Expecting The Kingdom Like Jesus

Jesus’ Life

Mark 1:15

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

Jesus fully expected the kingdom of God to come at any time.  What is the kingdom of God?  It is the time when God will directly reign over the earth through his appointed king and bring peace and justice to all that is in the kingdom.  Jesus was expecting this to happen anytime, and everything he did was in accordance to that soon coming: He chose out twelve to rule over the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).  He healed and cast out demons to indicate God’s soon-coming redemption (Matthew 12:28).  He preached repentance so that many might be ready for the kingdom (Luke 13:6-9).  And he was in a hurry because he knew that it would come soon! (Matthew 10:23)

Our Lives

Mark 13:24-27; 33-37

They will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven...Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. 

Jesus is letting us know—we need to look for the coming of the Son of Man.  At this time God’s kingdom will be in full force and all the powers of heaven and earth will be judged. God’s people will be gathered to one place in order to rule and to live in God’s peace.  Jesus tells us two things about this time—first of all, we don’t know when it will come.  It could be today, it could be in a thousand years—we don’t know.  No matter what anyone says, we still don’t know.  Second, we need to be ready, prepared for the event to come. The fact that we don’t know when it is just means that we need more preparation—it could be at any time, so we must be ready at any time!

Matthew 6:9-13

Our Father in heaven, may your name be sanctified.  May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.  Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Jesus tells us to pray daily a prayer inviting God to clean up the earth.  We want God’s reputation to be purified—this will only happen when God gathers his people.  We want God’s kingdom to come—this will only happen when Jesus comes to earth to establish the kingdom finally.  We want God’s will to be done—this will only happen when God establishes his Spirit in people’s hearts.  We want God’s provision—which will only be guaranteed in God’s kingdom.  We want forgiveness, we want deliverance from trials—these will only finally occur on the final day.  This prayer is our expectation, our hope and our deliverance.

Luke 18:1-8

Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?

Jesus is telling us to pray for justice in a manner that we feel that we might be bothering God.  We need to bug him again and again for his justice and righteousness to come.  And we need to recognize that justice will come only when Jesus returns.

II Peter 3:1-15

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God.

Many will claim that the kingdom will never come.  That it has been so long and Jesus hasn’t returned, so he never will.  All we know is that God proves faithful when doubters and scoffers all prove faithless.  We will continue to abide in Jesus and to trust in him.  The main reason that God hasn’t returned yet is because he is patient with sinners and is waiting for all who will come to repentance.  Because he is coming, though, we need to make sure that we are pure before him.

Examples

The Anabaptists (early Mennonites) were focused on obeying Jesus—not because it was a good, moral life to live, but because they were confident that Jesus was coming soon.  And it was true, there were many signs to indicate that Jesus’ coming was soon.  There was a world-wide oppression of God’s people, headed up by a world-wide ruler. And so they were motivated to teach the word of Jesus and encourage everyone to repent from their evil and focus on the Lord.

Living It Out

·         The anytime arrival of the kingdom of God is not just a doctrine, but a daily hope and expectation.

·         Get a sense of urgency!  Note how many things are wrong and could be improved by God directly ruling the earth through Jesus.

·         Be Ready!  Think what you would change if Jesus were to return today.  Then make those changes necessary!  Repent of what you need to repent of now.  Love those who need love today.  Live as if this world won't make it another day

·         Get your life straightened out! Is there anything that Jesus would be displeased about your life?  Get it right, before you can't change it anymore.

·         Tell others of God’s soon return! It is easy for us to live our lives as if everything will continue on as it always has been. Remind others that the world can change at any point.

·         Pray for God’s kingdom to come! As Jesus taught us, ask God to come and change the earth, both in the Lord's prayer and in prayer for others. 

·         Bug God for justice!  God's return is about him standing for the innocent and helpless.  Pray that He do what He must to establish justice on earth. 

Expecting God to Deliver

Jesus’ Life

Mark 1:21-28

Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him."

No one had spoken with such authority before. He didn’t ask God to help, he didn’t plead with the evil spirit to leave.  He didn’t pray for hours.  He just commanded the spirit to go, and the spirit did.  He set the situation up that his reputation was on the line.  Either God was going to listen to him, or he wasn’t.  If God wanted him to be supported, the spirit would go.  But if not, then the evil spirit would stay.  But Jesus set the situation up so that God could give his approval to his teaching immediately.  Jesus had no doubt.  And he gave no opportunity for compromise.

Mark 8:22-25

Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, "Do you see anything?"  And he looked up and said, "I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around."  Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly.

At this point, Jesus wanted the blind man to be well, according to God’s promise.  But even after Jesus prayed, the man wasn’t totally well.  He still couldn’t see clearly.  So Jesus prayed again.  He wasn’t worried, he didn’t think that maybe God had forsaken him.  Rather, he was faithful and stuck with it, even though it wasn’t according to plan.  Jesus knew that the man would be delivered, and he would keep praying until it happened.

