Sunday Re Cap (26th Apr 2009)

Citizens of the Kingdom (Part 2)

Text: Matt 6:19-34

1. We are lovingly instructed by our LORD to seek 2 things to help keep us in perspective.
   
   1. Seek God's Kingdom.
      
   2. Seek His Righteousness.
      
   3. The Result? all these things shall be added to you.
      

Need to emphasize that all revelation has to line up with the word of God. God will not tell us to commit adultery, murder, cheat, lie, crime, etc. Our church stand is we are opposed to sin but we love the sinner because Jesus died and rose again for the sinner to free us from our sins. We are vehemently opposed to sin.

Most of us have a pretty good idea of what the Kingdom of God is all about. So why aren't we seeing all things being added to us?

1. No revelation of RIGHTEOUSNESS! Without a revelation of righteousness, we cannot appropriate the benefits of the Kingdom.
   
2. Righteousness unlocks the KINGDOM within us!
   

• When Paul said that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, he meant that just as Jesus is righteous before the Father, so are we. (2 Cor 5:21; 1 Jn 4:17).
  
• 2 Cor 5:21 also says that God made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. This means that even though Jesus did not commit any sin, He was punished as if He had committed sinful acts. God is completely just and fair and because of Jesus punishment for sins that he did not commit, we are deemed righteous for righteous acts as if we have done them!
  
• Does this mean that we will go out and sin and just say, "we are the righteousness of God in Christ"?
  
  • Heb 8:10: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS.
    
  • I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
    
  • (11) "AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, 'KNOW THE LORD,' FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.
    
  • (12) "FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE."
    

These are the 4 clauses of the New Covenant. When we get a revelation of v12, we allow God to perform the first 3 clauses. We allow God to write His laws on our hearts, God will be our God and we His people and finally, we will know God intimately! How can we sin?

Continued next week….

Sunday Re Cap (19th April 2009)

Citizens of the Kingdom (Part 1)

Introduction

Read Matt 6:19-34

Are we citizens of the Kingdom of God? Citizens have benefits. What are the benefits of that Kingdom? Why aren't we living and receiving those benefits? How do we live under a constant flow of those benefits instead of receiving it here and there and in pockets?

1. We are lovingly instructed by our LORD to seek 2 things to help keep us in perspective.
   
   1. Seek God's Kingdom.
      
   2. Seek His Righteousness.
      
2. This ensures that we will remain in the continuous flow of all the benefits of the Kingdom.
   
3. We are citizens of the Kingdom of God the day we receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
   
   1. We are told to seek first the KOG. What is the Kingdom of God? It is where God is King.
      
   2. When we follow the "laws" of the Kingdom, we receive the benefits. Rom 8:1-2.
      
   3. What are benefits of being citizens of the Kingdom? Ps 23. Ps 103.
      
   4. The Kingdom of God is GOD!
      
   5. How do we get information and revelation of the Kingdom? Reading the word, prayer, church attendance, listening to Christian music, testimonies, messages, fellowship with Christian believers, etc.
      
4. So if we are only going to seek the KOG, how are we going make a living? We can earn by either serving God or mammon. Serving mammon is having the love of money. (1 Tim 6:9-11; 2 Tim 3 :1-3).
   
   1. When we have the love of money, we have many other "things" following us; sicknesses, depression, disease, FEAR.
      
   2. When we seek FIRST the kingdom of God, we have "kingdom" benefits following us; love, joy, health, provision, protection, etc.
      
   3. A third category of people. Those who have been blessed by seeking God BUT now have NO time for God. Ask God for wisdom. Not everything may be of God. Don't forget God. Prov 30:7. When it takes your time with God that means there are things we need to let go off. Ex: cannot come to church (to "seek first").
      

Continued next week….

Sunday Recap 12 April 2009

The Three Aspects of Resurrection
By Rev. Jeff Padgett

Luke 24:44-49
Parallel to the book of Deuteronomy (the 2nd Teaching), where Moses reminds the Israelites not to forget who God is and what He has done for them. He reminds them that the LORD has delivered; protected, provided and always loves them. Likewise Resurrection is total recall; to reminisce or to remember with complete detail of what the Lord has done for us. We need a daily resurrection to humble ourselves and appreciate the LORD.

Luke24:44 – Jesus fulfilled all that was written in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms.
Luke 24:47-48 “…and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.”
- Jesus reminds the disciples what they have to do from the time of His Resurrection till His return.
Paul reminds the Corinthians to stay fresh in the resurrection of Christ or the Passover Lamb sacrificed with full humility.

1. The Resurrection Factor
The tomb is empty – Jesus has restored eternal life. He restored everything to His Father’s original intent.

Psalms 16:10 He gives form to the formless. He has given us form. Jonah in the fish belly, symbolic like being in the grave was set free. Lazarus wrapped in linen (the blindness of Satan) was removed and set free.

Rapid growth of the Church because Jesus rose from the death – Peter stood up to preach and got 3000 souls saved.


2. The Resurrection Fashion
We are called to put on the Resurrection fashion – Humility.
Humus means earth or stay low, close to the earth. Reminds us where we came from.
Jesus clothed in humility by wrapping a towel around His waist and served to wash his disciples’ feet.

Isaiah 61- Put on the Garment of Praise.

We are clothed in power; we have influence because of the resurrection power that dwells within us.


3. The Resurrection Faith
As we embrace the Resurrection, we have Resurrection Faith. He opens our minds to understand the scriptures. (Luke 24:4-5)

Peter who denied the Lord three times, stands up and preaches with full of courage.

Paul transformed from a persecutor to the one proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Rom 16 – Paul greets by name each one whom he would have killed and persecuted but now he loves everyone.

The power of resurrection cannot be contained so “LOOK ALIVE” and share the Good News and impact others!