Acts 28:31

Acts 28:31 - Boldly and without hindrance Paul preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

What do you want said in your epitaph? How do you want people to view your life after it is over? Paul lived his life on earth in a way that glorified God. After he came to know the truth on the road to Damascus he never looked back. Everything he did was to further the kingdom of God.
Now, to fast forward to the end of Acts we see what was probably the last thing written about him by those who knew him. “Boldly and without hindrance Paul preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” That is what they said; that is how he was known. What a legacy to leave behind.
I’m not saying that you should live concerned with what people think about you, but your actions should direct people to God. You should be living to glorify Him and people should be able to see it.
We are told to ‘be an example of God’ and to ‘live a life of Love, just as Christ Jesus.’ As you are living your life for God you are also creating a reputation. For some it is good, for others it will not be, but your life is a witness to what you truly believe. You will either live different and it will show, or you will live the same and it also will show.

There are opinions being formed about you, whether you like it or not. People are listening to what you say and watching to see if it matches what you do. Our lives need to reflect God. It is only through Him that we can truly live.

I challenge you to think about what you want to be known for when you die. Will it be that you were a successful business man, a nice guy, or maybe on the other side of the spectrum, maybe you are lazy and don’t do anything.

Now that you know where you are currently at, think about what you would like people to know you for. Are you ok with being known as an average Joe, or do want to be known as someone who was committed to living for God.

You may not be where you want to be now, but I have good news for you. It’s not too late. As long as you are still breathing you can change your legacy. At one point in Paul’s life he was known as a murder and persecutor of Christians, but he changed that. You can change too. Make a decision to live your life to leave the legacy that you want. With God it is possible.

Acts 17:23

Acts 17:23 - For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: To an unknown god. Now what you worship as unknown I am going to proclaim to you.

As Paul entered Athens he could see how full of sin the city was. People worshiped anything and everything, with a temple to every possible God they could make up. There was drinking, partying, prostitution; you name it, if it was sin it was there.
Many of us ‘Christians’ today would think it was a sin just to have been in such a place, but Paul had a mission. It was Paul who said, “I become all things to all men, that I might win a few.” He had a heart for the lost and he wanted to bring Jesus to them.
This is where I think many of us miss it. We think that we have to give a ‘traditional’ message of salvation to those that don’t know the bible. Often we forget how to relate to people.
That is what Paul did here. The Athenians worshiped so many gods that they even had an altar to ‘an unknown god,’ just in case they missed one. While many of us would have walked right by and not seen this Paul took noticed and used it. When he began speaking he told them that they already worshiped the real God, they just didn’t know Him yet.
Paul paid attention to their culture and their interests and used it to relate the kingdom of God to them. We need to adopt this practice as well. If we want to minister to someone we must find a way to relate to them. Don’t immediately come down on them for what they are doing wrong. Find what they are doing right and bring the message of Christ to them through that.

Luke 17:20-21

Luke 17:20-21 – Once having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”



       “When will the kingdom of God come,” the Pharisees asked. They thought that when God’s kingdom came to earth it would be seen by all. If an earthly kingdom came to take over rule of another kingdom it would be done by force and the change in leadership would not be subtle.
       This is how the Pharisees imagined that the kingdom of God would come, but they were wrong. Jesus told them that they cannot sit around and watch for it to come; because they will not see it. God’s kingdom comes through the hearts of those who are in it. That means you and me.
       Christ made a way for us to enter the God’s kingdom and that kingdom comes into our hearts when we accept Him as Savior. So how does the kingdom advance? It advances through you.
       When Jesus taught His disciples He told them to pray to God saying, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” You are the answer to that prayer. God moves on earth through those who put their trust in Him. That means that everywhere you go you are taking the kingdom with you. And if you want it to spread you must spread it.
       Let your life be a reflection of God and let your actions show His Love. That is how you will advance His kingdom. It will be done subtly, through Love and relationship. That’s why no one will see it coming. So don’t sit back and watch for it, get out there and be one of the ones God uses to bring it to earth.

Luke 14:23

Luke 14:23 – “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.’”

       “The kingdom of God is like a man preparing a banquet,” Jesus tells us. It is prepared for specific people in mind, but they all have other things they would rather do. Now that the banquet is prepared this man does not want to waste it. He sends his servants out to get whoever they can find. His house must be full. “Go everywhere, and make them come in,” he tells his servants.

