Together # 36
A Together for Spiritual Growth
A Together for Spiritual Growth
Seek the Kingdom Together
copyright by Dick Wulf, 2018
Pursue the kingdom of heaven together, searching out every hidden corner of the realm. Find all that living in God’s society has to offer. Pursue your birthrights as born-again citizens.
Matt 6:33; Matt 11:12; Matt 12:25; Heb 12:28
What is the kingdom of heaven, also called the kingdom of God? If we are to seek it before concern for food and clothing, we need to know what we are looking for.
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’
or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’
But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matt 6:31,33
or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’
But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matt 6:31,33
Kingdom in the Bible is not a geographical area as we use the word today.
“The ‘kingdom of God,’ rather than being a place, is the realm in which God is in control.” [Lawrence O. Richards, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, © 1985, Zondervan, pp 378.]
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The kingdom of heaven is all about the King. A kingdom is the King and His people. Biblically, a kingdom is the people or things over which a king has authority and control.
“In the New Testament, the kingdom and Jesus are inseparable, even as the concept of kingdom is meaningless apart from the person of the king." [Lawrence O. Richards, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, © 1985, Zondervan, pp 379.]
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To seek the kingdom of heaven means to strive to know how the King thinks and feels about things. Then it progresses into how the King wants His subjects to live individually, and, primarily as citizens together to make His kingdom all He wants it to be.
And, so, the kingdom of heaven is also all about God’s righteou
And, so, the kingdom of heaven is also all about God’s righteou
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, . . .
Matthew 6:33
Matthew 6:33
When Jesus came to earth He announced the arrival of the kingdom. That is because Jesus was the King bringing His kingdom to earth.
us went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the good news of the kingdom,
and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Mt 4:23
proclaiming the good news of the kingdom,
and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Mt 4:23
So, to understand seeking the kingdom of heaven we must begin with a view of God as quite different from kings and queens of today. His sovereignty is not a constitutional monarchy. It is absolute rule, subject to no one’s approval.
“The kingdom is the realm in which the king acts with sovereign power.” [Lawrence O. Richards, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, © 1985, Zondervan, pp 380.]
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Therefore, seeking the kingdom of heaven does not allow picking and choosing which of God’s commands we will obey. It is not like going to a buffet and just taking the food we enjoy. Seeking the kingdom of God means seeking to find out the ways of God and what the King expects from his people. Seeking means doing things God’s way ever more and more.
“In Christ, you and I can experience that kingdom here and now. We can know God’s power at work in our own lives as we adopt the lifestyle of the kingdom over which Jesus rules.” [Lawrence O. Richards, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, © 1985, Zondervan, pp 380.]
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The King has a lot to say about the society of the people of God. In many ways, the kingdom of heaven is relationships, relationships between Christians and the relationship of Christians together with the King.
Once, on being asked by the Pharisees
when the kingdom of God would come,
Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God
is not something that can be observed,
nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’
because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (or “within you”)
Luke 17:20-21
when the kingdom of God would come,
Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God
is not something that can be observed,
nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’
because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (or “within you”)
Luke 17:20-21
Doesn’t this sound like relationships? What else is in the midst of us or within us? This verse should make it clear that we seek the kingdom of God in the midst of us, not alone with God. It just doesn’t make sense to think of one person with a King as a kingdom. Seeking the kingdom of heaven cannot be an individual pursuit. It must be done primarily by Christian friendships, families and marriages and secondarily by larger forms of fellowship. The command in Matthew 6:33 is to seek the kingdom together – it is in the Greek plural (the King James Bible makes this clear: “seek ye the kingdom of heaven”).
Since relationships in the kingdom are a huge part of the kingdom, seeking them and implementing the 65 Togethers of Scripture is critical. The way of God is love. And the specifics of this love are spelled out in the hundreds of Bible verses and passages that make up the Togethers. Therefore, in discussing seeking the kingdom of heaven, we will refer often to these Togethers.
First, we must help one another know the King. Unfortunately, our efforts too often stop at knowing about God. It is different to “know about” the King and to “know” the King.
As an illustration, you may know that your neighbor is tall. That is knowing about her. It is not personal, so it is not really knowing her. But, if you understand that she is lonely and visit her, then you can say that you know her. You have treated her as a person.
For example, in the kingdom of God, citizens have the right by the second birth to be accepted as the King has created them. The most obvious application is race and ethnicity. If we do not like any person because of their skin color, we are insulting the Creator who decided to give them the gift of a certain skin color, race, and ethnicity. If we don’t do anything to remove prejudice inside of us, we don’t really know God, either His design of people or His anger at our discrimination.
We can learn from the Bible that God has the best in mind for us and that He is sovereign. That is knowing about Him. Actual knowing Him requires us to act like He is sovereign (in control) and really does know what is best for us. If we find ourselves in a tough spot, we have peace to the extent that we have sought the kingdom and know the King personally, not just know about Him intellectually. Obviously, we need one another’s help with this.
The kingdom of heaven is key to surviving life’s most tragic moments. God really is King. He really is sovereign. He really does have a heaven to which believers go after death. How can we ever expect to survive the loss of a loved one if we are not certain that there is a heaven and act like our loved one still lives? Just knowing about heaven is more than insufficient. We must help one another know heaven in the sense that we live like it exists and is our home country. Seeking the kingdom that has an existence here and now, not just in the future, makes heaven more real for us.
