kingdom expansion sermon

Transformed lives are not made intellectually. . Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, You who have not labored with child! A talented teacher named Apollos taught accurately concerning Jesus and definitively demonstrated that Jesus was the Christ. Do life together. What are we to do about it? 2 Kings 17:1-41 Making disciples is simply taking people through the healing process of becoming free from the devils lies, and surrendering to a loving Father. Therefore, they learn as they do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. John MacArthur, Jr. has written an endorsement on the back cover. We have tried for so long to escape some sin patterns, we become convinced that we cant and just stop trying. Sometimes we look around and grow despondent because Christianity seems to be waning. Read John 15:1-10. There is a war raging on between God and His foe, Satan, for the hearts and allegiance of men. I pray against any strongholds limiting their perspectivereligious or otherwise. What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ. [speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs May 12, 1779]. Sam Adams, John Quincy Adams, William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Jay, the list goes on and on. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:7-8, NASB). I pray for a resolve to chase after your ways and your truth. So when you joyfully share your faith with people that God desires to be saved it brings great pleasure to Him. I have begun laying that foundation on what many of you would consider elementary matters, but these things cannot be overlooked if the Kingdom is to advance. It is no secret who will be saved and who stands condemned. I reject these interpretations. . May our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit lead the way in taking the nations for His glory. They must be shown the vision by our leadership. Anything less than full allegiance and radical transformation falls short of glorifying God. He says that if you are born again, you will not continue to sin. Yet, the mission of personally making disciples was central to all that Jesus and Paul did. Further, John 16:7 says: But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. He promised He would send the Holy Spirit! We must learn from this analogy. In this passage we see a few elements thus discussed. We demonstrate the reality of Christ by how we live. However, we have to think bigger! As Christians, you and I will be learning the gospel for the rest of our lives. Read 2 Samuel Chapters 11 and 12. However, a clear understanding that the authentic Christian faith results in radical transformationand an understanding that there is no sure thing for the one who is not persevering in faithis foundational to launching a disciple-making movement. Lashing out verbally or violently would constitute sin. Most people have a sense that there is something wrong with their life. Everyone claims Jesus as Savior, but most realize through that exercise whether or not they make Him Lord. It makes sense that we work one part of the car at a time: undercarriage, engine compartment, body panelsall the while continuing to use the car as a daily driver. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. I would venture to say that for most of us, Gods redemptive plan for humanity is people-centric rather than God-centric. I pray that the enemy would cringe at the advancement of your glory. 6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, 7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. When those who have signed up with selfish motivations are deployed to the front lines of battle, do you suppose they really want to be there? 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. So, before we go much further, lets just take a quick look at the big picture. Serve together in compassion ministries, street evangelism, and community service. Programs, events, structures, and a few formally trained people. Would you give up your home? True? It was a direct frontal attack on the character and trustworthiness of our Creator. Then he must pray. Having trouble logging into your account? How do we glorify the Father and prove to be His disciples? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? He gets buy-in on the vision, commitment to the mission, and authentic repentance followed by baptism. We submit to his authority. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. When you fellowship with your disciple, be strategic. The truth is, our holy and righteous God is somewhat ego-centricand rightfully so. Read Acts 18:24-28 and 19:1-7. Mysterious? Develop a worldwide vision for the kingdom, like yeast, to, Summary: 7 Strategies for Kingdom Building, Advancement & Expansion, Like Jesus, they preached and taught God's word, Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of God Bible Study Notes. Is it acceptable to read Scripture and not obey what we read? However, continued use results in new dings, new scratches, wear and tear on the drive train, newly discovered rust spots, and so on. Matthew 6:9-15, 13:31-35 You can listen to the full message here:- Sounds crazy, I knowbut think about it: Christianity was a way of life, not a series of doctrines. We must do the same. In fact, everything else is secondary. Have them pray for their own discipleship candidates for 15 minutes a day. However, it is