       This is a picture of God preparing heaven for His children. God has called everyone to Him, but many people have been making excuses why they can’t come. Sometimes they are too busy, or they have something else going on or they just don’t think God fits into their life.

       Now, as those who have already entered His kingdom, we are to take the place of the servants in the story. We are told to, “Go into all the world.” “Make them come in,” Jesus says.

It is God’s desire for all men to come to know Him. He wants His house full and right now it is up to us to let His Spirit work through us to make that happen.

This is not going to happen by just sitting in church or the comfort of your home. We must ‘go out to the roads and country lanes.” Get off your butt and get out there to where the people are. There are so many who are lost and hurting. They need the hope that we have inside of us. Go out and Love people; make them come in. That is your mission.

Matthew 25:14-15

Matthew 25:14-15 - Again, it (the kingdom of God) will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability.

Jesus tells us this story of the ‘talents’ as a comparison to the kingdom of heaven. It gives a vivid picture of what God is like to His servants (you & me). We can learn a valuable lesson from this story that we can apply in our daily lives.

All of us want to succeed and do well, both in our personal lives and our professional lives. At home we want to have great relationships with our family and at work we would like to excel and be entrusted with a lot and reap the benefits of it.

As we look at this story we see a boss and three workers. Now, the boss does not see the workers equally, because he knows them. He knows their work ethics, their abilities and their skill levels. As he gets ready to leave he realizes that he needs someone to look after his work and make sure it gets done. He calls together three of his workers to take care of his affairs.

First we must realize that before this time the employer was handling all of his assets, now he is going to divide them among three people. He does not do so evenly, though; he looks at the abilities of the men and gives them each according to his ability.

Here is the point I am trying to make. If you want to gain more responsibility you must improve your ability. When opportunity comes, if your ability does not match the guy next to you, don’t expect to receive the same amount of responsibility as he does. Increase your ability and people will entrust you with more.

Matthew 13:31-32

Matthew 13:31-32 - He told them another parable: “The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.”

This chapter has Jesus describing the kingdom of God in a variety of different ways. This particular example paints a picture of how easy it is to spread the kingdom. Jesus tells us that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that is planted in the ground.

A mustard seed is not much in itself. It is very small and only becomes useful when you plant it. What I believe Jesus is trying to say here is not that God’s kingdom is very small, but that it doesn't take much to spread it. All you need to do is plant a small seed.

This seed doesn't have to be much, maybe something you say, or possibly something you do. A small action and the seed is planted. Then God makes it grow.

In this picture we see that even though the smallest seed is planted, God grows it into a tree. That is what He will do for you as well. God won’t make something grow that is not there, but once we plant the seed He takes over. He has given us the responsibility to plant the seeds.

When Jesus taught us to pray He told us to pray that God’s ‘kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.’ Well this is how it comes. You are the key.

God wants to bring His kingdom to earth through you and it only takes a small seed at a time. So be an example, throw some seed and trust God to grow it in the lives of those around you.

Luke 22:27-29

Luke 22:27-29 - For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred on me.

This passage begins with Jesus talking to His disciples about serving. He asks the question, “Who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves?” I can see Him pausing for a moment here, to let them ponder His question. When no one answers Jesus proceeds with another question, “Is it not the one who is at the table?” At this I point I’m sure the disciples were agreeing with Him, “Yeah, that’s right Jesus, the one who is at the table is greater.” Whether they said it out loud or not, they had to be thinking it, because that is our culture. It was back then and it still is today, the servant serves the “important” people. 

Now Jesus’ next statement is a mind blower. He doesn’t actually answer the question. “But I am among you as one who serves.” “Wait a minute Jesus! You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You are the Son of God and Saviour of the world. What are you saying?” I could see myself saying this if I were there. Jesus had been serving them since He first met them, but they never really thought about it before now. They always viewed Him as being the Teacher and their leader, not as their servant, but now Jesus just opened their eyes to the Truth. It was obvious to them that Jesus was greater than them, He was (and is) the Son of God, but now they see the position He put Himself in. This is what the apostle Paul is talking about in his letters when he says, “Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus was the ultimate servant, not only serving us, but then also giving up His life for us. Now Jesus recognizes His disciples as they have stood beside Him, not only in the good times, but through the trials as well. I think He is telling them that He trusts them. They’ve shown themselves trustworthy and they will not run away when times get hard. In the next line Jesus tells them that He is giving the responsibility of the kingdom of heaven to them. He says, “I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred on me.” Confer means to “grant or bestow” (as in a title, degree, benefit, or right). Before Jesus gave them this responsibility He wanted to make sure they understood what it meant and we also need to understand.