Mark 8:31

And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 

Jesus knew what was going to happen in his life.  He knew about his beatings and the rejection and the shame.  But he also knew that God would deliver him—in three days, no less.  Jesus never doubted this—he repeated it many times.  He may have wanted to know if there was a different way to deliver people than through his death, but he never doubted God’s deliverance.

Matthew 26:26-29

This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

Jesus knew that his death would bring deliverance to many.  He didn’t want to die, but he knew that God would cause the deliverance to happen if he did die.  Jesus was committed to the plan, because he knew his Father so well.  Well enough that he was willing to lay down his life in trust of Him.

Our Lives

Matthew 17:19-20

 The disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.

The disciples couldn’t cast out the spirit because they didn’t expect God to work through them.  They didn’t think God would really do it.  But Jesus had already given them authority (Matthew 10), so they had everything they needed.  Expect the faith that it would really happen.  We need to have confidence in God and to not give up so that God will accomplish what he promised.

Acts 3:1-13

"Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him."

Peter and John were simple people, not having much education.  But they knew the lesson that Jesus had taught them about faith.  So they believed that under the authority of Jesus, the man would be delivered, according to the promise of God.  And so it happened—because they had faith and the power of the
Spirit.

Example

George Muller believed that God would do exactly as he said.  God said that those who sought God’s kingdom first and only would gain provision for themselves, so George Muller rejected the salary that was usually given to pastors.  Since that worked so well for him, he also took in orphans so he could care for them.  By the end of his life, he had given away more than a million dollars that he had never asked for, but just waited on God for. 

Living It Out

·         Expect that God will deliver you, according to his promise

·         Don’t give up, even if it takes a long time

·         Keep praying, even if you pray for years.

·         Don’t expect that God will help if he has not promised

·         Expect that God will deliver others

·         Encourage people to have faith in God

Take chances!  Don't test the Lord by putting Him in a situation that forces Him to act, but give God space to work.  God is much more powerful than we ever give Him credit for, and He will act more than we think to ask Him to.  Often He won't act unless we ask, so ask!

Warning Against False Teaching

Jesus’ Life

Mark 13:21-23

False Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order, if possible, to lead the elect astray.

Jesus wanted to make sure that his disciples knew that false prophets would come.  The disciples must be careful because the false prophets would sound convincing. They would say that the king of God is here or there, and that the end would be this way or that.  But he wanted to make sure that his disciples knew that only those who agreed with Jesus’ teaching and prophecy would be correct.  If anyone said anything else, then they were false teachers and they should not be listened to. 

Matthew 23:2-12

They tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries, and lengthen the tassels of their garments. And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men, Rabbi. But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.

Jesus warned his disciples against the teaching of the Pharisees.  On the surface, they look like people completely devoted to God and to his ways, but they do not teach the command of God, but their own ideals and standards.  They look like they are willing to do great things for God, but they are only interested in exalting themselves.  Jesus also warns his disciples not to be like these false teachers, but to be like Jesus.

Luke 6:39-45

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit; nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

Jesus said that the way we can tell the difference between true and false teachers isn’t always by what they teach, but the attitude they teach in.  If the teachers are interested in condemning or finding what is wrong with everyone, then they are not true teachers.  But if they teach God’s truth with the idea in mind that they are looking for people who can receive God’s mercy, then they are true teachers like Jesus.

Our Lives

I Timothy 6:3-5

If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

Paul warned Timothy to look against false teachers.  He said that they would not reflect the teaching of Jesus, but they would be interested in seeking their own personal gain. 

II Peter 2:1-3

And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Peter wrote his letter to warn the churches about false teachers.  These false teachers are those who deny Jesus or his lordship over people’s lives.  They will be interested in following their desires and want to gain things from their teaching.

Jude 1:4-19

Certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jude also wrote to the churches to warn against false teachers.  Jude claims that these teachers are demonic and will be punished by the Lord in the final day.  Therefore we are not to associate with them.

Example

Antony of Egypt lived in a time of a corrupt church, marked by greed and compromise with the world.  He spoke out against it, but when no one listened, he determined to live in a graveyard rather than in the corruption of the city.  Later, he moved to the desert and founded the first monastic community, the Desert Fathers.

Living It Out

Know the teaching of Jesus so well that you recognize false prophets.

While it might be good to understand the teaching of false teachers and cults, it is far better to know what the teaching of Jesus is and to recognize false prophets by those who teach differently than Jesus.  Know Jesus and his word best and you will recognize false teaching every time by how they deny Jesus.

