A Taste of the Kingdom (3)

The Revelation of Christ

A Pastor introduces a sermon for the following week on Lies and asked everyone to read Mark 17:

Mark 9:1 NASB95

1 And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

Deuteronomy 34:5–7 NASB95

So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows his burial place to this day. Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated.

2 Kings 2:10–12 NASB95

He said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

To taste connects to an experience of a flavor.

To perceive the flavor of something

It can also mean to partake or enjoy something

to eat food

to take nourishment

Kingdom denotes - A Reign - A Rulership

Royal power

Kingship

Dominion

Authority

Not to be confused with an actual kingdom but The right and authority to rule over a Kingdom

It is The royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah

It is The right and authority conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s Kingdom

On the background of our rescue from the kingdom or domain of darkness and have been translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:13 NLT

13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

Jesus began His ministry after the arrest of John the Baptist preaching the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand

Mark 1:14–15 NLT

14 Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. 15 “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

But there were the Pharisees and the sadducees at that time who opposed Him and challenged Him and wanted to kill Him.

They came with tests, questioning His authority, asking for signs and even accusing Him of casting demons out with an evil spirit.

So at a time He declares in Matthew 11:12

Matthew 11:12 NASB95

12 “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.

This means violent people have sought to take the kingdom by force, they will not succumb to the rulership of the kingdom and will do anything ruthless to discredit it.

Therefore some had to taste the Kingdom to affirm their testimony.

Like we hold on to our testimony and nothing can change our mind about our experience that birthed our testimony.

The Apostle Paul comes to mind

The taste of the Kingdom:

Mark 9:2–10 NASB95

2 Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; 3 and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. 7 Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” 8 All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone. 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead. 10 They seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant.

Jesus grants some of His disciples a taste of the Kingdom who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God

They see Jesus transfigured:

with a new body and garments radiant and exceedingly white no launderer on earth could whiten them.

They see Moses:

Representing the Law

Went to the mountain and and there he died - Later we read about the dispute over his body

Shows up in the transfiguration of Jesus in a new body

The see Elijah:

Representing the Prophets

Was taken up to heaven in the chariot of fire.

Then they hear the Voice of God:

These men, because of their experience with Jesus - having a taste of the Kingdom testified in their letters of the wonder of Jesus and did great works, writings and miracles in His name.

Lessons: What Happens when we get a taste of the Kingdom

Acts 4:8–13 NASB95

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, 9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. 12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” 13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.

When we taste the Kingdom somethings must change:

Mark 9:3 (NASB95) 3 and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them.

Just like the garments and body of Jesus was changed, we are deemed for the same when we taste the Kingdom of God both now and in eternity.

NOW: Our lives must change

2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB95

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Romans 12:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

When we meet HIM: We will be Transformed

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 NASB95

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Philippians 3:21 NASB95

21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

When we taste the Kingdom we do not do things in our own ways anymore

Mark 9:5 NASB95

5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

We are usually focused on doing things in the popular way, acceptable by men but not acceptable to God

Proverbs 14:12 NASB95

12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Matthew 7:13–14 NASB95

13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

To get a taste of the Kingdom requires Obedience to Jesus

Mark 9:7 NASB95

7 Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!”

John 15:10 NASB95

10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

Isaiah 1:19 NASB95

19 “If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land;

How can we get a taste or experience the Kingdom of God?

We must be born again

John 3:3 NASB95

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

We must know and receive Jesus as the only way to God

John 14:6 NASB95

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

John 1:12 NASB95

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

We must believe and confess Jesus as Lord

Romans 10:8–10 NASB95

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Questions?

Have you tasted the Kingdom of God yet?

Have you encountered Christ yet?

If you have:

What is the testimony of your encounter?

And what impact are you making for the Kingdom of God.

Remember Violent people want to take the Kingdom of God by changing our children’s identities,

abusing leadership, disrespecting the elderly, attacking the church and dishonoring Christ.

What are you doing about it?

2 Timothy 3:1–10 NKJV

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. 10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,