The Kingdom of God Part 4

Wednesday January 2, 2013
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Luke 12:29-34 Don’t worry, but first seek the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom must come first in our lives, even before our families. If you can’t serve in the local church because you’re too busy, you’re putting something else before the kingdom of God. Matt. 18:1-4 tells us to become like a child to enter the kingdom of God, and 1 Cor. 14:20 tells us not to be like children in our understanding, but to be innocent as far as evil is concerned. HOW DOES THE KINGDOM OPERATE? IT OPERATES BY FAITH, NOT BY WORKS. Matt. 20:1-16 is The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. The first workers hired had an agreement to work for a certain amount of pay. Later in the day, the landowner recruited other workers for an amount that he said would be right. When they were paid, the ones who had an agreement were upset, because the later hired workers, who accepted the offer by faith in the landowner’s word, received the same amount of pay. That’s how the kingdom of God operates. It’s not by works, but it’s by faith. Peter didn’t catch any fish, had cleaned up, put his equipment away, but at a preacher’s word (Jesus’), he let Him use his boat and did what he told him to do concerning casting his net. He was rewarded with two boatloads of fish because of his faith in Jesus’ word. What gets rewarded? It’s your faith in Jesus’ word and the Scriptures. Faith is the great equalizer. Do you spend your time doing what matters and what will last?