Together - Covenant Friendship

Luke 6:12-16

Behold, how good and pleasant it is

    when brothers dwell in unity![a]

2 It is like the precious oil on the head,

    running down on the beard,

on the beard of Aaron,

    running down on the collar of his robes!

3 It is like the dew of Hermon,

    which falls on the mountains of Zion!

For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,

    life forevermore.

Psalm 133

COVENANT FRIENDSHIP

ERNEST SHACKLETON PHOTO*

With his ship helplessly frozen in place, what did Shackleton do?

He formed his men into teams, took them out onto the ice, and they played soccer.  In fact, they did it a lot.  But in his book South: The Endurance Expedition that details the trials of his crew, he only mentions it once. “Hockey and soccer on the floe were our chief recreations, and all hands joined in many a strenuous game.” He set a strict daily eating schedule of breakfast, lunch, tea, and dinner. During the evening hours, they took turns staging concerts and plays below decks to break up the monotony of the long dark winter nights.

Ken Downer

PHOTOS*

They [Shackleton and crew] were isolated from the outside world, but they were surrounded by deep friendship and community. Many of us today find ourselves surrounded by the outside world, but isolated from deep friendship and community.

BOOK REC.

WE WERE MADE FOR FRIENDSHIP BECAUSE WE WERE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF FRIENDSHIP.

24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

John 17:24

15 No longer do I call you servants,[a] for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you…

John 15:15-16

A friend is someone who KNOWNS you and loves you ANYWAY.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Some Christians try to go to heaven alone, in solitude. But believers are not compared to bears or lions or other animals that wander alone. Those who belong to Christ are sheep in this respect, that they love to get together. Sheep go in flocks, and so do God’s people.

Charles Spurgeon

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

Genesis 2:18

Isolation is just as dangerous to the soul as sickness is to the body.

Justin Whitmel Early

We are the most physically connected and yet spiritually isolated people who have ever walked the planet. Our default perspective should now be to assume that if you’re a modern American, you are lonely.

Justin Whitmel Early

Characteristics of Modern friendship

1. Digitally known, emotionally unknown

Technology can give us the sensation of being known when, actually, we are completely isolated. When we spend our relational time snacking on technology, we will die from the preventable disease of loneliness. The internet and smartphones are fantastic for connections, communication, and knowledge. But connections are not friends, communication is not intimacy, and knowledge is not wisdom. Use a social network for intimacy and you will invite great harm. Use a chatroom for wisdom and you are guaranteed foolishness. Use connections for friendship and you are destined for loneliness. 

Justin Whitmel Early

1. Connected by similar interests, not by similar vision

No matter how much time you spend with someone, or how many common activities you share, if vulnerability and honesty are not practiced regularly such that you turn from loving your shared hobbies to loving each other, then you are not in a friendship but a companionship.

Justin Whitmel Early

1. Built on comfort together, not built on adversity

Wounds from a friend can be trusted,

    but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Proverbs 27:6 

As iron sharpens iron,

    so one person sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17

Jesus modeled COVENANT FRIENDSHIP

Covenant friendships are decided by the Father

12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 

Luke 6:12

These were the men who would carry on what He had done, and without them the work of Jesus would never extend to the whole world. No wonder Jesus gave this critical choice an entire night of prayer.

David Guzik

The righteous choose their friends carefully,

    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 12:26

33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

1 Corinthians 15:33

Covenant friendships are built on similar vision, NOT similar interests

There are many interesting connections with this group. There are brothers (James and John, Peter and Andrew); business associates (Peter, James, and John were all fishermen); opposing political viewpoints (Matthew the Roman-friendly tax collector, and Simon, the Roman-hating Zealot); and one who would betray Jesus (Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor).

David Guzik

Covenant friendships see all

A spirituality that suppresses what we truly feel and substitutes for it what we think we ought to feel is no spirituality at all. It is a mask that bears no resemblance to Christ.

Richard J. Foster

Covenant friendships last as long as forgiveness is given

“27 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; 28 bless those who curse you; pray for those who abuse you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you do good to those from whom you hope to receive, what credits is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great and you will be children of the most high for He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful just as your father is merciful.”

