Jesus recognized God's Sovereignty
Matthew 11:25-26 25 At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that God has sovereignty over our free will?
Note: Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority. The Father chooses whose eyes are opened to him. This is always hard for me to hear wanting our free will to completely control our destinies, but the Father has his ways and his timing. And as Jesus says, God's will is gracious to us. And so we can still trust God's love for all of humanity will relentlessly pursue each of us until we are reconciled into the arms of the trinity.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Miracles & Message demonstrate Messiah's authenticity
Jesus teaches that his miracles and his message are proof that he is the Messiah
Matthew 11:2-6 2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" 4 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that he is the one sent to reconcile humanity to our creator?
Matthew 11:2-6 2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" 4 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that he is the one sent to reconcile humanity to our creator?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Find real life in giving up self and following Jesus
Jesus teaches us to follow him by dying to self and in doing so find real life.
Matthew 10:38-39 38 whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that in letting go of our own interests and following him completely, that we find our most meaningful and joyful life?
Note: "Taking up one's cross" means to let go of one's own interests and put the interest of Jesus and others first. This is not a call to live in gloom and denial, but to truly live for something --- to live out the Kingdom life that Jesus describes (love God and others by our actions not just our feelings).
Matthew 10:38-39 38 whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that in letting go of our own interests and following him completely, that we find our most meaningful and joyful life?
Note: "Taking up one's cross" means to let go of one's own interests and put the interest of Jesus and others first. This is not a call to live in gloom and denial, but to truly live for something --- to live out the Kingdom life that Jesus describes (love God and others by our actions not just our feelings).
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Jesus' family values: He comes before family
Jesus teaches that his Kingdom News will split up families. And that he is to come first.
Matthew 10:34-37 34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and one's foes will be members of one's own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to expect that families will be split over living out his Kingdom?
Note: Jesus teaches several times in the gospels that when we choose to follow him, he becomes our brother. And all of his followers become our mothers, sisters, and brothers (we only have one father - and that is God). We are to have an even deeper relationship with followers of Jesus than we do with genetically related family members. Of course, the best of all worlds is that our blood relatives would be his followers too and we would all live out his kingdom teachings together. But he warns us that this will not be the case all of the time. Jesus is telling us here that the old patriarcal social order is different from Kingdom living. Kingdom living has to do with following Jesus together (as brothers, sisters, and mothers), not falling back into an old accepted social order at home.
Matthew 12:46-50 46 While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." 48 But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 And pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Matthew 19:29-30 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
Matthew 23:9 9 And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father-- the one in heaven.
John 19:26-27 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." 27 Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
Matthew 10:34-37 34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and one's foes will be members of one's own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to expect that families will be split over living out his Kingdom?
Note: Jesus teaches several times in the gospels that when we choose to follow him, he becomes our brother. And all of his followers become our mothers, sisters, and brothers (we only have one father - and that is God). We are to have an even deeper relationship with followers of Jesus than we do with genetically related family members. Of course, the best of all worlds is that our blood relatives would be his followers too and we would all live out his kingdom teachings together. But he warns us that this will not be the case all of the time. Jesus is telling us here that the old patriarcal social order is different from Kingdom living. Kingdom living has to do with following Jesus together (as brothers, sisters, and mothers), not falling back into an old accepted social order at home.
Matthew 12:46-50 46 While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." 48 But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 And pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Matthew 19:29-30 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
Matthew 23:9 9 And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father-- the one in heaven.
John 19:26-27 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." 27 Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
No such thing as an undercover follower of Jesus
Jesus teaches us that his followers will acknowledge (confess or profess) him publically.
Matthew 10:32-33 32 "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that his followers will acknowledge him publically?
Matthew 10:32-33 32 "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that his followers will acknowledge him publically?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Don't fear - God cares
Jesus taught that since God cares about the smallest matters, we can be free from fear.
