A Divided Gospel
Rediscovering The Kingdom • Sermon • Submitted
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· 5 viewsRediscovering God's original purpose for man.
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Note 1: In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul is talking about the Gifts or manifestations of The Holy Spirt and he closes with this statement; “Therefore, believers, desire earnestly to prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people], and do not forbid speaking in unknown tongues. But all things must be done appropriately and in an orderly manner.”
A lack of order brings confession and chaos. A result of life is growth. As we grow in the things of the Spirit we will grow numerically which brings the need for structure.
If you feel that you have a word or something from The Holy Spirit that is pertinent for the entire body at anytime during the service… Ladies see Pastor Kelly. Men see Mike or Damon.
Note 2: We have been talking about authority and what that looks like for us as believers and it’s application to our lives, particularly when it comes to dealing with the unseen realm. During my study The Lord has really opened my eyes to some things that I believe if we can receive true revelation on it will lead to freedom as most have never experienced. I also realized that the things He is showing me is beyond the scope of what can be covered on a few Sunday mornings. I believe I have some direction on how I want to accomplish what needs accomplished as quickly and efficiently as possible. I need to work out a few details and i will let you know how we will proceed next week.
“The greatest tragedy in life is not death; it is life without a purpose!” The most important discovery in life is the discovery of purpose.
Purpose: the original intent or motivation for something. Purpose is also defined as the reason or desired result for the initiation or an action of production of a thing.
Simply put, purpose is the “why” of a thing.
Without purpose activity has no meaning and time and energy is wasted.
The purpose of a thing is determined by the creator of the thing. Purpose is the predetermined, established, intended result of a thing.
Many believers find themselves frustrated because they have not discovered the true purpose for their life.
The body of Christ is frustrated and seemly powerless because we have lost our original purpose.
The body of Christ is frustrated and seemly powerless because we have lost our original purpose.
If we are going to be effective, not only in our personal lives but in the world as a body, we must align with God’s original purpose and in doing so Rediscover The Kingdom!
Can we agree that Jesus had a specific purpose?
Can we agree that our purpose is not our own, but a continuation of His purpose? The best way to determine what His purpose was is to look at what He says.
In His own words.
In His own words.
43 but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” 44 And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
TPT … for heaven’s kingdom realm is now accessible.”
7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
From these few declarations made by Jesus Himself considering His mission, purpose, and message it is obvious that….
The priority of Jesus was to declare, demonstrate and establish the Kingdom of god on the earth.
The priority of Jesus was to declare, demonstrate and establish the Kingdom of god on the earth.
“I must preach the Kingdom of God… for this purpose I have been sent.”
Jesus’ assignment was not to just reveal The Kingdom, but to reestablish The Kingdom. He came to declare, demonstrate and establish The Kingdom as well as to teach us, both by example and word, how to live and function in the Kingdom.
This is in direct contrast with the focus on religious activity and religions preoccupation with going to heaven. It seems as if the message and priority of Jess was occupation and reclamation of earth rather than designing an escape to heaven for mankind.
The church focuses on the stories of what Jesus did, instead of the message He preached.
The things He did were a manifestation of what He preached.
The Kingdom is preached in word and demonstrated in power!
The intended focus was on the declaration of The Gospel of The Kingdom which would result in the demonstration of The Kingdom which would prove the establishment of The Kingdom on Earth!
Jesus spoke on the church 2 times. He spoke on the Kingdom over 145 times!
The church is not the Kingdom, but rather the vehicle with which God has chosen to extend His Kingdom.
Spent 40 days after resurrection taking about the kingdom.
A divided gospel is a diluted gospel.
A divided gospel is a diluted gospel.
To dilute means to make something weaker in force, content or value by modifying it or adding other elements to it.
When you dilute something, you hinder its ability to fulfill its original purpose.
At some point the church stopped preaching The Gospel of The Kingdom and started preaching the gospel of salvation.
The separation or distinction between salvation and The Kingdom of God is destructive because it takes one part of the truth and elevates it at the expense of the entirety of truth. It dilutes the gospel and makes the whole weak. It takes the focus off the original purpose.
Salvation, forgiveness of sin and being brought into right relationship with God, is not the end IT IS THE BEGINNING ! It is the spiritual entry point into God’s spiritual Kingdom!
Pre-Civil war; The Kingdom of God. The result was the church impacting every area of culture. Post Civil War the focus on the Kingdom was abandoned and replaced by a focus on salvation, rapture, last days, etc...
This resulted in and escapist mentality.
We are not called to escape this world, we were put here to engage and impact this world!
Consequences of the church separating the “Gospel” from The Kingdom.
Consequences of the church separating the “Gospel” from The Kingdom.
