OF FIRST IMPORTANCE

August 09, 2021

OF FIRST IMPORTANCE


From that time, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17)

A great leader is known for what he believes and teaches. When Christ burst on the scene in human flesh, his first sermon indicated what He believed in and what He was opening for mankind.

REPENTANCE

... was the theme. To repent means "a change of mind." It means that a person was thinking and living in one direction, and something altered their thinking so profoundly that they began to think and move in an entirely different way.

People had been thinking merely about the kingdom of this world. But along came the Messiah. His message was that they needed to think differently because something entirely different had come.

THE KINGDOM

Jesus opened their eyes to see that an entirely new kingdom (to them) was now here. And the way was open for them to be a part of this kingdom. Everything in Jesus' life began to illustrate what this kingdom was like and why it was so important.

It was a kingdom governed by God Himself where we live in glad submission to this perfect Ruler.

It was a kingdom filled with the virtues of Christ. It was a kingdom of such activity that the wrongs of this kingdom would be corrected. And Christ illustrated it as he went about "proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every kind of disease" (vs. 23).

It was a kingdom of such good news that it needed to be proclaimed everywhere, to all people. That was His job in coming, and now, it is ours.

If we find ourselves living for this world, it's time for repentance. This order is passing away, and all it contains and represents. The Kingdom of God is eternal, and the way into this new kingdom is to follow the One who called us to this repentance.

Father, thank You for sending Your only Son to open Your kingdom to us. Thank You for His sacrificial death that gave us entrance, if we believe. Give us eyes to see the kingdom of this world and to resist its vain temptations and empty promises. Help us have a change of mind so that every hour of the day is lived for Your kingdom!





Also in Graceful Truth

TEN GUIDELINES ABOUT HOW TO TREAT EACH WHEN WE HAVE DIFFERENCES IN NEGOTIABLE, PREFERENTIAL AREAS
TEN GUIDELINES ABOUT HOW TO TREAT EACH WHEN WE HAVE DIFFERENCES IN NEGOTIABLE, PREFERENTIAL AREAS

March 27, 2024

Don't be a Pharisee. You're not right about everything and neither are others. There is is plenty of room for disagreement on many issues and we should humbly admit this. Some issues, clearly found in the Word of God, are worth dying for. But others are not and should be treated with humility, deference, and love.

Continue Reading

THE SIMPLEST, MOST SUCCESSFUL WAY TO LIVE
THE SIMPLEST, MOST SUCCESSFUL WAY TO LIVE

March 26, 2024

Want to live an uncomplicated life? Get in the right posture every day (dependence upon God and a humble willingness to follow the promptings of His Spirit and the illumination of His Word). Follow His leadership. God (and His love) will flow through you, and you will fulfill everything He desires. You will be astounded by His love … and so will a watching world.

Continue Reading

DO YOU WANT A TRANSFORMED LIFE?
DO YOU WANT A TRANSFORMED LIFE?

March 25, 2024

Everyone has old information in their minds. And, "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). The information, opinions, beliefs, and values accumulated in our minds determine everything we do.

Continue Reading