1. GET LOW (Loving those who you don’t relate to)

John 4:3-27 3 he left Judea and started back to Galilee. 4 But he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. 7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.)[a] 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir,[b] you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir,[c] give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir,[d] I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you[e] say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you[f] will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You[g] worship what you[h] do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I am he,[i] the one who is speaking to you.”27 Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman…

“The strict Rabbis forbade a Rabbi to greet a woman in public. A Rabbi might not even speak to his own wife or daughter or sister in public. There were even Pharisees who were called ‘the bruised and bleeding Pharisees’ because they shut their eyes when they saw a woman on the street and so walked into walls and houses!” (Barclay)

 John 5:19 Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own but only what he sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father[a] does, the Son does likewise. 20 The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished.

John 4:39 Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”

In this  scenario Jesus is calling us outside of comfort and convince and asking us to put a priority on eternal desires > momentary desires. On God’s will > Our own.

2. GET LOWER (Loving Your Enemies) 

John 6:1-6, 10-14 

6 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.[a] 2 A large crowd kept following him because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 

10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place, so they[b] sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left o...

1 Peter 2:1-7 (NKJV)

LIVING UNDER AUTHORITY

Behold, how good and pleasant it is

    when brothers dwell in unity!

2 It is like the precious oil on the head,

    running down on the beard,

on the beard of Aaron,

    running down on the collar of his robes!

3 It is like the dew of Hermon,

    which falls on the mountains of Zion!

For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,

    life forevermore.

Psalm 133:1-3

It is a wonder seldom seen, therefore behold it! It may be seen, for it is the characteristic of real saints – therefore fail not to inspect it! It is well worthy of admiration; pause and gaze upon it! It will charm you into imitation, therefore note it well!

Charles Spurgeon

Unity is good AND pleasing.

Unity is what God pours His Spirit onto.

God doesn’t just give a blessing for those in unity, He COMMANDS a blessing for those in unity.

WRESTLING PHOTO***

We can’t let the poor examples of some leaders to determine our need for A LEADER.

2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts.

Ezekiel 34:1-5

In both the civil and spiritual realms, when sheep have unfaithful shepherds sometimes they think the answer is no shepherds. They think that almost any kind of leadership among God’s people is unnecessary and that the flock can lead itself. Ezekiel specifically spoke against this kind of thinking. When there was no shepherd, it was no better for the sheep.

David Guzik

WHAT IS SUBMISSION?

Sub-mission: to come under the mission of another

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6

For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 2:25

WHO DO WE SUBMIT TO?

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

“God resists the proud,
 But gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5

The word “elder” simply speaks of the maturity and wisdom that an older person should have, making them qualified for leadership. In its application, it is more about wisdom and maturity than a specific age.

David Guzik

Strive all to serve each other; let the pastors strive to serve the people, and the people the pastors; and let there be no contention, but who shall do most to oblige and profit all the rest.

Clark

WHY DO WE SUBMIT? 

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God,[a]
     he did not think of equality with God
     as something to cling to.

7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges[b];
     he took the humble position of a slave[c]
     and was born as a human being.
 When he appeared in human form,[d]

8  he humbled himself in obedience to God
     and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
     and gave him the name above all other names,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
     in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
     to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”[h] 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature[i] and in favor with God and man.

Luke 2:49-52

I will worship toward Your holy temple,

And praise Your name

For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;

For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

Psalm 138:2

Micah 6:6-8

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

37 While Jesus[e] was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. 38 The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner.

Luke 11:37-38

A really strict Jew would do this not only before the meal, but also between each course through the meal. The rabbis were deadly serious about this, saying that bread eaten with unwashed hands was no better than excrement. A rabbi who once failed to do this was considered excommunicated.

David Guzik

39 And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 

Luke 11:37-42

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 

Luke 11:37-42

Legalism of this sort assumes that people will only know we follow God if we do all these things associated with rules and regulations. Instead, Jesus said that the real mark of a believer is the love they have for others in God’s family.  It was as if a solider did great in marching drills and put all their emphasis there, but wasn’t any good in battle. This would not be a good soldier. Being good at all the outward things of Christianity doesn’t mean you are necessarily a good Christian.

David Guzik

6 “With what shall I come before the Lord,

    and bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

    with calves a year old?

7 Will the Lord be pleased with[a] thousands of rams,

    with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

8 He has told you, O man, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,[b]

    and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:6-8

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 22:36-40

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35

DISCIPLESHIP IS MEASURED BY HOW I LOVE MY NEIGHBOR.