Since relationships in the kingdom are a huge part of the kingdom, seeking them and implementing the 65 Togethers of Scripture is critical. The way of God is love. And the specifics of this love are spelled out in the hundreds of Bible verses and passages that make up the Togethers. Therefore, in discussing seeking the kingdom of heaven, we will refer often to these Togethers.
First, we must help one another know the King. Unfortunately, our efforts too often stop at knowing about God. It is different to “know about” the King and to “know” the King.
As an illustration, you may know that your neighbor is tall. That is knowing about her. It is not personal, so it is not really knowing her. But, if you understand that she is lonely and visit her, then you can say that you know her. You have treated her as a person.
For example, in the kingdom of God, citizens have the right by the second birth to be accepted as the King has created them. The most obvious application is race and ethnicity. If we do not like any person because of their skin color, we are insulting the Creator who decided to give them the gift of a certain skin color, race, and ethnicity. If we don’t do anything to remove prejudice inside of us, we don’t really know God, either His design of people or His anger at our discrimination.
We can learn from the Bible that God has the best in mind for us and that He is sovereign. That is knowing about Him. Actual knowing Him requires us to act like He is sovereign (in control) and really does know what is best for us. If we find ourselves in a tough spot, we have peace to the extent that we have sought the kingdom and know the King personally, not just know about Him intellectually. Obviously, we need one another’s help with this.
The kingdom of heaven is key to surviving life’s most tragic moments. God really is King. He really is sovereign. He really does have a heaven to which believers go after death. How can we ever expect to survive the loss of a loved one if we are not certain that there is a heaven and act like our loved one still lives? Just knowing about heaven is more than insufficient. We must help one another know heaven in the sense that we live like it exists and is our home country. Seeking the kingdom that has an existence here and now, not just in the future, makes heaven more real for us.
But our citizenship is in heaven.
we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control,
will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Phil 3:20-21
we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control,
will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Phil 3:20-21
So, first we grow in knowing God in the sense that we act with peace and certainty that He is who He is. Next, we grow to know that God has a kingdom, one with an expression here on earth and another form for us in our future after death. Then, we grow to evermore embrace the kingdom we are in right now, a kingdom within and above the dark kingdom of this world and Satan.
Seeking the kingdom of heaven now is growing in all of the Togethers. They are the best ways to live on earth, as they are also the ways that the redeemed live in heaven. That is why studying the Togethers is not time-limited or a one-time experience. Instead, the Togethers are a lifestyle that must be continually sought. Citizenship in the kingdom has all of the benefits of the "Togethers." Therefore, Christians in close, intimate fellowship pursue the perfect society together. Attaining perfection is impossible, except in heaven. But progress toward perfection now is honoring to God and has many benefits for us as well.
The best places to discover the specifics of the kingdom are in our Christian friendships, in our Christian families, and in our Christian marriages. In larger gatherings of the church and in Bible studies we can learn about the specifics of Christian interaction and love. But, where we make such knowledge automatic and a part of our very character is in our Christian friendships, families and marriages. These are the crucibles for transformation into exceptional Christlikeness.
Where people know one another much more intimately, there will be far more opportunities to seek the kingdom together. When there are disagreements, quarrels, different priorities, different gifts, different favorite Bible passages, or different mentors, the peace of the kingdom will be challenged. Obedient Christian friends, family members and spouses cannot so easily escape such pressures through division or ignoring the problems. Because of the very special and important nature of friendship and family relations, these are opportunities to achieve a higher level of Christian love. Within the context of Biblical commands, most of which are encompassed by the 65 Togethers of Scripture, many ways of working together can be found in spite of differences or conflicts.
For years I thought that the kingdom was salvation in Christ. Sermons I heard seemed to go no further than that. But, there are a couple of problems with that. Salvation is a gift and we have no need to seek it – it is freely given. Even belief is powered by God. In contrast, the kingdom of heaven is clearly something we with our own effort search for, find, and then acquire.
Seeking the kingdom of heaven now is growing in all of the Togethers. They are the best ways to live on earth, as they are also the ways that the redeemed live in heaven. That is why studying the Togethers is not time-limited or a one-time experience. Instead, the Togethers are a lifestyle that must be continually sought. Citizenship in the kingdom has all of the benefits of the "Togethers." Therefore, Christians in close, intimate fellowship pursue the perfect society together. Attaining perfection is impossible, except in heaven. But progress toward perfection now is honoring to God and has many benefits for us as well.
The best places to discover the specifics of the kingdom are in our Christian friendships, in our Christian families, and in our Christian marriages. In larger gatherings of the church and in Bible studies we can learn about the specifics of Christian interaction and love. But, where we make such knowledge automatic and a part of our very character is in our Christian friendships, families and marriages. These are the crucibles for transformation into exceptional Christlikeness.
Where people know one another much more intimately, there will be far more opportunities to seek the kingdom together. When there are disagreements, quarrels, different priorities, different gifts, different favorite Bible passages, or different mentors, the peace of the kingdom will be challenged. Obedient Christian friends, family members and spouses cannot so easily escape such pressures through division or ignoring the problems. Because of the very special and important nature of friendship and family relations, these are opportunities to achieve a higher level of Christian love. Within the context of Biblical commands, most of which are encompassed by the 65 Togethers of Scripture, many ways of working together can be found in spite of differences or conflicts.
