm very excited to finally get the station up and running.
We however have to improve the signal strength by increasing its wattage from 1 Watt to 17 Watts. We also have to purchase a larger antenna and tower to help get the signal out farther. This will probably run around 3 thousand dollars to get all the necessary components. I just decided on Thursday that I was going to get something going on the station. The unfortunate part about the project as it currently stands, you have to be very close to the transmitter to pick up the signal, about 1/4 th of a mile.
If you're in the Meadow Heights subdivision in Batesville (North West of the Fair Grounds) be sure to tune in 106.9 FM to hear contemporary worship. It won't be long and the signal will cover a much larger area. Please continue to pray with me that this project will get completed in a timely manner and that the word of the Lord and anointed worship will blanket Batesville. To God be the glory!
If you are considering a donation please make your check out to the Literacy Council of Independence County. The L.C.I.C. is a 501 (c) 3 organization and donations are tax deductible.
Jubilee Family Church
October 19, 2008
Exousia
Enjoy the video on Authority
Matthew 10:7,8
As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
It’s interesting to note that this is what the disciples are instructed to do by Jesus.
This is a very simple statement but this obviously means that the disciples are able to accomplish the directive. It’s also interesting that there is no record at this point of the disciples receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
John 20:22
And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
This is because in verse 1 Jesus gave the disciples authority. What is authority?
Authority Illustration
• One simple illustration is the local law enforcement officers. When they turn on their blue lights you pull over. They have authority over you. If you decide to not pull over there are other steps that the “authorities” have a legal right to take in order to enforce the law of the land.
• The law enforcement officers have the legal right to “ramp up” the pressure on a suspect should they decide to disobey their commands.
Exousia
There are 5 different dimensions to the word Exousia in the NT.
Exousia addresses the question, “Who do you think you are?”
Only By Revelation
• Ephesians 1:17
– I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
– Jesus living inside of you gives you Christ’s authority as He flows and moves through you to accomplish his divine purposes
1. Authority
• Authority – Exousia comes from the Greek word exesti, which means, “it is lawful". Exousia means power of authority, the right to exercise power, or "the power of rule or government," the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others,
• Matthew 9:6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority (exousia) on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home."
• Matthew 21:23
– 23Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority (exousia) are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?" (exousia)
• Jesus Authority is the element in His ministry that really sets him apart from all his contemporaries.
• This made him very different
• Luke 4:36
– All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!"
• 2 Corinthians 10:8
– For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority (exousia) the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it.
2. Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction means – 1. the power, right, or authority to interpret and apply the law 2. the authority of a sovereign power to govern or legislate the power or right to exercise authority : control 3: the limits or territory within which authority may be exercised.
• Luke 23:7
– 7When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction (exousia), he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
3. Freedom
• Exousia is rendered “freedom" in 1Co. 8:9
• Food Sacrificed to Idols
• 1 Co. 8:9
– 9Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom (exousia) does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
Power to Bring Under
• Denotes "freedom of action, right to act;" used of God, it is absolute, unrestricted, e.g., "right of disposal" is what is indicated; used of men, authority is delegated. Angelic beings are called "powers" in Eph. 3:10 (cp. 1:21); 6:12; Col. 2:15 (cp. 2:10).
God’s Authority is Absolute
• Luke 12:5
– 5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power (exousia) to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
God’s Authority is Absolute
• Acts 1:7
– 7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. (exousia)
Angelic Beings
• Ephesians 3:10
– 10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities (exousias) in the heavenly realms,
• Ephesians 6:12
– 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, (exousias) against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Angelic Beings
• Colossians 2:15
– 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, (exousias) he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
The Legal Right
• a "right" possessed in virtue of the "authority" given them by Christ, "freedom to act" and then "authority for the action."
• John 1:12
– 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right (exousia) to become children of God—
• 2 Thessalonians 3:9
– 9We did this, not because we do not have the right (exousia) to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.
• It’s important that we have a very clear understand of the Authority that Jesus gives to his disciples here because I am convinced this same authority is available to the modern day follower of Christ.
• Matthew 28:18,19
– Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
• Say, I’ve been given Exousia
• Preach the Message the kingdom of heaven is near
• Luke 17:21
nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."
• Jesus repeatedly told people that the kingdom of Heaven was near.
• Heal the Sick
Jesus healing the sick with authority
Mark 3:5
He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.
Peter Healing the Sick with Authority
• Acts 3:1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!"
• 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
• Raise the Dead
Jesus raises the dead with Authority
• Mark 5:41,42
– 41He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" ). 42Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.
• The Apostle Paul Raises the dead with Authority
– Acts 20:9-12 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "He's alive!" 11Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
4. Cleanse those who have leprosy.
Jesus cleanses the leprous – leprosy represented the incurable disease of Jesus day.
Matthew 8:3
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.
• Drive out Demons
Jesus Drove Out Demons-
Matthew 12:22
Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.
• The disciples drove out demons
• Mark 6:6b-7,13
– Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.
– 13They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
• Luke 10:17
– 17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
Jubilee Family Church
October 12, 2008
Iron Sharpens Iron
Above is a video from one of our Wednesday evening services where we discuss the points from the Sunday sermon. Sometimes God will bring you face to face with yourself to help you develop your character.
Jubilee Family Church
Be an Encourager
1 Thessalonians 2:19,20
19For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
Background:
The Thessalonian church was a church that Paul shared the gospel with and they received the message and were moving forward with it. This was very encouraging to Paul in light of some other places that hadn't grown or moved ahead with Christ. There's almost a sense of fearful hope in the heart of the Apostle Paul. Sending Timothy to the Thessalonian church to find out that they are doing great! I believe he's very excited about the way God was blessing the Thessalonian church.
The Words for encouragement appear 59 times in the Bible and we see a very high concentration of the word here in 1st and 2nd Thessalonians.
Proverbs 11:25
A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Get the focus off of you and refresh someone else and see what happens to you.
Points about encouragement
1 Thessalonians 3:2
We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
2. Other people's faith. Especially of those who you've shared the gospel with. It is very encouraging for a teacher to share a message with the students and the students assimilate the information with understanding and practical application.
1 Thessalonians 4:18
Therefore encourage each other with these words.
3. Our Words -
Life and death is in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21
Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
4. Anyone can encourage anyone else and their should be a atmosphere of encouragement around you.
1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Warn - Lazy People
5. Encourage - Timid People
Should you encourage a brash and bold person who's going in a direction that you don't agree with? Encourage those who need it, the timid
Help - Weak People
Be Patient - With All People
Different People need different things. Everyone needs patience.
2 Thessalonians 2:16
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
6. We can receive encouragement directly from Christ and God the Father.
2 Thessalonians 2:17
encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
7. Our hearts can be encouraged and strengthened so we move into good deeds and words.
Jubilee Family Church
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