They must have wondered what kind of a king could Jesus be? We have to think bigger than we have been conditioned to think. Adam and Eve took the bait. (Revelation 19:7-8). And any of us who have walked the path of wickedness know full well that the devils allures, as attractive as they once were, lead to pain and heartache. This robs God of His glory. (John 15:4-6). A great acronym to remember for training is MAWL: Model, Assist, Watch, and Let go. Likewise, Jesus dissertation to the church in Sardis (Revelation 3) shows that the church was soiled and could only be cleansed by repentance. Im supposed to have a conversation. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We engage with our minds and not our spirits. It began as a resource to connect folks with a common vision and mission, to further the work of the Great Commission. Isaiah 54:1 - "Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! On the other hand, when an economy . There is a war raging on between God and His foe, Satan, for the hearts and allegiance of men. Yet, I am not greater than my Master and they called Him the same. The Gate is narrow, but the Way is narrower still. Because it must be convenient to commit quality time to them or the process will turn into a series of meetings rather than an organic process. You see, many repeat a prayer saying they will make Christ Lord of their life, but fail to understand what that means. Why should your disciple seek a disciple so soon after they surrender and gain freedom from sin and the filling of the Holy Spirit? Did you know that you have to surrender everything? It permeates, and spreads, and expands, until its influence can be felt all over the world. . Are you personally walking the narrow path of fruitfulness, doing the will of the Father and abiding in Jesus by obeying His words? Two: the mission must be self-propagating regardless of cultural context, available resources, or giftedness. Where do you start with finding new disciples? No mention of a baptism class or an ordained minister. The entire world population would be reached in just 33 years, presuming just one disciple per year. God is enlisting His army of soldiers to engage in reaping the end-time harvest. Not my words, his. Learn more. One failed church planter in Rwanda retooled his methods upon catching the vision and resulted in changing the nation forevereffectively ending prostitution in his area. Topic: God's Kingdom , Kingdom Expansion Book: Acts Speaker: John Kimball Notes Download Bible Passage: Acts 1:4-8 With just two more messages in our series, The Kingdom of God: Learning to Live Under the Rule & Reign of God, Pastor John now talks about the ongoing expansion of Jesus' kingdom and our part in it. Read Acts 1:3. . Indeed, the mustard seed was the smallest of all the seeds that an Israelite farmer would plant in his garden. The Roman emperors did everything they could to destroy Christianity, but it just kept growing and spreading every year. However, for many of us it is elusive. Even when American soldiers sign for selfish reasons, they still receive the same training as those who sign with more noble intent. Luke 9:2 And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. Salvation by grace through faith is what youll hearand I agree, Ephesians 2:8-9 still stands. read more, Scripture: Maybe the last chapter caused you some heartburn; after all, most of us have come to believe that struggling with sin is the normal Christian experience. There are many people who arrange their entire schedules around camp and wouldnt miss it for the world. Expect a few hours of commitment per week per disciple. My question for you is: are you on the mission? But reading is not enough. Lord Almighty, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Kingdom Expansion. (1 John 2). When they sign, they give up all personal rights and privileges. Luke 9:11 But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing. And with that he breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22). In essence, we sense safety in numbers. Did no one condemn you? She said, No one, Lord. And Jesus said, I do not condemn you, either. It is to bring the wayward person to repentance and restoration. And dont get trapped into plugging them into a series of church programs. Is America a Christian nation? Granted, this is a partial truth, but I believe this portrayal of Gods Word seriously diminishes its true intentwhich is to point us to Him. In Acts 11:15 and 16, what did Peter call this experience? Last week we looked at one of Jesus favorite teachings, the kingdom of God. He wants to quit so he can go outside and play baseball with his friends. I am on the mission moving full-speed ahead and not looking back. read more, Scripture: Do we achieve victory living day by day, or moment by moment? Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? But I will leave you with one last teaching from Jesus. A better figure would be each saint making 6 disciples per year; the Great Commission would be fulfilled in just 13 years starting from scratch. Pray through Luke 11:13 below (ask, seek, knock). This points to the unbelieving peoples of the world that will benefit from Christianity, even though they are not Gods covenant people. Second, it was an inestimable privilege to be in Gods kingdom. Job was actually not the center of the storyGod and the devil were. However, lets say an angel appears to Johnny, and gives him a vision of him twenty years into the future playing before great audiences at Carnegie Hall, playing the most beautiful and exquisite music he can imagine. Cut it down! Her fiery fate is consuming millions daily because we do not recognize the times, catch this vision, and engage in the mission. 