For years I thought that the kingdom was salvation in Christ. Sermons I heard seemed to go no further than that. But, there are a couple of problems with that. Salvation is a gift and we have no need to seek it – it is freely given. Even belief is powered by God. In contrast, the kingdom of heaven is clearly something we with our own effort search for, find, and then acquire.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.
hen a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy
went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like
a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value,
he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Mt 13:44-46
hen a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy
went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like
a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value,
he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Mt 13:44-46
Salvation is the entrance fee into the treasure hunt. And Jesus paid it. Now it is up to us to search our Bible to learn God’s ways for us and then do them.
He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law
who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven
is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom
new treasures as well as old.”
Mt 13:52
who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven
is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom
new treasures as well as old.”
Mt 13:52
As we find new ways to obey God, we do not forget to obey those ways we mastered before.
Let’s value the treasures we have in Christ and his kingdom. And, let’s together search out and refine new treasures continually.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
Let’s value the treasures we have in Christ and his kingdom. And, let’s together search out and refine new treasures continually.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
Doug struggled for years when he considered the concept of the kingdom of heaven. Every time he said The Lord’s Prayer, he wondered what he was asking for when he prayed, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” His understanding had always been that salvation, Bible knowledge and church attendance was the kingdom. Then, Doug began to realize that those things were awfully small to make up a kingdom, much less the very kingdom of God.
Doug knew, as Jesus taught and lived, that God was the most important thing about the kingdom. But, Jesus did a lot more than teach about salvation, Bible knowledge and church attendance. Looking more closely at how Jesus lived and what he said as he proclaimed the availability of the kingdom of heaven, Doug discovered that there is a lot in the Bible that is not doctrine so much as instruction on how God’s people are to live with one another. Through these scriptures he could see how Jesus must have lived with His disciples. Jesus’ teachings, especially the whole different perspective in the Sermon on the Mount, revealed to Doug the ways of the kingdom of God. Doug could see that these “deeper ways” of the kingdom could only be done significantly in his closest Christian relationships. So, he began making agreements to seek the implementation of the kingdom in his marriage, then his Christian friendships, and, finally, with his whole family. Doug realizes that seeking the kingdom is not something you do for a while, but that it is a lifelong search, with fantastic discoveries all along the way. |
When we seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, which must be done together, we are like Jesus, but not specifically like Him. Jesus is the King. He does not seek the kingdom. He is the kingdom and He is righteous.
Therefore, Jesus did not need to seek the kingdom and He always lived it without fail. To become more and more like our Lord, we must always be seeking the kingdom and incorporating into our lives what we are finding.
The first thing we want to do is seek the King Himself. Jesus always sought the Father. So we should always remember Jesus our King and that he has a way he wants us to live.
Therefore, Jesus did not need to seek the kingdom and He always lived it without fail. To become more and more like our Lord, we must always be seeking the kingdom and incorporating into our lives what we are finding.
The first thing we want to do is seek the King Himself. Jesus always sought the Father. So we should always remember Jesus our King and that he has a way he wants us to live.
But about the Son he [God] says,
“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
Hebrews 1:8
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them
because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and
with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Rev 17:14
“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
Hebrews 1:8
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them
because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and
with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Rev 17:14
To seek the King means to seek the ways of His kingdom (also called godliness and Christlikeness). Jesus implements the ways of the kingdom in us. We seek the ways of the kingdom by learning them and then letting God put Jesus and His ways into us.
For those God foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son, . . .
Romans 8:29
to be conformed to the image of his Son, . . .
Romans 8:29
Like Jesus who is building his church, we cooperate by allowing ourselves to be transformed to do God’s will, which are the ways of the kingdom.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve
what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Rom 12:2
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve
what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Rom 12:2
Let’s change our thinking so that the treasures of the kingdom that we discover are just that – treasures. Let’s make God’s ways among us in our relationships what defines us.
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:35
John 13:35
Let’s be like Jesus and elevate the kingdom
Opportunity to Worship God
Opportunity to Worship God
Drew and Pauline have been married for 35 years. They were Christians when they met on a short-term missions trip. They have raised kids and have grandchildren. But, they are experiencing two challenging issues. First, they are bored with the routine of church services and small groups. And they are bothered a lot by the fact that so many of their friends from church seem to be living for God with only lip-service. They have wondered if they had excessive expectations of their friends. But when a married couple they were close to decided to divorce without any reason of unfaithfulness or even serious fighting, they realized too many Christians take Jesus lightly.