Know the difference between a false teacher and a person who has a different interpretation

A false teacher is one who both teaches and lives in opposition to Jesus' life and teaching.  However, there are some who are sincerely following Jesus but just have a different interpretation than you.  The teaching of Jesus can have different interpretations and applications.  Only if someone denies Jesus' teaching and life are they false.

Know the signs of false prophets:

            Teaching something other than the teaching of Jesus

A false prophet is one who teaches something opposed to the teaching of Jesus.  A true teacher is concerned with keeping his teaching in accord with Jesus.

            Looking for personal gain.

A false prophet is one who teaches only for their salary or financial gain.  A true teacher gives his teaching freely, accepting only what others offer him freely. (Matthew 10:8-13)

            Seeks fleshly desires.

A false prophet pursues the best salary, the best benefits package, the best meals, the biggest gain for themselves or their family.  A true teacher is content to give the word, no matter what they receive, no matter what the cost to themselves.

            Sees that salvation is found in denial of pleasure.

A false prophet tells everyone to fast all things, to deny themselves every pleasure, even though Jesus taught no such practice (Colossians 2:20-23).  A true teacher encourages people to fast in accord with the Spirit, but makes no commandment beyond what Jesus said.

           

Distinguish between false prophets and those who are misled by them.

Just because someone expresses a false teaching, that does not mean that they are a false teacher.  If they express their wrong opinion privately, they are just misled.  If they change their mind when corrected, they were just misled.  (Acts 18:24-28) A false prophet is one who publicly teaches something opposed to Jesus’ teaching and then refuses correction.  There are many who are involved in groups that have false teaching, but they are themselves simply misled and are open to be corrected by God’s word.

Check with teachers of Jesus’ word whether a teacher is false or not.

Don’t make a guess about whether a teacher is false or not.  Listen to others who know the teaching of Jesus and have them help you make a determination.

Have nothing to do with the teaching of false prophets.

Once you determine that someone is a false prophet or teacher, do not support them, do not heed them, do not follow their practices.  Go to Jesus, and listen to his words.

Warn others against them.

Once it is determined that someone is a false teacher, then if you see others following their teaching, who might be sincere believers, then gently warn them against the teaching, using the word of God as support. (II Timothy 3:16)

Loving Your Enemies Like Jesus

Jesus’ Life

Matthew 15:21-28

There is only one ethnic group that is held in complete prejudice in the Bible, and that is the Canaanites.  The Canaanites were cursed from their father on (Genesis 9:25), and it is the one group that Scripture says is to be completely judged (Deuteronomy 20:17-18).  Nothing should be given to them, for they shouldn’t even exist (Deuteronomy 7:1-2).  But a Canaanite woman was asking Jesus for the promise of God to God’s children.  Jesus refused at first, but when he saw that she had complete devotion to Yahweh, even to the extent of being insulted, he changed his mind and made her a child of God by giving her what belonged to children.  He loved her fully, even though she was an enemy, because of her faith.

Luke 23:33-34; 39-43

Jesus was crucified and killed.  And even through the agony and shame of what he was experiencing, he cried out to God on behalf of his enemies—asking that God would not immediately destroy them for their actions against him.  Even so, there were two men on crosses who had cursed Jesus (Matthew 27:44).  But one of them realized his evil and stopped the other from cursing Jesus and confessed his sin.  For this, Jesus said that he would enter paradise after his death.  Even in the agony of his cross, Jesus was concerned for his enemies and offered them forgiveness.

Our Lives

Matthew 5:43-48

Our “enemies” here is defined as those who have done evil to us, who hate us in action as well as in attitude.  In turn, we are to do good to them.  We are to pray for them who curse us, and do good to those who do evil to us.  We do this, first, because this is how God treats his enemies—with care and compassion instead of hatred, giving them what they need.  And second, we do it because it shows that our righteousness isn’t only for show, but it goes against our natural instincts.

Luke 10:25-37

The man asking Jesus the questions was attempting to show that he did not need to love everyone, only particular persons.  The Samaritan proved to be the true neighbor, and even as he showed compassion and love, then he too should be shown love and compassion, even though he was considered a heretic by his “neighbors”.  Thus, Jesus shows, we are to love those who are our religious enemies.

Acts 9:1-27

Saul hated Christians and wanted them all to go to jail.  He was in the process of succeeding in this when Jesus met him on the road and turned his life upside-down.  Jesus accused Saul of persecuting Him—which was true—but he still loved Saul enough to convert him rather than destroy him.  Ananais feared Saul, for he knew his reputation, but he loved Saul enough to obey his Lord and lay hands on him for healing and to baptize him.  The apostles in Jerusalem feared Saul, but Barnabas made sure that Saul was fully accepted by all of those in the church.  Fear can drive people away, but former enemies who repent must be forgiven by the church.

