“He sent out servants to call in all the invited guests. And they wouldn’t come!” ~Jesus
Jesus is on a roll. Jesus is making sure everyone knows what is going on with the religious elites. They …
Tag Archives: Kingdom of God
God is in the revealing business
God is revealing things. God is in the revealing business. Sometimes it is a little fuzzy at first and then …
“You’re almost there, right on the border of God’s kingdom.” ~Jesus
The religious elites of the Jewish faith were constantly trying to trap Jesus. One asked “Which is most important of all …
“Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first.” ~Jesus
Jesus drives the point home time and time again. Jesus wraps up a story with this statement of how …
“To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.” ~Jesus
Whenever I hear the word “mystery“, my curiosity kicks in. I want to know. A “mystery” in the New Testament …
“If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” ~Jesus
Is Jesus my Master? Am I His slave? Does Jesus own me? Jesus is the King, anointed by the Holy …
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ~Jesus
Jesus is now at the core issue as He lays out His manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7). God has a …
Joy – Why does the Holy Spirit’s fruit include joy?
We love to eat fruit. We love the fruit and the juice. It gives us nourishment and refreshes us. May …
“Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.” ~Jesus
Jesus looks me hard in the eye. Jesus is clear. Jesus isn’t going to pull any punches with me. …
“I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in.” ~Jesus
I am concerned and worry about lots of things. One of them is how am I doing compared to others. …
“And if anyone misses God’s goal, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus the Messiah the righteous.” ~Apostle John
Special praise goes to Jesus for vindicating the penitent and the needy who have no human champions. Ultimately, all God’s …
“A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.” ~King Solomon
Jesus warns us constantly and consistently about the dangers not focusing on God and focusing on wealth. It is a …
“And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their religious elitist leaders.” ~Apostle Matthew
Jesus wrapped up His Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7). The teaching is over. What He has said is amazing. The …
King Jesus — How long will Jesus be King?
Kings came and went. Kings died. Someone else became King. It could have been a son. It could have been …
There are ungodly and unrighteous people. What to do?
There are ungodly and unrighteous people. They are evil. They have rejected God and His Son Jesus, the anointed King …
“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” ~Jesus
In some circles, the end game is to be saved. Now that is important but it is not the end …
“Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” ~Jesus
Paul tells the church that the spiritual blindness of Israel is a “mystery” that had not previously been revealed (Romans …
“Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; He directs it to whatever ends He chooses.” ~King Solomon
God is God. God is in control. I don’t get that some days. What about that jerk that is …
“We must obey God rather than men.” ~Peter
Jesus is clear. Peter heard Him and took it to heart. Jesus said “Render to the government (aka Caesar) the things …
“This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” ~God
What does God want from me? Listen to His Son Jesus. It is a simple and straightforward challenge. God didn’t …
“God’s plan for the world stands up, all his designs are made to last.” ~King David
David knows a lot about God’s plan for countries and kingdoms. We can plan and scheme all we want. …
“You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door.” ~Jesus
The Apostle Peter rightly declares the Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed one from God. Anointed to be King in …
“I can do nothing on My own initiative.” ~Jesus
Jesus is completely obedient to the will of His Father. 24/7 it is all about what does God want right …
“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” ~Jesus
What am I working for? Jesus wants to know. Jesus has some commands for me on this. I must act …
“I have not come to call the righteous but those who miss God’s goal to radically change their thinking.” ~Jesus
Jesus challenges me to radically change my way of thinking. Repentance (the original Greek means radically changing my thinking) is of central …
“Courage! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” ~Jesus
In the Bible, courage is also called “good cheer” as in Mark 6:50 when Jesus gave the command to the disciples who …
“Encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” ~Apostle Paul
Can I be gentle in caring for the weak? Every person is powerful. I can speak words that influence others. …
“Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.” ~Jesus
What does Jesus say? I know what He says. I can read His words. I can study them. I can …
“Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, the Messiah.” ~Jesus
Jesus isn’t enamored with my being a leader who serves. Jesus calls on me to be a servant or a …
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” ~Jesus
Jesus has just finished talking about not judging and hypocrisy in the Jesus Manifesto. At first sight and hearing, this is …
“Whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” ~Apostle John
Jesus tells me I “cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13) I must seek to be content with what …
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~Apostle Paul
Joy and happiness is essential in the Kingdom of God. The Beatitudes (aka The Jesus Manifesto) traditionally use the word “blessed”. …
“Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.” ~Jesus
The five thousand had just been feed. It was a stunning day. God had been shown, through His son Jesus, …
Miracles of Jesus — How does Jesus heal the sick?