The relational posture of a Christian is anchored in our union with Christ. God dwells in us, by the Spirit, nearer to us than our very breath-Anyone who lives from this depth of intimate relationship will long to be like-minded, unified, unselfish, humble, deferential, and self-sacrificial—anything but narcissistic.

Chuck DeGroat

35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:35

The early church was strikingly different from the culture around it in this way – the pagan society was stingy with its money and promiscuous with its body. A pagan gave nobody their money and practically gave everybody their body. And the Christians came along and gave practically nobody their body and they gave practically everybody their money.

Timothy Keller

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[a] love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

1 John 4:19-21

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Nothing so clearly discovers a spiritual man as his treatment of an erring brother.

Augustine of Hippo

27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 

Luke 10:27-29

WHAT IS LOVE?

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 

John 15:12-13

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?

3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules” ….17 “Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

Daniel 9:3-5, 17-19 (ESV)

2 “When you pray, say:

’Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.’”

Luke 11:2 (NKJV)

“What needs to shift?”

We have a role to play in living in God’s kingdom, doing God’s will, and making earth as it is in heaven…and that happens  “when we pray” (Luke 11:2)

“There are many other things Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not be big enough for all the books that would be written.”

John 21:25 (NCV)

Jesus begins his instructions on prayer by issuing an expectation for us to pray

“He (Jesus) said, ‘When you pray,’ which means you learn how to pray by praying…prayer is on the job training, and you grow by doing it…When it comes to prayer, I always tell people to start, and the Holy Spirit will begin to teach them as they pray.“

Corey Russell

“Have felt led to pray for others this winter like never before. I never before knew what it was to work all day and then pray all night before God for another. In college, or at parties at home, I used to keep such hours for myself, or pleasures, and can I not do as much for God and for souls?“

John Hyde

“the effect was felt throughout all India, and the breath of Heaven sweeping over the land could be traced to the kneeling figure of ’Praying Hyde”

“Give me souls, or I die.“

John “Praying” Hyde

“True prayer is the trading of the heart with God.“

Charles Spurgeon

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (KJV)

1)Prayer shifts our source.

“I believe in the truthfulness of this instinct (when man calls out to God in moments of distress), and I believe that man prays because there is something in prayer. When the creator gives His creature the power of thirst, it is because water exists to meet that thirst. When He creates hunger, there is food to correspond to appetite. Even so, when He inclines man to pray, it is because prayer has a corresponding blessing connected with it.“

Charles Spurgeon

2) Prayer shifts our perspective.

“Jesus allowed His disciples to watch him pray because He wanted them to watch Him engage with the Father in Heaven.”

Corey Russell

“When you think prayer, you think list, but I (Jesus) think person. I want to introduce you to a person, a place, and the person’s name. It’s our Father in heaven, by the way…”

Corey Russell

3) Prayer shifts our will.

Intercession is the action of intervening (through prayer) on behalf of another

“19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

Daniel 9:19 (ESV)

“2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.”

Daniel 10:2-3 (ESV)

4)Prayer shifts what we occupy (position of persistence)

James 5:16-17 (NKJV) says “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

“4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) 5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightening, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 12 Then he said to me, ’Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the king of Persia, and 14 came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days.’”

Daniel 10:4-6,12-14 (ESV)

“the word prince has the idea of a ruler or authority. This fits well with the New Testament idea that angelic ranks are organized and have a hierarchy. These angelic ranks seem to include both faithful angels and fallen angels (demons). Apparently, this (prince of Persia) was a demon of high rank that opposed the answer to prayer.”

David Guzik

“The correlation between Daniel’s time of self-denial and prayer and the duration of the battle between the angels and the prince of Persia establishes a link between Daniel’s prayer and the angelic victory.”

David Guzik

5) Prayer shifts us to engage in spiritual warfare (As it is in heaven, or as it is in hell?)

“There be hindering factors of which a praying Christian knows nothing as he wonders why the answers to his requests are delayed. Nevertheless, he is to keep on praying. It may be that he will not receive an answer because he has given up on the twentieth day when he should have persisted to the twenty-first day.”

Archer

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV) says “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.”

“Prayer is the great exposer of reality”

Corey Russell

If we want our reality to be as it is in heaven, then...

