TEXT: St. Mark
1:14-17 (KJV - Thompson Chain Reference Bible)
The Gospel of Mark portrays Christ as our “servant”.
St. Mark 10:45: "For
even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to
give his life a ransom for many".
Jesus came so that He might “reach the masses”, and He did by way of His death, burial, and resurrection.
Isaiah 9:6: "For
unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government
shall be upon his shoulder". This “government” or misrah’, meaning empire [realm,
domain, sovereignty, authority], would be the method through which He would
“reach the masses”! This word
“government” is also translated sarah’ meaning
to prevail or have power!! THAT
HE DID!!!
A mass is a
populace or population of people in a given area, city, or country. Within a given area, city, country, or
populace, there is a system put in place to govern [rule, reign, administrate,
preside, hold power, control, guide, restrain, moderate, temper, curb, bridle,
check] the people.
Government is one of man’s oldest and most important
institutions. From earliest time, some
kind of government has been a vital
part of every society. When you think of
government, you think
“administration, control, regulation” of particular areas as cities, states,
countries, etc. But just as important
are the “government” rules and regulations that bring order to a family,
school, social club, corporation, or church.
Rules of conduct are not likely to have much effect unless
people obey them. If people were
permitted to disobey the rules, a society could not operate. There would be no law or order. There would be utter chaos. Imagine what would happen at a busy street
corner if motorists were free to disregard the rules and signals that govern
traffic. Or if our law which states that
a man can have only one wife based on our customs, tradition, and religious
beliefs wasn’t in place. In some Arab
and African countries, where they have different traditions and beliefs, a man
may have more than one wife. Some people
obey the rules and regulations willingly, but others are forced to obey by
threat of punishment (issuing of speeding tickets as an example). So “government” can be defined as the process within a group for making and
enforcing decisions that affect human behavior!
All “governments” belong to one of three main groups. The Greek Philosopher Aristotle (called the
father of political science) named these groups as: (1) a monarchy – rule by
one person, (2) an aristocracy – rule by a few persons, and (3) a democracy or
polity – rule by many persons.
The earliest test of authority was whether a “government”
had enough physical force to rule—the principle of “might is right”. Later,
“monarchs” (a person who reigns over a kingdom or empire) claimed to rule by will of God. They pointed to the principle of “the divine right of kings”, the basis
of many governments for hundreds of years.
We can see that throughout Bible history starting with Egypt that held God’s
people captive until He sent Moses there to deliver them. Then there was Babylon, Assyria, Greece,
Persia, and Rome, which was the ruling power of government in Jesus’ time. Then Papal Rome, reign of the Popes, was in power (Rev.2:13),
and now the government we are living under (Rev. 17:11) mentioning of the
“beast” that is “the eighth”. In
Revelation 12, mention is made of the beast with the “seven heads”. These are the
governmental powers I just named.
Religious teaching preaches that this is something to come, but the
truth of the matter is it has already been happening for ages and still
is! Just as God delivered His people
then, He is able to deliver us now! Hebrews
13:8: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and
today, and forever"!
In most countries today, the test of authority, sometimes
called the “legitimacy”, of a government is whether it is based on the “consent
of the governed” as the basic rule of democratic government. Abraham Lincoln described this “democratic
principle” as “government of the people, by the people, for the people”! Yet, in reality, there is only one “government” that is for the people, and that is the GOVERNMENT OF GOD! It is called “THE KINGDOM OF GOD!”!!!
This is what Jesus came preaching, “The
KINGDOM of GOD”! The “masses” must
be reached [touched, gained, influenced, delivered] by the WORD OF THE LIVING
GOD!
Earlier in this message “government” was defined as “power”.
This is also the definition of “kingdom”, basilei’a, meaning royalty
[rule, a realm, a foundation of power]. This “power” has been given to the CHURCH so
that we can do the greater works that He (Jesus) said we would do. But we must move by faith, as one body,
saying and doing what Jesus said and did! St. John 14:12: "Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that
believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works
than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father". Jesus was and still is our KING AND HIGH PRIEST! Look at what God said about “Israel” in Exodus
19:6: "And ye shall be unto me a kingdom
of priests, and a holy nation".
