The Essential Kingdom

Essential

Water is probably the most important essential nutrient that a person needs to live. A person can only survive a few days without consuming water.

There are three items essential in order to make a fire. Heat, Oxygen and Fuel

We hear alot of people talking about what is and is not essential today. This is an essential worker. This job is essential. This protest is essential. This gathering is not essential.

I remember when the lockdowns first began and my wife Beth who works at the country jail as a cook supervisor came home and told me she was  considered an essential worker.

I want to talk to you today about an essential kingdom.

When Jesus was describing the kingdom of God he used a couple of parables to show what the value of the Kingdom should look like to us. Matthew 13:44-46 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

The men in these parables sold all they had to buy the treasure. The treasure representing the Kingdom of God. Is that how we see the Kingdom of God? Is that how we view our life in the church today? Are we sold out for the Kingdom? Do we see the Kingdom of God as being that essential?

Today in our communities their is a growing sence of fear not only because of the virus but because of political unrest.

For many people the thought of a deadly virus destroys all of their hope. The value and identity of natual man is in the kingdoms of this world.

Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. I have chosen Hebrews 10:19-25 as our focus for today as I want us to be reminded of the confidence we have to live out the Kingdom of God in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Hebrews 10:19-25  Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,  by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,  and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus

- Under the Old Covenant in the Temple you may remember that their was a veil that seperated the holy place from the holy of holies.

- That veil was made of up blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim worked into it.

- It was hung by gold hooks on an acacia wood frame which was itself overlaid with gold.

- The ark of the covenant was kept behind the veil.

- The presence of the Lord would rest on the top of the ark inbetween the cherubim.

- Sin offerings were made in front of the veil when sin was commited by an individual or the community to symbolize the need for a blood atonement.

- Entry behind the veil was permitted only for a ritually pure priest. Aaron or descendent, who would enter behind the curtain on the Day of Atonement.

- Confidence by the blood

- The old way of sprinkeling blood in front of the veil was a reminder of sin and the need for a sacrifice.

- It was a constant reminder of the coming Messiah and the need for a  blood sacrifice.

- The priests  - The blood of Jesus was the blood sacrifie all of those sacrifies pointed to.

- The blood of Jesus is the only sacrifice able to purify us from sin.

- Christ is the only and final sacrifice that can purify those who believe.

- Now through the shedding of his blood at the cross we can be confident that the final offering has been made.

Opened for us through the curtain

- There was an earthquake that shook Jeruselum when Jesus gave up his spirit on the cross.

- In the temple the veil on the curtain tore from the top to the bottom.

- Matthew 27:51 the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

- This symoblizes how through the tearing of his his own torn flesh Christ destroyed the barrier that stood between God and man.

Christ now sits as our high priest over the house of God

- Under the Old Covenant the priesthood served as a picture of the ministry of Jesus.

- Now people can come directly to God through Jesus Christ.

- When they do the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit makes them the temple of God.

- While the presence of God used to dwell over the ark of the covenant in the holy of holies, it now indwells those who believe in the Messiah Jesus.

Draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith

-The Kingdom of God is truly the only work that will remain when Christ returns and all of the things of this world pass away.

Truly in the end, the Kingdom of God is the ONLY essential work to be done. Everything else in this life will perish. How easy is it for us as we care for our daily needs to place our identity into this life rather than our eternal life with Christ. To see ourselves tied to this world rather than sojourning as an alien and a foreigner.

When we see our church life as just a small part of our life or something we do on Sunday we are not understanding what church is.

We see "Christian" church's living in fear. Many have closed their doors and abandoned the fellowship of believers.

2 Timothy 1:7  for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

that caring for the needs of the poor and oppressed are the concerns of Christ. When Christ began his ministry he began by reading the following from Isa 61:1-2

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

Fellowship with Christ and the assembly of believers is practicing eternal life.

John 10:10-11 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Matthew 16:16-18 (ESV) 16  Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17  And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.