Drew and Pauline talked to the divorcing couple who had gone faithfully to church services for 18 years and been in many small groups and gone on mission trips. In all of their conversations, they saw no indication that God was considered. In fact, there was no mention of God at all. Even when they brought up the huge sacrifice God had made for them to have salvation, this couple still never mentioned God as important enough to be considered in their decision to divorce. Even though Drew was an elder in his church and Pauline in leadership also, they decided that the culture of the church was not likely to provide real answers to why they were so tired of going through the motions nor spark new vitality in their faith. Neither was the church likely to address why some people in the church seemed to take God so lightly, wanting to be blessed by Him but not live to bless God. When they studied the book of Amos, Pauline and Drew began to consider that what they felt was incompleteness. God told the Israelites that their worship in their assemblies meant nothing to Him without lives that considered what He had commanded. Pauline made the observation that perhaps their church worship was to be only a part of worship. Then, Drew began looking to see what God wanted from his people. Every time he saw something as easy as hospitality or as difficult as confessing sins to one another, all commanded in Scripture by God, he realized that his first response was, “We do that in our church!” But, inside of Drew was a different voice and a lack of true assurance. When he went back to rethink hospitality and confession of sin to one another, it hit him over the head that a few people in the church were hospitable like he and Pauline, but 90% were not. And, in the matter of confession of sins to one another, there was little evidence that happened. Why, he and Pauline rarely did it with each other! Over some months, Drew and Pauline came to the conclusion that the King and His kingdom were taken too lightly, almost insultingly. They began to seek the kingdom of heaven, now knowing that each thing about the kingdom was worship because it held in high esteem the King. |
Seeking the kingdom, which is the King and His ways for Christians to live, is down-to-the-core worship. As worship is ascribing worth to God, what better way to do that than to learn His ways which emanate from His personhood and live them? Church worship services are important, but because they are so easy, they are not sacrificial worship.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy,
to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Rom 12:1
to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Rom 12:1
It seems that church leadership thinks that their churches do the Togethers, meaning that the people of their churches obey the scriptures from which the Togethers derive. I suspect that they do obey the Togethers in some minimal way and that they can point to a few members who more deeply obey the Togethers’ scriptures. But, what we all need to recognize, church leaders or not, is that we barely scratch the surface of the Togethers and their Christlikeness. As much as we want to be like Jesus, we honor Him when we admit that we are not that much like Him. Certainly not as much as we could be by continually seeking the kingdom of heaven.
Each of the 65 Togethers of Scripture are worship in that they make us more like Jesus and, therefore, reflect back to God his own character. We all can grow in implementing and obeying the Togethers. That is seeking the kingdom of heaven together, and that is phenomenal worship.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
Each of the 65 Togethers of Scripture are worship in that they make us more like Jesus and, therefore, reflect back to God his own character. We all can grow in implementing and obeying the Togethers. That is seeking the kingdom of heaven together, and that is phenomenal worship.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
Henry, Tonya, and Rocky often eat lunch at work because they are followers of Jesus. Their three families are relatively happy except for one main thing: Henry’s wife and Tonya’s husband are critical of their Christian faith. The problems this causes are often topics when these three friends meet.
Last week Tonya reported that her husband did not understand her not being available most Sunday mornings because she wanted to go to church. She explained that she has told her husband her beliefs over and over again and urged him to accept Christ as his Savior. He tells her that he thinks it is all an illusion and that she is no different of a person since she became a Christian except all of her “talk”. This has caused the three friends to think more deeply about their ineffective witness. Soon they concluded that they really were not that outwardly different from others who did not believe in God except their participation in church and a few Christian activities. Although they felt different because of their Bible knowledge and church attendance, they realized that those outside of the faith would value neither, especially spouses whose lifestyle would be impacted. Even at work all that others asked was whether they were against abortion and same-sex marriage. They began to wonder if they should appear different in behavior. One day over sandwiches the subject of the kingdom of heaven came up. It was a subject they had thought about before, but never while they were bothered about the indifference of others to their faith. They suddenly realized that they did not look like they belonged to another kingdom with an allegiance to a King who wanted His kingdom’s subjects to behave a certain way, not just think differently. The three friends realized that they better start exploring the behaviors of heaven if they wanted to battle Satan and his designs for their families and friends. They have committed to finding at least one thing new about the kingdom every week and helping one another start living a different way because of the King. Very soon they discovered that the love that the world needs to see is a King-directed kind of love among the citizens of the kingdom. Their goal now is to implement the many scriptures having to do with the relationship among the three of them. Once they get this going successfully, they want to begin having three-family activities where Tonya’s husband and Henry’s wife will see the kingdom of heaven in the way the three friends relate to one another. |
Satan can no longer do anything to negatively affect the kingdom of heaven as it is in heaven. When he did so before the creation of mankind, he and his cohorts were kicked out of heaven. But, the devil is quite active to do all he can to hold back the kingdom of heaven on earth.
His strategy for doing so was successful in the Garden of Eden, so we can expect the devil to still be using it. Dividing God’s people and offering them what God does not want for them is this very effective diabolical strategy.
As has been stated over and over again, individualized Christian faith prevents most of what believers can do that God asks of them. The Togethers are barely understood, much less implemented. All of them derive from the Bible and are necessary because God declared that humans would need one another’s help.
For example, most of us have read this verse:
His strategy for doing so was successful in the Garden of Eden, so we can expect the devil to still be using it. Dividing God’s people and offering them what God does not want for them is this very effective diabolical strategy.
As has been stated over and over again, individualized Christian faith prevents most of what believers can do that God asks of them. The Togethers are barely understood, much less implemented. All of them derive from the Bible and are necessary because God declared that humans would need one another’s help.
For example, most of us have read this verse:
Therefore confess your sins to each other
and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16
and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16
Have we been taught to confess our sins? To one another? Where were we told to do it? In a general way in congregational prayer? That’s very important, but it is not what this scripture says to do. Have we been taught that it makes prayer more effective? Isn’t that implied in James 5:16? Have we been convinced from the pulpit or other church leadership that healing, especially spiritual healing, depends on it? Have we been shown that this process creates more righteous people who are then more powerful and effective?