Romans 12:19-21

Paul summarizes the whole teaching.  We are not to do anything that harms those who harm us.  We are not to harm or destroy them.  Rather, he says we are to do good.  We are to feed those who do evil to us and give them something to drink.  In this way, they might feel guilty for their evil actions and possibly repent.  But even if they don’t, we prove our righteousness by doing good.

Examples

Although they killed her husband, Elizabeth Elliot still worked and taught the Acua Indians in Ecuador.  She gave the gospel of Jesus, while living the gospel of loving her enemies.  She surrendered a large portion of her life, without a husband, to those who took her husband from her.  All for the love of them through the love of Jesus.

Dirk Willems was a preacher for the gospel and he went to a town in Germany where his gospel of baptism and love for all was not accepted.  He was found there by the magistrates of the town, and a man was hired to capture him and to bring him to trial, where he would be sentenced to death.  Dirk fled from his persecutor, upon a river which had frozen over that winter.  Dirk passed over safely, but his pursuer fell through the ice, and because he did not know how to swim, proceeded to drown.  Dirk saw his plight and ran back to his persecutor and pulled him out of the river, until he was safe.  The mayor of the town saw this and so yelled at his hired policeman to capture Dirk.  The man was in a perdiciment, for he did not want to persecute the one who had saved his life, but because of his promise he captured Dirk anyway.  Dirk was tried and sentenced to death by burning in 1569.

Living It Out

Do no harm to your enemies—whether personal, societal or national.

Jesus lived out and taught “love your enemies,” no matter what kind of “enemy” that person is.  We are to love particular members of enemy nations, we are to love enemies against us personally, and we are to love those who do evil against our society—even as Jesus did all three.  Let us not try to exclude anyone by playing the guessing game of “Who is really my enemy?”

Give your enemies what they need

If the person who bugs you needs food—give it to them.  If the person you hate needs clothing—give it to them.  If the person who has slandered you needs the gospel—give it to them. 

Listen to your enemies’ perspective

One of the things we all need is a listening ear—someone who will hear and understand our perspective.  Many times we have an enemy because they are prevented from being heard.  Allow your enemy to express themselves, even if you disagree.  You can always disagree with them after they have been heard.

Pray for your enemies

Pray for God’s blessing on your enemies.  If your enemy is in sin, pray to God that he would grant them the grace of repentance.  If your enemy is ignorant, pray that God would teach them his Truth.  If your enemy is poor, pray that God would provide his needs.

Give opportunity for your enemies to repent

Don’t write your enemies off, no matter what harm they have done to you, no matter how bad they seem.  If they come to you humbly, then give them an opportunity to say that they have repented and that they want to reconcile.  But if they come to persecute you, flee.

Forgive your enemies if they repent

If your enemy is trying to repent and reconcile, then make peace with them.  Accept them as your friend, and try to have them join a community of followers of Jesus. 

Note: Jesus didn't show us or give us an example of allowing our enemies to abuse us unless they have authority over us, or unless God tells you to.  Fleeing is acceptable.  But, no matter what, we must not harm them in return.

Sacrificing for Others Like Jesus

Jesus’ Life

Mark 10:35-45

 Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;

and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.

 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." 

Jesus’ was heading for the cross.  But he was not doing it for himself.  He was doing it out of obedience to God for the sake of the many who would be able to enter the kingdom of God because of his death.  Because so many were in sin and he needed to deliver them out of judgment.  He was paying the ultimate price—his life, his reputation—for the sake of others’ who could never relate to God without his sacrifice.

Luke 9:57-58

Someone said to Him, "I will follow You wherever You go."

And Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 

During Jesus’ life, he had to give the gospel to as many people as he could, in as many towns and villages as he could (Mark 1:38).  He did this so they could hear God’s truth and be able to be free from their sin.  But to do this, Jesus had to give up comforts and a “normal” life.  He was homeless much of the time and at other times he was in other’s homes, dependant on them.  He never made a salary, never had the security of an occupation that would provide for him, and he often didn’t know where his next meal would come from.  Nevertheless, it was a small price to pay so he could give people the life they needed.

Our Lives

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Jesus loved us—he desires our benefit.  And he gave himself for us—he died so that we might live.  Even so, we are to be Christ, and our lives are to be the life of Jesus.  In this way, we are to love others and give ourselves up for others’.  We are no longer to live for ourselves or our purposes—rather, we are to live for others’.

Philippians 2:3-8

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus..."

Jesus’ gave up his power, his reputation and his life for our sakes.  He did not promote himself, but sacrificed himself for others’.  Even so, we are to be like Jesus—we are to live our lives, not for our own sakes, but for the sakes of others’.  We are to act as if we are slaves to others’, acting in their benefit, even when it hurts us.

Colossians 1:24

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. 