Matthew 10:29-31 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Do we ignore Jesus’ teaching that God cares about even the details of our individual lives? If we believed this – how would it change how we live? The surrounding verses indicate that Jesus wants this knowledge to motivate those spreading the Kingdom News to live without fear.
Note: A God who bothers to count the hairs on our head is not limited to caring about the cosmic issues of the universe. Jesus is telling us that if God cares about the details, the small things, the sparrows, then he cares about us too – and everything that happens to us. Jesus doesn’t say we won’t ever have problems (the sparrows fall), but Jesus tells us that God’s concern (love) surrounds us in the midst of problems.
Matthew 10:29-31 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Do we ignore Jesus’ teaching that God cares about even the details of our individual lives? If we believed this – how would it change how we live? The surrounding verses indicate that Jesus wants this knowledge to motivate those spreading the Kingdom News to live without fear.
Note: A God who bothers to count the hairs on our head is not limited to caring about the cosmic issues of the universe. Jesus is telling us that if God cares about the details, the small things, the sparrows, then he cares about us too – and everything that happens to us. Jesus doesn’t say we won’t ever have problems (the sparrows fall), but Jesus tells us that God’s concern (love) surrounds us in the midst of problems.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Death is "not even" the final word
Jesus taught that we should not fear the end of our earthly existence - our souls continue.
Matthew 10:28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Do we ignore Jesus’ teaching to live without fear of death?
Note: Shane Claiborne in “The Irresistible Revolution” warns his readers: "All around you, people will be tiptoeing through life, just to arrive at death safely. But dear children, do not tiptoe. Run, hop, skip, or dance, just don't tiptoe" and "Dance until they kill you, and then we'll dance some more."
Matthew 10:28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Do we ignore Jesus’ teaching to live without fear of death?
Note: Shane Claiborne in “The Irresistible Revolution” warns his readers: "All around you, people will be tiptoeing through life, just to arrive at death safely. But dear children, do not tiptoe. Run, hop, skip, or dance, just don't tiptoe" and "Dance until they kill you, and then we'll dance some more."
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Don't hide Jesus' message - speak it
Jesus taught the disciples to proclaim his Kingdom message in the light and from the housetops.
Matthew 10:27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.
When was the last time any of us yelled "Jesus loves you" from a roof? Okay, it’s a metaphor. But do we ignore Jesus' teaching to speak his kingdom message?
Note: We watched "New in Town" last night about a business woman having the cultural shock of her life when she is sent from upscale Miami to a little town in Minnesota. There is a line in the movie when an angry (although usually gentle Minnesota woman) tells the business woman off. The woman accuses the business woman of looking down her nose the town's people. And she begins to list all the things the business woman has judged them for. Among the list was "you don't like that we bring Jesus into ordinary conversation." I thought of this verse when she said that.
At times, Jesus had told the disciples and others to keep his message and miracles quiet. The world wasn't ready to hear them yet. Some of the things he taught, the disciples didn't understand immediately and weren't ready to teach. But here Jesus instructs them that it is time to speak everything he has taught.
Matthew 10:27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.
When was the last time any of us yelled "Jesus loves you" from a roof? Okay, it’s a metaphor. But do we ignore Jesus' teaching to speak his kingdom message?
Note: We watched "New in Town" last night about a business woman having the cultural shock of her life when she is sent from upscale Miami to a little town in Minnesota. There is a line in the movie when an angry (although usually gentle Minnesota woman) tells the business woman off. The woman accuses the business woman of looking down her nose the town's people. And she begins to list all the things the business woman has judged them for. Among the list was "you don't like that we bring Jesus into ordinary conversation." I thought of this verse when she said that.
At times, Jesus had told the disciples and others to keep his message and miracles quiet. The world wasn't ready to hear them yet. Some of the things he taught, the disciples didn't understand immediately and weren't ready to teach. But here Jesus instructs them that it is time to speak everything he has taught.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Do not fear - Father is with you.
Jesus taught those sent to spread his Kingdom Message not to fear - that nothing happens to them apart from the Father's awareness.
