Breaking Things Down

"Born again", saved, redeemed, converted, new creation, Kingdom, Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven, Child of God, Heirs, . . . . . Wow!   Did we ever step into a quagmire of religious concepts and ideas.  The question is; how do we thread our way through this without messing up?   If you've been wondering where we've been for the last two weeks, we've been mining for truth.  I don't want to move on, until we've all come to an agreement to what 'salvation' is, what the 'Kingdom' is, and what we are to all of this.  We're still working our way around it, so there isn't much we can say.

What I can tell you for sure is that SINMAN (our term for sinful man) can't see, enter, or inherit the Kingdom of God.  

We also know that SINMAN has a measure of faith that must be activated by hearing the Gospel.

We are now working on what happens when that faith is activated.  Before Christ was crucified, was it possible for men and women to enter the Kingdom?  What about Lazrus?  If Christ hadn't raised him from the dead, would he have inherited the Kingdom?  Did Christ have to die first before we could be born again?  If so, is there a difference between being saved, and being born again?  Is there a conversion process, or is it part and parcel of being saved?  What does being born again have to do with any of this?

What makes this discussion difficult is that the 'tenses' used in our translations change from translation to translation.  If Christ healed someone, did the Kingdom literally come to that person?

I had to evaluate some of my own long held beliefs on these issues.  So, we are still working our way through it.  When we are done, we'll report on what we've come to believe.  Till then, be patient.

DOING FIRST THINGS LAST

I hope and pray your fast went well.  How hard was it?  Did any of you see the people you were fasting for receive their healing, miracle, or salvation?  Did your faith change? Fasting is one of the most powerful weapons in our Kingdom arsenal.  I pray WE will discover power to change our inner man, and affect change in the earth through prayer, and fasting.  I BELIEVE fasting is one of the greatest surgical tools the Holy Spirit can use to remove the spiritual cataracts that cloud our vision of the Kingdom.  Seeing the Kingdom clearly will make our lives more meaningful, more purposeful.  (Fasting doesn’t make you more spiritual!)

This week, we’re going to talk about the Law of Primacy and Recency.  Primacy and recency is a tool used  to help you remember what is said to you.  Teachers use it to help you remember key information.  The media uses it to emphasize what they want you to hear.  In layman’s terms; if you say it at the beginning, and repeat it at the end, people will be more likely to remember it.  Most of you didn’t realize you were practicing this principle when you wrote a paper for English class in school.  We didn’t invent the law of primacy and recency, God did.  It is basic to Him.  He is the first and last.  HE IS!  It is important for you to know that the Kingdom is everything! It is why we are still here.

The Kingdom of God is the number one priority of Christ.  Salvation, redemption, deliverance, and healing, are the by-products of the Kingdom of heaven invading earth.  For some of you, this will be very basic, and old school, for others, it will be the launching point for a new life. For those of you who are mature, and grounded in KINGDOM thinking, I encourage you to begin to mentor (Disciple) those that aren’t up to speed yet.  For those of you who aren’t up to speed, ask for a Mentor.  HERE IS THE ONE THING I WANT YOU KNOW FROM THIS STUDY!!!!!!!

THE KINGDOM IS EVERYTHING!

The Kingdom was, and still is the primary focus of Christ.  Jesus spent three years preparing the disciples for the Kingdom. He didn't tell them to teach the Kingdom to the world, he told them to go into all the world and make disciples (citizens) of all nations. (Matthew 28:19)  He didn't say make disciples 'in' all nations, he said 'of' all nations. He knew the power of the Church was to infect, affect, and inject the Kingdom into the World system. If you remember from last week, I told you we would look at the fact that you can’t even see the Kingdom unless you were born again.  When Christ spoke to Nicodemus, he spoke in the plural, meaning he was emphasizing that the disciples were already born again. He spent three years showing them what the Kingdom looked like, how it operated, and what the manifestation of it should look like. His sermons, parables, and even his physical examples focused on the Kingdom.  Throughout this study, you are going to hear certain verses of scripture over, and over again.  By the time we’re finished, you’ll understand our second Kingdom Truth:  The Kingdom is everything!  Let’s prove it at the start, and keep proving it over, and over with our lives!  Let me show you with God’s rule of Recency and Primacy.

