Podcasts about kingdom it

Praying for God's Kingdom – It's More Than You Think! | KIB 473 Kingdom Intelligence Briefing   Description: Welcome back, friends! In this powerful episode of Biblical Life TV, Dr. Michael Lake and Mary Lou dive deep into the meaning of “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done” from the Lord's Prayer. This discussion unveils the battle between light and darkness, the hidden spiritual warfare affecting believers, and the importance of walking in God's true kingdom. Mary Lou shares astonishing revelations about star families and occult rituals that create portals for dark entities—concepts that many Christians have never encountered. She also discusses how mind control, generational bondage, and hidden rituals have infiltrated families and churches, leading to attacks against God's people. Dr. Michael Lake brings a biblical foundation to these discussions, emphasizing the importance of separating the clean from the unclean, breaking free from deception, and reestablishing holiness in the church. He explains why so many believers have unknowingly participated in pagan traditions and how the enemy has hijacked church teachings to lead people astray. The conversation also touches on:✅ The connection between spiritual deception and secret societies✅ The infiltration of churches with worldly influences✅ The reality of demonic portals and spiritual strongholds✅ The power of binding and loosing in spiritual warfare✅ How believers can take back their authority in Christ✅ The truth behind UFOs and their demonic connections✅ The necessity of exposing child trafficking and its spiritual implications This episode is a wake-up call for the remnant to return to the fear of the Lord, separate from darkness, and walk in true kingdom authority.

Access to the Kingdom: It's not what you think. Not even close.

