Kingdom Culture: Part Eleven
When Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer He included the phrase:
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
That’s one of the reasons we’re learning the differences of the Kingdom Culture vs. the world’s culture. However, Jesus didn’t stop there, He closed the prayer with,
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen!
The Kingdom of God is His rule and reign on this earth now but it’s also the future kingdom: the eternal kingdom. Let’s investigate that.
Right before Jesus went to the cross He warned His followers of hard times that were coming (Luke 21): persecution, wars, signs in the heavens and on the earth. He was confirming what many of the prophets before Him had foretold: That Day is coming.
… when you see these things taking place you know that the kingdom of God is near. Vs. 31
Jesus isn’t talking about the now kingdom but His future kingdom when He will return to reign:
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Vs. 27
Make no mistake, He warned us not to allow ourselves to be oppressed with the world’s culture but to be prepared with heartfelt-passion for His kingdom because we will stand before Him in holy awe.
Matthew also recorded Jesus’ end-times teachings (ch. 24) where He warned us of that unique Day when He will return and desires believers to be ready. What does readiness look like? If I’m going to stand before King Jesus I want to do everything possible to be ready. What about you?
This isn’t a guessing game; He told three parables to teach us what readiness looks like; they’re recorded in Matthew 24:45-25 and chapter 25. His expectation is dependability and reliability in serving others while operating in our physical and spiritual gifts. They were gifted to us with purpose!
In order to be ready we have to be alert watching the world’s culture disintegrate as the kingdom culture grows stronger. The key to this readiness is spending time in the presence of the Lord where we receive our assignments for serving. That’s the second parable, the Ten Virgins, recorded in Matt. 25. Jesus, our Bridegroom is returning and we want to identify with the five who had lamps full of oil. The Holy Spirit is the oil you need, His fullness, however, you can’t get it from anyone else. All the extraordinary Bible teachers out there cannot give you this oil; it only comes when you spend time in His presence.
Following immediately is the third parable which drives home the point that serving others is serving Jesus. Feed the hungry, welcome strangers, clothe the needy, and visit the sick and imprisoned: that’s serving Jesus. Our King is returning (vs. 31) to sit on His throne and begin the separation of believers from unbelievers. His future kingdom is prepared: are we?
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