PRIMACY:

The Kingdom was declared to Joseph, before Christ was ever born:  Luke 1:31-33

John the Baptist preached the Kingdom before Christ began His ministry: Matthew 3:2

Jesus preached the Kingdom at the beginning of His Ministry: Matthew 4:17

Jesus’ FIRST recorded sermon was about the Kingdom:  Matthew chapters 5 – 6

RECENCY:

Jesus teaching the disciples about the end times: Matthew 24:14

Jesus teaching about the Kingdom during the end times: Matthew chapter 25

Jesus commissioning the disciples before ascending to Heaven:  Acts 1: 1-10

As the returning King, Christ has every right to demand a return on his investment(Matt 25:14-46). We don’t have any excuses, because he left us everything we need for life and godliness (2^nd Peter 1:3,) it is up to us to to present him with the increase of His Kingdom. Actually, Jesus spent more time talking about the Kingdom than he did salvation.  My prayer for this Men’s group, is that we become a catalyst for the Kingdom to spread to the ends of the earth, the church reformed, our hearts transformed, and our minds renewed.

As the Kingdom of Heaven becomes real to us, world events won't surprise, nor dishearten US. You will know you can endure all things, and be all things in Christ. You will be found standing firm in Christ, and not cower in fear. You will know why earthquakes happen, famines spread, hurricanes sweep, and tornadoes devastate. World events will not be mysteries to you, and you will have Kingdom principals to offer those who ask you for help. Miracles, signs and wonders will follow you everywhere you go. You will know the voice of God, walk in His presence, demonstrate his power, and be instant in season, and out, to release the Kingdom of God into the lives of people all around you. You will be poised to usher in the Kingdom, and bring this present age to an end. You will walk in the peace of God, the love of Christ, and present God’s gracious gifts to men everywhere you go.  With that said, the ultimate goal for this course of study is to usher in the miraculous, empower the defenseless, and bring hope to the hopeless.  We’ll step beyond the ordinary into the extraordinary, gifts of healing will once again flourish, miracles will become normal occurrences, and salvation will spring up everywhere you trod. 

To make that happen, you’ll have to cast off all cynicism, doubt, and unbelief.  The Kingdom of God isn’t about you fitting it into your life schedule, but about the Kingdom being your life schedule.  Hopefully this study will inspire you to devote yourself to the Spirit led life, prayer, bible study, and almost insane acts of faith. We won’t do this as lone wolfs seeking glory or a territory to conquer.  You, and I will do things we’ve never done before, empowered by the Spirit of Christ at work within us.  Being first will mean being last, and being last will mean being first.  WHY?  Because the Kingdom demands submission to the will of the Father.  Vain glory will pale in the light of the joy of seeing lives changed. Position, and title will be meaningless. We will prove the worth of the Lord Jesus through our lives being given completely over to HIM.  Fasting(not always for a week,)  will become a common occurrence in your life, as you begin to feast on the Bread of the Kingdom.  It will be in that time of self-denial, that we’ll discover what is waiting for us.

So, strap on your jet pack, put on your helmet of salvation, pull down your Kingdom visor, and get ready to kick some demonic rear.  This adventure can only get better, but first we’ll need to cover some very basic stuff.  Knowing the basics will make it easier to give the Kingdom to those who are ready to enter.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:  

List 3 MORE people in your life who need healing, excluding yourself.  List 3 miracles that need to happen in the lives of others around you, but not for you(preferably brothers and sisters in the Lord.)  List 3 people (family or friends) you want to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.  Mention these people in your prayers, put their names as a book marker in your Bible, and even mention them when you bless the food you eat.

Bring the lists with you to the next men’s group.

Forward Into The Kingdom

We’re off!  Another epic journey into spiritual manhood, living life on the edge, growing in strength, power, and most importantly - LOVE.  We’re going to break through our unbelief, and become believing believers. The Kingdom of Heaven will become just as real to us as this present physical realm.  In order to do that, we’re going to have to cover some basics, retract some erroneous teaching, and then stretch out into new territory. You’re not going alone on this journey.  I’m going with you in a major way.  I’ll be stretching my own belief system right along with you.  We’re going to risk it all for the GLORY of God.  This will be more than just talking about our faith; we will put our faith into action in a purposeful way.

 The Kingdom is advancing, and we are commanded by our Lord to be a dynamic part of it. From this point on, we are going to move into what others consider the supernatural, but for us it will become natural.  We’re going to take our eyes off of ourselves, and prepare for a Kingdom life.  To do this, we need a Kingdom perspective.  In order to have the Kingdom perspective, we have to be born again.  The Kingdom perspective is unique to the born again believer.  There are no spectators in the Kingdom.  The Disciples tried it, and Christ would have none of it.  If you are trying to live a ‘spectator’ Kingdom life, you are not reborn. You can’t fake the Kingdom.  The Kingdom life begins within a REAL relationship with Christ. 