FUEL FOR PRAISE! The Master's Plan • Ephesians 1:3-8 • Faith Community • 4/23/23 Intro: I think people today aren't too different from people 2000 years ago. Sure, we drive cars, fly in airplanes, take antibiotics, soon to enjoy In-N-Out burgers, are glued to our cell phones, Google information from Wikipedia, and a thousand other fantastic innovations that people in Paul's day couldn't have imagined. But in some very deep ways, we are just like them. Every person who draws a breath shares with everyone else the same very deep needs whether they can articulate them or not. Let me put them into the form of three disturbing questions: [1) Do I belong?] i.e. am I wanted? Believe it or not, that's why we identify with teams, and create cliques with innies & outies, and even befriend each other on Facebook. We don't want to be left out or passed over. And we never want to be the last person on the playground to be chosen when teams divide up. Who are my people, my family? Do I belong? (Here?) We want to be wanted. [2) Do I Matter] Why am I here? What's the point? We want to be a part of something that matters. We want to be significant, to do something that is important, that lasts. We try to find it in our jobs, and in the causes we pursue (in politics or social issues), and even in our recreational pursuits—to be a great golfer, or to visit every major league baseball stadium. It's why some people will pursue significance by trying to be somebody, to be popular—or least well known—even if means shooting innocent people for 5 minutes of fame. What we don't want is to come to the end of our life and realize it really wouldn't have mattered had we never been born. We need to matter. [3) Am I secure?] Life is uncertain, and there are plenty of fears that face us—fear of rejection, of getting hurt or sick, or the granddaddy of them all—dying. Which all of us will do. Eventually. Then what? Our need for security sometimes moves us to earn lots of money, or reduce physical risks, or avoid commitments to others. But life is terribly uncertain, and you can't count on much of anything except that as long as you are alive, you're vulnerable. •We shouldn't be surprised that in our generation, these needs are inflamed. After all, think about what we have been taught: [√You are a freak accident of chance.] From earliest time, we are indoctrinated with the story that we all are a product of evolutionary processes which began accidentally, and as a result of a very long time + nearly infinite chances, the human animal developed into what we are today. There was no reason it happened, no guiding mind behind the process—we're all just freak accidents. As a result: [√There is no reason or purpose for your life.] Kind of difficult to find purpose in your life when you realize that there is no design or reason for anything. If life means nothing, your life won't mean much. Even if you dream up some sort of personal purpose, it's all taste and preference; you're here today, buried tomorrow, and eventually forgotten forever. (Who was Miss America 1937?) I don't know. Who cares? Nobody remembers. Because it doesn't matter. Nobody and nothing really matters. Esp because: [√History is going nowhere.] History is just the recap of what's happened, but there's no order or scheme to it, no purpose or plan. There's no goal, no arrival, or intended end. It is what it was. You can't read into it any greater design. Human history may die out with a sigh or end with the sun exploding, but there's no difference either way. We'll all vanish from the universe, and it won't have mattered that we ever existed anyway. (Wow. That's a pleasant thought.) •What we've been taught inflames and exacerbates these deep human needs to belong, to matter, and to experience some sense of security. We all have these needs, these deep longings. Every person. Even you & me. And God is going to address these needs in such a way that you'll praise and thank Him like never before. But first, you have to understand what he has done. WHAT HAS GOD EVER DONE FOR ME??? Glad you asked… •1:3-14 are a single sentence in the original text (in fact one of the longest in the NT!)—The ESV broke it up into 6 sentences, the NIV into 8! But Paul wrote it as one long outburst of praise, without even taking a breath for all God has done for us! It explodes with excitement and gratitude. Grammatically, it reads like a plate of spaghetti, and it's nearly impossible to cleanly separate all the parts—they run from one thought into another, as though Paul's pen couldn't keep up with his racing mind. And NB what he says: ➡What? We should speak well of God (vs. 3a): Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… •Blessed sounds like one of those religious words that don't mean much. But the word in Gk is euloghtoß—we get the word “eulogy” from it; and it means to speak well of, to honor and praise. Usually includes expressing gratitude for a person or things he has done to enrich your life. EG your boss gives you a bonus just to encourage you; your friends unexpectedly invite you out for dinner and pick up the check; someone in your Life Group sends you a note of encouragement at precisely the right moment, saying exactly what you need to hear. It all moves you to say, thank you! and you speak well of the person. How well you speak of God depends on how well you grasp all that He has given to you. You have to realize what God has done, and you have to believe it's really true. And that will fuel your praise and worship of Him. So we bless or praise or speak well of God…why? Why? There is nothing He has to give that He hasn't already given to us in Christ! (vs. 3b): …who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ➡You might be thinking, “Oh great—just what I need: a few more blessings in heaven. How about something here and now?” But this is not saying that all the good stuff that will enrich our lives is locked up in heaven and you'll have to die to get it. Rather, in the heavenly places refers to nothing more/less than the unseen realm of spiritual reality all around us. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist or doesn't affect you. Heavenly places doesn't mean “up” or “later,” but “not limited to what we see; eternal and supernatural.” So he's not referring to cars and boats and houses and new golf clubs—he's saying that the stuff that really matters, the things that are eternal and really important in life, all those things have been already given to us. NB: •with every spiritual blessing—i.e. you've got it all. See what this is saying? God hasn't scrimped with us. He has given us not a few, not some, not adequate, not many, but every, all blessings. There are some groups that teach at salvation we get some, but not all blessings that God has to offer—the better ones of power and gifting come later to the initiated and committed. But Paul contradicts that: there is no missing ingredient for you to put your life together. So you don't need to try to get something you don't now have, but rather you need to realize and use what you've already been given in Christ. It's hard to grasp—but there is no good spiritual blessing remaining that He hasn't given to you. If it is good, and good for you, He has already given it. (Gee, maybe He missed me.) Nope. Not possible. If you are in X, a believer, you are the favored recipient of every blessing He has to give. Remember in Christ refers to what accompanies a relationship with Jesus. It's a package deal! •So now do you get it? Your excitement, your praise and worship, your speaking well of God to others and to Him depends on how well you understand and believe all that He's done for you! Now, before we get specific, let me give the rest of this passage (vss. 4-14) the once-over. This is what God has done for you: 1. God has chosen you (vss. 4-8a). So you belong!. You are not a nobody. You are not an outsider. You are wanted by God. You are therefore not insignificant, but special. 2. God is including you (vss. 8b-12). So you matter! He is taking you into His confidence and including you in His plans and purposes; you are not directionless or purposeless or meaningless. 3. God will protect you (vss. 13-14). So you are secure! He guarantees your future and promises to bring you to Himself where you will be with Him forever. •It's no coincidence that when Paul bursts into praise to God for all His blessings lavished on us believers, he addresses these 3 deep, universal human needs that God Himself has met in Christ. And as we go through this, you'll notice that the Father is focused in the first, the Son in the second, and the Holy Spirit in the third—the Triune God is bent on enriching your life as a believer in Christ! Also, the first concerns our past, the second our present, and the third our future. So His blessings affect our whole existence, not just someday or forever. So let's dive in (but understand I'll only be able to scratch the surface of all that God has done for us.) •Here are three incredible blessings God has given to us: #1. GOD HAS CHOSEN US! A. Three Staggering Thoughts (1:4) even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him… 1. What? “He chose us” Sometimes we're tempted to think that God doesn't care or doesn't know about my life. He's got a million problems to deal with—floods and earthquakes and other disasters; the general deterioration of sane thoughts about what's true—male and female are different, or a baby fresh out of the womb ought not to be put to death; or the twisting of what He's like or the disbelief of what's He's done; His hands are full, and has no time for little o me. I'm just one of a blob of billions of nameless, faceless others who happen to cash in on the His somewhat generous offer of whoever believes will be saved (John 3:16). I sneaked in on the whoever. When I see God face to face, He'll ask, “Gabriel, who's this?” To which Gabriel will answer, “Oh, he's just one of those whoevers.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. He chose us. Not only that, but He chose us! •We often picture it as the reverse: we chose Him. But actually the reverse is true. When the Bible speaks of who chose whom, it always has God as its subject and man as its object. Nowhere does it say that God was passive and we sought Him out and chose Him. NO, we responded to His call through believing the Gospel, the Good News: [Acts 13:48; 1 Thess. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13-14] That brings us a lot of questions, but don't let all the questions obscure what is clear so you miss the point: God chose you. He wanted you! That fact is underscored by the next phrase: 2. When? “before the foundation of the world” or as NIV: before the creation of the world. In other words, He chose us before we had the mental faculties to understand or even say God. Even more: You weren't even alive when God chose you. So that clearly prevents any human qualities to intrude in God's choice as if God chose us because He saw in us some great potential. So why did He choose me/you? I have no idea; but again, I do know what He didn't base His choice on—on goodness/merit on our part. NB: 3. Why? “that we should be holy and blameless before Him” He chose us warts and all. [J. Sidlow Baxter: He did not choose us because we were holy, but to be holy…!”