Matthew 10:26-31 26 "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to trust that the Father is aware of our situations and is with us. Therefore there is no reason to fear?
Matthew 10:26-31 26 "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to trust that the Father is aware of our situations and is with us. Therefore there is no reason to fear?
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Expect Kingdom Messengers will be called Evil
Jesus tells those he sent to teach the Kingdom Message that they will be called evil.
Matthew 10:24-25 24 "A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
Do we ignore Jesus’ teaching that those teaching his message will not be popular?
Note: If they disliked the teacher, they will dislike the student. If they dislike the master, they will dislike the slave. So if they associated Jesus with evil, they will associate those sharing Jesus’ message with evil too. "They" were the religious people of the day.
Matthew 10:24-25 24 "A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
Do we ignore Jesus’ teaching that those teaching his message will not be popular?
Note: If they disliked the teacher, they will dislike the student. If they dislike the master, they will dislike the slave. So if they associated Jesus with evil, they will associate those sharing Jesus’ message with evil too. "They" were the religious people of the day.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Expect Division, Seek those who listen, Endure
Jesus' Kingdom Message tells us we can be reconciled - not just to God, but to each other. And yet, Jesus warns those he is sending to teach the Kingdom Message that the message will violently divide those who don't accept it.
Matthew 10:21-23 21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Do we ignore Jesus' Teaching to expect division, not to let it hijack the message, and to have endurance to keep seeking out those who will listen?
Note: Division between persons has been an apocalyptic sign throughout scripture.
Matthew 10:21-23 21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Do we ignore Jesus' Teaching to expect division, not to let it hijack the message, and to have endurance to keep seeking out those who will listen?
Note: Division between persons has been an apocalyptic sign throughout scripture.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Don't worry about what to say
Jesus teaches that the Spirit will give words to say that will witness of him to his followers detractors
Matthew 10:17-20 17 "But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to the courts, and scourge you in their synagogues; 18 and you shall even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 "But when they deliver you up, do not become anxious about how or what you will speak; for it shall be given you in that hour what you are to speak. 20 "For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching not to worry about how to answer detractors, but to let the Holy Spirit speak through us?
Matthew 10:17-20 17 "But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to the courts, and scourge you in their synagogues; 18 and you shall even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 "But when they deliver you up, do not become anxious about how or what you will speak; for it shall be given you in that hour what you are to speak. 20 "For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching not to worry about how to answer detractors, but to let the Holy Spirit speak through us?
Friday, January 8, 2010
Protect yourself from harm in a holy manner
Jesus taught those sent to spread his kingdom message that there would be those who wanted to harm them... so they should be "shrewd, yet holy."
Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves."
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to be shrewedly aware, yet holy in our actions toward those who want to harm us?
Note: Serpent were considered shrewd and wise in the Middle East. Doves were considered innocent, harmless, and pure. Two things to note:
Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves."
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to be shrewedly aware, yet holy in our actions toward those who want to harm us?
Note: Serpent were considered shrewd and wise in the Middle East. Doves were considered innocent, harmless, and pure. Two things to note:
- Being "shrewed and wise" can easily degenerate into manipulation and violence unless it is seasoned with purity.
- Being "pure, harmless, and innocent" can easily degenerate into becoming a naive victim unless combined with shrewed wisdom.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Move on when Kingdom Message is ignored
Jesus teaches us to simply move on when people don't want to hear the kingdom message.
Matthew 10:14-15 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Matthew 10:21-23 21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to move on when people don't want to hear the kingdom news?
Note: Jesus has just sent his followers to teach the Kingdom Message (proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons) to the most religious people of his day. Since these were good "bible belieiving" relgious people, it would have been shocking to his followers that Jesus compares these good religous people to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. The sin they were both committing was explained by the prophet Ezekiel: "This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty, and did abominable things before me; therefore I removed them when I saw it" (Ezekiel 16:49-50).