You’ve already heard our pastor talk about having a Kingdom point of view.  The Kingdom viewpoint isn’t from Heaven looking down, but from Heaven looking in.  It is completely different from our earthly point of view. Yes, we’re going to have to change the way we think. (It’s called ‘renewing your mind.’) As I began to write this study, I found myself grimacing at some of the errors I’ve taught over the years.  I’ve even messed up with you guys.  I’ve kicked myself numerous times over the last few months as the Word of God became clearer to me.  THE PROBLEM:  I’d grown up believing certain things, without questioning their validity.  I’d allowed myself to become a Christian Pharisee. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is all about changing deluded thinking.  He tolerates ignorance, but destroys deception when we pursue His truth. Now I cry out, DO IT IN ME Holy Spirit.  Remove the error, and make me your man of faith.  Holy Spirit show me your Kingdom view.

The Kingdom viewpoint isn’t from the top down, it is from the inside out, and from the Kingdom into the heart.  GOD IS ALL ABOUT THE HEART!  The Kingdom of Heaven is about the Spirit of God invading the heart, and setting up residence there.  God doesn’t look on the outside of a man, but looks at the heart.  Men look at the outside, and hope the heart looks as good as the man.  The ‘good looking’ people who talk smooth, dress sharp, and tickle our ears, always make religion their tool of choice.  The “bully pulpit” is a powerful tool.  The controllers, and manipulators of this world can twist the faithful into knots with their slick, works oriented ‘take’ on God.  Man-made religions are about doing things to win the favor of God or gods, while Kingdom living is doing things because you have the favor of God.  Man’s traditions lead you away from the Kingdom, being led of the Spirit takes you deeper into the Kingdom.  Your citizenry is never in question, only your contribution to the Kingdom.  You won’t be judged, but you will be held accountable.

 

EXAMPLE TIME:  IF you are a citizen of the United States, you have the rights, and privileges of being a citizen at birth.  You didn’t do anything in the womb to earn your citizenship, and you can’t do anything after you are born to earn your citizenship.  You are a citizen.  You give ‘back’ to your country by service, duty, and lawful living.  Your rights (favor) give you the freedom to live the life of a citizen, while your heart, leads you to serve others in order to pay forward the gift of citizenship.  The other side of citizenship can be gained from looking at those who are given visas to live in the US.  Many people want to ‘live’ in the Kingdom of Heaven, but their hearts are actually back in their ‘home’ country.  They come, and go, as they want without any thought of taking up permanent residence. They want the bennies, but none of the commitment. 

Once we accept that we are ‘born again’ citizens of the Kingdom, we’ll see this world differently, we’ll live this life more fully, and our desire will be to see the Kingdom grow.  We’ll live as God intended us to live, do as God asks us to do, and say those things he tells us to say.  We will give ourselves to the Lord to accomplish His purposes. We won’t do it out of fear or duty, but out of a heart of love that desires to live completely for him.  To embrace the Kingdom mindset, we’re going to have to make some tough choices, set our priorities, and cast off the traditions of men.  We’ll be challenged at every turn to embrace the Kingdom viewpoint.  I won’t be coming at you as someone who’s DONE it, but as someone walking in it with you.  Revelation will come from you as well as from me.

You might be wondering what I hope to see happen in this study.  I’ll tell you what I want to see in my own life.  I want to see the lame walk, the deaf hear, the mute speak, the dead come back to life, and lives set free to serve Christ.  I want to see healing flowing like a river, joy erupting like volcanoes, and deliverance from every bondage of the evil one.  In other words, I want to see the Kingdom invade people’s lives everywhere I go.  This brings me to the first TRUTH of the Kingdom.  I don’t care what you do with these lesson sheets, but you should try to make the TRUTHS a part of your life. 

1^st Kingdom Truth:  The Kingdom invades the earth every time we choose to live it out.  (Luke 11:20)

LET ME DO ANOTHER EXAMPLE.  When I was in the Air Force, I was ‘on duty’  24/7, 365 days a year.  There was never a time when I couldn’t be called back to ‘duty.’  The government gave me thirty days a year to take ‘my leave’ of the service, but even while on leave, I was an ambassador of our Government.  It wasn’t a job, and it wasn’t a career, it was a life choice.  My job was what I did, my career was what I hoped to become, but even when I was on leave, I lived the lifestyle of a military man.  If someone asked what I did for a living, I would tell them I fixed aircraft, that was my job, ‘what I did.’  After serving the mandatory four years, I chose to make the Air Force a career, but when I was asked what I was, I always answered “I’m an Airman.”  No matter what rank I was as an NCO, I was still an ‘Airman.’  It was a lifestyle that dictated what I said, what I did, how I dressed, and where I went.  It was more than a green ID card with my picture on it, or a uniform I donned every morning. The Air Force was in my heart, and soul.  Wherever I went, wherever I stood, I was the US Government.  To this day, seventeen years after leaving the service, I am a veteran of the Armed Services.  That can’t be taken from me.  It is not a set of benefits, or special treatment, it is who I am.  I served, therefore I am.