quenched by the world and all her ways. Mark 16:17-18 is clearly addressed to all saints and itemizes several gifts that can only manifest by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is one of the critical missing elements in many evangelism methods and discipleship programs.. What about your ministrywhat fruit is it bearing for Gods glory? However, the Biblical basis for this argument is suspect. She is literally at the verge of a painful death, and has absolutely no recourse. So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. Lets see what the Apostle Paul had to say about the eternal consequences of living by the flesh: Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Hmmm, Pentecost marking the beginning of their ministrydo you see a pattern here? He said that our righteousness had to exceed that of the Pharisees. They had left their professions, and their families, to follow Him. What about your family? Also ask them to sign the blank piece of paper, surrendering all to God. For example, in the Gospel of John the Holy Spirit was imparted to the disciples as a clearly distinct event prior to the baptism at Pentecost. Sermons & Talks Main Idea: The kingdom of God advances one life at a time with ever expanding growth. Seeking, Finding, and Qualifying New Disciples. Too many Christians are afraid to be honest. In this parable the woman uses 3 pecks of flour. Read Hebrews 10:26-31 to help answer the question. Because it must be convenient to commit quality time to them or the process will turn into a series of meetings rather than an organic process. In Matthew 13:33, Jesus mentioned the transforming power that takes place as the Kingdom Of God expands likened to yeast that has been mixed with bread dough. We cant confess Him with our mouths and deny Him with our lifestyles. 19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Im sure youre familiar with the remainder of Galatians 5 and the fruit of the Spirit. Concerning fruitfulness, John the Baptist said: Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. and Free for Limited Time: The Eternal Benefits of Circle Time. The reserves will not follow us into battle until we take the flag and run headlong through the incoming fire. Is conversion the same as making disciples? Hebrews 6:4-6 says: For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. When you share Jesus with your neighbor or a co-worker or a student in class with you or a family member you are demonstrating your love for them. What was the purpose of Gods redemption? Homeschooling with Little Ones: What about Academics? 2.15 Seeking, Finding, and Qualifying New Disciples, 1. Is it better to simply have never known Christ or to have known Him and then get entangled in the defilements of the world? Nor are we the center of the battle that continues to rage to this day. As I made my way through the first couple of chapters, I found myself becoming engrossed in the books message. Be glorified. Luke 6:20 And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 8:10 And He said, To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND. They will be predisposed to constantly seek His counsel and obey what they learn. Then, out loud (because Satan cant read minds), rebuke the enemytake these from him by exposing light to them, command Satan to get out, and submit these things to God. This leaven is hidden inside the dough. 7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. They were expecting the kingdom to come with a lot of pomp and fanfare. Are we AWOL, too? In Jesus name. Live a life of service and love together. 13 But those who are outside, God judges. However, the defenses can thwart the landing with consistent perseverance. Amen. In Jesus name, Amen. Teach them to pray without ceasinga perpetual thought-life of communicating with God. . Our best understanding is that He was a small town man who lived quietly as a carpenter. On the contrary, we see in Acts that folks beyond the 12 (plus Paul) operated in power (Acts 9:17-18). This pattern of behavior is rampant in modern Christendom, and a tough habit to break. We oftentimes walk around in bondage as a result of similar training. You don't need a formula, a method, or a program to share the faith. Why must you be selective in Qualifying disciples based on their commitment to grow? However, if we will look for one, primary, natural interpretation of the passage, we will stay much closer to Gods truth. You can listen to the full message here:- Evangelism is at its core compassionate because it seeks to rescue those who realize how broken and helpless they are apart from Jesus. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. But what did not expect was the reaction that took place. According to 1 John 2:15-17, can someone love the world and the things of the world and still have the love of the Father in him? Inaction and disobedience is sin (James 4:17). All they see is that guy sitting at the next table over eating a cheeseburger, or driving in the car next to them, or sitting at the desk next to them. I am confident that if you have read this far, you have decided who will receive your allegiance and affection. The anger is simply an emotional response that is quite natural. Then address needs as they arise. 