Whenever Christianity becomes a religion instead of the committment to be the hands and feet of Jesus ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of others, the religion takes precedent over loving God and others. Sodom put itself before God and others. So did the religious people Jesus was sending his followers to. And they refused to hear the kingdom message. Jesus says to move on when the religious people (or anyone else) won't hear his message.
Matthew 10:14-15 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Matthew 10:21-23 21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to move on when people don't want to hear the kingdom news?
Note: Jesus has just sent his followers to teach the Kingdom Message (proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons) to the most religious people of his day. Since these were good "bible belieiving" relgious people, it would have been shocking to his followers that Jesus compares these good religous people to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. The sin they were both committing was explained by the prophet Ezekiel: "This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty, and did abominable things before me; therefore I removed them when I saw it" (Ezekiel 16:49-50).
Whenever Christianity becomes a religion instead of the committment to be the hands and feet of Jesus ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of others, the religion takes precedent over loving God and others. Sodom put itself before God and others. So did the religious people Jesus was sending his followers to. And they refused to hear the kingdom message. Jesus says to move on when the religious people (or anyone else) won't hear his message.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Trust God will provide partners in Kingdom ministry
Jesus instructed those spreading the news of the Kingdom that they should/would be provided for when/where the Kingdom needs to be taught.
Matthew 10:9-13 9 Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that God will provide for the needs of those teaching the Kingdom when/where he wants them to teach his Kingdom?
Matthew 10:9-13 9 Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that God will provide for the needs of those teaching the Kingdom when/where he wants them to teach his Kingdom?
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Don't profit from Kingdom ministry
Jesus taught his followers to teach the kingdom and heal spiritual and physical problems without profiting from their work.
Matthew 10:8 You received without payment; give without payment.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching not to profit from kingdom ministry?
Note: Micah 3:12 11 Its rulers give judgment for a bribe, its priests teach for a price, its prophets give oracles for money; yet they lean upon the LORD and say, "Surely the LORD is with us! No harm shall come upon us." 12 Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.
Matthew 10:8 You received without payment; give without payment.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching not to profit from kingdom ministry?
Note: Micah 3:12 11 Its rulers give judgment for a bribe, its priests teach for a price, its prophets give oracles for money; yet they lean upon the LORD and say, "Surely the LORD is with us! No harm shall come upon us." 12 Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Teaching the kingdom is in sync with other ministries.
Jesus teaches his followers that proclaiming the news of the kingdom goes hand in hand with meeting the spiritual and physical needs of others.
Matthew 10:7-8 7 As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.
Do we ignore the teaching of Jesus to teach the kingdom and meet the spiritual and physical needs?
Matthew 10:7-8 7 As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.
Do we ignore the teaching of Jesus to teach the kingdom and meet the spiritual and physical needs?
Friday, January 1, 2010
Follow a plan for teaching the Kingdom message
Jesus had a plan to disperse the message of the Kingdom. First to his peeps and then to the rest of the world.
Matthew 10:5, 18 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ...18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles.
Do we ignore the fact that Jesus had a plan for dispersing the message of the Kingdom? First to his Jewish brothers and sisters and then to everyone else.
Note: I wonder if this relates to how we should disperse the message of the Kingdom today? So much of the "church" doesn't know Jesus' teachings and it is easy to just reject the established "church" since they claim to know them. On the other hand, is it time to leave the established "church" behind and focus on taking the message to people who have been rejected by the established church (i.e. the emergent church movement)?
Matthew 10:5, 18 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ...18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles.
Do we ignore the fact that Jesus had a plan for dispersing the message of the Kingdom? First to his Jewish brothers and sisters and then to everyone else.
Note: I wonder if this relates to how we should disperse the message of the Kingdom today? So much of the "church" doesn't know Jesus' teachings and it is easy to just reject the established "church" since they claim to know them. On the other hand, is it time to leave the established "church" behind and focus on taking the message to people who have been rejected by the established church (i.e. the emergent church movement)?
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