There are so many amazing and supernatural acts of Jesus, revealing and confirming his Messianic credentials, and the coming of …
“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” ~Apostle Paul
The joy of deliverance is amazing. When God sets me free, rejoicing is in order. I was tied up missing God’s …
Toleration — It should be exercised for the benefit of those whose faith is weak
How toleration of other believers should I be? Even when disputing/dialoguing over prominent doctrines, a disciple of Jesus should exercise …
“How can we picture God’s kingdom?” ~Jesus
Jesus invites me to picture what God’s kingdom is like. Jesus wants me to understand Him as King of the …
Wealth — John the Baptist on Fruits Worthy of Repentance
This is pretty stunning. Of course, John the Baptist is a prophet and is determined to speak the truth of …
“What do you make of this?” ~Jesus
Jesus wants to know. Jesus has a question. What do I make of this? Do I understand? Am I listening? …
Mystery — God’s plan of salvation: God’s plan, now revealed, has been hidden for long ages
The mystery of faith is a term that occurs in 1 Timothy 3:9. “Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted …
Healing — God is the Author of all Healing
There is a lot to be said in the scripture about sickness and healing. Jesus heals. I know this to …
Authority of Jesus — It is Questioned
The authority of Jesus is questioned by others: Am I questioning that Jesus has the authority from God? I need …
Justice — It is Declared in Jesus the Messiah
Justice is a term used for what is right or “as it should be.” Justice is one of God’s attributes …
“There is far more at stake here than religion.” ~Jesus
Jesus is not a fan of organized religion and the elite attitudes that go with it. Jesus is in favor …
“Then there’s only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ~Jesus
Where is my treasure? What is important to me? Is Jesus my Master? Jesus told us to “store up for …
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life.” ~Jesus
There are a lot of details to life. What to eat. What to wear. Which way to drive to work. …
“Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect God to get here soon.” ~King David
Now here is some good news. God is going to take care of me. My job is to love God. …
Discipleship – Joy is a Benefit and Results from Being a Disciple
Joy is closely related to gladness and happiness, although joy is more a state of being than an emotion; a …
Denial of Jesus — The Jewish People Rejected Jesus
Denial is the making of a conscious, informed decision not to accept Jesus as the Messiah or his claims and …
“Be very careful. Keep a sharp eye out for the contaminating yeast of the Baptist, Methodist, Episcopals, Lutherans or the Catholics. Also the yeast of Obama, Cruz, Sanders, Clinton or Trump.” ~Jesus
This is a special message for our current toxic political and religious environment. Jesus has something to say about all …
“Keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” ~Apostle Peter
The Holy Spirit brings joy to believers, giving us an inner contentment and happiness which is not dependent upon external …
Does Jesus really mean what He is saying? Am I “buying it” at all? Is there good news?
I know what Jesus is saying. I say “is” in the present tense. I hear Him. The questions are these: …
Listening — To Jesus the Messiah
What does Jesus want from me? Jesus wants me to listen. Jesus wants me to be a good and faithful servant. …
“The fear of the Master is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” ~King Solomon
Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the Master is the beginning of knowledge.” Until I understand who God is and develop …
“Woe to you … ” ~Jesus
Jesus is upset. Jesus is upset with the elite religious leaders of the day. Jesus hasn’t gotten over it. I …
Mercifulness — God Shows it to us as He is Merciful
Mercifulness is an attitude of compassion and care, grounded in the nature of God himself, made manifest in the life …
“Happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~Jesus
The Jesus Manifesto continues. It may seem strange that Jesus should pass from peacemaking to persecution, from the work of reconciliation …
“It is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” ~Jesus
According to the Bible, though, hell is just as real as heaven. The Bible clearly and explicitly teaches that hell …
“We don’t want the crowds up in arms” ~Religious Leaders
The religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus. They would. The religious elites just didn’t want people to be upset about …
Gentleness — In Caring for the Weak
Human power under human control is a half-broken weapon in the hands of a child. But gentleness places my strength …
What does Jesus think of being a “servant leader”? Hint: Can you say “Argle Bargle”?