/x] We were chosen when in fact we were NOT holy; but we were chosen to become holy and blameless. So He chooses to be involved in our lives both now, and in the outcome. He didn't choose you just so that someday you'd arrive in Heaven, but to purify your life and fit you for heaven now. He's not intending to provide an entrance ticket to forever but a complete overhaul of your life right now. •This is remarkably comforting and humbling. The fact that HE did the choosing is humbling because we didn't contribute anything; but it's also comforting because it assumes He knew what He was getting—a pretty broken and imperfect group of people. So nothing really surprises Him now that we're His. He saw it all long ago, and still wanted us. It's a mind-blowing thought: God knew all about you, and chose you in eternity past before you ever existed to live with Him forever without a single defect or blemish. This is so startling that Paul uses two pictures to help us understand the truth of God's choice for us: His choice is like an adoption (vss. 5-6) and like a redemption (vss. 7-8). B. Two Profound Pictures 1. Adoption (vs. 4c-5a): In love He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ… predestine—lit. to mark out or decide beforehand a specific course of action. (Only God can do this with any certainty.) And what God decided long ago would happen to us is that we'd be chosen for His family. Paul says God's choice is a lot like adoption in civil law: According to Roman law, a man could adopt a child as his own. However, if he did so, there could be no second class citizens: an adopted child would be placed into the family with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of that family, with a new heritage and future, a new standing in the community, in effect, a whole new life! The ties to his old life would be severed, and he would assume the identity of a member of that family. •So God walked through the dormitory of human history, looking at spiritual orphans, for some reasons unknown to us, chose us to be adopted into His family, with full privileges and responsibilities as members of His household, and freed from all ties and obligations to our former lives. And because adoption illustrates God's choice, there are no unwanted or surprise-kids in His family. Adopted means chosen, wanted. He chose & wanted you. •“…but I just can't get over why He would want to adopt ME?” Look, I don't know why He'd want you either…but He does! (vss. 5b-6) …according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has blessed us in the Beloved. All I know is that His choice of you is something that pleases and delights his heart. NB: purpose might sound dispassionate and clinical, but isn't. NLT captures the idea in vs. 5: This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure./x It pleased Him to do so, and it will be to the praise of His amazing and glorious grace! •But God's choice goes further than merely adoption, because even though it clearly reveals His desire and choice, parents who adopt cannot change the fundamental nature of a child, or change his/her past, or impart their nature. So Paul uses a second profound picture to illustrate God's choice—that of: 2. Redemption: (vss. 7-8a) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished upon us… Redemption always assumes the person is in some bondage—some forced slavery from which they cannot escape. In Paul's mind, you are kind of like a slave. In NT times, the Roman empire had more slaves than citizens—6 million of them. And buying and selling them was a major business. If someone wanted to free a slave, he'd have to pay the purchase price, buying the enslaved person for himself, then grant him freedom by presenting him with a written certificate of deliverance. The payment and the process was called redemption. Don't miss the point: unless someone greater paid the price, it was hopeless for the slave. No one ever redeemed himself. [Ps. 59:7-9, 15/x] God's choice of you was like a redemption because He purchased you for Himself. He chose you when you were bankrupt/unable to pay. You were enslaved to your sins and trespasses, & sentenced to death. If God were to pay that penalty, He'd have to forfeit a life for your life. And He did. God paid that penalty; it cost Jesus His own life. His choice of you was very, very expensive. And to Him, you are that valuable. You cost that much. He was willing to pay that much for you. Don't ask me why. •And how much? You received forgiveness according the riches of His grace (7b)—i.e. not that He has just enough to cover your sins, but instead, He has more than enough. Riches means to have everything you need and so much more. As terrible and as dark and troubling as your intentional sins are, far-far greater is His grace. He has freely given to you more grace and forgiveness than you need or will ever be able to use. And all this—His forgiveness and unearned love—even though it was expensive and cost Him His Son's life—He lavished on all of us (vs. 8a). •This is not the picture of someone who gives meagerly and begrudgingly, just enough, counting the exact change to the penny; no, this is One who thinks nothing of the cost for the joy that He has in choosing you, wanting you, rescuing you, forgiving you. Remember what happens after the Super Bowl or the World Series, in the locker room, when all the players are handed bottles of expensive champagne—not to drink, but to spray around as an act of extravagant celebration?! That's the picture. That's how lavishly God has given you His grace and mercy and forgiveness. Don't ask me why. But He has. #2. GOD IS NOW INCLUDING US! How? (vss. 8b-10) …in all wisdom and insight, making known to us the mystery of His will according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth… 1. In His Confidence It's one thing to be chosen, but entirely another to be included. A while back I had a plumbing problem, and I called a plumber. As he was bent over, tending to the leak, I was observing. I'm naturally curious, so I asked Qs: “So what's that? A pipe wrench. (Silence.) Will it be hard to fix? Nope. See any problems? (Turns, stares right me and says) Yep. Obviously, I was annoying. But God isn't like that. His desire is to include us is what He's doing. Not like a father who impatiently pushes his son away and snaps, “Go play or do something. I'm working. Don't bother me. I need to get stuff done.” Instead, God patiently explains what He's doing, and how He wants us to help Him. And one of the blessings we have is that God has told us the secret of what He intends to do. He unrolls the blueprint for human history and patiently explains to us His plans. And it includes: [•The “Mystery”: Something once hidden, now revealed] mystery doesn't mean what we usually think—something hard to understand, or cloaked in secrecy until the final few pages. Instead, it's a word used to explain what people once didn't understand but now has been revealed to us: God is telling us where He's taking human history! He wants us to be in the know. He's confiding in us in ways he didn't to Abraham, or Moses, or David, or even Isaiah! NB: [•The Unseen Hand: God is at work directing history] It's not all random. History is headed somewhere. NB: God purposes (vs. 9), and predestines/predetermines (vs. 5, 11). Like pieces of a puzzle, events are falling into place and in the end, when the time is right, God will accomplish what He's been working on all along. EG: [•The Outcome: Jesus will reign supreme to His glory] (vs. 10b) to unite all things in Him… What awaits the end of human history is a King, and Kingdom, where all opposition will be subdued. Everything will be made new and made right. Jesus will no longer be an afterthought to anyone, and He will have no rivals. Nothing will dishonor Him, and all will worship and obey Him. •So God wants us to know what He's up to, and wants us to see the big picture. We who know how it will all turn out should see life differently now. We know people matter. We know God wants us to love Him. We know sharing the Good News and helping others come to know and love Jesus is what counts. Little else someday will seem very significant. Our tendency is to get so wrapped up in our daily lives and problems that we fail to see that we are the primary actors on the stage of history; God is writing the script and directing the play. Your neighbors, your family, your job, your friends, your opportunities are all part of the means to bring all things to bow willingly before Him in love. We are never to be purposeless, or directionless; we are part of the grand scheme of things. And that's not all—God includes you in a share of the end product, the Kingdom of His Son! When God gathers everything together in Christ, there are two groups of people who will be included… [2. In His Inheritance] (vss. 11-13a) In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation and believed in Him… Wait! [•Who? both believing Jews and Gentiles] vs. 11: “we (believing Jews) who were the first to hope in Christ”: they had heard about the promised Messiah, the coming Christ, the unique one in all the history of the world who would begin to set all things right; they looked—even longed for His coming. Those who accepted Jesus as the Christ will be included. vs. 13a: “you” (believing Gentiles/non-Jews); we were included when we responded to the Gospel/Good News—that Jesus died in our place for our guilt, and was raised from the dead as our Lord. If you trust what He did as enough to make you right with God, you'll receive forgiveness, and a new life in following Him! At the very moment you believe, you are included in Christ—and all the blessings become yours! [•What? a share in His wonderful Kingdom] It's an inheritance! (You say, Wait! I'm included in the will? I'm named as an heir? YEP!) What is it? It can't be spiritual resources, because God says we already have all He has to give (vs. 3). Honestly, I don't know, except that it will be beyond description! [1Cor. 2:9;1Peter 1:4/x] Whatever it is, if we were to see it right now, it'd make the highest standard of living, all the money and toys, the most adventuresome lifestyle seem like suffering with the flu, or living in the a backward 3rd world slum. Hard to imagine. But that is what is waiting for you as part of His kingdom. [Theologian Oprah Winfrey/x] When God gathers everything together in Christ, we know for certain that we will belong, we will have a place, we will obtain an inheritance. How can we be sure? Because the Holy Spirit given to us fulfills 2 roles in us: [#3: GOD WILL PROTECT US!] We know ourselves too well. We've tried and failed, but tried again and again failed, and now we try, but cynically wonder if we even should try. Why bother? We know we'll probably screw it up. If it depends on us, we're completely dependable…to be undependable. So we long for something sure and certain that will bring comfort and assurance, something greater than our own puny efforts. And God responds by giving us His Holy Spirit: [1. With a seal of ownership] (vs. 13) In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit… The seal refers to a signet ring you depress into wax, or a small cylinder you roll over wax, creating an impressed image or writing. Two purposes for the seal: to claim ownership (the Roman govt. on a document, or a letter from its sender); and to protect it from anyone unauthorized tampering with it. It was a capital offense to open an officially sealed item. Many seals had the name and image of its owner; so in this case, Jesus marks his own image and name with the Holy Spirit on our lives when we believe in Him! It's His way of showing that we are safe until we arrive at our destination. We are secure in Him until that day. I understand that no one else can tamper with my salvation, but what if God Himself has second thoughts/changes His mind about me? NB the second illustration of His protection: [2. With a down payment] (vs. 14) (the promised Holy Spirit) who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory. •guarantee is a word that's used in modern Greek for engagement ring! You give the ring to show how serious you are. But in the NT, the word referred to the down payment or first installment of the purchase price that secured the legal claim on the item. But what if He breaks the engagement or refused to take delivery? He won't. The greater the down payment, the more certain you are He's serious. To assure us of His certainty, God gives us part of Himself as the down payment. That's like giving my son/daughter as a down payment to assure that I'll take delivery for a house or car; not to do so would mean I'd forfeit my son/daughter. That's crazy! Same with God. He's giving you His Word, His most solemn promise, He's assuring you that what He started by forgiving you all your sins at great cost, and starting you on the new path of life as a member of His family, He will finish by completely redeeming your life and bringing you into His Kingdom as one of the named heirs. He will do this, because He has given you His Spirit who will never leave you. [x] What if it's all true? Paul is writing this under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial before the infamous Caesar Nero, the Hitler of the Century One. But his mind is not on his circumstances, but instead thinks back to before the foundation of the world when he was chosen, and forward to the consummation of all things when Jesus Christ will reign supreme as Lord over the universe; and he smiles and bursts into praise to God. That's perspective! •Do you really believe it? You're wanted by the Living God of the universe. He has already given you all that's eternally worth having. He draws you into His plan, and will use you to accomplish it. When all the dust settles, He promises you, assures you of your place in His Kingdom. How well you grasp and believe that will determine how well you speak of God—what will move you to worship Him and speak well of Him to others. Pray