Paul says here that Jesus’ work on the cross isn’t finished.  It isn’t complete, but it is waiting to be completed by his people.  There are still people who are suffering, still people who are living in their sin, still people who are separated from God.  And even as Jesus sacrificed himself for them, even so Jesus’ people are to sacrifice themselves for those who need to be released from sin and bondage.

I Corinthians 9:11-19

If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

Paul gave up much—a livelihood, being his own person, comfort, education and an exalted position—so he could give the gospel to others without any block, anything to hinder it.  He made himself a slave to others, working and serving so that he can give.  He suffered much persecution and hardship, all so that others might live. 

Examples

John Wycliffe was a theology professor at Oxford, but he was convinced that God wanted the common person to know and be able to speak about the Bible—in English, not in Latin.  Although he faced the disapproval of his school, he began to teach the common people in their own language.  Eventually, because of this, he was not allowed to teach and his books were burned.

William Tyndale was a scholar in Greek and Hebrew and determined that the common person needed to read the Bible in their own language.  He had to leave his country and hide from house to house until his translation was done.  After it was published, the king of England caught him and killed him as a rebel for his translation work.

Jim Elliot believed firmly that the Acua Indians needed to hear the gospel of Jesus.  The fact that these Indians were cold-blooded killers, didn’t cause him to hesitate—that just meant that they needed the gospel more.  He reached out to them in love, and they killed him.  A couple years later, his wife, Elizabeth, successfully was able to present the gospel to the tribe and many of them accepted Jesus as their Lord.

Living It Out

Caring for others

We need to see people’s need—their need for the truth, their need for food, clothing and warmth, their need to be released from oppression—and act in accordance with those needs.  If we do not have compassion for others’ we will never be like Jesus.

Laying down our lives for others

It is not enough that we feel for others’ needs and even give toward them.  We must do so as slaves to them, working for them, even to our own detriment.  We will not have our needs, at times, in order that others’ may have what they need. 

Giving up comfort so others can live

The first thing we will need to give up for others is our comfort.  There are things we don’t need, but are nice for us to have—many of these we will have to give up in order that other’s might live.  We surrender what we do not need so others’ may live. 

Teaching those who won’t listen

If we know the truth of Jesus, we must give it to others’ even if we receive a poor reception.  We do what we can to make sure that others’ will listen, but often we will be rejected anyway.  Even so, we cannot judge ahead of time who will listen and who will not and we must give everyone the opportunity.

Praying for the needy

So that others can receive from God, we spend time doing the hard work of prayer.  The work is hard because we must pray according to God’s will and we must pray in accordance with others’ need.  To find this balance is the difficult but necessary work of mediation.

Connecting with those who won’t contact us

Most people don’t want to have anything to do with us.  It doesn’t matter who we are, or how nice we are, most people don’t care about us and will want to just ignore us.  But if we have something to say to them that will mean life or death to them, we will need to go out of our way to contact them.  This may mean phoning those who won’t phone us.  Going to people who won’t come to us.  And talking to people who won’t talk to us.

Giving up regular means of income

Although many complain about it, there is an ease and security in having a job.  It is depending on an employer to provide you what you need.  Having a government check is the same—it is security, reliance on the government to give you what you need.  For the sake of the gospel, we may be asked to give some of that up, to surrender some of our regular income so that we might give to others’ what they really need.  With every regular means of income, there are requirements of time, energy and certain rules you must follow—such as not speaking about the Lord to others.  At times, we must surrender what we have in order to obey the Lord and do what shows our love for others.

Putting ourselves as lower than others

We cannot give the gospel as one who is greater than the one we are giving to.  We need to be lower than those we give to, we need to be a slave to them. 

Working for others we cannot see

When Jesus died, he knew that there were many he was dying for that he could not see.  Even so, often we will suffer and work for people we cannot see.  The work we do now is not only for those we see and know, but also for those whom we cannot see and perhaps will never know.  The Lord will use our lives to the limit and we will effect people we know nothing about today.

Accepting the Cross Like Jesus

Jesus’ life (and our lives)

Mark 8:31-38

 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 

After accepting the position of “Messiah” by his disciples, Jesus had to explain what that meant.  It meant rejection by the Jewish leaders, shame, suffering and death on a cross.  The disciples couldn’t accept this, for that path was the opposite of being the Messiah for Jesus.  But Jesus declared that God’s way was the way of the cross.  Then he declared that anyone who wanted to follow Jesus would have to accept rejection, shame, suffering and death.  That was the way of Jesus. That is the only way to gain true life.  Jesus not only accepted it, he insisted on it for himself and everyone who followed him.

Mark 14:35-36

He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will." 

Jesus did not have an easy time accepting the cross.  It was a hard trial to accept.  No one wants to face rejection, shame, suffering and death on their own.  Jesus didn’t want it.  But he accepted it because it was God’s will.  He struggled all through that night, but he endured and passed the test.

