HIS PEOPLE:
Many people came to see Jesus work miracles, others came to hear him teach.
But when his teachings challenged their personal expectations and all that was comfortable and familiar, they went back to life as usual.
There were however a surrendered few who were willing to have their minds stretched, their expectations adjusted and their comfort zones invaded. They understood that they would need to make some changes in their life and lifestyle to become active participants in the kingdom of God.
Matthew 7:21 Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord’ but they still won’t enter the kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven.
Matthew 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Here’s a gold nugget I found in Skip Heitzig’s book entitled “When God Prays”. It’s based on the parable of the pearl merchant.
The story begins with a simple question:
“I want this pearl. How much is it?”
“Well,” the seller says, “it’s very expensive!”
“But how much?” asks the man.
“Well, a very large amount.”
“Do you think I could buy it?”
“Oh, of course. Everyone can buy it.”
“But didn’t you say it was very expensive?”
“Yes.”
“Well, how much is it?”
“Everything you have,” says the seller.
After some serious thought, the buyer makes up his mind. “All right, I’ll buy it.” he says.
“Well, what do you have?” the seller wants to know. “Let’s write it down.”
“Well, I have ten thousand dollars in the bank.”
“Good - ten thousand dollars. What else?”
“That’s all. That’s all I have.”
“Nothing more?”
“Well, I have a few dollars here in my pocket,”
“How much?”
So the buyer begins to dig around. “Well, let’s see: thirty, forty, sixty, eighty, a hundred - a hundred twenty dollars.”
“That’s fine. What else do you have?”
“Well nothing. That’s all.”
“Where do you live? He is still probing.
“In my house. Yes I have a house.”
“The house too then.” He writes that down.
“You mean I have to live in my camper?”
“You have a camper? That too. What else?”
“You mean I have to sleep in my car?”
“You have a car?”
“Two of them.”
“Both become mine. Both cars. What else?”
“Well, you already have my money, my house, my camper, my cars. What more do you want?”
“Are you alone in this world?”
“No, I have a wife and two children. . .”
“Oh yes, your wife and children, too. What else?”
“I have nothing left! I am left alone now.”
Suddenly the seller exclaims, “Oh, I almost forgot! You yourself, too! Everything becomes mine - wife, children, house, money, cars - and you, too.”
Then he goes on, “Now listen - I will allow you to use all of these things for the time being. But don’t forget that they are mine, just as you are. And whenever I need any of them, you must give them up, because now I am the owner.”
BUT WHAT DO “KINGDOM PEOPLE” LOOK LIKE?
WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE A CITIZEN OF THE KINGDOM IF YOU MET ONE?
HERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT “HIS KINGDOM PEOPLE” SHOULD LOOK LIKE:
For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. John 17:8
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21
Anyone who isn’t helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. Matthew 12:30 (NLT)
God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them. Matt 5:3 (NLT)
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” John 3:3
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit give birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:5 and 6
For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:13
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. John 5: 19
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, (not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy). He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3: 3-7
Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5: 1-2
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:14-16
You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ 1 Peter 2:5
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5: 20
The Great Petition:
This then, is how you should pray:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:9-13
The Great Commandment:
Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 36-40
The Great Commission:
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age. Matthew 28: 19-20
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14
HERE ARE SOME SCRIPTURES THAT DESCRIBE WHAT A KINGDOM LIFESTYLE LOOKS LIKE:
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. Titus 3: 9-11
So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or “What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6: 31-33