PODCAST NOTES: KING – THEN KINGDOM – THEN CHURCH
There is a distinction made in the Scriptures between Kingship, Kingdom, and Church. I don’t know if you have ever thought about this – but it may be very much worth your time. Jesus created the earth – and He has been given authority over it by His Father. This is the essence of His Kingship.
“He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” – Colossians 1
When Jesus is the King of any human heart, His Kingdom then grows within us. And once His Kingdom begins to grow, people are “called out” of darkness into Light. This is the very essence of what “Church” means. To be “called out” as servants of the King.
THE KINGDOM DOORWAY (the Be-attitudes)
Jesus paints a picture of true humility. This is the only entrance into the Kingdom.
The poor in spirit know we are spiritual beggars. The Good News means nothing without an understanding of the bad news. Once we admit our spiritual poverty, God asks that we mourn over it. And as we mourn over our human reality we become gentle as we are humbled by our lack of intrinsic personal righteousness. This causes us to become hungry and thirsty – and to ultimately find “satisfaction.” We in turn show mercy because we know we have received mercy – and this completes the process of embracing a pure heart, which is a gift from God. According to Jesus, the pure in heart then see God (and this comes from God – not from within). SEE GOD!
It would be so cool if our Kingdom Revolution were easy or automatic.
So I have a question for you – “are you experiencing your personal Kingdom Revolution?” Do you find yourself aware and accepting of the hand of the King of the earth upon your life? Does the doorway of humility mean something to you, or is it a foreign spiritual concept? Deep waters indeed my friend!
MORE: Here is a REVOLUTION VIDEO link https://vimeo.com/29277721 that will develop this a little more fully (20:25).
ENJOY!