The Kingdom Challenge
Applying the Kingdom • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 1 viewNotes
Transcript
Reading:
13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Introduction:
Today is the finishing of the Kingdom parables.
The parables were to provide the conviction and knowledge of what to change.
They serve as a goal to strive for each day as we live out our faith.
They range from understanding the value of heaven:
Where someone found a great treasure and sold everything they had for that treasure.
Heaven is worth more than any riches here on Earth and worth any sacrifices we can make for it.
That range goes as far as knowing how to repent.
Often times we understand the concepts of biblical things but lack the practicality of how to live it out.
When I set out to go through these parables my intention was to help us grow in our desire for God’s word.
That it would transform our minds in different areas.
That we would strive for God’s word to change us.
God’s word isn’t for earning merit badges.
What I mean by that is:
The verses we can quote
The bible studies we have participated in
How many times we have read it from cover to cover
None of these things should be what we strive for, instead we should strive for the Wisdom to live out our faith!
That wisdom directs our decisions because we have faith that God’s word is reliable and true.
Transition:
The Kingdom parables are there to impact our lives.
Knowing them should change us and what we do!
We are as 1 peter states a called out people.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
We are God’s people because we received His mercy, and are called to a greater purpose than our own lives.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
We are called into a position of testimony!
Our salvation should testify of the power of God to change a sinner to a saint!
Which is exactly why we are told by Christ in His last words what we should be doing while we wait for His return.
It is called the great commission.
The commission was first given to the disciples; but recorded for all future believers.
Jesus hasn’t come back yet, so that commission hasn’t ended, it is still in effect for all believers.
We have it recorded in Matthew 28
The passages are fulfilling what Jesus asked of the disciples which provides:
The Setting
The Setting
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
There used to be 12 disciples, what happened why is there only 11?
Satan happened.
3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders,
4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.
Judas betrayed Jesus then what the text says: he realized that he sent Jesus to die!
Admitted to shedding innocent blood and hanged himself.
That changed the called disciples from 12 to 11.
This is how we have in chapter 28 only 11 disciples
The 12th spot isn’t filled until the books of Acts, following the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
There was direction given by Jesus of where to meet.
32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
The mountain wasn’t a specific peak; but more of a general place: Galilee.
The hill area was where Jesus regularly went for prayer or teaching.
1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
This is where He taught the sermon on the mount.
Where we get the beatitudes and many parables.
It would’ve been familiar to the disciples, maybe even the same place as recorded in Matthew chapter 5.
I’m not sure how long the hike was to where they would meet Him; but I bet their anticipation was more than a little kid at Christmas.
Their hike was probably faster than a normal hike.
Anticipating the meeting and the hope that drove them is evident in what the text says in verse :17
17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
They worshiped Him.
Probably in the same manner as earlier:
9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
It doesn’t say that they all worshiped Him, it just makes note that some did and some doubted.
What do you suppose they doubted?
This isn’t a word that means there was unbelief of Jesus as the Messiah.
It is more of an hesitation or indecision.
How would you react if you saw a person alive who you saw die a few days ago?
Some of us may find ourselves more like Thomas: We need physical proof that He died and it is actually Him!
You don’t have to attempt to be a super christian and say: There is no way I wouldn’t believe.
That simply isn’t true:
We can’t really understand that scenario unless we were placed in it.
It is cool that the text reveals to us that the disciples weren’t robots, they had unique personalities and different ways to view things.
Don’t be discouraged if you doubt some things of God.
Just keep reminding yourself that Jesus is real, and the spiritual realm happening around you is too.
He is in charge of it and He has your best interest when doing things.
Make choices based on faith that the truths of God’s word are trustworthy.
Ask Him to reveal Himself to you as He did here to His disciples.
Transition:
Just at Jesus reassured them of His deity in verse 18 He will continue reassuring you of who He is as well.
Hear:
The proclamation
The proclamation
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
His first words were:
All Authority.
What authority would He be speaking of?
If you say to someone you have “all authority” is your statement accurate?
No!
Who in our world has all authority?
No one!
This is something that many have pursued.
Illustration:
Throughout history we have witnessed mans attempts for all authority.
It was ugly, the worst parts of our sin nature can be seen because of the drive to achieve all authority.
There was no limit to their evils and crimes against other humans who are called precious by God!
What was their goal?
All Authority.
Authority over what?
Everything and everyone.
