Kingdom Mindedness

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(KJV 1900)
Mark 9:33–37 KJV 1900
33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
KEY VERSES: “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all’” ().
INTRODUCTION
“One of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century went about barefoot, wearing the simple clothes of the poor and traveling either on foot or in the cheapest railway class. He never lived in a palace or mansion, but he chose to live in the slums among the poor people he loved. His name was Mohandas Karamchand ‘Mahatma’ Gandhi, and he led a nonviolent struggle to shake off British rule and bring self-government to the people of India. He was a moral and political leader, yet he led with humble servanthood rather than by political power. Though he was of the Hindu religion, he studied the life of Jesus and patterned his actions after His model of servanthood.
In 1931, Gandhi went to several European nations to visit the leaders of various states. Wherever he went, he took a goat with him as a symbol of his own lowliness and humility. When he went to Rome to call on the Italian dictator Mussolini, he arrived as always— dressed in old beggar’s clothes, leading his goat by a rope. Mussolini’s children cried when they saw the thin, bald, powerless-looking man, but the dictator snapped at them and ordered them silent. ‘That scrawny old man and his scrawny old goat,’ he said, ‘are shaking the British Empire’” (Johnson, Summer 2007, 63).
1. There is great power in true servitude.
2. Jesus modeled servitude for us.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” ().
Mark 10:45 KJV 1900
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
3. The kingdom of God is not about who is the greatest; it is about achieving God’s will on earth as in Heaven.
4. To seek to accomplish His will on earth, we must be kingdom-minded.
Philippians 2:5 (KJV 1900)
Philippians 2:5 KJV 1900
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
I. ESTABLISHING THE KINGDOM
A. God Came to Save
1. Through the Incarnation, God became a servant.
32
(KJV 1900)
Philippians 2:5–8 KJV 1900
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
“For electricity to be useful, it must pass through an electrical transformer. The transformer reduces the power to whatever a particular building needs and can accommodate without the power destroying it. Without this reduction, everything in the house would burn up. Jesus Christ brought God down to us—into the practical realm of our daily lives. He did not diminish God or His holiness; He merely revealed Him and brought Him to us in a way we could comprehend” (Johnson, Summer 2006, 65).
“Jesus Christ . . . tasted fully of the human experience and overcame temptation so that He can empathize with and care for us when we are tempted. Jesus can mend our broken hearts, help us when we stumble, and comfort us when we have to say goodbye to loved ones. He can console us when the home crumbles, inspire us when we are depressed, and calm us when anxieties overwhelm our spirits” (Johnson, Summer 2006, 65).
2. We must become like Christ.
(KJV 1900)
2 Corinthians 5:16–20 KJV 1900
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
B. Jesus Revealed God’s Heart and Mind to Mankind
1. Jesus revealed God’s perspective to the world.
Matthew 5:3–12 KJV 1900
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (, KJV).
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
2. Further, He taught us how to deal with our enemies.
Matthew 5:44 KJV 1900
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
(KJV 1900)
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
3. This doesn’t sound much like a conqueror, but this is Jesus’ method of conquering.
II. PRINCIPLES OF KINGDOM MINDEDNESS
1. To be a part of the kingdom of God, we must leave our former lives of sin, follow the Lord with all our hearts, and become soulwinners.
KINGDOM MINDEDNESS
Mark 1:16–17 KJV 1900
16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
33
STARTING POINTS FOR REVIVAL
A. Workers
Jesus found workers working and called them into ministry!
2 Timothy 2:6 KJV 1900
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
B. Forsaking
Forsaking
1. To be a part of God’s kingdom will require giving up some things.
Mark 8:34 KJV 1900
34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
2. We must abandon the life that was lived only for ourselves and live to benefit others.
C. Following
1. Following the Lord requires aligning ourselves with His example.
2. He set the pattern for our lives in every way.
3. As followers of Christ, we must study and follow His teachings.
3. As followers of Christ, we must study and follow His teachings.
“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” ().