Rebuilding the Kingdom It seemed an impossible calling. The authority of the Catholic church had stood for centuries. Both the ecclesiastical and political powers stood against the reform of the Church. However, the Lord raised up a German Monk, Martin Luther, to lead the movement to return the Church to Biblical truth. At first, his work was mocked. The Pope said that they need only wait till this drunk German sobered up or fell asleep. Next, his work was threatened. He was brought before an Imperial Court to recant his views. Next, he was placed under the ban when he refused to recant. The ban meant that his life could be taken without punishment. Despite all these impediments to the work of reformation Luther continued to find success. In a generation, the Protestant Reformation became the most powerful religious force in modern history. When reflecting on the prospering of the reformation work Luther wrote that it was not his power that brought about the Reformation but rather the Word of God. He said, The Word created heaven and earth and all things; the Word must do this thing, and not we poor sinners. In short, I will preach it, teach it, write it, but I will constrain no man by force, for faith must come freely without compulsion. Take myself as an example. I opposed indulgences and all the papists, but never with force. I simply taught, preached, and wrote God's Word; otherwise, I did nothing. And while I slept, or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends… the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that no prince or emperor ever inflicted such losses upon it. I did nothing; the Word did everything.” How is the work of rebuilding the kingdom accomplished? How does the work of God prosper? It prospers not by human power but rather it prospers by the power of God's Word. In our passage for this Sunday, the work of rebuilding the temple is opposed. The people of God are discouraged by the seemingly impossible nature of the task. However, what we will see is that God spends His Word to prosper their work of rebuilding the temple. Despite the opposition of their enemies, the work of God's people flourishes as they obey God's Word, trust His providence, and work for His Glory. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon Ezra 5-6, Deuteronomy 29:9, 1 Kings 2:1-4, Psalm 1, Isaiah 53:10, and this article on Haggai and Zechariah.

