The readings for the past few weeks (Matthew
13) have been teaching us about the Kingdom of God. In the Parable of the Sower
Jesus focuses on how people respond to the Word of God. In the Parable of the
Weeds Jesus teaches us how to deal with evil. In the three parables for today
Jesus is teaching us that not everyone is included and how important it is to
be included in the Kingdom. Those who are included should be able to bring out our
treasures from our own experience of the Kingdom to share with others. Let me
model this for you by bringing out three treasures from my study and experience
of the Kingdom.
1. Let me
share my treasure of knowing the Bible as True truth
My first kingdom treasure is a lesson learned
long ago as I was reading the Bible. The Reading was about Isaiah - “setting
his face like flint” in the face of opposition. Isaiah helped me understand
what I was getting into in my preaching. Christian teachers often have to
choose between either trying to please everyone; or confronting people with
what the Bible actually says about self-sacrifice, loyalty, holiness and loving
God. Reading the whole Bible through
three times and every day since has convinced me that the supernatural
worldview of the Bible is not mythical but authentic - evidence of healing in
all times and places
- · Francis Schaeffer described the Bible as 'true truth' - does include poetry, story and allegory but these all teach us spiritual truths
- · Biblical teachings on unforgiven sins, including sexual immorality, leading to spiritual death are authentic (God is holy)
- · The Parable of the division of the fish - some are rejected by God and their fate is like being thrown into an eternal fire is authentic (watch the Howard Storm video on utube for a modern account)
- Believers are forgiven repented sins, healed, restored to covenant
- Daily personal Bible reading is essential to a serious Christian
life
- Christians have to chose between going along to get along – and directly challenging the culture and facing opposition (like Jesus)
2. My treasure
of the Holy Spirit growing invisibly inside me
The real treasure many people in our time are
desperately trying to find is a personal spiritual life. In the movie
“Eat, Pray Love” the countries chosen to be in for these activities are Italy,
India and Bali. The (probably baptized Christian) seeker goes to India to experience
of prayer. She, like many of us growing up in the Anglican Church; apparently reached
adulthood without any real understanding or experience of personal prayer or the
Holy Spirit in Christianity.
- Like all believers I have received the gifts of Holy Spirit as a
sign of inclusion - love, joy, peace, patience, long suffering and
knowledge
- Holy Spirit guides me in self-examination so I can repent, confess
and be forgiven the things that are polluting my spiritual life
- Holy Spirit connects my personal spirit to Jesus and other people
who can help me grow in my spiritual life
- Holy Spirit helps me understand what the Bible is saying to prepare
sermons and guide me in life
- I get words of knowledge, prophecy and sometimes pray in tongues
- Holy Spirit has comforted and healed me emotionally and spiritually
- I have prayed for people and seen them healed from cancer
- Lucille and I have prayed for people to heal them from the wounds of
sin including sexual abuse
- We have been guided by the Holy Spirit in freeing people through
prayer ministry from the bondage of alcoholism, identity theft, Masonic
curses and generational sin
- I am working on a spiritual autobiography about discovering,
developing and healing spiritual life
3. My treasure
of being included in the Kingdom
In the Parables the seeker sells
everything they have to possess the Treasure or the Pearl.
·
I gave up a successful career as
a professional librarian and consultant to respond to a divine call to be a
priest
·
I have given up all the things
that could prevent me from being part of the Heavenly Kingdom
·
Priority is my daily devotions
and relationship of love and obedience to Jesus
·
I try to find out what King Jesus
wants me to do and then do it..
·
I have had a vision of God as a great light at the centre of the Kingdom - light spreads outward and brings joy to the
millions and millions of people all standing in the presence of God. In
comparison all our worldly wealth and power has no value.
·
I try to live my spiritual life
'in-Jesus' - emotionally and spiritually with one foot on the earth and the
other emotionally in the spiritual dimension
·
Jesus taught us to pray 'Thy
Kingdom come, Thy will be done
·
We are already living in Jesus
Kingdom on Earth
·
Kingdom of Jesus on Earth comes
more fully as more and more people believe in Him and obey His commands
King Jesus is counting on us to reach out
in love to those around us and tell them the good news of God's grace, love,
forgiveness and healing
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