Hanging out with
Jesus III: Kingdom Possibilities
Mark
1: 14, 15
A
primary driver for human progress has been the desire to find and exploit
possibilities. That has spurred huge strides in research, exploration and
scientific discovery. When Jesus began
his public ministry, his agenda was to announce the arrival of unlimited
possibilities through the Kingdom
of God
He preached the Kingdom of God
Mark
wrote that Jesus announced the time was fulfilled and preached the gospel of
the kingdom of God
‘Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God
Jesus
brought new hope and new possibilities.
That is what good news is about. It is still as fresh as when he
preached it. Jesus preached a kingdom
where impossibility does not exist for with God all things are possible. This
is exciting to the quest for eliminating barriers for progress. The good news
is that Kingdom possibility has come near enough to be received through
Christ. For those facing limitations because
they are unsatisfied, anxious, have run out or lost sight of possibilities. Or they
are limited by settling in current victories. They are not interested because
they are holding on to current possibilities because everything seems to be
going your way. The message was
unlimited possibilities have come. For those caught up in a rut and desiring
something fresh the message meant new possibilities had come. For those wishing
for better days the message meant that the desired possibilities were within
reach. He proclaimed a new and better opportunity
and alternative.
Kingdom
possibilities are impossible as long as things other than the kingdom hold you
back. IF you asked Jesus for a formula for success his answer will be seek
first kingdom (Mathew 6:33). The kingdom is the key to the solution you
want. Some are quick to eliminate church
participation and spiritual disciplines when under tie pressure. That is a
recipe for missing the kingdom. Any interest in serving God or going to church
in your children needs to be encouraged and fanned. Even when it is exam season or business is at
its peak keep your kingdom priority. You may adjust your program in order to
find balance and catch up with work but you are ill advised to cut off kingdom
priorities of worship and service. Each time you serve him, God will reward you
with grace you need for the activities putting you under pressure. Using your
gifts to serve in God’s house, releases favor for your other responsibilities.
He Announced the
Fullness of Time
He
came at right time. He also came to make the time right.
‘And saying the
time is fulfilled, and the kingdom
of God
Is
this the right time for a new possibility in your life? You may not think it is
yet so did they when Jesus first announced.
It is however kingdom time. It offers a new and better way of life. It
offers the will of God - a way of life in which everything is built around God,
everything depends upon God and everything is governed by him. That is what
Jesus was saying. Imagine what your world would look like if it were organized
around trust, love, respect, and care.
The
kingdom has come near. It is at hand. It has caught up with you. It has sought
out and located you. It is in town. It is at doorstep. It is within your reach.
There is no need to remain same. The kingdom of joy, peace, and righteousness is
at the door and the door is open. The
door is a double one. Christ has opened the outer door ... Open your side. It opened for you now open for it. Welcome
it.
He
called people to repent and believe the gospel. But not just to repent for John
the Baptist already preached repentance. Jesus preached repentance and faith.
Repent and believe the good news. John’s baptism was of repentance Jesus’ was
of faith. Repent means permanent
180degrees turn. It means substitute the wrong of the past with the right for
the future. Repent implies power to move in a new direction. It is discounting,
cancelling other things you could trust in. It is refusing to mix and trust
only in the King of the kingdom. It is
embracing and not just forsaking. It is receiving not just rejecting.
Sustaining and not just starting.
Believing is confidence that the good news is really what the word of
God says and responding to it positively. Delight in it and download it into
your heart and life. The principles by which you receive Jesus are the
principles by which you live victoriously as a believer. Repent means trusting in nothing else. Do not
mix. Realize you have lived your life all wrongly put together. Now abandon the
old way and embrace the new.
New
possibilities call for change, for risk and stretching of imagination. Jesus
encouraged his audience to be willing and to get ready to change. He signaled, ‘enough is enough time is up’. Kingdom
arrival is time to change. Kingdom possibilities demand kingdom availabilities.
When we pray thy kingdom come, we are saying welcome to the kingdom. Its
arrival was announced already. We are
saying we receive and submit to it. We are saying let it manifest in our life
experience. We are saying yes to God’s purpose. We are saying this is our
season to receive favor from God’s presence.
We are saying it is the due time to receive another touch of his hand.
It is time for faith to arise, eyes to open and people to abide in him (Psalm
16:5, 6, 11). Allow the kingdom to
reshape things in your life
Disciple
making begins with preaching the gospel. The kingdom of God
A
disciple is a witness or bearer of good news. . As one who gives evidence in
favor of Christ. If he was in the box under trial in someone’s mind, in a
meeting or elsewhere. Are you providing enough evidence by your words and life
for his acquittal? The result of walking
with Jesus or being a disciple are fervent
worship, soul winning, disciple making, moving mountains, wealth creating,
world changing, and legacy building.
Discipleship is about how to access, and enjoy kingdom life (3 John 3:2). It is
about the impact of the Church scattered in society. Wherever you are stationed, you have been
strategically placed to make a difference for Christ. Be salt, voice, yeast and
light. Make your differentness known and seen at the saloon, shop, workplace,
etc. Dare to stick out do not just blend
in. Shine by being distinguished, and outstanding. Come from under the bushel
to the lighting stand. Light under a
bushel is a believer under fear and circumstances. Joy is your strength. Live
joyfully, talk/engage, make peace, treat people with respect/well and do what
is right. Show you have something the world is looking for. Share it freely with the world around you.
Message by Dr.
Kurai Chitima.
Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life
Center
Ground and First Floors
Sunset Bay Building
204B Bram Fischer drive,
Randburg, Johannesburg , South
Africa
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