Rebuilding the Kingdom It seemed an impossible calling. The authority of the Catholic church had stood for centuries. Both the ecclesiastical and political powers stood against the reform of the Church. However, the Lord raised up a German Monk, Martin Luther, to lead the movement to return the Church to Biblical truth. At first, his work was mocked. The Pope said that they need only wait till this drunk German sobered up or fell asleep. Next, his work was threatened. He was brought before an Imperial Court to recant his views. Next, he was placed under the ban when he refused to recant. The ban meant that his life could be taken without punishment. Despite all these impediments to the work of reformation Luther continued to find success. In a generation, the Protestant Reformation became the most powerful religious force in modern history. When reflecting on the prospering of the reformation work Luther wrote that it was not his power that brought about the Reformation but rather the Word of God. He said, The Word created heaven and earth and all things; the Word must do this thing, and not we poor sinners. In short, I will preach it, teach it, write it, but I will constrain no man by force, for faith must come freely without compulsion. Take myself as an example. I opposed indulgences and all the papists, but never with force. I simply taught, preached, and wrote God's Word; otherwise, I did nothing. And while I slept, or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends… the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that no prince or emperor ever inflicted such losses upon it. I did nothing; the Word did everything.” How is the work of rebuilding the kingdom accomplished? How does the work of God prosper? It prospers not by human power but rather it prospers by the power of God's Word. In our passage for this Sunday, the work of rebuilding the temple is opposed. The people of God are discouraged by the seemingly impossible nature of the task. However, what we will see is that God spends His Word to prosper their work of rebuilding the temple. Despite the opposition of their enemies, the work of God's people flourishes as they obey God's Word, trust His providence, and work for His Glory. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon Ezra 5-6, Deuteronomy 29:9, 1 Kings 2:1-4, Psalm 1, Isaiah 53:10, and this article on Haggai and Zechariah.