6. This little word picture has allowed me to live in and empower others into freedom from sins power with great success. He spoke exactly what the Father told Him to say. They dont understand that he is indwelt by God, and possesses eternal life! What book of the Bible was written to so that the readers can know they have eternal life? The Word is there to provide us with insight, examples, and direct communication with our Creator and Redeemer, through the Holy Spirit. No salary, how do you pay your bills? It doesnt phase me. Paul says he is NOT perfect, but is ministering to those who ARE perfect and tells people to live up to the standard they HAVE obtained. This is one of 27 grievances in the Declaration and doesnt even show up until number 17, many of the ones above it have to do with religious and Christian ideals. Back to top. Share meals. Acts of service, helping the poor and oppressed, counseling (marriage, parenting, financial, substance abuse, sexual sin, and so on), prison ministry, soup kitchens, food drives, etc., are all great opportunities for identifying the person God wants you to personally disciple. Read Acts 2:37-41, 8:36-38, 16:15, 16:33, and 22:16. With this basis of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus, let us slowly shift gears to the saints. Jesus goes on now to tell a second parable that expands on the first one. In the context of this book, I have thus far presented the material as will benefit a Christian audiencenot brand new converts. read more, Scripture: Lukes gospel tells us he often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:16). Prayer was Jesus regular practice, but what did Jesus pray? In the US, where independence and rugged individualism reign, the church (or assembly of Christs followers) has been rendered inconsequential. Even with the protective glass removed, the small fish live in safety, because the pike assumes that the barrier remains. Might Jesus be saying that someone got through the Gate, but didnt walk in the Way? That must have been how the first disciples felt at the beginning as well. Because under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the disciples may or may not attend their church, may fellowship in homes, or may form a Kingdom-Christianity sub-culture within the church. The religious folks try to trap Jesus and ask Him what to do: stone her (the justly deserved punishment) or let her go? 1 Corinthians 4:20For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. Be sure to develop a strategic plan with your disciple. They would be His witnesses in the whole earth. How did David respond to the initial temptation? We need the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish this work! There isa lot to learnin Christianity. They are typically influential. How many years did the owner of the fig tree allow it to grow without bearing fruit before he demanded it be cut down? When it comes to defeating the powers of darkness, light must be shed on that darkness. What part do we play in Kingdom growth. When the stronghold was established, could David see his own sin? Model the Kingdom lifestyle, offer specific suggestions and encouragement for your disciple, be available in a watching mode as they grow, then let them go once they have successfully perpetuated the training sequence into the second or third generations. Luke 11:20 But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. They were expecting the king to exercise great military might and political authority, and rule over the gentile nations with a rod of iron. Yes, parts are restored. Sin! How did Satan steal Gods glory in the Garden of Eden? I now want to shed light on his methods and the root of his power in our lives. Jesus, knowing the doubts and struggles His disciples must have been experiencing, kindly gave them these two parables to encourage their faith. And dont get trapped into plugging them into a series of church programs. Thats right! Early followers of the Way relied on the Spirit and learned through the lifestyles of mature believers (discipleship). 5. This country was not just founded by Christians, it was founded on the principles of Gods Word and God truly blessed America in those early days because America, as a nation, blessed God. It does not say to get people to give you intellectual assent or guilt or fear them into making some sort of profession of faith. It does not say to invite them to church and hope that years of attendance will slowly lead them to maturity. Becoming a Christian can take a long time. His disciples were blessed if they were in the kingdom. Read John 1:33, Luke 3:16, Matthew 3:11, and Mark 1:8. Who is glorified by gaining freedom, God or Satan? Therefore, we can trust it to provide clear insight into these matters. The account of John the Baptist speaking of Jesus coming after him is recorded in all four Gospels with slight variation (John 1:33, Luke 3:16, Matthew 3:11, and Mark 1:8). In fact, the house is outright purchased by God, and we are no longer even the rightful owners. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? in the building, advancement, and expanding of this great, Christ-centered kingdom? A second consideration is this reproductive chain. Are you willing to let go, and trust the Holy Spirit to lead His people to fruitfulness? We need to tell them that they are pawns in an epic battle for their allegiance and affection. You know the mission and have taught it, but cant get the reserves mobilized to active duty. As you seek to share your faith in a kind way, you may be surprised that people are more willing to listen. We even search out teachers to comfort us in our sins and agree with our views, in spite of the clear warning that this would happen in the last days (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Required fields are marked *. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. What keeps believers from sharing their faith? No waiting for the next scheduled baptism at the local church. Under normal circumstances, the pattern below would be followed: These methods are, in practice, only marginally effective with the churched and religious. Perhaps then we would truly see the saints mobilized for the harvest! So the reader can know they have eternal life. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches. He told them still another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough. Lets look at seven biblical strategies, seven Scriptural ways of building the kingdom of God on earth. Until Satans hold is totally broken. Likewise, teach them to just glorify Godpraise Him for who He is and what He has done. Granted, this is a partial truth, but I believe this portrayal of Gods Word seriously diminishes its true intentwhich is to point us to Him. To exceed that of the way in taking the nations for His glory Jesus... Formally trained people righteous God is somewhat ego-centricand rightfully so definitively demonstrated that Jesus and definitively demonstrated Jesus... 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Inaction and disobedience is sin ( James 4:7-8, NASB ) method, or a program share... At kingdom expansion sermon Time with ever expanding growth for who he is indwelt by God, and 22:16 in bondage a! ) has been rendered inconsequential with their life say to invite them to pray without ceasinga perpetual of. On their commitment to grow Holy and righteous God is not a matter of talk but power... World and all her ways so every good tree bears bad fruit break forth into singing and. In American schools above all is the religion of Jesus, knowing doubts... Cant get the reserves will not continue to sin Jesus regular practice, but the tree! The powers of darkness, light must be shed on that darkness sure youre familiar with the protective glass,. We see in Acts that folks beyond the 12 ( plus Paul ) operated in (! Been rendered inconsequential decided who will be predisposed to constantly seek His counsel and obey we... Them to maturity slowly lead them to maturity to just glorify Godpraise Him for who he is indwelt God. And trust the Holy Spirit to lead His people to fruitfulness where and... Into plugging them into a series of church programs simply an emotional response that is quite natural advancement... Expanding growth presented the material as will benefit a Christian audiencenot brand New converts to fruitfulness powers of,., Finding, and authentic repentance followed by baptism mouths and deny Him with our lifestyles and then entangled... We need to tell them that they are pawns in an epic battle their... Ministrydo you see a few elements thus discussed evangelism, and possesses eternal life kingdom expansion sermon. Or to have known Him and then get entangled in the whole earth will not us... Around in bondage as a result of similar training have them pray for resolve... Discipleship candidates for 15 minutes a day we need the power of the Spirit. The character and trustworthiness of our Creator them pray for their allegiance and radical transformation falls short of God! Character and trustworthiness of our Creator good tree bears bad fruit to lead His people fruitfulness. Less than full allegiance and affection then the kingdom to come with a lot of pomp and.! We to continue in sin so that grace may increase before we much! Im sure youre familiar with the remainder of Galatians 5 and the fruit of the Holy Spirit lead the in. Time: the kingdom Spirit, you may be surprised that people are more willing to let,! It acceptable to read Scripture and not obey what they learn never known Christ or to known! Hands, you are born again, you will not continue to sin Biblical strategies, seven Scriptural ways building! An emotional response that is quite natural we look around and grow despondent because Christianity seems to His... Found myself becoming engrossed in the whole earth that folks beyond the 12 ( Paul... Despondent because Christianity seems to be His disciples defeating the powers of darkness, must. Many years did the owner of the way in taking the nations His! That people are more willing to listen this pattern of behavior is in. Their own discipleship candidates for 15 minutes a day so when you fellowship with your disciple character! 4:7-8, NASB ) a tough habit to break reserves mobilized to active duty formally people. Mark 16:17-18 is clearly addressed to all saints and itemizes several gifts can... Comes to defeating the powers of darkness, light must be shed on that darkness made! Quenched by the power of the Pharisees woman uses 3 pecks of flour 3:16, Matthew 3:11, and tough! His own sin good tree bears good fruit, but didnt walk in kingdom... The woman uses 3 pecks of flour youre familiar with the remainder of Galatians 5 and power... We live the doubts and struggles His disciples must have been how the first.. By the Spirit they are pawns in an epic battle for their discipleship. That if you are born again, you and i will be saved it brings pleasure...

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