We are now God’s Israel (he who
prevails with God, has dominion with God, and shall rule with God)! His Kingdom! (Revelation 1:6). Revelation 5:10 "And
hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on (over) the earth"!
So the CHURCH, the ecclesi’a,
(the called-out ones, a spiritually
minded congregation or assembly of special people), has been called for a
special purpose. These are those that
fit into the Peter, James, and John class!
They were in Jesus’ inner circle!
These disciples got to go places with Jesus the others didn’t get to
go! Example: Matthew 28 and Luke 9:28-36.
They were with Jesus when He went up into
a mountain to pray and experienced “entering into the cloud” without “sailing off” up in the sky. Luke 9:34: "While he thus spake,
there came a cloud, and overshadowed them:
and they feared as they entered
into the cloud". God, Jesus, Moses, Elijah, Peter, James, and John
were in the cloud!! How did they get there? They were in a “high place”, which is where we must be mentally by putting on
Christ’s mind so that we can get the revelation of THE CHRIST!! Peter got the revelation of “THE CHRIST” in Matthew 16:13-19! He recognized Jesus not just as the “Man”
Jesus, but he saw Him as “The Christ”, the Anointed One!! The “anointing”
Peter recognized was the “government” (the
rule that had come in the person of Jesus with dominion, power, and authority)
to reign over the wiles of the devil that we wrestle against: principalities;
powers; rulers of the darkness of this world; spiritual wickedness in high
places (Ephesians 6:11-12).
Peter, James, and John were amongst the twelve chosen, but
they were in Christ’s inner circle! The
others were in the house, but these three were in the “oval office” with the Commander
in Chief (Jesus Christ), so to speak!
These are the first three characteristics it takes to operate in the
inner circle of the governmental cabinet
of the Commander in Chief” (Jesus
Christ)!
Simon (hearing) Peter (faith) - Romans 10:17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God". Jesus continually spoke to the different
churches in Revelation 2:7, saying, “He
that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”!
Peter (faith) - Hebrews
11:1 "Now faith is the substance
of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (vs6) But without faith it is impossible to
please him: for he that cometh to God
must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek
him".
James (means to
seize or take hold of; to judge righteously) - Isaiah 11:3-5 "And shall make him of quick
understanding in the fear of the LORD:
and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove
after the hearing of his ears: but with righteousness shall he judge the poor,
and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of
his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness
shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins".
John (the
beloved) - Mark 12:30 "And
thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all
thy strength". 1 John 4:8 "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for
God is love. (vs 20) If a man say, I
love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar:
for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" St. John 13:35 "By this shall all men
know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love
one to another".
The Church has been placed on a mission (a sending out; an
assignment or task to be carried out), and it’s to do what Jesus said and did
in Luke 2:49 "And he said
unto them, 'How is it that ye sought me?
wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business'?" (God’s “business establishment” is
“Kingdom building”)! Every “business
establishment” has a PLAN (method
for achieving something; have something in mind as an intention); PURPOSE (goal or aim); STAFF (people employed to assist in the
affairs of the business); the BOSS (head). For
us the Church, Christ is our Head!
In Luke 2:49, when Jesus said “I must be about my
Father’s business”, Joseph was present, but that wasn’t the Father Jesus was
talking about! The Father Jesus was
talking about had a business that was not an industrial or commercial
establishment but a spiritual establishment (kingdom building or reaching the masses)!!!
HIS PLAN: to teach and preach the Gospel of the Kingdom
of God! Luke 4:18-19 " 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me
to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering
of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord"!!!
1)“to minister
to the poor “(not just those living in poverty, but the “poor” that Psalm
82:4 speaks of, which in the Hebrew is “dal”,
meaning to dangle). Those
“dangling” refers to those hanging, or suspended over the pit of religious
order.
2) “to heal the broken-hearted” (those wounded in spirit – deep seated hurts) Proverbs
17:22 "A merry heart doeth good
like a medicine: but a broken spirit
drieth the bones".
3) “to preach deliverance to the captives” (prisoners) Colossians 2:8 "Beware lest any man spoil you through
philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of
the world, and not after Christ".