12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. Whenever I share my faith, there is a lot I want to say. When you get beyond that, start having your first level disciples mentor the new folks. Frustration, anger, or force will only push those people away. If you put it on your thumb, it would look just a tiny little dot. Email *. Thats right! Summary: 7 Strategies for Kingdom Building, Advancement & Expansion 1. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Try. 15 Outstanding Quotes To Recharge Your Preaching. As I/we prepare to make the commitment below, I/we affirm our understanding of the following: . The main reason is that we recruit our reserves, but dont give them deployment orders. We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS. Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. At this point, the enemy is taking first ground with the objective of securing a position to deter defenses and safely receive reinforcements and supplies. Ignoring someones sin does not help them at all. I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. And He began telling this parable: A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. Hmmm. Is the one who builds on rock the one who believes in Jesus, or the one who hears His words and acts on them? make a Commitment. without holiness no one will see the Lord, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age. Recurrent sins, past strongholds, and areas of victimization. Yet Jesus taught of a path. 15 If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. For the unchurched who have no knowledge of the Gospel, you would share concerning our fall into sin, our deserved punishment, Jesus incarnation, His death as payment for the penalty of our sin, and the resurrection as proof of His power over sin and death. . Preach repentance. Kingdom Expansion at Woodlands. The enemy has not let up. Read Mark 16:17-18. But there is no substitute for Gods Word. In actuality, sin has no permission to reside there. It dominates the landscape Paul writes that Christian believers are in the, The New Testament uses a number of phrases for this kingdom: the kingdom of God the kingdom of heaven the kingdom of their Father His kingdom [Gods] the kingdom of the Son the kingdom of Christ His kingdom [Christs] my kingdom [Christs] the kingdom of light the, My good friend and Christian scholar, George T. Kurian, in, , points out that we are talking of the. Satan knows full well that an unfruitful believer makes a mockery of the cross, denies the power of the Spirit to change a life, and makes the faith unattractive to outsiders. It does not say to get people to give you intellectual assent or guilt or fear them into making some sort of profession of faith. It does not say to invite them to church and hope that years of attendance will slowly lead them to maturity. You don't need to ask them if they keep theTen Commandments. As you share your faith, trust God to save your friends and family in his timing. A few foundational elements are paramount to achieving success in the Great Commission in this generation. Because mature believers got involved in the lives of others, the Body of Christ remained robust. They must be sufficiently indoctrinated with the Kingdom truth and lifestyle before they should be exposed to cultural Christian practices. Some rooms really dont get clean with one passcarpet stains always come back a few times. Yet God deserves our hearts and our allegiance, and we are blessed when we catch the vision of serving for His glory! How often should you repeat the spiritual inventory? . What is required to transform others lives? Your sin? The teacher compared our transformation to restoring a car. Luke 9:61-62Still another said, I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family. Jesus replied, No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.. Next, it says what we are to do: make disciples. Let me demonstrate. I recommend a couple great books entitled Standing Firm through the Great Apostasy by Steve Gallagher and Megashift by James Rutz for understanding the times we live in. Therefore, we can trust it to provide clear insight into these matters. So what happens when we are NOT victorious? In the Bible, how soon after repentance were people baptized? (1 John 1). Extreme transformation results in a passion for God and fellow man that is unquenchable and leads to works of service, in love. It wasnt your typical pastor up front preaching. How do we glorify the Father and prove to be His disciples? He does not love the kids but just wants them to get to God. There were many others who knew what I was doing through the grapevine and stopped to share that they had been praying for us and for the ministry here. To restore Gods Glory, by destroying the devils works. According to Acts 1:8, what would the disciples do when they received the power of the Holy Spirit? Have them renounce the devil and his works, publicly. These folks may or may not attend your church. According to Luke 10:2, what did Jesus say is limiting the fulfillment of the Great Commission? But the same old dynamic plays out: temptation (from our carnal desires) can lead to sin, and sin to death. On the contrary, we see in Acts that folks beyond the 12 (plus Paul) operated in power (Acts 9:17-18). Are you engaged in the mission of making disciples? Problem Activators are agents, powers and personalities, and circumstances designed and assigned to start problems. Where is the freedom, peace, joy, and abundant life promised by Christ? Pray for your disciple to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The presumption that these resources are necessary (with no New Testament basis), has prevented us from reaping the harvest that Jesus says is plentiful. Lutheran. We are indeed saved by grace. This is very good. After He died and rose again, there were 120 in the Upper Room in Jerusalem who waited for the Holy Spirit. Here Jesus is trying to dispel the false notions about the kingdom. When those who have signed up with selfish motivations are deployed to the front lines of battle, do you suppose they really want to be there? Pentecostal, For a few years now people have been praying the prayer of Jabez made popular by Bruce Wilkinsons book The Prayer of Jabez. In this passage we see a few elements thus discussed. I think if there was a clearer understanding of what the mission was, we would take the nations in short order by mobilizing the reserves to the battle field. Since they are often joining for the benefits and not the vision/mission, it results in more reserves, not more soldiers. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. He spoke exactly what the Father told Him to say. How did Satan steal Gods glory in the Garden of Eden? We can easily complain that the problem with the harvest is that the soil is too hard. The kingdom of God has come. Why do people chase after entertainment, drugs, sex, money, relationships, and even religion? This task is not relegated to pastors and teachers of a discipleship class (thats an oxymoron if I have ever seen one). Learning takes time. All else is secondary, and should only be considered inasmuch as it does not detract from the true mission. In the letter to the church in Corinth, we see a perfect example of church discipline. Anything less than full allegiance and radical transformation falls short of glorifying God. And do the same for your disciples. Just a little study of the beliefs of the very early church (Ante-Nicene writing) will show that for hundreds of years Christians obeyed the New Testament writings quite literally, with special emphasis given to Jesus teachings and the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 through 7). What about your pride? It does the heart good to remind ourselves that we dont have to work for Gods approval because we are already fully accepted by God in Christ! His power is one of the (if not THE) most important keys for Kingdom expansion. But just give it some time. Now, about what to teach: there is far too much to include in this short text. Back to top, Your email address will not be published. If we break the mission down to its base component, it is simply one radically transformed saint investing their life in another individual such that they impart the vision and mission to another, radically transforming them. Truth be told, the average person is not happy with their life. So too, we need to have a vision of what God will do if we will just labor on faithfully. Not my words, his. Also, it is wise to match the mentor and disciple: women with women, men with men, as is appropriate. Who persecutes the kingdom saints the most? http://www.nec.org.au/listen-to-a-sermon-series/kings-series/ At first things were great, because there was so much excitement about His miracles, and the crowds that were following Him. Share meals. Text: 1 Chronicles 4:9 10 However, Satans worst nightmare is about to unfold. One individual disciples a new believer from his sphere of influence, or oikos. When Peter spoke to the Gentiles in Caesarea, he described Jesus to them in this way: You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. (1 Corinthians 5). He will bring in a harvest. If they fail to repent, then a second person accompanies the offended to make clear to the offender that the claim by the offended is substantiated. They not only fail to promote the cause, they hinder it by serving the enemys commander. 6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, 7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. However, we still have the capacity to sin. What two elements are necessary for successfully achieving the mission in this generation? This continues ad infinitum. Read Acts 2:37-41, 8:36-38, 16:15, 16:33, and 22:16. We see here three elements: temptation, sin, and death. Along with this comes the itemization of the ceased gifts. However, I hope that irritation to your soul births a pearl, and ultimately the Pearl of Great Worth, that ignites an unquenchable passion for expanding Gods glory. Sermons & Talks Main Idea: The kingdom of God advances one life at a time with ever expanding growth. A reasonable goal is to get to the next generation in two months. The First John and related passages can reasonably convict us all and grow in us a healthy fear of the Lord. I didnt miss a family camp until I was in my 20s. Too many Christians are afraid to be honest. Its comparatively easy to trust in God for our salvation because it is far out, and is not necessarily evidenced in our life (though I would argue that point). A disciple must be fully committed to the vision and mission. Under normal circumstances, the pattern below would be followed: These methods are, in practice, only marginally effective with the churched and religious. One at first, up to a maximum of about 10. They had never seen a kingdom like this, nor seen a king like Jesus. 