Hebrews 5:7-8

In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.

Jesus cried and begged to be released from death.  But in the end, he accepted it, because it was the proof that Jesus was obedient to the Father.  And because of this, his cries were heard and he was delivered from death after he had passed through it.

Our Lives

Acts 5:40-41

After calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them  So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.

The apostles were happy that they had been beaten.  Not because they were masochists, but because it proved that they were worthy of Jesus.  If they had not been worthy, they never would have endured through the beatings.  But because of the beatings, they proved that they were righteous.

Acts 14:22

"Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." 

If we wish to enter the kingdom of God, we must endure through tribulations and difficulties and trials.  We need to accept these trials for the sake of us entering God’s kingdom.

Romans 5:3-5

We exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts  

The sufferings we have in Christ are to be acceptable to us—not only acceptable, but we are to be glad when we have them!  If we didn’t have the sufferings, we couldn’t prove our righteousness through enduring through them.  If we couldn’t prove our righteousness, then we would have no confidence that we will be raised from the dead.  But if we stand with God through our trials, then we know that we will be raised, even as Jesus was.  So let us be glad when we suffer for Jesus and endure!

Examples

Jim Elliot wrote years before he became a missionary and endured any kind of suffering, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Later, in presenting the gospel to murderous tribesmen, he died.  He did not die in vain, though, for God kept his life preserved for the kingdom of heaven.

The early Anabaptists and Waldensians were considered heretics by all those around them, even though all they were doing was preaching the word of God.  But wherever they preached the word, they were arrested and maligned and tortured and executed.  They had their tongues chopped off, their backs whipped, their families taken from them and their wives and children slaughtered before them.  They were drowned, hung, beheaded and burned.  All for being faithful to Jesus’ word.

Living It Out

q Do not return evil for evil

(Romans 12:17)

q Submit to evil authorities, even to their oppressive punishments

(I Peter 2:18-20)

q Disobey authorities when they tell you to disobey God

(Acts 4:18-20)

q Tell people the truth of Jesus, even if they hate you for it.

(Matthew 10:27-28)

q Do good to everyone, especially those whom society tells you to hate

(Galatians 6:10; Luke 15:1-10)

q Find good to do to those who hate you.

(Romans 12:17; Luke 6:35)

q Don’t talk back to people’s scorn and hating remarks.

(Romans 12:17-18)

q Recognize that such trials will come

(II Timothy 3:12)

q Rejoice in trials, for you will gain God’s approval and maturity through them.

(James 1:2-4)

Answering Challenges Like Jesus

Jesus’ Life

Mark 2:23-28

The Pharisees were saying to Him, "See here, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" 

And He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and became hungry, he and his companions... 

The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath."

The Pharisees challenged Jesus about the disciples breaking of the Sabbath.  Now, the disciples were not actually breaking the Sabbath, but the traditions that the Pharisees had in place concerning the Sabbath. But Jesus did not apologize for their practice, or tell the disciples that they should just stop it until the Pharisees were gone.  Instead, he confronted the Pharisees and their wrong attitude about God’s righteousness.  He said that the Sabbath was made for mankind and so that man should determine the application of it—for what was best for people.  And hunger is never best.

Mark 7:1-8

The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?  And He said to them, "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 'But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' 

Again, the Pharisees challenged Jesus because the disciples didn’t wash their hands.  Jesus didn’t tell his disciples to do it.  Instead, he confronted the Pharisees with their concern about tradition rather than God’s command.

Mark 10:2-9

Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and the two shall become one flesh; consequently they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."

The teachers of Jesus’ day had an argument about divorce in God’s law.  Both acknowledged that divorce was acceptable, because of God’s command about it.  But some found it acceptable in just about any situation possible, while others said it was only acceptable in some circumstances.  The Pharisees wanted to make Jesus’ enemies by putting him in one camp or the other. When challenged in this, Jesus’ focus was on the righteousness of God and the need to not hurt another.  He made himself enemies in both sides by saying that divorce was unacceptable in any circumstance and it was a capitulation by Moses, acknowledging the rebellion of the Israelites. 

Mark 12:18-27

 Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures, or the power of God?"

The Sadduccees were a group of Israelites that didn’t believe that people would be raised from the dead in a new body.  They gave Jesus their argument, which was complicated, but made sense in the law of Moses.  Jesus cut across the entire argument by speaking to the unspoken assumptions they had behind the argument and destroying them.  Again, Jesus made himself enemies here, but spoke the truth of God.

Mark 14:55-64

The high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, "Do You make no answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?" But He kept silent, and made no answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" And Jesus said, "I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."

