REMINDER: My blog is really to get my processing from prayer and study into a place that actually helps it to become streamlined in my own mind and heart…even if it might be a little long. But if you track with me, I see some of what I blog as being critical to my own walk with the Lord and even my own salvation. For those who like simple blogs filled with pictures and only a few sentences (that’s me too), mine will disappoint. But for those who want to take the time to read, I pray that you get something out of it.
So, with Kingdom Vision Unto Mission’s (KVUM) Part 1 and 2 pretty far in the rear view mirror of my blog, let me finally finish this set of posts. I am stepping back into the blog trail after a short sabbatical. Since posting Part 2 of KVUM, my belief has grown even stronger for what this post is about. Â
Let me preface this post with highlighting some of my experience from growing up in the church up to now, and how “the gospel” was a weak representation from what it is now becoming in my own heart and mind. From what I saw growing up, “the gospel” was used as a tool to “save the lost” from certain judgment through the cross of the Messiah (really apart from pursuit of holiness most of the time). For the most part the gospel and good news of my childhood was one-sided with the cross of the Messiah as the finality of the gospel message, and it not just being a piece of God’s purpose unto the ultimate mission of God (God dwelling among men in fullness, like in the beginning, which includes a coming King that they must bow to in their hearts prior to His return). The cross is vital, but was God’s mercy and atonement for us to then endure UNTO that Day by the grace givin in prayer, that we would be with Him forever. I have found through Scripture that the resurrection was central to the apostles gospel. The cross was the entryway toward bodily resurrection at the end of the age and resurrection was the hope that then called the believer into a life of holiness. If His Second Coming, our resurrection unto life and His establishment of government on the earth in the next age is not joined closely with the cross in our gospel, then our converts will be wooed easily back into living for this age and not the one that is coming following Jesus’ return. We must let others know that the cross is really unto making it to that Day not just through today.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (second coming of Jesus). 1 Pet. 1:13
Now the gospel has and is, finally becoming the good news that shakes my insides. And as I grow in the knowledge of His will, there is a maturing of that gospel that will one day shake those whom God asks me to share it with. I am “being filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” I might get glimpses now, but know that I am no where close to maturity in my heart when it comes to this stuff, but am being ushered in through a waiting and watching process in the place of prayer and study that is stirring humility and meekness at levels I still am trying to understand.
Recently a well respected friend of mine, who I would consider an evangelist, taught at church. The reason I point out Jeremy in my blog is that, the gospel he carries holds some of the key elements that were void or secondary in my own gospel message months ago. There are several of us that God is turning our insides upside down and causing our inner man to be strengthened by the power of His Holy Spirit in light of revelation on His gospel (good news). His message is at Bethany Church’s website and is dated 10.4.09 under the sermon series “Red Letters”.
RESULTS OF KINGDOM REALITY
And this gospel of the kingdom (overcoming death/resurrection, ruling King and Kingdom) will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony (witness) to all nations, and then the end will come.â€Â Matt. 24:14
BEING A WITNESS:PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
…for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20
All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord , and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Ps. 145:10-11
Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 1 Cor. 9:16
I have found for myself that after being a citizen of this dark world for years, it takes re-orientating myself, in order to lock into citizenship of God’s Kingdom. Basically, that is why I have purposed in my heart to spend hours in prayer. I am still at the beginnings of this revelation in my own heart, but realizing the value of taking a whole season(s) of life in order to have the gospel of His kingdom (in power and as reality) engrained on my insides. That is why it is essential to pray, pray and do more prayer, until He sends you w/the message of His heart, not yours.
I have been realizing how I did a lot of “ministry†in my past through much fleshly striving in my intellect and study, but an incredibly minimized reality of His kingdom (really it was ethereal and not real even though I said it was). I don’t look down and linger on what I did or didn’t do, but have been asking myself constantly, “What is Your mission God?â€Â Which is defining what I do now and validates my prayer life more than ever, which then validates the ministry of His gospel through me.
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation…Then the disciples went out and preached (the gospel of the King and His Kingdom) everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. Mark 16:15-20
…how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation (resurrection at the coming of Jesus), which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking…In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him (implying a future “seeing†of universal subjection in the age to come, of which the signs, wonders and miracles testify). Hebrews 2:3-8
Lord, may you root and ground me deeply in Your love and ways and may I know Your will that I may please You. If Your will is not clearly chiseled on my heart, than how can I do it and how can I then please You? Teach me Your ways!