This is our third and final chapter in this series. We’ve had The Word of the King, The Heart of the King and now we are looking at The King’s True Subjects. There are many parables in this section. These parables teach us so much. Here’s a list of the things we are about to learn in the coming weeks;
1. The King's true subjects have had a transplanted nature. They have become brand new people.
2. The King’s true subjects understand they are stewards of everything they have.
3. They love the King, not His stuff (didn’t say we don’t enjoy His ‘stuff’ but we love the King more!).
4. They trust in the King’s grace not their own performance.
5. They obey the King’s commands.
6. They love one another.
7. They are confident in prayer.
8. They watch and wait for the King’s return.
These are the 8 points we will see in the remaining parables for this series on Kingdom Life. First, number one is critical. It’s the launch pad for everything else. The Parable of the New Garments and the New Wineskins in Mark 2:21-22. Jesus is saying that most people see their relationship with God as performance-based. It’s a “do good, get good” mentality. For most people, that’s the extent of religion. All the other religions are about this. An attempt to ‘please’ their gods so they can get a better place in ‘heaven’.
Sadly, much of Christianity is the same. Jesus says that He didn’t come to just patch you up or give you a new version of the same old thing. He came to purchase a brand new nature for us. Isaiah 43:19 - Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Jesus transforms us from the inside out. Religion tries to purge us from the outside. But Jesus came to completely change the way we interact and commune with God. We are all sinners. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This is made very clear in the scriptures. There was no way we could accomplish God’s plan for us in our own strength. We needed a rescuer, a saviour.
Jesus came to give us a brand new nature. Not new rules, ceremonies or rituals to observe. He made a way for us to become a new creature. John 3:5-6 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
God is spirit and for us to be one with Him, our spirit-man must be completely changed. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says we’ve been made a brand new species of being. This is prerequisite number one for entering the Kingdom of God. Ephesians 4:24 says And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
When you’re born again, that’s you! You are righteous and holy because of what Jesus did! 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Preachers often use this to condemn people and say that believers are still guilty. That they have to perform better. But look at v11: And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
"Were"! That's past tense! We are no longer those things. If you’re born again, your spirit is made new and is now the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). Praise God!
We will continue next week. Don’t miss it! If you know someone who would be blessed by this teaching, why not forward it on to them? And, if this has blessed you or someone you know, do tell us about it. You can contact us here and share your testimonies. We love to hear them!
Have a blessed week. And don't forget to check out Pastor Richard's teaching snippet by clicking the image below.
Upstream Ministries.
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