This time, the challenge before Jesus was a matter of life and death.  These people could kill Jesus if he spoke the wrong word.  First they claimed that he wanted to destroy the temple, and Jesus said nothing, neither confirming nor denying it.  When they asked him if he was the Messiah, the king, however, Jesus spoke the Father’s promise to him—that Jesus would sit at the right hand of the Father and that all these judging him would soon be judged by him.  This was unacceptable to them and declared that he must be killed.

Our Lives

Matthew 10:24-28

Do not fear them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.

Jesus said that we are to listen to him in order to understand what he is saying.  And then we are to clearly communicate it to others.   This means that we will have opposition and hatred coming against us—because many are opposed to the truth of Jesus and the ethics he taught.  In spite of that, we are to be bold and openly declare his teaching.  Even if they kill us, Jesus says, we are to fear God more than them because if we deny God’s truth then he can send us to hell, while people can only kill our bodies.

I Peter 3:14-16

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.

Peter overcame his earlier difficulties (see the following story) to be a staunch defender of Jesus in the face of opposition.  In light of his experience, he is saying that we need to defend Jesus in the face of opposition, no matter what the cost.  Most people won’t kill us or cause us pain, but they might reject us or think badly of us.  No matter what, we are to defend Jesus and declare God’s righteousness.  If we are hated, rejected or hurt then we are to just accept that as part of the cost of being a Christian.

Example

When Jesus called Peter, he was a lot of talk, but little action.  He claimed that he would suffer for Jesus, even die for him.  But when directly challenged, he would instantly turn to a lie.  When asked about whether Jesus paid a certain tax, he said that Jesus did, even though he didn’t know.  When he was afraid he would be arrested, he denied he knew Jesus three times.  With every challenge, he was so afraid of people that he would let them determine what he would say.  After Jesus rose from the dead and Peter received the Holy Spirit, then Peter had the boldness he needed to stand up for Jesus, even in the face of opposition.  He spoke about Jesus openly and when the ruling council of the Jews told him to stop, he openly refused.  Because of this, he was arrested and eventually crucified, but he feared suffering at the hands of men no more, knowing that it was better to be honored by God.  Matthew 17:24-27; Mark 14:66-72; Acts 3-5

Living It Out

Be aware of the difference between disagreement and challenge

In all these circumstances, Jesus was being told that he was in the wrong and that he should change.  In defending himself, he was firm and wise.  However, we must not act in such a way when someone is simply asking a question or simply wanting us to clarify.  In those cases, Jesus spoke in compassion and gentleness.

Don't be ashamed of God's truth

Be committed to speak God’s truth in Jesus whenever you have the opportunity.  If someone speaks against what Jesus said before you, take the opportunity to speak the truth in Jesus.  In may not be comfortable to do so, it may not feel right, but Jesus wants you to speak out for his sake.  If you do not speak, then the person may think that you are in agreement with them—it is better to speak than to let them live believing a lie that will send them to hell.

Don't fear opposition
Many people won’t like what we say if we stand for Jesus one hundred percent of the time.  Some people will yell at us or blame us for what other Christians have done. But that is no reason for not speaking the truth.  No matter what, we need to stand for Jesus, even as he stood for us, no matter what the cost.

Be prepared for opposition

If we speak the truth of Jesus, people will hate us and try to harm us.  They will speak against us and challenge us.  This is the promise of the New Testament.  Since this is the case, we need to be ready for these attacks.  We can have arguments ready, but more importantly is to be emotionally ready for rejection and verbal attack.  We need to “steel ourselves up” for opposition and be ready not to back down, but to speak what the Holy Spirit leads us to.

Defend the glory and righteousness of God

We are to seek God’s glory and to defend his reputation.  We are to seek God glorified through his people’s lives and speech.  We need to keep Jesus’ name cleared of false teaching and evil deeds.  In this way, we are to honor God with our speech by defending him before others when they speak something against him or his ways.

You don’t have to go out of your way to seek opposition, unless God calls you to

This doesn’t mean that if a group that teaches falsehood is in your area, that you need to confront them.  Jesus did not confront groups unless they confronted him.  There was a group in Jesus’ day called the Essenes that taught something wrong about God’s word, but we have no word that Jesus’ confronted them.  In fact, he seems to have ignored them completely.  Even as he ignored the Sadduccees until he was in Jerusalem.  That is because they never confronted him.  Unless God calls you to confront a certain group or person, our focus is to defend God with those who challenge us.  We don’t have to go out of our way to challenge others.

Challenging Like Jesus

Jesus’ Life
Mark 1:16-20
Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat.
Jesus called disciples. When they heard his call, they already knew that they were being called to be prophets, to be an alternative to the teachers who were in Israel already. They were honored to be called, but they also recognized that it was also a sacrifice. Just as Elisha had to give up his occupation and home to follow Elijah, so did the disciples have to give everything they knew up in order to follow Jesus. In the simple word, “Follow me” Jesus told them this. And they accepted the call of Jesus readily.