What has kept this from happening? One thing is Satan’s strategy for us to think about our faith as individuals and not as individuals in relationship with other believers. So, we only think of confessing our sins privately to ourselves and God. Or only when we really have to because we are getting the “cold shoulder” from someone we hurt.
What would happen to the devil’s work in and around us if our pastors told us at least once a month to confess a certain kind of sin to our Christian friends and to our Christian family members and to our Christian spouses? One month it might be a sin having to do with finances for which the pastor exhorts confession. Another month something having to do with treating God poorly. And so on. And, of course, those pastors would tell those listening to begin praying for the person who confessed so repentance would come and be followed by healing.
And this is just one of the 65 Togethers. So, church leadership has much it can do to make clear to us the fantastic opportunity to seek the kingdom of heaven and its treasures together.
Some resistant to this might say that Jesus was talking about a kingdom yet to come. This would certainly let us off the hook of searching for how to live in God’s society now. But, we know that the kingdom of heaven is now as well as later because when accused of healing by the power of Satan, Jesus replied, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Mt 12:28) And, other scriptures also make it clear that we are in the kingdom now, albeit the earthly form in the midst of a powerful darkness.
What has kept this from happening? One thing is Satan’s strategy for us to think about our faith as individuals and not as individuals in relationship with other believers. So, we only think of confessing our sins privately to ourselves and God. Or only when we really have to because we are getting the “cold shoulder” from someone we hurt.
What would happen to the devil’s work in and around us if our pastors told us at least once a month to confess a certain kind of sin to our Christian friends and to our Christian family members and to our Christian spouses? One month it might be a sin having to do with finances for which the pastor exhorts confession. Another month something having to do with treating God poorly. And so on. And, of course, those pastors would tell those listening to begin praying for the person who confessed so repentance would come and be followed by healing.
And this is just one of the 65 Togethers. So, church leadership has much it can do to make clear to us the fantastic opportunity to seek the kingdom of heaven and its treasures together.
Some resistant to this might say that Jesus was talking about a kingdom yet to come. This would certainly let us off the hook of searching for how to live in God’s society now. But, we know that the kingdom of heaven is now as well as later because when accused of healing by the power of Satan, Jesus replied, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Mt 12:28) And, other scriptures also make it clear that we are in the kingdom now, albeit the earthly form in the midst of a powerful darkness.
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Col 1:13-14
and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Col 1:13-14
This kingdom is impervious to Satan’s attacks.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,
ankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Heb 12:28-29
ankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Heb 12:28-29
If you are thinking that Satan’s attacks are a very present reality in the church, you are probably correct. But, that is because we are not receiving the kingdom by seeking it before all else, even food and clothing. Maybe Hebrews 12 is just talking about the kingdom in heaven, but that interpretation discredits the power of God. In heaven where there is no evil and no devil, it doesn’t even have the possibility of being shaken. No, we are receiving, or to be receiving, the kingdom of heaven right now, and it cannot be shaken if we seek it together as first priority.
If we seek the kingdom together, we will thwart so many of Satan’s plans that they could not all be listed here or in hundreds of pages. So, let’s get going. Each of the Togethers defeats Satan in some significant way.
Let’s make binding agreements with our Christian friends to seek the kingdom of God through the Togethers. Lets do the same in our Christian families and marriages. Such agreements cannot be wishes. They require intentional actions. Because it is to receive more and more of the most wonderful kingdom ever, it is worth our primary focus and diligent effort.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
If we seek the kingdom together, we will thwart so many of Satan’s plans that they could not all be listed here or in hundreds of pages. So, let’s get going. Each of the Togethers defeats Satan in some significant way.
Let’s make binding agreements with our Christian friends to seek the kingdom of God through the Togethers. Lets do the same in our Christian families and marriages. Such agreements cannot be wishes. They require intentional actions. Because it is to receive more and more of the most wonderful kingdom ever, it is worth our primary focus and diligent effort.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
The Cooper family and the Taylor family have been friends for a long time. They met as neighbors living just houses away from each other. Their common Christian faith and their love of the outdoors drew them together. Unfortunately, they were alike in one sad way. Both families had a lot of arguing and disharmony. While other families might have steered clear of outings with such strife, the Coopers and Taylors just thought it was normal family life.
Today, it is much different. The Cooper family still goes to church regularly, hikes in the mountains as a family or with the Taylors, and is full of contention. The Taylor family, however, no longer has dissension and power struggles. They now live harmoniously, helping one another enjoy life and be all that they can be for God. This is all due to them paying attention to the kingdom of heaven instead of treating it lightly as they had done before. Together as a family, fed up with unhappiness, the Taylor family has been seeking the kingdom and God’s righteousness. They are implementing the scriptures regarding relationships and finding family a tremendous blessing. Finally! The contrast of how things once were in the Taylor family and how they are now represents how much better it will be in heaven. Every member of the Taylor family is looking forward to a fuller life in the kingdom of God when they get to heaven because they have experienced the difference even now. |
Preparing to move someplace better before we get there has benefits.