"... But we're so late in the journey, Earth is in such a dark place; everybody needs to be accelerated at least, to wanting to know the truth... But He's given us an assignment to learn the culture of THE KINGDOM" It's imperative that we be transformed It's imperative we realize the culture of THE KINGDOM It's imperative that we abide Cause we have an assignment, no generation has ever had this assignment! Original Broadcast on Love & Unity https://fb.watch/ecrmG6rrfg/ More Than Enough Ministries ContactUs@MTEMinc.org https://mteminc.org (408) 945-4439: O To Give. Send the tithe and offerings online https://mteminc.org/index.php/online-donations/ Or use Zelle Offerings@MTEMinc.org Or use Cash App $MtemincOfferings Or use PayPal PayPal.Me/mteminc4400 Or Mail Checks and Money Orders to: More Than Enough Ministries P.O. Box 4400 Manteca, CA 95337 Thank you --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/communion5779/support

Humorist Will Rogers once said, “I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do now.” Rogers was saying that the world he had grown up in, no longer existed. Like a snowball accelerating and growing on a trip down a steep snow-covered hill, today’s youth culture is changing at breakneck speed. What does that mean for those of us who not only grew up in a different world, but who are now struggling to lead young people into a relationship with Jesus Christ and a lifetime lived in service to God’s Kingdom? It means that no matter who you are – parent, youthworker, pastor, or educator – you are a cross-cultural missionary. Are you taking the time to get to know your kids and their rapidly changing world? Do you read what they read, watch what they watch, and listen to what they listen to? If you are, then you are preparing yourself to be a cross-cultural missionary. 

