Tag-Archive for ◊ kingdom of the heavens ◊

30 Jul 2023 Acts (Program #35)

Acts (Program #35) – The Propagation in Asia Minor and Europe through the Ministry of Paul’s Company (1)

There are many stages throughout history in God’s move and work among mankind on the earth. Much of the Bible is occupied with these stages.  The great turn of the Lord’s spread during the book of Acts was to the Gentile world, opening a door to eternal life and the Kingdom of the Heavens to all who would take freely the eternal life of God in Christ Jesus. We’re still enjoying this turn today nearly 2000 years later. For this major step in God’s move, the Apostle Paul was raised up sovereignly by the Lord to be the Apostle to the uncircumcision. And, Peter’s ministry was brought to a wonderful and victorious conclusion. We examine both of these stories on today’s life study of the Bible.

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29 Jul 2023 Acts (Program #34)

Acts (Program #34) – The Propagation in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria through the Ministry of Peter’s Company (26)

One of the most prominent figures in the New Testament, of course, is the Apostle Peter. Called by the Lord at the beginning of His earthly ministry, Peter, despite failures and setbacks, became the one to whom the Lord gave the two great keys to the Kingdom of the Heavens. In the waning days of his preeminent position in the ministry, he is honored by the divine record with a marvelous and inspiring account in Acts 12.

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26 Jan 2023 Mark (Program #26)

Mark (Program #26) – The Move of the Slave-Savior’s Gospel Service (15)

Mark chapter 10 present us with 3 cases all related to whether or not believers will enter into the kingdom of the heavens.  The best known of this cases concern a rich young man who approach the Lord Jesus wanting to what he must do in order to have eternal life. The Lord’s word shocked the young man as well as the Lord’s disciples. For He instructed him to go and sell all that he had and give it to the poor. Well, the young man turned and walked away knowing that he was not able to meet such a demand. And then this famous exchange took place between the Lord Jesus and His followers.

Mark 10:23-27: “And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, How difficult it will be for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of God!  And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus again answered and said to them, Children, how difficult it is for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.  But they were astonished beyond measure and said among themselves, Then who can be saved?  Looking upon them, Jesus said, With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.

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15 Dec 2022 Matthew (Program #59)

Matthew (Program #59) – The Heavenly King Being Tested (2)

The final chapter of Matthew presents a series of parables that are often referred to and even quoted but seldom understood or explained in a full and complete way.  These parables all deal not with going to heavens but with the coming kingdom to be established on earth with Christ Himself reigning in righteousness as the King of kings.  And they also deal with our participation and enjoyment in this coming kingdom age.  One of these well-known parables is the story of the marriage feast.  In particularly, one who is called but then expelled for not being dressed in proper wedding garment.

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14 Dec 2022 Matthew (Program #58)

Matthew (Program #58) – The Heavenly King Being Tested (1)

During the final six days of His life on the earth, the Lord Jesus presented Himself to be examined repeatedly even by His strongest critics and most venomous opposers.  As we began to look at how Christ came through this series of examinations in Matthew 21.

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13 Dec 2022 Matthew (Program #57)

Matthew (Program #57) – The Cleansing of the Temple and the Cursing of the Fig Tree

After beginning His ministry in the religious capital of Jerusalem, the Lord Jesus went far away when He needed to reveal His kingdom to His disciples.  But now He returns for one final triumphant entry into the city of the king prior His being crucified there.  All of these details are full of rich meanings and much significances as we will see in today’s life study.

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12 Dec 2022 Matthew (Program #56)

Matthew (Program #56) – The Throne of the Kingdom and the Cup of the Cross

It is easy to read the gospels in the Bible such as Matthew’s gospel and be fascinated by the wonderful stories and the accounts of the many great miracles done by the Lord Jesus.  But throughout this gospel, the Lord Jesus repeatedly spoke to His disciples of how He would go to Jerusalem and suffer the humiliating death on the cross to be raised on the third day.  But despite His repeating of this most critical aspect of the gospel, His disciples were fully occupied with other things; like who among them will have the highest position in the coming kingdom.

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11 Dec 2022 Matthew (Program #55)

Matthew (Program #55) – The Kingdom Reward and the Parable of the Kingdom Reward

A rich young man who desired to do something in order to receive eternal life approached the Lord Jesus about this matter.   But the Lord’s word to him caused him to leave in utter discouragement at the impossibility that he could ever meet such requirement.  Jesus then use this occasion to review the matter not of salvation but of the reward awaiting those who follow Him into the kingdom.

The reward of the kingdom is NOT our salvation and the hope of our salvation.  This is something altogether different many believers have missed…

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10 Dec 2022 Matthew (Program #54)

Matthew (Program #54) – The Kingdom Requirements

Lust, pride and the love of riches, these are 3 scorpions that plague virtually every human being.  Many people come to Christ motivated by the desire to be free from the sting of these scorpions.  As God’s people, we must ultimately experience this kind of freedom.  But deliverance from these can never be attained by mere will power or determination.   As we consider this account in Matthew 19 and how much these things will affect our ultimate standing in God’s kingdom.

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09 Dec 2022 Matthew (Program #53)

Matthew (Program #53) – Relationships in the Kingdom (2)

Who can possibly describe the depth of God’s forgiveness of our debt to Him.  Yet we frequently find it very difficult even impossible to forgive others who would even slightly offended us.   Matthew 18 reveals that if we fail to forgive others after we have received God’s forgiveness of us, we are in serious jeopardy and we will face a very harsh reality when we meet Christ.  You may say as many do, “I don’t have to worry, I have been forgiven of everything and on my way to heaven”.  Well,  if this is your thought we hope, we even pray that you stay tune today because this chapter like much of Matthew is not dealing with our eternal destiny but rather our practical participation in the kingdom of the heavens.

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