Tuesday

Kingdom Of God

“You are not far from the kingdom of God,"
Jesus replied to the man that answered Him intelligently.
 
A smile must have come on Jesus face –
Finally someone is responding with the right answer
Finally someone has listened and heard
Finally someone understands the words I've spoken
Finally!
 
Much like a teacher who gleans satisfaction and praises, the response of the one student, who finally gets the answer right, likewise, this Teacher, affirmed this intelligent one who gives the right answer.
 
Everyone else should have known the answers. Everyone else DID know the answers.
They just choose not to believe, because believing meant yielding, acknowledging and following the Truth.
 
Previously, we see in scripture the account of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem and Bethany
 
• Jesus was justly and honorably worshiped as He rode on a colt that had never been used.
• Jesus cursed the fig tree, which should have had fruit
• Jesus was grieved at others using the temple for thievery instead of prayer
• Jesus’ authority was questioned in regards to taxes
• Jesus’ authority was questioned in regards to the resurrection
• Jesus’ authority was questioned in regards to the greatest commandment
 
Then finally the right answer emerges
 
“The scribe said to Jesus, ‘Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him; and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ ”
 
Wow! This right answer was so powerful that all the accusers questioning Jesus completely stopped. No one even dared to question Jesus after that right answer came forth. They all knew the answer, failed to give it but instead under false premises questioned the authority of Jesus only to be put to shame by their fellow comrade.
 
This kingdom of God, the core of the “right answer” is attainable to all who desires.
No one is exempt from receiving
No one is excluded from accepting
No one is illuminated from this equation
Not one!
 
Because there is equity at the cross for all
 
Jesus says, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.” He was speaking to the very people who knew the right answer but refused to act upon it but instead becoming jealous of those who would act and follow.
 
What is the Kingdom?
 
Just what is the kingdom of God and how can one get to a place where it is not far but near? This word is so important that it appears approximately 333 times in 308 verses, depending on the translation one uses.
 
To love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. In other words to join with God and His mindset of eternity and behave it out by treating others the way God requires us to. This is done through the humility of a servant. We are called to serve God and called to serve others. Why? This is the example and model that Jesus demonstrated for us to follow. Jesus willingness to bear countless human sins is the epitome of servant hood.
 
This topic of kingdom… is one Jesus spoke of often.
 
In this gospel of Mark, the author, highlights Jesus’ life as one of service and sacrifice, emphasizing the theme scripture, Jesus himself describes in 10:45: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
As he writes this gospel, Mark makes careful note to identify Jesus as the obedient Servant who is actively, on a ongoing, bases demonstrating compassion as He ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of others. Mark unfolds and displays this unique Servant, as the Son of God with full power and authority. Jesus as a Servant is on the move instantly constantly and passionately responsive to the will of the Father, by preaching, teaching, and healing… he ministers to the needs of others even to the point of death.
His focus was ever present on the heavenly kingdom. Let us model His format and focus on the heavenly kingdom also.
 
Questions
  1. Will you make a commitment to pursue after the right answer of loving God and loving your neighbor?
  2. Will you commit to serving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength?
  3. Will you persevere to attain Jesus in your heart, mind, and soul?
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Help me to come to you with 100 percent yielding to you in every area of my life.
Serving you and serving others according to Your word. Draw me to be kingdom focused. Thank you Lord!
 
Further study:
Matthew 21; Luke 19:29-38; Mark 11:1-10; John 12:12-15.
 
 
 
© Copyright 2012 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright 2012 Deep Roots in Christ Ministries. All Rights Reserved
 
 
About the author
Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of John, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er.
Visit her Web sites at:

Thursday

Sunday’s Comin’

 

