The Coming of the King
As we have mentioned before, the King comes first, then His Kingdom, then the church. We have discussed how the Son (Jesus) is the Creator of all that exists (Colossians 3), and His first coming in human form was accomplished to honor the Father and defeat death. To do this the King brought His Good News to oppose the bad news which is so clearly seen in humanity, articulated through both the human story and the story of the Jews.
Jesus is the Door to the Kingdom and reconnection with our Father. John 10:1-18 explains this comprehensively. There is One Way into the Kingdom: through the Door of the Sheep. Jesus is clear. He is the Door of the sheep, and His Kingdom is foremost a Kingdom of the heart. When we humble ourselves as spiritual beggars, our eyes are opened and our hearts may then incline toward our deep need for God. This is Jesus’ story of the Kingdom. “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and I Am the living One. I was dead, and know for sure, I am alive forever, and I have the keys of death and the grave.”
We believe that the heart circle of the Kingdom has a fourfold, ongoing purpose. A pure heart results from being humbled to see our need. This opens the door to knowing God, which in turn allows us to do God-kindness toward others. This fuels a life of growing true life for the honor of God as we partner with His Spirit.
In this teaching you will listen to the God Story in 15 Minutes which will help clarify and consolidate the oneness of the big Story. Each link in the Bible amplifies the mind and heart of God. The resurrection resulted in an explosion which continues to this day, as the power of the Father comes into the world to deliver lost souls. The Good News is the answer to our bad news. Our God is slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He alone has unlocked the Kingdom door.
How does one enter through this door? According to Matthew it is a process:
√ Receive Him. John 1:12
√ Be born a second time. John 3:1-9
√ Be baptized. Matthew 3:11-17
√ Turn, follow, and I will make you men-fishers. Matthew 4:17-19
√ Be hungry, thirsty, and satisfied. Matthew 5:6
√ Deny yourselves. Matthew 5-7; 16:24-27
√ Pray for harvest Workers Matthew 9:38
√ Come to Me to find rest. Matthew 11:28-30
√ Grow as good seed/listen and do. Matthew 13:24-30
√ Wash one another’s feet. John 13:14
√ Go. Matthew 28:16-20
√ Be of Good Courage. John 16:33
√ Be on the alert and endure to the end. Matthew 24:13; 42-43
One of the first passages I memorized after coming to Jesus comments on this Kingdom Door and its usefulness to my soul (Psalm 23):
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want for anything. He makes me lie down in green pastures and He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul and He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod of correction and Your staff of guidance comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies and have anointed my head with the Spirit’s oil of favor. My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
In and out through the Kingdom door with you,
Dave and Burnadette
Related links:
The Kingdom Conversation
Kingdom Spirituality