Kingdom Power

True greatness in Christ’s Kingdom is found in self-sacrificial service for others, not in exercising political power over them.

Too many Christians have exchanged the proclamation of the Gospel for the pursuit of one political agenda or another, especially in North America. Rather than calling men and women to repent and believe the same Gospel preached by Jesus and his Apostles, they prefer imposing their views and visions via the corrupt political systems of this fallen age. However, this is not the way of discipleship exemplified in the words and deeds of Jesus.

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Faithful or Salt-Less Disciples

One day, John complained because someone who was not from among Christ’s inner circle of disciples was casting out demons in his name. And if this outsider was casting out demons, then it was God who was doing so through him. John’s complaint is rich in irony since just a few verses earlier the disciples found themselves unable to exorcise demons because of their unbelief.

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SEIZING THE KINGDOM

Christ’s comment about violence taking the kingdom refers to violent men who attempt to seize the work of God – Matthew 11:12.

In Matthew, Jesus declares that “violent men are seizing the kingdom of God.” Is he referring to malevolent men outside the church who attempt to seize control of the kingdom? Or does he mean Christians must aggressively pray and otherwise press into it? Are disciples to “forcefully seize” the promises from God, and does his kingdom advance through forceful action?

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UNPARDONABLE SIN

A line is crossed when what God’s Spirit is doing in Jesus is attributed to SatanMark 3:22-35.

The discourse on the “unpardonable sin” begins when certain scribes arrived from Jerusalem to examine the conduct and teachings of Jesus. In the preceding paragraph, his “friends” concluded that he was “beside himself.” In the present story, the representatives from the Temple accuse him of being in league with “Beelzebul,” the Devil.

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Jesus and Jewish Tradition

SYNOPSIS:  The gospel of Mark presents five incidents in which Jesus experienced opposition from religious leaders for deviating from their traditions – Mark 2:1-3:6.

close up of a book in hebrew

Jesus did not reject the Mosaic Law but, instead, many of the interpretations added to it by the Scribes and rabbinical authorities, especially practices related to ritual purity and Sabbath regulations. As the “Son of Man,” the Messiah, he was not bound by human traditions and regulations – His authority was superior to the traditions of the “Scribes and Pharisees,” even to the rituals of the Temple. Continue reading