What is it about a Sunday that solidifies Resurrection Sunday (also known as Easter)? And why is it
so important that Sunday is comin’?
There is an extremely important significance about this particular day in history where Jesus, the Messiah, spoken about for centuries prior, finally arrives on earth, fulfills His God ordained task then returns to heaven where He is right now and forever sitting on the right hand of God almighty praying for us!
I LOVE it! What a faithful and excellent Savior that we have in Him, not to mention a faithful and excellent Prayer Partner. For Him to have the right hand seat next to the highest majestic authority is enough to recognize THIS Sunday. Jesus has fulfilled the very promise first given way back in Genesis, the first book of the Bible. The promise God made of reconciling a lost world to Himself and sealing that deal by promising with Himself… God sends His Son to bring this promise in full fruition. Thank you Jesus!
So what’s so special about THIS Sunday and THIS holiday? The holiday where TV commercials are marketing chocolate eggs with caramel oozing out of the middle, grocery aisles that are bombarded with bright colorful candy, fashionistas who are power shopping for the perfect outfit (compete with shoes) and large to life bunnies hosting large to life egg hunts. All these things are nice for a very short time, but will fade.
What is so special about THIS Sunday are these words…
Jesus says “After three days I will rise again.” And He did. THANK YOU JESUS!
He was crucified, dead and buried…but He victoriously rose up and ascended to heaven.
A real to life human example of the Son of God and Son of man…leading the way of what followers in Christ will soon participate in.
His crucifixion is filled with pain, brutality, despair, betrayal and anguish. But this story does not end at the cross. Jesus was faithful to His word and His promise to mankind
And is faithful to His own who have received Him as Lord and Savior.
The definition of Resurrection Sunday and our response to it, is rejoicing in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and recognizing what each of those of these events can teach us about the character of God.
So in honor of Resurrection Sunday, celebrating Jesus, the Savior of the world, I share a famous sermon that has graced many pulpits around the world for many many years. Historically, its origins are found among African Americans with this sermon often being preached in black churches in the south.

It’s Friday
Jesus is praying
Peter’s a sleeping
Judas is betraying
But Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
Pilate’s struggling
The council is conspiring
The crowd is vilifying
They don’t even know
That Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
The disciples are running
Like sheep without a shepherd
Mary’s crying
Peter is denying
But they don’t know
That Sunday’s a comin’

It’s Friday
The Romans beat my Jesus
They robe Him in scarlet
They crown him with thorns
But they don’t know
That Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
See Jesus walking to Calvary
His blood dripping
His body stumbling
And His Spirit’s burdened
But you see, it’s; only Friday
Sunday’s comin

It’s Friday
The world’s winning
People are sinning
And evil’s grinning

It’s Friday
The soldiers nail my Savior’s hands
To the cross
They nailed my Savior’s feet
To the cross
And then they raise Him up
Next to criminals

It’s Friday
But let me tell you something
Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
The disciplines are questioning
What has happened to their King?
And the Pharisees are celebrating
That their scheming
Have been achieved
But they don’t know
It’s only Friday
Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
He’s hanging on the cross
Feeling forsaken by his Father
Left alone and dying
Can nobody save Him?
Ooooh
It’s Friday
But Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
The earth trembles
The sky grows dark
My King yields His Spirit

It’s Friday
Hope is lost
Death has won
Sin has conquered
And satan’s just a laughin’

It’s Friday
Jesus is buried
A solider stands guard
And a rock is rolled into place
 
But it’s Friday
It is only Friday
Sunday is a comin’!

To enjoy a video/audio clip of this sermon go to the website below:
QUESTIONS
1. Have you realized yet that Sunday is comin’? Or are you still living in Friday?
If you are would you turn from lookin’ at Friday and fix your eyes on Sunday focusing on the risen Savior and King.

2. What differences do you see in the world celebrating Easter and Christians celebrating
Resurrection Sunday?

3. Would you recognize Jesus as your Savior and follow Him as Lord?

PRAYER

Dear Lord,

How amazing you are to send your Son to seal the deal of my soul being reconciled to You.
May I serve you faithfully throughout my life.
Holy Spirit, show, guide and lead me in all ways to be faithful to You as you have been faithful to me

MORE STUDY:
Matthew chapters 26-28
Mark chapters 14-16
Luke chapters 22-24
John chapters 18-21

If you have questions or would like help walking through the process of
attaining an intimate relationship with Christ. They feel free to contact me below


© Copyright 2013 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright 2013 Deep Roots in Christ Ministries. All Rights Reserved


About the author:
Simone Lake is a Christ follower, Bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher, and a Passionate Pray-er.

For more info. on her ministries, speaking engagements and writings, visit her web sites:
www.simonelake.com
www.simonelake.blogspot.com
www.deeprootsinchrist.org