Luke 9:57-62
He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." But He said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God." Another also said, "I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home." But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Jesus had many disciples beyond the twelve apostles. Many wanted to prove that they were dedicated enough to follow Jesus. But with many of them, Jesus had to challenge them to a greater commitment. Many disciples thought that Jesus could be just a part of their lives, or something they do for a time and then return to their old lives. Jesus clearly taught that once a person begins to follow him, the sacrifices they make are total and can’t be surrendered later. He told one that to follow Jesus, he needs to expect homelessness. He told another that he cannot turn back to his family once he has begun to follow Jesus. To another, he said that he cannot fulfill his social commitment to bury his family. Because the commitment to the kingdom is total—no turning back, no compromise.

Mark 10:17-22
Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.
Another one wasn’t seeking to follow Jesus. He was seeking the kingdom of God, salvation, eternal life. But he wasn’t sure how he would gain it. Jesus gave the standard answer, follow the commandments. But the man wasn’t satisfied with that answer—he expected something more from Jesus. And so Jesus said, “If you want your devotion to be complete, then sell your possessions, give to the poor and follow me.” Jesus told him to irreversibly surrender all he had and surrender his whole self to God’s kingdom. This man did not make this choice, but Jesus didn’t compromise it in any way. To be devoted requires complete surrender.

Our Lives
I Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
We are to speak to one another, building each other up in Jesus. To "encourage" doesn't mean to say nice things necessarily, but to literally "en-courage", to put boldness in another to live a life of faith.

Hebrews 10:24-25
Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
We are to regularly meet together—not to just sit in a worship service, nor just to sing, nor just to listen to someone else teach the Bible. We are to gather together so that we can teach each other to do good and to love each other more. We aren’t to meet together to tell each other off or to argue about insigificant doctrinal points. Rather, we need to focus on God’s commands to us, to teacher us to be more obedient and loving.

Colossians 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.
We need to speak to one another in whatever way we can. Through songs we have memorized, through the Scripture we know, through the wisdom God gives us directly—but in all these ways, we are to reflect the teaching of Jesus. We are not to remain silent—hoping that the Lord will teach others what they need to know. We need to take responsibility and teach each other and quote to each other the word of Jesus.

II Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
We are to use Scripture in many ways—to correct people from false teaching; to gently rebuke those who are in sin; to teach the truth of the kingdom of God; or to teach the righteousness of Jesus. But if we focus only on one aspect of the Scripture, then we have an unbalanced perception of the wholeness of life in accordance with the Scripture.

Examples
After Paul and Barnabas began many churches, they determined that they needed to return to those churches in various cities to encourage them (Acts 14:21-22). They set up leadership in each church and also encouraged each other to endure through opposition and trials.

Billy Graham is well known to be an evangelist of unbelievers, calling them to a commitment to Jesus. But he also spends much time exhorting believers, challenging them to a more consistent faith and to bold outreach. He has encouraged evangelists, missionaries and organized the whole evangelical church to work together in outreach.

Mother Teresa is well known for her work among the poor and dying in Calcutta. But her even greater work was in training and encouraging thousands of Catholics and Protestants to devote themselves to Jesus to prepare them for similar work among the poor.

Living It Out
Challenge yourself to a complete devotion to God
Look for your devotion to God and your love to others to be deeper and deeper. Don’t accept where you are at, but look at how your love for the Lord can be greater than it is right now.

Live a holistic faith
It is not enough to have a faith that says what one believes. Faith is our obedience, our complete devotion to God, our commitment to God’s promises and our boldness for Jesus’ word. Our faith isn’t just what is in our head, but how we respond to others, especially the most difficult people. Our faith is our whole life, even our opinions and seemingly insignificant speech.

Preach the whole gospel—both the grace and the obedience
When we evangelize, it is not enough to speak of God’s grace. Nor is it enough to speak of repentance. We need to do both. Realize and tell others that God demands our obedience and love—and that he recognizes that we cannot do it ourselves and that we need his help. Challenge people to live like Jesus and then help them realize that they need to depend on him to live it out.

Teach both unbelievers and disciples
The gospel is not just for unbelievers. As disciples, we constantly need to be challenged and recommitted to the Lord. We need to be refilled with the Spirit and constantly praying for renewal. Thus, the gospel of commitment to the Lord Jesus is something not only unbelievers need to hear, but also believers and disciples.

Follow the word of Jesus, not fruitless challenges
Many of us have made foolish vows before the Lord, or obeyed a teacher that was telling us to do more than Jesus asks us to. To overcommit is no blessing to us, and it is possibly also distracts us from what the Lord wants us to focus on. To follow Jesus is enough and it is difficult enough. Let us not increase the burden to be unbearable—it is hard enough just to love.