Imagine that a family is moving from an impoverished inner city apartment house to a nice house in a safe suburban neighborhood. Perhaps that family received a large inheritance that makes this possible. Would it be likely that the family not think about where they are moving until they are there? No, the family would look forward to moving to a safer neighborhood with lots more things to do and enjoy. They would be excited, thinking about it often and considering what needs to be done in preparation.
Likewise, Christians ought to be thinking more about heaven than they do. Seeking the kingdom of heaven here and now in the midst of sin and struggle means anticipating going to heaven after death where the kingdom is far more wonderful. Seeking the kingdom of heaven is preparing for the move. But, unlike packing an apartment which has a completion point, preparing for heaven is a process that should not cease this side of death. There is limitless preparation possible, that preparation being conformed more and more into the image of Jesus.
The family moving to safer and nicer accommodations would think less and less about the apartment and its impoverished neighborhood and more and more about the house in the suburban neighborhood. The family would also be considering lifestyle changes they will need to make for the new, safer neighborhood. We, too, should be thinking less and less about this life and more and more about heaven and preparing ourselves for it.
What will be the advantages to the inner-city family of preparation when they arrive in their new neighborhood? First, their joy will be unhindered by confusion about what to do. Being ready to engage their new house and neighborhood will free them up to quickly set up residency and meet their neighbors. Likewise, seeking the kingdom now will leave a whole lot less to learn in order to get started in heaven.
For example, having helped one another worship in spirit and in truth before death will have us up and running for living biblically, the only type of living in heaven. Those who did not seek the kingdom in the deeper worship of in spirit and in truth will have to take time to learn it. They will not enter heaven sinning, but they will enter less prepared and their worship will be less than what it can be and soon will be.
Knowing the activities and culture of the new suburban neighborhood before they move will give our fictitious family a jump start in getting involved in the community. Likewise, seeking the kingdom of heaven before death will jump start our participation in the culture of heaven. Without sin to hold us back, it is logical that we will always be ahead of those who did not learn the ways of heaven until they got there.
Seeking and finding various aspects of the kingdom of heaven now where sin abounds has advantages over waiting until we get to heaven. Think of secular culture as having many attractive detours that steer us away from the things of the kingdom of heaven. For example, it is too often more attractive to take revenge on someone who did us dirty than forgive them because they really did not know what they were doing, including the extent of spiritual damage they were bringing onto themselves. But, to be dedicated to God and go the way of the King and forgive will be to discover the true advantage over revenge.
In heaven there will be none of those detours. But, having not taken detours off the narrow path of salvation before death will endow us with a greater appreciation for the ways of God. Keeping with the example, having discovered experientially the glory of forgiveness when revenge was an option will enhance for all eternity our appreciation of God’s forgiveness when instead of heaven we deserved revenge and hell.
Seeking the kingdom of heaven means discovering the ways of heaven before we get there through growing in scriptural obedience. Getting into the habit of seeking something more about the kingdom of heaven and incorporating those things into our lives continually develops an adventuresome spirit and curiosity that will be great to have in heaven.
Developing a “seeking mentality” now can make us enter heaven with more curiosity. So now we can be seeking new ways to think like God and act as the King commands. As it is fascinating to learn that a plant bends toward the light by excess growth caused by chemical changes on the side of its stem opposite the sun, so it can be just as fascinating to learn how wonderful it feels to restore someone’s faith or to help carry another’s burden.
Yet, there will likely be new things of the kingdom of heaven in heaven itself that are not on earth. Why would we think that heaven would not have a lot more to offer than even the very best Christian life on earth? Do we think that the Bible reveals everything about God? Surely in heaven there will be much more revealed about the King. God is so creative that it is even likely that He adds things to heaven continually. Not just new creatures, but new ways of enhancing one another’s lives. Things we could not imagine now no matter how hard we tried or how close to God we become.
Imagine that a family is moving from an impoverished inner city apartment house to a nice house in a safe suburban neighborhood. Perhaps that family received a large inheritance that makes this possible. Would it be likely that the family not think about where they are moving until they are there? No, the family would look forward to moving to a safer neighborhood with lots more things to do and enjoy. They would be excited, thinking about it often and considering what needs to be done in preparation.
Likewise, Christians ought to be thinking more about heaven than they do. Seeking the kingdom of heaven here and now in the midst of sin and struggle means anticipating going to heaven after death where the kingdom is far more wonderful. Seeking the kingdom of heaven is preparing for the move. But, unlike packing an apartment which has a completion point, preparing for heaven is a process that should not cease this side of death. There is limitless preparation possible, that preparation being conformed more and more into the image of Jesus.
The family moving to safer and nicer accommodations would think less and less about the apartment and its impoverished neighborhood and more and more about the house in the suburban neighborhood. The family would also be considering lifestyle changes they will need to make for the new, safer neighborhood. We, too, should be thinking less and less about this life and more and more about heaven and preparing ourselves for it.
What will be the advantages to the inner-city family of preparation when they arrive in their new neighborhood? First, their joy will be unhindered by confusion about what to do. Being ready to engage their new house and neighborhood will free them up to quickly set up residency and meet their neighbors. Likewise, seeking the kingdom now will leave a whole lot less to learn in order to get started in heaven.
