Most of us have been taught all about how Jesus died and resurrected in order to “save” us. In most instances, we are taught how this has insured our entrance into heaven, like a V.I.P. ticket tucked away into our back pocket assuring access for that futuristic day when Peter questions our credibility at the pearly gates.
I am not questioning the truth of this teaching (although I suspect we will all be quite surprised in how it all goes down). But I am asking myself, “Well, what about all that time in between now and the day I die?” If we are to seek first the Kingdom of God, and if the Kingdom of God begins for me when I die, then does it really matter what I do until then?
Scripture reveals that there is more to the death and resurrection of Jesus than just a permission slip into heaven. He accomplished quite a lot on that day, both in the earth and in the spiritual.
In the first letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes boldly:
…and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstrations of the Spirit and of power
I Corinthians 2:4
A few chapters later, Paul specifically addresses people who were dividing the church over doctrinal issues. He writes:
But I will come to you, if the Lord wills, and I will find out, not the talk of these arrogant people, but their power.
I Corinthians 4:20
Then comes the wake-up call in the very next verse:
For the Kingdom of God does not exist in talk, but in power.
I Corinthians 4:20
Did you hear what Paul said? Paul is saying that talk is cheap. Talk is nothing. The Kingdom of God exists in power. Now we know that talk is actually very important in the Kingdom. We will learn later the true power of speaking. But Paul is telling us that the only talk he is going to listen to is talk that God confirms by demonstrations of His power.
We see other passages of scripture exemplifying this concept of God confirming talk.
And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
Mark 16:20
Once we understand the principle of God confirming talk with His power, we can begin to make sense of some of Jesus own words just before He was taken up into heaven after His resurrection. It is found in the “Great Commission” as recorded in the gospel of Mark
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover.
Mark 16:15-18
Please notice that these signs accompany those who believe. That includes me. That includes you if you believe in Jesus Christ. Matter of fact, Jesus Himself is saying that these signs are a mark of a true believer. *
So let me impose a question. If Jesus Christ suffered and died to put something in your hands to use for His purposes in His Kingdom, do you think He considered it important? I believe He knew it to be crucial to our very existence, never-the-less our work in the Kingdom. After all, our battle is not with flesh and blood, but with rulers and authorities over this present darkness, against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). Walking in the power of God is essential to effectiveness in the Kingdom of God.
It becomes apparent that the Kingdom of God (of which we are seeking first) is not something that happens when we die. It is here amongst us right here, right now, and Jesus has equipped us to function in it for His purposes. If we are to be obedient to Jesus Christ, if He is our Lord then we must learn to walk in that power. It is the only way we can one day hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Jesus expects this of us.
If you cannot imagine how to begin this walk of faith and power, do not despair! This teaching series will begin showing you as soon as we have finished laying a solid foundation – that of Jesus Christ.
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Continue to Lesson 4 – Entering the Kingdom
To return to the beginning of the series – Introduction, click here.
Lesson 1 – A Kingdom Purpose
Lesson 2 – The Importance of Seeking God’s Kingdom
* Please note that I am not advocating purposefully going out and picking up snakes to prove something. I believe this applies to situations like the one that happened to Paul when the viperous snake bit him, but he did not die. (Acts 28)