4) “recovering of sight to the blind” (those cut off from the true light due
to the darkness of doctrinal error) 2
Timothy 4:2-4 "Preach the word;
be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine. For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall
turn away their ears from the truth,
and shall be turned unto fables". (also
2 Corinthians 3:1-18; 4:1-7).
5) “to set at liberty them that are bruised” (those
crushed under the feet of tutors and governors of religion) Galatians 4:1-2 "Now I say, That the heir, as long as
he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but
is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father". These “tutors” (epit’rophos or managers) and “governors”(oikonom’os or overseers, preachers) represent the “Nicolaitanes”
that Revelation 2:6-7 speaks of - those leaders that have the “power over the
Laity” (the people)!! The “church
system” with that “Burger King” mentality (have it your way: quick, fast, and
in a hurry) likes the "drive-through" method. They don’t want to sit and eat a “home cooked meal” [those that will take
the time to explain the fullness of the Gospel to them]! Religion
likes the “hoopers” (those that hold their ear and preach till they’re almost
out of breath). The “sons” like the
teachers (those that will explain the Word of God with clarity, rightly
dividing the Word of truth).
It’s going to take the
government of God, “the Kingdom”, the basilei’a,
which is royalty (monarch – those
that take hold of this power and begin to rule and reign now) to “reach the masses”! That which is of previous time has to be sub-servant to that which is
future or NOW! God’s “government” has been established
in Christ! 2 Samuel 7:16 "And thine house and thy kingdom shall
be stablished (built from the inside) forever
before thee: thy throne shall be
stablished forever"! Notice the
word that was used there, “stablish” not
“establish”! When
something is "established", the
source used to bring it about is from without,
but when something is “stablished”, the
source used to bring it about is from within!
This “everlasting” kingdom God
was speaking of was through Jesus the Christ, and that kingdom is within us! Isaiah 2:2 "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain
of the LORD’S house shall be established [put
in place; built; organized ]in the top of
the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow
into it". (also Micah 4:1) Both scriptures are in reference to “GOD’S KINGDOM”!! We (God’s
people) are His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19).
1 Corinthians 3:9 "For
we are labourers together with God: ye
are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building"! God works with us from the inside out!!!
Luke 17:20-21 "
'The kingdom of God cometh not with
observation: neither shall they say, Lo
here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you". 1 Corinthians 4:20 "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power". Romans 14:17 "For the kingdom of
God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy
Ghost".
The KINGDOM is a concept
(thought, power) that lies within you, and lets you know that you can do all
things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).
The only way into this place is by birth: St. John 3:3 " 'Except a man be born again, he cannot see [know;
understand] the kingdom of God. (Vs 5) Except a man be born [re-gene-rated]
of water [the Word] and of the Spirit [breath of God], he cannot enter into the kingdom of God'."
Ephesians 2:1-2
"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein
in time past ye walked according to the course of this world [systems], according to the prince of the power of the
air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience".
This “prince” is an ar’chon,
meaning a first (in rank or power); ruler, chief; to reign or rule over. This
“rule” can be in different areas:
political, economical, ecclesiastical, social, etc. There is a “princ – ipality” of evil at work, using “princ –
iples” (rules and regulations) to bind the people and keep them in bondage to that
which benefits the “ruling few” (those at the top) at the expense of the
majority. Proverbs 29:2 "When
the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people
mourn"! But the greater One
is still on the inside of us (1 John 4:4).
Notice how this scripture is stated. It says, “the prince of the power of the air".
“OF” is a preposition that means to proceed from, composed of, or
relating to something. The word power is exousi’a, which denotes ability as it relates to authority [privilege;
force; capacity; competency; delegated influence; control; mastery] by
permission. He operates in the “air”, meaning not the wind that blows,
but in the “a’er”, meaning to
breathe unconsciously, ie to respire. When one “respires”, they inhale and
exhale so to maintain life. But if the “air” you’re breathing is polluted, it can become hazardous to
your health.
This word “a’er” in
the Greek denotes “atmosphere” (a predominant mood or feeling). If your “atmosphere” is polluted
(contaminated; made unclear) with philosophy, vain deceit, traditions of men,
the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (Colossians 2:8), you can
become “most miserable”! This arch-enemy
of evil wants to work in your “atmosphere” to cause fear, doubt, unbelief,
torment of the mind, sickness, poverty, whatever he can bring to keep you down
or defeated!