For example, having helped one another worship in spirit and in truth before death will have us up and running for living biblically, the only type of living in heaven. Those who did not seek the kingdom in the deeper worship of in spirit and in truth will have to take time to learn it. They will not enter heaven sinning, but they will enter less prepared and their worship will be less than what it can be and soon will be.
Knowing the activities and culture of the new suburban neighborhood before they move will give our fictitious family a jump start in getting involved in the community. Likewise, seeking the kingdom of heaven before death will jump start our participation in the culture of heaven. Without sin to hold us back, it is logical that we will always be ahead of those who did not learn the ways of heaven until they got there.
Seeking and finding various aspects of the kingdom of heaven now where sin abounds has advantages over waiting until we get to heaven. Think of secular culture as having many attractive detours that steer us away from the things of the kingdom of heaven. For example, it is too often more attractive to take revenge on someone who did us dirty than forgive them because they really did not know what they were doing, including the extent of spiritual damage they were bringing onto themselves. But, to be dedicated to God and go the way of the King and forgive will be to discover the true advantage over revenge.
In heaven there will be none of those detours. But, having not taken detours off the narrow path of salvation before death will endow us with a greater appreciation for the ways of God. Keeping with the example, having discovered experientially the glory of forgiveness when revenge was an option will enhance for all eternity our appreciation of God’s forgiveness when instead of heaven we deserved revenge and hell.
Seeking the kingdom of heaven means discovering the ways of heaven before we get there through growing in scriptural obedience. Getting into the habit of seeking something more about the kingdom of heaven and incorporating those things into our lives continually develops an adventuresome spirit and curiosity that will be great to have in heaven.
Developing a “seeking mentality” now can make us enter heaven with more curiosity. So now we can be seeking new ways to think like God and act as the King commands. As it is fascinating to learn that a plant bends toward the light by excess growth caused by chemical changes on the side of its stem opposite the sun, so it can be just as fascinating to learn how wonderful it feels to restore someone’s faith or to help carry another’s burden.
Yet, there will likely be new things of the kingdom of heaven in heaven itself that are not on earth. Why would we think that heaven would not have a lot more to offer than even the very best Christian life on earth? Do we think that the Bible reveals everything about God? Surely in heaven there will be much more revealed about the King. God is so creative that it is even likely that He adds things to heaven continually. Not just new creatures, but new ways of enhancing one another’s lives. Things we could not imagine now no matter how hard we tried or how close to God we become.
Now to him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
But, this particular Together of seeking the kingdom of heaven and God’s righteousness has a very special benefit concerning our relationship with the King, soon to be explained.
How this Together Can Make it Really Good in Heaven
How this Together Can Make it Really Good in Heaven
I love it here in heaven. There are so many things to seek out and discover. I am really glad that I sought the kingdom of heaven so diligently back before I died.
Back then, surrounded by the distractions of a different way of life, I discovered things about God’s character by searching the Scriptures with my friends. Now, learning more about God is not hampered by sin. If back on earth the whole world could not hold the books about Jesus, here in heaven is where those revelations are. (cf John 21:25) I am glad I have eternity to learn more and more about the King of Glory. Back then, there were so many details to creation and natural history, but here in heaven there are ever expanding creations from the artfulness of God. I can never keep up with it all, so I have decided to seek the kingdom of heaven’s new kinds of flowers. Back then, relationships with other believers were always improved by biblical obedience and I cherished each and every friend. Now I am meeting people from all centuries and cultures and learning how God’s kingdom was in those varied environments. Yesterday, I ran into an old friend from before death. I remember him as one who was not all that interested in seeking the kingdom, either the King or the ways of his kingdom in the midst of sin. He would always say that I was taking my salvation too seriously. I had hoped that now, being in heaven, he would be more open to seeking the kingdom. I asked him to come with me to meet a few fascinating Christians who lived during the Dark Ages in Europe. His response: “No, I’m good. You go ahead.” |
As with all of the Togethers, God will be blessed by our obedience this side of death when it was challenged by a sinful world. We increase our blessing of God by learning more and more about his kingdom, something He ordered us to do. Think of the joy we can feel now as well as all through eternity that we made glad the heart of the King.
If we earnestly seek all aspects of the kingdom of heaven now, we will have the ability to seek more and more things of heaven when we get there. We will have minds practiced in the skill and tendency to look for more from God. We will not be of those who are just content knowing a portion of the kingdom of heaven. If before death, we put effort into diligently seeking the kingdom of heaven and finding new treasures in the way God wants us to handle things, then in heaven we will be more able to search out heaven and its new and more fantastic opportunities.
Now, there’s a question! Will heaven have more opportunities for righteousness? Just because there is no sin, why would that mean that there are no opportunities for doing new kinds of good? Do we now have the ability to know everything about Jesus? There are surely more righteous qualities of our Lord to be revealed and acquired.
If we earnestly seek all aspects of the kingdom of heaven now, we will have the ability to seek more and more things of heaven when we get there. We will have minds practiced in the skill and tendency to look for more from God. We will not be of those who are just content knowing a portion of the kingdom of heaven. If before death, we put effort into diligently seeking the kingdom of heaven and finding new treasures in the way God wants us to handle things, then in heaven we will be more able to search out heaven and its new and more fantastic opportunities.