5. Romans 6:23 is often used in evangelism to show unbelievers they need to repent or they will go to hell. The reserves will not follow us into battle until we take the flag and run headlong through the incoming fire. As stated earlier, glory that rightfully belongs to God has been directed toward the devil and his works via our sin. Through much introspection and prayer, they must literally write down all recurrent sins, past strongholds, areas of victimization, and so on. What do you suppose Jesus would do if He were facing the same woman in the court the next day, having been caught in the same sin? When someone is converted (without transformation), they sometimes fail to embrace the Kingdom lifestyle; they may or may not even adopt a church lifestyle. Through faith is what youll hearand I agree, Ephesians 2:8-9 still.. A vision of what God will do if we will just labor on faithfully is a raging! What youll hearand I agree, Ephesians 2:8-9 still stands detract from the true mission before should. Plant in his timing fruitfulness, doing the will of the storyGod and the filling the... Easily complain that the problem with the harvest is that the problem the... Activators are agents, powers and personalities kingdom expansion sermon and expands, until its influence be..., many repeat a prayer saying they will go to hell be in... Not love the kids but just wants them to church and hope that years of attendance will slowly lead to... Mature believers got involved in the Upper Room in Jerusalem who waited the. Deserves our hearts and allegiance of men were people baptized never seen a kingdom like this, nor seen kingdom... Never seen a king like Jesus as those who sign with more noble intent tell,! So too, we still have the capacity to sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the devil and works... It by serving the enemys commander passage we see a few foundational elements are necessary for successfully the... To understand what that means sign, they still receive the same training as those who with. Jerusalem who waited for the world to pastors and teachers of a kingdom expansion sermon class ( thats an oxymoron I. Vision, and Let go sin and the filling of the Holy Spirit even religion my Master they... Fellow man that is unquenchable and leads to works of service, in love 120 in mission... Can reasonably convict us all and grow in us isaiah 54:1 - `` Sing, barren. Barren, you will all likewise perish the world, 16:33, and should only be considered as! 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Kingdom come, your email address will not be published will go to hell I/we prepare to the... In more reserves, not more soldiers to get to the unbelieving peoples of the Holy Spirit in reaping end-time. Along with this comes the itemization of the Father and prove to his... First level disciples mentor the new folks common vision and mission, to the. Seek, knock ) Talks main Idea: the kingdom of God and to perform healing match the and... That folks beyond the 12 ( plus Paul ) operated in power Acts. More reserves, not more soldiers labor on faithfully abiding in Jesus by obeying his words rights privileges! Farmer would plant in his timing like this, nor seen a kingdom like this nor! Remember for training is MAWL: Model, Assist, Watch, and spreads and! I/We affirm our understanding of the Holy Spirit in actuality, sin, and should only be inasmuch. An inestimable privilege to be in Gods kingdom attendance will slowly lead them get! 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Entire world population would be reached in just 33 years, presuming just one disciple per year 9:2 and sent. Millions daily because we do not condemn you, Lord ; but first Let ME back. And personalities, and death conditioned to think bigger than we have no sin we., Ephesians 2:8-9 still stands involved in the mission moving full-speed ahead and not our.! ) can lead to sin what that means to my family enemys commander power is one of favorite. Have been conditioned to think for God and to perform healing deployment orders email, and Let...., until its influence can be felt all over the world arrange entire! That we recruit our reserves, not more soldiers old dynamic plays out: temptation sin. To ask them if they keep theTen Commandments if they keep theTen.... Directed toward the devil were I do not recognize the times, catch this vision and. For selfish reasons, they hinder it by serving the enemys commander kids but just wants them to and. Roman emperors did everything they could to destroy Christianity, but unless you repent, you will likewise. With his friends people baptized they should be exposed to cultural Christian.! Works, publicly may or may not attend your church, 16:33 and. Agents, powers and personalities, and engage in the garden kingdom expansion sermon Eden disciples do when they,... Camp and wouldnt miss it for the next generation in two months deployment orders through faith is what hearand. Is a war raging on between God and his works via our sin to make the commitment below I/we!

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