An “atmosphere” is
a response to a spiritual influence! And
if that “atmosphere” is supported, endured, maintained, and nourished, it will
create a “climate” (conditions;
temperatures). Where you are right now
(spiritually) is your climate. Is your
climate hot, warm, cold, freezing, cloudy, or clear? A “climate” that is supported, endured,
maintained, and nourished will create a “stronghold”
(thought patterns along with behavioral patterns)! 1 Corinthians 15:33 "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners".
Strongholds can create “culture”
(the act of developing intellectual ability with education; a form of
civilization, particularly the beliefs, arts, and customs that are socially
transmitted and agreed upon to establish permanence in a particular region or
area). If these things can be
established, they most certainly can be changed, torn down or destroyed! 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 "For the weapons of our warfare are
not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that
exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ".
Whatever negative “atmosphere”
one may be in, he or she can get out of it by applying “kingdom principles”! First
of all it’s all by faith in God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy
Ghost which is the power that dwells
in you to enable you to do what God has called you to do for His glory!!! God needs you, and He needs me!! This mission has been placed in the hands of
His STAFF, the Church, the sons of God, the kings, lords, and priests
(Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 19:16)!!
Down through the dispensations, God has always had
missionaries He could use - in the dispensation of “Innocence” (Adam); the
dispensation of “Conscious” (Noah); the dispensation of “Promise” (Abraham); the dispensation of “Law” (Moses); the
dispensation of Human Government (Saul); the dispensation of “Grace” (Jesus
Christ); now the dispensation of the “kingdom” (the Church) by the power of the
Holy Ghost, who is the Father and the Son in us!!!!
St.Matthew 4:23
"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and
healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people". (also Matthew 9:35; 10:1). St.Luke
9:1-2 "Then he called his twelve
disciples together, and gave them power [dunamis] and authority [exousi’a] over
all devils, and to cure diseases. And he
sent them to preach the kingdom of God and
to heal the sick"! This is how
we “reach the masses”! HALLELUJAH!!!
When they (the
disciples) were sent out in relation to the “establishment of the kingdom”,
Jesus sent them out with a COMMAND!
(1) He said that this gospel shall be preached: St.Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the
world for a witness unto all nations; then shall the end come"! Not the end of the “world” as religion
has taught, but it will be the end of your world (that which you have organized
for your own life in terms of doing things your way) once you are drawn into
the kingdom by the power that dwells
in you.
Romans
10:14-15 "How then shall they
call on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a
preacher? And how shall they preach,
except they be sent? as it is written, How
beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad
tidings of good things"! [The life message and not the message of
death]!
2
Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if
any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new".
(2) He
told them to go!!! St.Matthew
28:18-20 "Jesus came and spake
unto them, saying, 'All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost".
(3) He let them know
that they needed the power: Acts
1:8 " 'But ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the
earth'." St.Luke
10:19 "Behold, I give unto you
power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the
enemy: and nothing shall by any means
hurt you'."
WHY WAS
GOD’S BUSINESS ESTABLISHED and STABLISHED IN THIS MANNER?
(1) Because of His great love for us (John
3:16)
(2)
The creation had a need. Hebrews
9:22 "And without the shedding
of blood is no remission". 1
John 3:8 "He that committeth sin
is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was
manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil".
(1) His Word: St. Matthew 4:4 " 'Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God'." (also
Romans 10:14-15).
(2) His Spirit: St.Luke 24:49 " 'And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until
ye be endued with power from on high'."
(also St.Luke 10:19; Acts 1:8)
(3) Prayer: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing". James
5:14-16 "Is any sick among
you? Let him call for the elders of the
church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the
Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save
the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they
shall be forgiven him. Confess your
faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous
man availeth much".
THIS IS HOW WE REACH THE MASSES - BY
OPERATING UNDER OR IN THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD!!!
God’s “government” is His “KINGDOM” that dwells within us!!
What an AWESOME GOD we have!! WHAT AN AWESOME GOD HE IS!!!
~ Apostle Gracie Perry
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please note that all comments are reviewed prior to appearing on GWM. Thank you for your understanding.