As I began to sort out religion, christianity, and faith the message of the Kingdom emerged as of key interest in the teachings and examples of Jesus. He and John the Baptist both said the same thing right from the beginning: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Jesus mentions the church only a few times in all four Gospels but refers to the Kingdom over 100 times. As I noted this Kingdom thread I began to rethink my views on religion and church. It became apparent that Jesus was at odds with arguably the greatest religionists of world history: the Jews. So religion wasn’t the answer to my spiritual quest. So I dove in to more deeply understand the reality and nature of Jesus’ Kingdom: the Kingdom of Heaven.
It makes sense that Matthew (the Gospel for the Jews first) would take the time to explain the Kingdom in Jesus’ words and actions. This book is a step by step look at how the Kingdom unfolds in Matthew, and sets the tone for the other Gospels and letters from the apostles. It is not a complicated book but may prove to be revolutionary in how you personally sort out first King, then Kingdom, then church.
I am certainly not anti-church (I served as a pastor for over 45 years) but have come to be more “pro-Bride of Christ” rather than “pro-visible church.” The visible church has and continues to do much good in the world. It has also often twisted God’s words and misrepresented Jesus’ Kingdom, something the God Story calls “false teaching.”
Consider a few points:
√ The historic church (like all religions of antiquity) has twisted the words of Jesus for institutional and personal gain.
√ Jesus’ greatest conflict was not with Rome but with the Jewish religious leaders. They led the charge to condemn and crucify Jesus and to discredit His resurrection.
√ Many of Jesus’ teachings were given in Kingdom parables, all for the purpose of both veiling and explaining the Kingdom to His disciples.
√ A thorough consideration of the Kingdom contextualizes teaching about the Church, both in history and in the Word of God. Kings first – then Kingdom – then Church. This is the order of the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.
As you read Kingdom: Finding Your True Self you will investigate what Jesus taught about connecting with His Father through His Kingdom. It may correct some of your church views or perspectives, and at the same time give you a greater freedom of connection. After all, “if we continue in His words we are truly disciples of His, and we shall know the truth, and the truth shall set us free.”
Enjoy your deeper launch into the Kingdom.
And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” (Matthew 13:52)
This is what Jesus wishes for us to become!
Dave and Burnadette