Jesus also passed on this responsibility to us, as children of God. We are to bring the kingdom to earth just as Jesus did. As we look at the beginning of this passage we realize that the kingdom comes through serving. We will need to preach and speak the words of God as well, but without serving our life and ministry will never be successful. So, live as Jesus did and become a servant to those around you. It does not matter who is most important, turn the tables, blow peoples minds, and bring God’s kingdom to earth through serving those around you!!.

Luke 18:16-17

Luke 18:16-17 - But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

  Our mindset today isn't that much different than what it was in Jesus day regarding our children. Sure, you hear people saying, “children are our future,” and “invest your time in your children,” but when it comes right down to it, is that what we are doing? When we have gatherings we often separate our kids away from the adults. There will be a ‘kids’ table and an ‘adult’ table. Or we will set up the back playroom for our children and tell them to stay back there and play. Then if that doesn't work we will start a movie to try to appease them and keep them busy, so we don’t have too.

Don’t get me wrong, I think ‘adult’ time is important. We all need some time with our peers to build and strengthen each other in the Lord, but we need to be careful. This seems to happen way too much and we don’t make time to “let the little children come to us.” Sometimes I think Jesus would have preferred the ‘kids’ table.

We can see in this passage of scripture that Jesus made time for the children when no one else would. Even His disciples were trying to drive them away, but Jesus stopped them because He wanted to see the children. He wants us to understand the value of our children and the power of childlike faith. In fact He says if we don’t receive the kingdom like a child we will never enter it. How does a child receive the kingdom? With open arms. There is no doubt or questioning, but complete faith.

Luke 17:20-21

Luke 17:20-21 – Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, “Here it is,” or There it is,” because the kingdom of God is within you.”

Before Jesus came people had the idea that with His first coming the kingdom of God was going to come with force and overthrow all other kingdoms. That was a misconception. When Jesus was teaching us to pray in the passage of scripture commonly referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer,” He instructed us to pray for the kingdom of God to come “on earth as it is in heaven.” Often, I think, we pray this without fully understanding what it means. As we look at this passage we can get a little clearer picture of how God’s kingdom will come to earth.

We are not praying that God’s kingdom come and overthrow all other authority on earth. That will come in due time. What we are praying for is that the kingdom of God be revealed in us. As we see in this passage Jesus explains that you will not “see” the kingdom coming. It’s not like an army that is advancing its ranks against a stronghold. God’s kingdom comes through the hearts of those who Love Him. There is power for sure, but God’s kingdom doesn’t advance through violence but through Love. It spreads by us Loving those around us and sharing all that God has done for us.

So, to answer the question, “When will the kingdom of God come?” I say it is already here. It came with Jesus and has been spreading ever since. Now it is just waiting to be revealed through us as we Love God and Love people.

Luke 13:18-19

Luke 13:18-19 - Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in His garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air came and perched in its branches.”

When we are saved we are taken out of the world and brought into the kingdom of God. It’s easy to say, but what does that mean? Every time someone comes to know Jesus the kingdom spreads a little more. Jesus came, not to conquer the world we live in, but to bring the kingdom of God into it. We see this desire also as He teaches us to pray: “Our Father in heaven, holy is your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” So we are taught to pray that God’s kingdom comes to earth.

Now, in this passage, Jesus is giving us a picture of what that kingdom looks like and how we are to bring it to earth. He says the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. Jesus takes the smallest of seeds as a starting place for the kingdom. He says it starts out small, just a little thought or a word planted in someone’s heart, but it grows into something large. We are instructed to bring His kingdom to earth, but we must understand it is not our job to make it grow. All we must do is throw the seed and then we can watch God work in people’s lives. That is the amazing part, but God cannot work until the seed is planted. He will work and grow the seed, but we must do our part by sharing the message of His grace in our lives..