Sunday, 31st October 2021
Ps Josh Morris (Guest Speaker)
All of us can take part in building God’s Kingdom, and it is not a place of imagination but a place we are in right here and right now. We want to build God’s Kingdom and participate in it. But first we need to know what is the Kingdom of God.
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)
Repent means to change your mind, and Jesus was telling the people to change their mind about where the Kingdom is. A lot of people thought the Kingdom of God is coming in the future, they thought it was very far away. But actually it’s with us right now. God has chosen to partner with us in the Kingdom. It’s about right now, about this place, and about we changing our mind about this object.
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. (Mark 1:14)
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
Jesus was passionate about building and preaching the Kingdom of God, so what are some things we can do to build the Kingdom of God?
1. To Build the Kingdom with Prayer
2. To Build the Kingdom with Giving
Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:17-23)
Giving in a way that impacts the community. The rich younger ruler wanted to know how he could enter Jesus’ kingdom in this age and the ages to come. Jesus noticed this person, who loved God, but could not leave what he was attached to. What do we have our fist wrapped around? The things that we hold onto so tightly and stop us to live in the Kingdom of God. Let God break the things that hold us from experiencing life with God.
3. To Build the Kingdom with Serving
Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (Mark 12:28-34)
The Jewish people would be very surprised when Jesus told them to love others as themselves, just as important as loving God. There are so many people around us that we can reach out to, but are we really paying attention to their needs? Let the light of Heaven shine through us to everyone around us. God has created each of us to build His Kingdom, so what is our job?
Prayer & Pursuit
Rev Daniel Xi An Poon (Senior Pastor)
Everyone has a job in the Kingdom of God, but what stops us to do this job? Let us pray together this morning, that we can be part of the church family, so we can love one another and to grow together. The Holy Spirit is talking to all of us right now, let us not just be a pot plant in Bread of Life South Auckland, but to be a tree, to take root and to be fruitful. The world tries to stop us receiving the gifts from God, the devil doesn’t want us to be here, we think we are just a visitor, and we can’t see God’s blessings for us. But God wants to bless us, as well as our family, God has a plan for us and for our family generations. Whatever stops us to join and partnership with God together at Bread of Life Christian Church in South Auckland, let God take them away. Maybe we have had a busy week, maybe we have a lot of commitments, maybe a lot of things are on our mind, but this morning, let us come together, spend sometime and pray to God. Let us not be the slaves of our jobs, duties and commitments, but be set free by God so we will have more time to pray.
Lord, set us free, let Your Spirit be with us, send Your Angels to come and work with us, and break all the burdens, worries and impossible mindsets in the Name of Jesus Christ. Lord we are not alone anymore, Bread of Life Christian Church in South Auckland is our family and our shelter. Thank You Lord for this morning’s message, You have set us free and blessed us. We know whatever issues and challenges we will be facing in the future, we will not be facing them alone. God, You have already given the authority to Your church, and You have put us here for a purpose.