1 Peter 2:4-10

 9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
 hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,
 your will be done,
     on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,
     as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,
     but deliver us from evil.

Matthew 6:9-13

20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

1 Corinthians 4:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 

We will never see what God wants until we die to what we want.

What Needs To Change?

1. What Is God’s Kingdom?
2. How does God expand His Kingdom?
3. How do We expand His Kingdom? 

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

John 18:36

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:17

But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Matthew 12:28

Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

Luke 10:9

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 3:2

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10

The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 103:19

Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”[h]

Luke 17:20-21 

This was not a mystical revelation by Jesus that in some seed form, the Kingdom of God is within everyone in a New Age sense. After all, Jesus would not have told Pharisees that the kingdom of God was within them. The statement of Jesus called attention to Himself, not to man. Like many today, the Pharisees said they wanted the Kingdom of God to come; but you can’t want the Kingdom and reject the King.

David Guzik

People often wonder, “What is the Kingdom of God?” Some have devoted their entire lives to the topic. Their

work has been informative and helpful, but to make this really simple—the Kingdom of God is Jesus Christ.

Michael Koulianos

The Kingdom of God is Jesus and wherever his rule and reign is, there is the Kingdom.

In Christ, there is a true priesthood of all believers. All of us who trust in Jesus alone for salvation have free access into His presence, and all of our lawful vocations are set apart for true God-honoring service. The janitor who does his work to the Lord is in no worse position spiritually than the most gifted preacher on the planet, for all Christians have been declared righteous servants of the creator God.

Ligonier Ministries

Churches are not the kingdom of God, but are primary and inevitable expressions, outposts, and instruments of the presence of the kingdom among us.

Dallas Willard

HOW DOES GOD EXPAND HIS KINGDOM?

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:17

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9

Prophets, Priests, Kings

Prophets: people who shared God’s knowledge; spoke for Him

God used prophets to fix a knowledge problem.

Priests: people who stewarded God’s presence; ministered to Him.

God used priests to fix a sin problem.

Kings: people who stewarded God’s people/nation; led like Him

In the Garden of Eden, Adam was a “prophet” in that he had true knowledge of God and always spoke truthfully about God and about His creation. He was a “priest” in that he was able freely and openly to offer prayer and praise to God. Adam and Eve were also “Kings” in the sense of having been given dominion and rule over the creation.

Wayne Grudem 

JESUS FIXES OUR KNOWLEDGE PROBLEM (Prophet)

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 

Colossians 1:15

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. 

John 14:8-9

JESUS FIXES OUR NEARNESS PROBLEM (Priest)

11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ[b] had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Hebrews 10:11-14 

JESUS FIXES OUR LEADERSHIP PROBLEM (King)

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 

John 10:11-16

HOW DOES WE EXPAND HIS ...

21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Matthew 16:21-28 

WHAT NEEDS TO DIE? 

 9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
 hallowed be your name.

10 Your kingdom come,
 your will be done,
     on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread,

12 and forgive us our debts,

    as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

    but deliver us from evil.

Matthew 6:9-10

A day without prayer is a boast against God.

Owen Carr

The Lord’s prayer starts with communion (relationship), leads to wonder, pushes us to fill the earth with God’s best, and ends with our needs being met.

For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:32-33

What halts resurrection power? 

1. An Unaware Heart
2. An Unwilling Heart

AN UNAWARE HEART 

21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord![e] This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance[f] to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Matthew 16:21-23

Jesus exposed how Peter came into this satanic way of thinking. He didn’t make a deliberate choice to reject God and embrace Satan; he simply let his mind settle on the things of men instead of the things of God, and Satan took advantage of it.

David Guzik

It’s impossible to see life on earth as it is in heaven when we believe that sin isn’t that bad, and that God’s kingdom isn’t that good.

AN UNWILLING HEART

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 

Matthew 16:24-26 

Any part of our life that we are unwilling to die to is a part of our life that we halt God’s resurrection life. 

When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. It may be a death like that of the first disciples who had to leave home and work to follow him, or it may be a death like Luther’s, who had to leave the monastery and go out into the world. But it is the same death every time — death in Jesus Christ, the death of the old man at his call.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The entrance fee into the kingdom of heaven is nothing: the annual subscription is everything.

Henry Drummond

Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly.