There is a lot being said, by “leaders”, about being servant leaders. I have a friend that has written a …
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” ~Jesus
Jesus is about to wrap His Manifesto. There is one final parable to lay it all out. There is a contrast …
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” ~Jesus
God is God. No one else is. God alone is in control. God is Great and God is Good. I …
Materialism — Material Goods can Turn the Heart Away From God
Material goods can turn my heart away from God. The pursuit of possessions and wealth and a preoccupation with physical things …
“Jesus rejoiced, exuberant in the Holy Spirit!” ~Luke
Jesus rejoiced. Jesus is exuberant in the Holy Spirit. Jesus came to usher in the Kingdom of God in the …
“What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” ~Disciples of Jesus
God is God and God is great. God empowered his son Jesus. There are so many amazing and supernatural acts …
Victory — It is Complete in Jesus as He defeated Temptation
Jesus the Messiah triumphs over and disarms all the powers of evil arrayed against him. Jesus has won the victory. …
“A slave of the Messiah Jesus …” ~Apostle Paul
How did Paul see himself? Paul saw himself as a slave of Jesus. This is not a fluke. Paul also …
“You are masters at making yourselves look good in front of others, but God knows what’s behind the appearance.” ~Jesus
Am I a master at making myself look good? What Jesus has to say to the religious elites (aka Pharisees) …
Joy — Deliverance sets it off
I want the joy of the Lord. I want to be more than happy. I want to celebrate God’s victory …
“In Jesus you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.” ~Apostle Paul
What gives Jesus the right to speak and act on his Father’s behalf in forgiving sin, pronouncing judgment and promising …
“Bravo, God, bravo!” ~King David
Where is my enthusiasm for God and His marvelous works? Why don’t I shout it out? Do I long for …
Faithfulness — The Proper Response to God by His Covenant People
Faithfulness is the proper response to God by his covenant people. It is seen in a steadfast commitment which reflects …
“If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” ~Jesus
Jesus continues the Manifesto. Jesus is teaching me how to pray. After the model prayer, Jesus emphasizes the importance of …
25 Questions that Jesus Asks in the Good News According to Mark
Jesus Questions Jesus has some questions for me. I need to answer them and not ignore Him. It is stunning …
“Blessed be God — He heard me praying.” ~King David
I need to see how much God cares. It is just who He is. I don’t need to look around. …
“What you believed could happen has happened.” ~Jesus
Jesus challenges me. Jesus wants me to believe. When I do, Jesus is loving, kind and faithful. Jesus wants to …
Peace — These Prophecies of Peace are Fulfilled in the Coming of Jesus the Messiah
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there …
Joy — Disciples Have it Even in the Face of Opposition
Do disciples have joy even in the face of opposition? Absolutely we do. Jesus is kind and thoughtful. I know …
“Happy are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” ~Jesus
I want mercy in my life. Compassion is a wonderful gift from God. I am challenged by Jesus to replicate …
Slave — Am I a Slave or a Servant? Does it Matter?
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave (dŏulŏs) above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become …
“Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.” ~Jesus
This is stunning. As disciples of Jesus, we are the chief objects of God’s fatherly love. We become God’s children …
Hell — Temptations to Miss God’s Goal (aka sin) Must be Dealt with Drastically
Do you believe in hell? It is interesting that a much higher percentage of people believe in the existence of …
The authority of Jesus — It is limited by the Father
What gives Jesus the right to speak and act on his Father’s behalf in forgiving sin, pronouncing judgment and promising …
“Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God.” ~Jesus
It is none of my business. That is the stunning message from Jesus that He wants me to know. I …
Joy — The Holy Spirit gives Joy to Jesus the Messiah and to Those who were Anticipating His Birth
The Holy Spirit brings joy to believers, giving them an inner contentment and happiness which is not dependent upon external …
Miracles of Jesus — Examples of the Authority of Jesus over Natural Forces
There are so many amazing and supernatural acts of Jesus, revealing and confirming his Messianic credentials, and the coming of …
“No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.” ~Jesus
What Jesus said blew His disciples away. It was stunning. Am I hearing Jesus properly? Am I stunned? Am I …
“A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.” ~King Solomon
Here is something for me to assess. Am I being pretentious? Am I pretending and showing off what I have …
False Doctrine — Is it of human origin and not from Jesus the Messiah?
Jesus, the Son of God, is the Messiah. God sent him to live among us, die for our missing God’s …
Faithfulness — Is seen as steadfast commitment to God in unwavering devotion
Faithfulness is the proper response to God by his covenant people; seen in a steadfast commitment which reflects God’s own …
Children of God — We become children by new birth
This is stunning. As disciples of Jesus, we are the chief objects of God’s fatherly love. We become God’s children …
“This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” ~God
God has a goal for me. It is a job I must take seriously. Will I? And he said to …
Peace — Through the Father’s provision for the believer
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there …
“This is war, and there is no neutral ground.” ~Jesus
Jesus knows what I am thinking. There is no hiding. Jesus will shine the light on my indifference. I must …
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” ~Jesus
Jesus continues His Manifesto (aka The Sermon on the Mount). Jesus is getting close to wrapping it up. Jesus doesn’t …
“Then he will turn to the ‘goats,’ the ones on his left, and say, ‘Get out, worthless goats! You’re good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why?” ~Jesus
Jesus has some goals in mind for me. Jesus is clear what they are. Jesus warns me that there will …
Authority of Jesus the Messiah — Jesus’ authority underlines his divine status
What gives Jesus the right to speak and act on his Father’s behalf in forgiving sin, pronouncing judgment and promising …
Joy — Can it become real in our relationships?
Joy is experienced naturally in many circumstances of my life in Jesus and most importantly in relationships I have with …
“Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.” ~Apostle Paul
This is very common. I don’t think of it that way naturally but it is when you start looking below …