John 13:14–17 KJV 1900
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
D. Becoming
1. Everything we do must in some way be an outreach to lost souls.
2. To be kingdom-minded is to be soul-minded.
“I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish” ().
Romans 1:14 KJV 1900
14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ” ().
Philippians 3:8 KJV 1900
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
1 Corinthians 9:21–23 KJV 1900
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some” ().
III. THE PRIORITY OF THE KINGDOM
1. One of the greatest revelations of God’s heart was that He viewed the lost world as a harvest ready for reaping.
A. The Harvest Is Great
John 4:34–35 KJV 1900
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
“Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” ().
“Gallup conducted a poll of the unchurched in America. Those taking the poll surveyed 2,556 adults who did not attend church regularly.
belonging to a church nor visiting one within the last six months except for religious
(1) The survey reports that 44 percent of US adults are ‘unchurched,’ defined as neither belonging to a church nor visiting one within the last six months except for religious holidays, weddings, and funerals.
holidays, weddings, and funerals.
(2)  The unchurched are becoming increasingly receptive to what churches have to offer and are staying away primarily out of inconvenience rather than hostility.
(3)  Of the unchurched, 63 percent believe the Bible is God’s Word.
(4)  Seventy-seven percent say they pray to God.
(5)  Seventy-two percent believe Jesus is the Son of God.
(6)  Fifty-eight percent said they were open to joining a church if they found the right one.
Gallup’s conclusion: These people are ripe for the harvest, but it will take new and creative strategies to reach them” (Johnson, Summer 2006, 66).
creative strategies to reach them” (Johnson, Summer 2006, 66). Maybe new and creative strategies would be a return to the Jesus method.
Maybe new and creative strategies would be a return to the Jesus method.
B. The Laborers Are Few
1. The Lord told His disciples that the fields were ripe.
34
Matthew 9:37 KJV 1900
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” ().
John 4:34–35 KJV 1900
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
“Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” ().
“Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” ().
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” ().
“Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” ().
We are responsible for our generation.
Labor is the top priority of the harvest.
If others are to hear about Him today, we must tell them.
We have what the world does not have—Jesus Christ.
We are to let our light shine, and that light is Jesus Christ.
Outreach is a task that Jesus assigned to the church, but but the church has lost its sense of urgency!
C. Reasons for Personal Evangelism
1. Because it is our commission from the Lord.
Matthew 28:19 KJV 1900
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” ().
2. Because we are empowered by the Holy Ghost to win souls.
Acts 1:8 KJV 1900
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” ().
3. Because we are Christ’s ambassadors empowered to do His work on earth.
2 Corinthians 5:19–20 KJV 1900
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” ().
4. The advantage of personal evangelism is that anyone can evangelize almost anywhere at any time.
5. It brings about results where other methods fail.
6. We are His servants.
CONCLUSION
1. The harvest was foremost in the heart of God.
2. Jesus declared that individuals who are not gathering people to Him are instead scattering them.
3. The world is the field.
“History records a remarkable account of the destruction of an ancient town. The watchmen on the walls would call out whenever they thought they saw a foe approaching. Sensing that the people had begun to resent them for giving many false alarms, they decided to remain quiet. Regrettably, not long afterward the enemy actually did come. The city that the call of the watchmen could have saved was devastated. Because of inaction, nothing was left of this city but smoking ruins. Later, someone erected a small memorial upon which was the following epitaph: ‘Here stood a town that was destroyed by silence’” (Johnson, Summer 2006, 68).
4. God’s people cannot afford to be silent about the sin that surrounds them or salvation.
“History records a remarkable account of the destruction of an ancient town. The watchmen on the walls would call out whenever they thought they saw a foe approaching. Sensing that the people had begun to resent them for giving many false alarms, they decided to remain quiet. Regrettably, not long afterward the enemy actually did come. The city that the call of the watchmen could have saved was devastated. Because of inaction, nothing was left of this city but smoking ruins. Later, someone erected a small memorial upon which was the following epitaph: ‘Here stood a town that was destroyed by silence’” (Johnson, Summer 2006, 68).
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