Ignatius

DEATH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF LOVE

It is not by telling people about ourselves that we demonstrate our Christianity. Words are cheap. It is by costly, self-denying Christian practice that we show the reality of our faith. 

Jonathan Edwards

DEATH IS THE DOOR TO LIFE 

So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn’t God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered stupid—preaching, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation.

22-25 While Jews clamor for miraculous demonstrations and Greeks go in for philosophical wisdom, we go right on proclaiming Christ, the Crucified. Jews treat this like an anti-miracle—and Greeks pass it off as absurd. But to us who are personally called by God himself—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. Human wisdom is so cheap, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can’t begin to compete with God’s “weakness.”…

You’ll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God’s sheer genius, I didn’t try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified.

3-5 I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God’s Spirit and God’s power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God’s power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.

1 Corinthians 1:20-25, 2:1-5 (MSG)

IS JESUS ENOUGH?

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance, the only thing it cannot be is moderately important.

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men…

And I, when I came to you, brothers,[a] did not come proclaiming to you the testimony[b] of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

1 Corinthians 1:22-25, 2:1-2

If someone can be persuaded into the kingdom by human wisdom, they can also be persuaded out of the kingdom by human wisdom.

David Guzik

IF JESUS IS ENOUGH, THEN I HAVE TO LAY DOWN MY NEED FOR A SIGN (encounter, feeling, assurance)

22 For Jews demand signs…

1 Corinthians 1:22

 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son,[a] with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

Matthew 17:5-8

IF JEUSUS IS ENOUGH, THEN I HAVE TO LAY DOWN MY NEED FOR UNDERSTANDING

22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 

1 Corinthians 1:22

The poet only asks to get his head into the heavens. It is the logician who seeks to get the heavens into his head. And it is his head that splits.

G.K. Chesterton

IF JESUS IS ENOUGH, THEN I HAVE TO LAY DOWN MY NEED FOR WORKS

27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

John 6:27-29

During Advent, we remember that when Jesus first came into the world some were ready, but most were not.

Who has believed what he has heard from us?[a]
     And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a young plant,
     and like a root out of dry ground;
 he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
     and no beauty that we should desire him.

He was despised and rejected[b] by men,
     a man of sorrows[c] and acquainted with[d] grief;[e]
 and as one from whom men hide their faces[f]
     he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he has borne our griefs
     and carried our sorrows;
 yet we esteemed him stricken,
     smitten by God, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions;
     he was crushed for our iniquities;
 upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
     and with his wounds we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;
     we have turned—every one—to his own way;
 and the Lord has laid on him
     the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:1-6

FINDING JESUS.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,[g] in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Romans 1:18-20

WE ARE ALL SUSCEPTIBLE TO A CALLUSED HEART.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Jeremiah 17:9

A HARD HEART IS A BLIND HEART.

A hard heart is a heart that sees things as they are, not for what they truly are. 

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 

Romans 1:18 

“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not.

Jeremiah 5:21

Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

Matthew 13:14

53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Matthew 13:53-58

Who has believed what he has heard from us?[a]
     And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a young plant,
     and like a root out of dry ground;
 he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
     and no beauty that we should desire him.

Isaiah 53:1-2

This shows that men value physical beauty and charisma far more than God does, and when we don’t see it, we can reject the ones God accepts.

David Guzik

This means that when we try to attract people to Jesus through form or comeliness, or beauty, we are using methods that run counter to the nature of Jesus. “These days it appears that we must dress up the gospel to make it attractive. We have to use the methods of technique which must be smart, well-presented, streamlined. There must be something about the presentation of the gospel that will appeal to people…to what is called ‘the modern mind.’ I wonder if we stop to think that in our efforts to make the gospel message ‘attractive’ we are drawing a curtain across the face of Jesus in His humiliation? The only one who can make Him attractive is the Holy Spirit.”

Alan Redpath

JESUS IS THE DEEPER TRUTH HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[f] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

Colossians 1:15-17 

22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Romans 1:22-23

And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,

Ezekiel 11:19

WHEN MY HEART IS SOFTENED

1. WONDER IS RESTORED

Wonder: a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable.

9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 

Matthew 2:9-11

27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God 

Luke 2:27-28 

1.  SACRIFICIAL OBEDIENCE IS OUR JOY 

38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant[f] of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:38

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ[e] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed[f] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from t...