The church abandoned its original purpose and mandate.
The church abandoned its original purpose and mandate.
28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
The church lost its ability to impact and influence the culture.
The church lost its ability to impact and influence the culture.
The church became exclusive and self-absorbed.
The church became exclusive and self-absorbed.
The church limited its ability to move in power and demonstration.
The church limited its ability to move in power and demonstration.
We must reestablish a kingdom mentality.
We must reestablish a kingdom mentality.
His focus must become our focus! His purpose is our purpose. His mandate, our mandate!
Jesus told us to seek the Kingdom FIRST. He wanted that to be our priority because that was His priority. Matt 6:33
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
The First thing He spoke about and the last thing He spoke about was The Kingdom. (Matt 4:17 and Acts 1).
“at hand” simply means has arrived. His first declaration was the introduction of the arrival of a Kingdom, not a religion.
Repent; met-an-o-eh’-o. To change one’s mind for the better.
Literally means to stop, turn around and go in the opposite direction. This suggest action, but action follows thinking. Before we can turn around we have to decide to turn around.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
2 Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.
Transfrom; metamorphoō.
The way you think will determine the way you act. The way you think will determine your response.
Contrast between a church/religious mindset and a Kingdom mindset.
Contrast between a church/religious mindset and a Kingdom mindset.
It is so important that we understand the difference between the typical church or religious mindset and the Kingdom mindset.
A Kingdom mindset trains people for all of life. A church mindset trains people only for church life.
A Kingdom mindset speaks of the rule of God over the entire created order. A church mindset speaks of the rule of God only over things pertaining too church life or matter of faith.
A Kingdom mindset applies a Spirit-empowered approach to the natural world. A church mindset involves a spirituality that separates from the natural world.
Religious mindsets create religious systems. Those that are Kingdom minded function according to the structure of The Kingdom.
Religious mindsets create religious systems. Those that are Kingdom minded function according to the structure of The Kingdom.
Let’s look at some contrast between the Kingdom of God and a religious system.
In the Kingdom, the focus is on manifesting God in the earth; in religion, the focus is on applying their traditions inside church buildings.
In the Kingdom, the focus is on manifesting God in the earth; in religion, the focus is on applying their traditions inside church buildings.
Just the term “kingdom” implies both a king and his domain. Psalm 24:1 teaches us that the earth belongs to the Lord, and Psalm 22:28 says His kingdom rules over all nations, not just over the church. Consequently, we in His Kingdom (see Col. 1:12-13) are called to manifest His rule in the whole earth, not just the church realm.
In the Kingdom, an individual transforms from within; in religion, the focus is on observing outward rituals.
In the Kingdom, an individual transforms from within; in religion, the focus is on observing outward rituals.
Religion is focused on behaviour modification while Jesus is concerned with internal transformation!
Why? Because religion is more concerned with how people reflect on them than they are about people.
In the Kingdom, the Spirit is poured out upon all to impact all areas of life; in religion, the Spirit only moves during Sunday services (if at all!).
In the Kingdom, the Spirit is poured out upon all to impact all areas of life; in religion, the Spirit only moves during Sunday services (if at all!).
The gifts or manifestation of The Spirit is not just for church!
In the Kingdom, the Bible is primary and final authority; in religion, second religious tradition has primary authority.
In the Kingdom, the Bible is primary and final authority; in religion, second religious tradition has primary authority.
In the Kingdom, the presence of God is wherever the believer goes; in religion, the presence of God is at the altar of their church building.
In the Kingdom, the presence of God is wherever the believer goes; in religion, the presence of God is at the altar of their church building.
In the Kingdom, the five-fold minister equips the saints to do the work of the ministry. In religion, the five-fold minister does all the work of the ministry.
In the Kingdom, the five-fold minister equips the saints to do the work of the ministry. In religion, the five-fold minister does all the work of the ministry.
In the Kingdom, the ministry focus is Monday through Friday; in religion, the ministry focus is Sunday.
In the Kingdom, the ministry focus is Monday through Friday; in religion, the ministry focus is Sunday.
In the Kingdom, every sphere of life is integrated under King Jesus; in religion, the church stays out of the public square.
In the Kingdom, every sphere of life is integrated under King Jesus; in religion, the church stays out of the public square.
In the Kingdom, Jesus is the King of kings; in religion, He is merely the symbolic leader of the church.
In the Kingdom, Jesus is the King of kings; in religion, He is merely the symbolic leader of the church.
In the Kingdom, the focus is bringing heaven to earth; in religion the focus is on escaping earth to heaven.
In the Kingdom, the focus is bringing heaven to earth; in religion the focus is on escaping earth to heaven.