Yet no one has ever been able to say they have all authority!
Except Jesus Christ!
Listen to the areas He to have authority over:
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Heaven and Earth.
He doesn’t just have all authority over all of creation, He has it over all the spiritual realm too.
The location of where our souls go after our flesh expires.
He has say so over souls.
He has the say so over governments
He has the say so over our weather, volcanoes, oceans, etc...
He even has the say so over each and every life, when it ends and when it begins!
Transition:
Jesus after His resurrection is reveals one last time who He is and why we can have faith in Him.
He is God almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
We can believe in Him as He is God and cannot do anything that is contrary to His nature; He cannot lie.
He only speaks truth!
God in the next 2 passages calls and commissions, not just the disciples but all who believe in Him for their salvation, to the task of:
Reaching, and Training Souls
Reaching, and Training Souls
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Right from the very first word a “charge” is given by God with all authority!
“Go”
This word means to head in a specific direction with purpose for an end!
Illustration:
A triathlon has three different events:
Biking
Swimming
And Running
All of which need to be executed in order to finish the race.
The shortest of triathlons are called: “Super Sprint”, where you:
Bike: 6.2 miles
Swim: .25 miles
Run: 1.5 miles
The longest triathlons are called: “Iron-man”, where you:
Bike: 112 miles
Swim: 2.4 miles
Run: 26.2 miles
How is it possible to reach the finish line without being in an ambulance?
Keeping your focus towards the finish line is often the difference between finishing and quitting.
You are utilizing the same determination it requires to fulfill what Jesus is asking here: “Go”!
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Make disciples
Baptize them
In a covenant with the triune God!
How can you make a disciple?
Tell someone how God is changing you!
Then allow them to see your life; which will testify of that truth.
Tell them how God loves them and sacrificed Himself for them too.
A disciple is also one who your helping learn the job.
Every apprentice is a disciple of the one teaching them the trade.
In our faith a disciple is one who learns from a teacher.
Every one of you can be a discipler.
How?
What happens when our leaders find themselves incapable of doing a certain ministry?
Hopefully there has been someone who they’ve been training at what they do, so when that person is no longer able someone already knows what to do and how to do it.
Illustration:
At Daniels road our treasurer passed away suddenly.
No one knew how she did what she did.
There wasn’t a disciple who could fill in.
Lets put that in another realm.
When a missionary comes home from the foreign field, if they hadn’t discipled anyone to fill in, the new missionary would be starting at ground zero.
It would be like all their work was useless.
Connection:
We are to make disciples so they make disciples, for strengthening the faith of each and every “next” generation.
They don’t need to do it how we did it especially since culture changes.
The process may change but the goal and principals that guide us on that journey never do!
Their journey can reflect honor for the trinity which covers three different realms.
God - creator of all.
Jesus - earthly example and sacrifice.
Holy Spirit - Spiritual director and seal of approval for our eternity.
How are we to teach disciples?
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Teach them the truth Jesus revealed and told us!
Share how that truth was obeyed and disobeyed in your own life, and the results of those decisions.
Remind them that they are’t alone.
Fellowship and communication with God has been fixed at the moment of salvation.
We are never alone!
We aren’t abandoned to try and figure out this life with our own devices.
Transition:
The verses here are the culmination of Jesus’ Kingdom parables.
His calling to each believer to Apply The Kingdom to their own lives.
Conclusion:
Know that Jesus is worthy of your worship, so do it.
There are some who will doubt at the sight of Him revealing Himself; but that’s ok because He will reveal Himself to them as He did to the disciples here.
He proclaimed the authority He has.
All authority!
Over governments and the cosmos
even over our life!
The King is calling you to reach your potential and “Go” a direction towards holiness with purpose!
Make full proof of the ministry God created you for.
Reach souls, then train them in their new life!
Someone is going to take your place someday!
Help them by training them to do it.
When you train them allow them the liberty to make that ministry their own.
The way we do ministry now, isn’t what they did 50 years ago.
So what we do in the future probably won’t be what we do now.
What we do now, isn’t going to be what we did in the 90’s
That is ok, since we are heading a direction with purpose and without compromising holiness.
Head out those doors today knowing you are heading into the mission field.
Reach souls with the life giving gospel.
Train souls to fulfill their ministry.
Help souls pursue holiness.
Begin to think and ask what ministry God has created you for.
Are you doing it?
Pray!