From the Pastor’s Desk

Sunday, August 8, 2021

“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!] Fore indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.'” (Luke 17:20-21) The message of the Kingdom is fundamental to the New Testament and the truth is that the kingdom of God is the spiritual reality and dynamic available to each person who receives Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. To receive Him – the King – is to receive His kingly rule, not only in your life and over your affairs, but through your life and by your service and love. “The kingdom of God is within you” Jesus said.

This is never to be construed as possible if we operate independently of God’s power and grace. The possibility of reinstatement to rulership is brought about only through the forgiveness of sins and full redemption in Christ through the Cross. The Bible never suggest either 1) that there exists in man a divine spark, which may be fanned to flame by noble humans efforts, or 2) that godlikeness is somehow resident in man’s potential, as though human beings are or may become ‘gods”. To the contrary, man is lost in darkness and alienated from God. (Eph. 4:18; 2:2) However, full salvation brings restored relationship to God and a full potential for His kingdom’s ruling “within us” as we walk with Him. Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to cause the anointing of His Messiahship to be transmitted to us. So it is, and on these terms only, that a human being can say, “The kingdom of God is within me.”

You are loved, Pastor Don