This is a recording of a zoom workshop done by Micheal Burns for the Southern CT Church of Christ. In this session (session II). Session 2 focused on Race and the Kingdom It is necessary to understand a bit of history behind the racial conflict in our country as well as the role that religion has played in that conflict so that we can begin to have a better understanding of what it means to be God’s family of all people and nations in the world today and how to address the tumultuous times in which we find ourselves with the good news of God's kingdom. Support Michael's Ministry at: Michaelburnsteachingministry.com Our website: Sctcoc.org

Come and learn more about the King, The Word and It's Kingdom It desires to Rule and Reign Over, The 3 part system of Physical Body, Soul and The Spirit, the Forever Person. Learn more about What is In A Word and how it can become a Good Thing or A Bad thing in one's life. Learn just a little more about oneself, and others through the What Is In A Word and how A Word Conforms and Shapes a person and it's 3 part system and how The Word will seek to Be Seen and Heard out in the world. Love Pastor Deborah

Videos used in the message: Jesus and the Kingdom It’s Not About the Nail Comedian John Crist Shares His Money Knowledge Trust Fall PC3 Youth Mission Trip 2019

www.mvchurch.org What gifts can you lend to The Kingdom? It's important to know what your gifts are. Ed Bush finishes his mini-sermon series with a powerful message. Sunday Oct. 8th 2017

Thine is the Kingdom: It is a Majestic Kingdom Ephesians 4:1 Ephesians 2:10 Romans 6:1-4 1 Timothy 6:12 2 Timothy 4:7 Matthew 28 19-20 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 Colossians 1:-18

Sorry for the poor recording. :-( Thine is the Kingdom: It is a Victorious Kingdom Romans 11:33 Isaiah 54:17 1 Corinthians 15:57 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

Sorry for the poor recording. :-( Thine is the Kingdom: It is a Glorious Kingdom Genesis 2:22-24 1 Chronicles 19:10-13 Romans 5:1-2 2 Peter 1:3 1 Cor. 2:14 Proverbs 31:10-31 Romans 12:1-2 1 Chronicles 29:11

Thine is the Kingdom: It is a kingdom of Greatness 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 Psalms 150:1-6 1 Peter 2:9-10 Matthew 17:4 Matthew 4:8-9 Matthew 4:17 Matthew 11:28-30

Thine is the Kingdom: It is an everlasting Kingdom Psalm 51:1-4, 7, 10-13 Psalm 139: 23-24 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 Matthew 6:5-6, 9-13 1 Chronicles 29:10 James 4:13-15

Life in the Kingdom “‘It is what it is’ doesn’t have to be what it always is.” The Holy Spirit delights in bringing the right kind of change in the right kind of way. Join us as Pastor Rick talks about the transformation that takes place in a Christ Follower's life. To see the video of the whole message, visit cplace.org