Living in the Kingdom XXIX

Sunday 04/17/16

Series: Living in the Kingdom XXIX

Message – Unified in Purpose XX

Living in the Kingdom

Last week the teaching was about Lazarus and how his death, burial and resurrection illustrated the facts we’ve been teaching concerning being united to God in Purpose as we live our lives in the Kingdom.

Our Key points for the last two weeks were:

It was Lazarus’ honor to die and be raised in order to Glorify God.
It was Jesus’ honor and expression of love to not take this from him.
We learned that all death is separation from God (specifically the Father) – either initially or in our own lives. This death can be physical, social or spiritual. It is to exist outside of knowing and being known by. It is to exist outside of union with Him. Which is by all sin IS by nature – to act independently from God.
- 2Thess 1:9,“ (9) They will pay the penalty of eternal death, being banished from the presence of the Lord and from His glorious majesty”
We learned that God is NEVER glorified by death, but He can be glorified THROUGH it.
- Name some examples…Jesus, Lazarus, Peter, Naboth, Zachariah, Isaiah who was sawn in half…
We surmised that Lazarus’ appointment was not with Death – but with the glory of God. We know that for two reasons…
- Jesus said his sickness was NOT unto (for the purpose of) death, but for the purpose of the glory of God.
- Lazarus did not remain dead – it IS appointed unto man ONCE to die…so Lazarus’ appointment was not with death but with God’s glory!
We have an appointment with Death.
We have an appointment with the Glory of God.
Many times we will find that they are the exact same event.

Our appointment with death & life (the glory)

Rom 8:1-39,

Law of the spirit of UNION with God has made us free of sin and separation.
Jesus condemned sin in the flesh so that IF and AS we walk according to the leading of the Holy Spirit we will not live after the dictates of the flesh but after righteousness – in union with Him.
We exist where we think – evil = sin….spirit = union
Our bodies are death in sin but we (our spirits) are alive because we are righteous.
The Holy Spirit gives life (union with God) to our mortal bodies = overcoming sin.
The spirit of adoption causes us to connect with God – crying out Daddy, Papa – Father.
We partake of the Glory of Christ’s likeness as we suffer the death of the flesh (it’s tendencies and desires).
If God is for us – who could be against us? God is in the business of justifying us NOT condemning us…He Who gave Jesus for us, will freely give us all things.
Christ intercedes for us.
NOTHING can separate us!

2Cor. 4:1-18, “(1) Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. (2) But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (3) But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, (4) whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (5) For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. (6) For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (8) We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; (9) persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— (10) always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (11) For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (12) So then death is working in us, but life in you. (13) And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED AND THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe and therefore speak, (14) knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. (15) For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. (16) Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, (18) while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Next week we should be able to wrap this segment of our series up by going through 1 Peter 1:3-25 …Blessings!

I hope this teaching will challenge you and encourage you to place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

You have a special place in God’s family & kingdom. If you do not know Him, please use our ‘Contact Us‘ page and reach out so we may have the privilege of introducing you to the Lord. Attendance at our church will NOT even be mentioned nor will money.

If you have been spiritually fed by this ministry and wish to give, we truly appreciate that and you may do so here, but all outreaches of this ministry are FREE for you and anyone to enjoy at no cost.

Blessings!

Pastor Mark

View posts by Pastor Mark

Hi my name is Mark and though I am opposed to titles, I am currently the only Pastor (shepherd/elder) serving our assembly right now.

I have been Pastoring in one capacity or another for nearly 30 years now, though never quite like I am today.

Early in 2009 the Lord revealed to me that the way we had structured our assembly (church) was not scriptural in that it was out of sync with what Paul modeled for us in the New Testament. In truth, I (like many pastors I am sure) never even gave this fundamental issue of church structure the first thought. I had always assumed that church structure was largely the same everywhere and had been so from the beginning. While I knew Paul had some very stringent things to say about the local assembly of believers, the point of our gatherings together and who may or may not lead, I never even considered studying these issues but assumed we were all pretty much doing it right...safety in numbers right?! Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong!

So needless to say, my discovery that we had been doing it wrong for nearly two decades was a bit of a shock to me! Now, this "revelation" did not come about all at once but over the course of a few weeks. We were a traditional single pastor led congregation. It was a top-bottom model of ministry which is in part biblical, but not in the form of a monarchy.

The needed change did not come into focus until following 9 very intense months of study and discussions with those who were leaders in our church at the time.

We now understand and believe that the Bible teaches co-leadership with equal authority in each local assembly. Having multiple shepherds with God's heart and equal authority protects both Shepherds and sheep. Equal accountability keeps authority and doctrine in check. Multiple shepherds also provide teaching with various styles and giftings with leadership skills which are both different and complementary.

For a while we had two co-pastors (elders) (myself and one other man) who led the church with equal authority, but different giftings. We both taught in our own ways and styles, and our leadership skills were quite different, but complimentary. We were in complete submission to each other and worked side-by-side in the labor of shepherding the flock.

Our other Pastor has since moved on to other ministry which has left us with just myself. While we currently only have one Pastor/Elder, it is our desire that God, in His faithfulness and timing, may bring us more as we grow in maturity and even in numbers.

As to my home, I have been married since 1995 to my wonderful wife Terissa Woodson who is my closest friend and most trusted ally.

As far as my education goes, I grew up in a Christian home, but questioned everything I was ever taught.

I graduated from Bible college in 1990 and continued to question everything I was ever taught (I do not mention my college in order to avoid being labeled).

Perhaps my greatest preparation for ministry has been life and ministry itself. To quote an author I have come to enjoy namely Fredrick Buechner in his writing entitled, Now and Then, "If God speaks to us at all other than through such official channels as the Bible and the church, then I think that He speaks to us largely through what happens to us...if we keep our hearts open as well as our ears, if we listen with patience and hope, if we remember at all deeply and honestly, then I think we come to recognize beyond all doubt, that, however faintly we may hear Him, He is indeed speaking to us, and that, however little we may understand of it, His word to each of us is both recoverable and precious beyond telling." ~ Fredrick Buechner

Well that is about all there is of interest to tell you about me.

I hope our ministry here is a blessing to you and your family. I also hope that it is only a supplement to a local church where you are committed to other believers in a community of grace.

~God Bless!