Sunday Re-cap (15th Jan 2006)

“Restful” Violence “Loving” Force
by Ps Samuel Hari

Scripture:
Matt 11:12
“the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

Observation

1. The Kingdom of Heaven (KOH) and “suffers and violence” sounds like a paradox. We even pray “thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. However another scripture says, “in the world we shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” Jn 16:33. See also Matt 5:3, 10; 18:3-4


2. What is the Kingdom of heaven? In short, it is Col 1:12-14. In short it is heaven on earth.


3. So what’s the suffering about? It’s every opposition that comes our way to prevent us from experiencing the KOH.


4. What’s the violence? It’s the violence of decisions to do right even when the there’s every temptation to do what the flesh wants.


5. What’s the source of this violence? Friends, family, satan, ourselves, worldly patterns of thinking and living, expectation of man, fear of man.


6. No wonder we are defeated year after year, WE’RE SO EEEEASY!


7. This is the suffering! Without suffering violence, there’s no KOH. No pain No Gain!


8. It has another name, crucifying the flesh or dying to self.

Application

1. If I can accept that suffering violence is part and parcel of the kingdom of God increasing in my life then I’ll not be sad or upset when things don’t go right. Rom 4:18-22; Gen 22:1-3


2. I’m not supposed to passively sit back when things are not going right and accept them. I need to take it back by force. How? Prayer, moving in the opposite, lining up my thoughts, words and actions with the Word of God. It’s a different kind of force. It’s called a loving force. The power of love over these agents of violence.


3. Not giving in to the fear of man.

Pro 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

1. Jesus wanted to fight a different kind of fight but the disciples wanted a fight of the flesh. We laugh at them but are we the same as them?


2. Isn’t this a picture of the cross and the resurrection?

Prayer
Dear LORD help me to understand this and live this out. Help me not to be so easy! Help me not to give in and give up so easily. Help me to be different this year and when I suffer violence the next time. Help me to take back my inheritance by force. I know that I need to suffer violence for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven in my life. Help me stop pretending and help me be an overcomer as you’ve promised me in Your WORD. In Jesus Name, Amen.