   

It is the same for us as Ambassadors of Christ.  We’ve become ministers of God’s reconciliation.  That is why I like Wes Yoder’s description of us as “Christ-Men.”    I am a Christ-Man, and I have everything I need for life and Godliness.  I am no longer who I was, and I am not all I will be. My walk is what I do. Our words, actions, thoughts, and dreams proclaim the Kingdom to the powers, and principalities of the air.  The Kingdom of Heaven literally invades the earth.  Wherever I stand is holy ground, I am heaven on earth. We split the heavens and bring the purity of a holy God to a corrupted world.  Our country is the Kingdom of God!  Our uniform is the righteousness of God.  Our fellowship is the ‘unit’ we serve in, and our weapons are spiritual weapons that destroy the works of the evil one. Our ammunition is the goodness of God.

THE DIFFERENCE!

Everything is going to change, even the way we study.  We’re going to move beyond head knowledge, occasional acts of goodness, and fruitless attempts to live ‘like’ a Christian.  We’re going to follow the examples laid out before us by the Lord our savior.  He came here to show us how it is done in the Kingdom of Heaven, and we are going to follow HIS example.  WE ARE GOING TO DO THE WORKS OF THE KINGDOM.  When we do the WORKS of the Kingdom it is essential we have a witness.  In the Air Force, we had a list of things that we were expected to master before we could proceed in rank. You had a ‘reporting official’ who documented your completion of the tasks.  In the civilian world, every corporation has a list of skills you must learn in order to progress in the company.  The person who witnessed your progress is often called a ‘trainer.’  Our witness, will be one another. The miraculous, and supernatural are to bring glory to God through faith in Christ.  The works we do, become HIS witness. Those works need a reliable witness. When the Kingdom is revealed, there are no excuses for unbelief.  Healing, and Miracles will not cause anyone to believe, but it will force those who see them to make a choice. 

THE PRIMARY CHALLENGE is to become what God created us to be.  New Year’s resolutions end up as vain promises, and empty hopes.  Why?  Because we don’t reach out for the ONE who fulfills all resolutions.  I have high expectations and hopes for this study, because I know what writing it has done in me.  SO, instead of making a list of things you won’t do, or you want to do, I am going to recommend making ONE word the meditation of your walk this year.  This isn’t a homework assignment, challenge, or any other thing we’ve done.  During this week, search the Lord, and ask for one word to guide you throughout this year.  Meditate upon it, write it down on a stick-it-note and place it places where you can see it all the time.  Look for it in your scripture studies, exercise it in your prayers, practice it in your walk.  JUST one word!  Mine is ‘compassion.’  You can have my word if you want, or you can use thousands of other words from the fruits of the Spirit, to define your purpose.  Just one word.  For me, compassion challenges me at every level of who I am.  It goes to what I want to see happen to me through this study.  In order for me to see the things I want to see, I’ve got to have compassion. Your ‘word’ will be personal, and yet I promise you, we’ll see it working in you. There is a verse in a song from Rick Pino that says; “make us watchmen of compassion.”  That is what I want to be. 

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:  Homework is for your personal growth.  Homework will cause you to expand your knowledge of the Word of God, deepen your relationship with Christ, and hear the leading of the Holy Spirit.  They will be PERSONAL acts of worship.  They are designed to make you more sensitive to HIM. 

ADMONITION WARNINGS: Admonition warnings are to prepare you for a challenge to the flesh. If you are someone who doesn’t like other people telling you what to do, or how to do it, you would do better not to read it.  You can know when the admonition is over by the admonition ending in three asterisks. 