Now, there’s a question! Will heaven have more opportunities for righteousness? Just because there is no sin, why would that mean that there are no opportunities for doing new kinds of good? Do we now have the ability to know everything about Jesus? There are surely more righteous qualities of our Lord to be revealed and acquired.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;
then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part;
then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Cor 13:12
then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part;
then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Cor 13:12
Will we have developed our faith to the point where we hunger and thirst after righteousness? That hunger and thirst will be to become more like Jesus in ways not yet revealed to us.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
In heaven there may be thousands of ways of righteousness for which to search. Those with skills in seeking the kingdom of heaven and God’s righteousness here on earth will have greater skills to seek the kingdom of heaven and additional aspects of God’s righteousness in heaven.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
Mark is mayor of the town of Faith Highlands in heaven. This is his reward for taking the kingdom of heaven and God’s righteous ways so seriously before death in the sinful culture of America. Jesus came to him shortly after his arrival through the gates of eternal life in heaven and explained that he had the qualities needed to run God’s way a village in the mountains of heaven. The Lord added that He wished more people took His kingdom more seriously before they died because roles of leadership in heaven required the kind of commitment that could only show earlier within the opposition of sinful attractions. The King reviewed the many times Mark naturally disregarded the temptations of the world’s ways to seek kingdom ways and God’s righteousness.
God told Mark that He looked forward to the close relationship He would have with Mark for all eternity because he would be a town mayor. Then the King mentioned that the mayors of this region of heaven come to meet with Him every 90 days, which is quite a bit more often than those in lesser positions. “That’s in 12 days from now. See you there at my throne. I love you, my son and my mayor.” |
It does not take much thinking to realize that any king might prefer to be around people who took his kingdom seriously. In fact, the more a citizen of an earthly kingdom sought and obeyed the desires of the king and the ways of the kingdom, the more the king would enjoy that person’s companionship.
The application is clear. Seeking the kingdom of heaven before concern for life’s daily necessities will enhance our relationship with God in heaven. Don’t we want to be those who most appreciate His kingdom and are sought out by God?
Learning about the Togethers, as we are doing, can be the start of taking the kingdom of heaven seriously. But, we must not just learn about the Togethers. We will enhance our eternal relationship with God in heaven only by obeying the scriptures that make up the Togethers. And, if we obey the Togethers in increasing measure, we show God that we are desiring ever more closeness with Him.
The application is clear. Seeking the kingdom of heaven before concern for life’s daily necessities will enhance our relationship with God in heaven. Don’t we want to be those who most appreciate His kingdom and are sought out by God?
Learning about the Togethers, as we are doing, can be the start of taking the kingdom of heaven seriously. But, we must not just learn about the Togethers. We will enhance our eternal relationship with God in heaven only by obeying the scriptures that make up the Togethers. And, if we obey the Togethers in increasing measure, we show God that we are desiring ever more closeness with Him.
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them,
he is the one who loves me.
He who loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
John 14:21
he is the one who loves me.
He who loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
John 14:21
Let’s be true to our hearts and draw closer to God through obeying the Togethers and loving one another more and more extravagantly. Let’s be very serious about the kingdom of heaven and God’s righteousness. We surely want the King to know we took Him seriously.
Praise & Prayer Regarding this Together
O Sovereign God, I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to assertively explore Your kingdom together while we live in the kingdom of darkness. Help us to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit for all of us to give You more glory in the way we cherish the ways of Your kingdom.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and increasingly live the values and ways of the kingdom of heaven. Our priority is to seek the King - our Lord Jesus. Help us to see and understand Him from the pages of the Bible. Allow Jesus, the King of the kingdom, who lives inside of us individually and corporately to express Himself in our Christian Inner Circles and our dealings with the larger church and the world.
May our lives worship You more because we value Your kingdom and Your ways above all else. Therefore, help us to help one another seek the kingdom with great energy that we might love You with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.
Since the devil is quite active to do all he can to hold back the kingdom of heaven on earth, help us to help one another keep in mind that the kingdom is now and its ways our ways already. Satan has turned Christianity to be such an individualized faith, that we need your help to remember that the kingdom of God is living dependent upon You and independently together.
Help us all to prepare for heaven by growing more completely to seek and incorporate into our living the kingdom of heaven and its ways. We want to go to heaven more prepared for the society of heaven and its rewards.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.
Praise & Prayer Regarding this Together
O Sovereign God, I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to assertively explore Your kingdom together while we live in the kingdom of darkness. Help us to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit for all of us to give You more glory in the way we cherish the ways of Your kingdom.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and increasingly live the values and ways of the kingdom of heaven. Our priority is to seek the King - our Lord Jesus. Help us to see and understand Him from the pages of the Bible. Allow Jesus, the King of the kingdom, who lives inside of us individually and corporately to express Himself in our Christian Inner Circles and our dealings with the larger church and the world.
May our lives worship You more because we value Your kingdom and Your ways above all else. Therefore, help us to help one another seek the kingdom with great energy that we might love You with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.
Since the devil is quite active to do all he can to hold back the kingdom of heaven on earth, help us to help one another keep in mind that the kingdom is now and its ways our ways already. Satan has turned Christianity to be such an individualized faith, that we need your help to remember that the kingdom of God is living dependent upon You and independently together.
Help us all to prepare for heaven by growing more completely to seek and incorporate into our living the kingdom of heaven and its ways. We want to go to heaven more prepared for the society of heaven and its rewards.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.