EXAMPLE ADMONITION WARNING:  Homework assignments are not something you can do on Saturday night after working all week long, playing video games, or watching TV for countless hours?  The KINGDOM LIFE is more than Saturday night hurry up sessions. I’ve noticed over the years, that some of you put off doing your homework till the last moment. It is sad to me, because I know the assignment came from the Holy Spirit. I’ve done them before you have, and know their value. It proves your hearts haven’t embraced the reality of the light within you.  You often don’t see the value of the homework, and don’t trust that it came by the direction of the Holy Spirit. When you respect the Spirit in you, you respect the Spirit in others. This attitude is prevalent even in our own services. There have been many times where the Holy Spirit will speak for an action to occur, and we stand like bumps on a log.  If we fail in our services to do what the Holy Spirit commands, how can we go out into a hostile world, and be trusted to do what the Holy Spirit commands.  In military terms, if you won’t fold your blanket in a simple ‘e’ fold during basic training, how can they trust you to follow orders during combat?   I know it’s a tough statement, but we must have a heart set on trusting one another with the grace of God.  We need to check the attitude of our hearts.  DO WE REALLY BELIEVE OUR LEADERSHIP IS HEARING AND SPEAKING THE ORACLES OF GOD? Many people don’t hear the voice of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis, simply because they refuse to hear the voice the Holy Spirit gave to them to speak to them on a weekly basis.  If you hear HIS voice, hearken, and obey.  These are tough words! Many have fallen asleep in their walk with Christ.  If we were awake, we wouldn’t need to be yelled at.  I remember a man who did nothing but complain about the sermons a pastor was preaching about going out and witnessing.  “I wish he’d preach on something else!”  declared the man.  His friend looked at him and said, “I bet he wishes you would do what he’s been preaching so he can move on.”  If we can’t get past the first instruction, how can we expect the Holy Spirit to give us another more acceptable one?  ***

FAITH IN ACTION:  All the FAITH IN ACTION assignments are meant to be accomplished with your brothers in Christ.  They are not pass or fail assignments- they are simply ‘DO IT’ assignments.  When you are given a FAITH IN ACTION assignment, you will be given two weeks to accomplish it.  That means the ‘elder’ of the team must find a time when the team can get together and do the assignment.  At the end of the assignment, we will take whatever time it takes to share the results. The assignments will become more challenging as we ALL grow, (myself included.)  There is no point of mastery or having ‘arrived’ in these assignments. We will simply DO.  These aren’t skill sets.  We were created for ‘good works’ (Ephesians 2:9) to accomplish the purposes of the Father. If those good works could be accomplished in your flesh, (ie; giving, feeding, clothing, comforting etc…) then there would have been no reason for Christ to come. These acts are born into men by human nature.  When the Kingdom invades this earth through us, the battle isn’t a moral battle OR social salvation, but an all out war against sickness, disease, and bondages.  That is why you will need your brothers in Christ.  There will be wounds, casualties, and even losses suffered during the war.  You are vulnerable to attack when you are out on the front line.  Your brothers need to have your back.  FAITH IN ACTION assignments WILL put your faith in action.  If you get brave enough, you might even videotape your forays.

CHALLENGES TO BELIEVE:  When you are given a challenge to believe, it resides somewhere between a homework assignment and putting your faith into action.  Challenges to believe are meditations upon words through periods of fasting and prayer.  As I write this, I don’t know how many CHALLENGES TO BELIEVE we will do.  I think it will all depend upon how we progress.  Ask the Holy Spirit. 

KINGDOM TRUTHS: Kingdom truths are based upon scripture, but inspired of the Holy Spirit.  Christ taught Kingdom truths, and then sent His Spirit to lead us into ALL truth.  Truth doesn’t change, but its application does.  As the world around us becomes more complex technologically, there are certain truths that transcend, and even challenge the carnal viewpoints embraced by many who proclaim Christ.  There is always a violent reaction when the Kingdom of Heaven comes into contact with the kingdoms of this earth.  If a Kingdom truth makes you angry, you might want to examine yourself.  I am never concerned about putting out a Kingdom truth, but at the same time, feel free to study one out if you feel I’ve strayed beyond the lines.  As always, I’m open to discussion (not argument.) 

Those are the differences in this study.  I will post the lesson sheets directly onto my blog, to which I hope you’ve already made a favorite on your browser.  You’ll no longer have an excuse for not knowing what is happening.

      

HOMEWORK and CHALLENGE TO BELIEVE:  Let’s begin our epic journey with devotion.  Beginning Monday, challenge yourself to go on a five day fast.  Let’s begin the New Year with an earnest heart and a desire to see the Kingdom rise up within us as never before.  Personally, I’m going to do a food, and entertainment fast.  If you choose to fast, I want you to write the name of one person you want to see healed, one person you want to see come to Jesus, and one person who needs God’s favor.  As you fast, devote your usual mealtime to praying for these people.  Ask God to reveal to you the right time to heal, witness, and bless the people you listed.  I know it’ll be tough, but I’m going to do this with you.  Go as far as you can. If you can’t fast a meal, fast entertainment.  If you can’t fast entertainment, fast a meal.  I personally know what our last fast did for me.  I watched what it did in the lives of those I love and cherish.   They are hard to do, but so rewarding afterward.