The Kingdom of God IS in Existence.

There is a reason many do not believe the kingdom of Christ is now in existence…..it is because many believe it was to be a carnal kingdom.

However, Jesus said “My kingdom is NOT of this world; if My kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight – John 18:36.
There is NO carnal fighting in Christ’s kingdom, it is a spiritual kingdom.

1). Mark 9:1 – “and He said unto them, verily I say unto you, that there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power”. If the kingdom of Christ has not come (as some teach), there are some pretty old people in the world.
God cannot lie – Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18.
Jesus is God – John 1:1-3
Jesus accepted worship as God – John 9:38.

So no matter what some say and teach, the kingdom of God came in the first century.

2). In John 18:37 – “Pilate therefore said unto Him, art thou a king then?” Jesus answered – “thou sayest that I am a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.”

3). Jesus right now is “Lord of lords and King of kings” – Revelation 17:14.
Since He is a king, He has a kingdom.

4). In Revelation 1:9, the apostle John said he himself was IN the tribulation and the kingdom!

5). In Colossians 1:13, the apostle Paul wrote the kingdom was here.

6). In Matthew 16:19, Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom – so that Peter could open the door to the kingdom in Acts 2 when Peter preached the first gospel sermon including the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

The Lord’s church and the kingdom are the same thing. The new birth (baptism) puts one into the kingdom or family of God – John 3:3-5.

Are you in the kingdom of God?

Names GOD is called, reveal HIS Nature.

The bible teaches very clearly that there is ONE GOD (Godhood), consisting of three equal but separate persons. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. The three all share the same attributes and are ONE in everything - thought, purpose, plan, nature, power.

We are going to look at God’s nature as revealed in His name(s).

Introduction to Names.

There was a time when a surname (to put a name upon),
meant something – Proverbs 22:1; Barnabas, Acts 4:36; 10:5.
Psalms 9:10 – “They that know thy name will put their trust in Thee.”
1 Kings 8:27 – The heavens cannot contain God – much less one name describe God.

1). EL – a common name used for deity A generic term which express authority, strength, majesty. (ie: Israel = “Prince of God”; Immanuel = “God with us”)

2). ELOHIM – (EL, mighty one + to swear; to make a covenant with).
Strength (Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God (ELOHIM)”; power, keeps promises, creates, governs.
Plural in form, always takes singular verb (unless it refers to heathen
“gods” – 1 Samuel 4:8).
Note: Genesis 1:26; 3:22; Genesis 1 and 2, clear that ONE GOD has all power. Found 2570 times – 30 in Genesis 1; over 200 times in Genesis.

3). EL-ELYON – denotes Israel’s God = Most High God.
Genesis 14:17-20; distinguishes from pagan gods.

4). EL-ROI – denotes God who sees; Genesis 16:13 – Hagar used.
Exodus 3:7 – an example; Lesson: Jeremiah 13:22 – God sees all sin.
Habakkuk 1:13 – of purer eyes than to behold evil. Jeremiah 7:15.

5). EL-SHADDAI – “Almighty” in English bible. To supply, nourish. Esp to the Patriarchs – Genesis 17:1, 8, 15, 22. Genesis 49: 24-25 – no matter what the need, God could meet them. Lesson: Matthew 11:28-30.

6). ADONAI – “Master” or “Lord”. Plural of ADON. Psalms 110:1 – God and refers to Christ, Acts 2:34 f. So, Jehovah speaks to Christ.
Lesson: Today, Christ – Acts 9:5, 20:24; 1 Timothy1:12; Romans 6:16.

7). ROCK – firm nature, steadfast. A safe retreat – Psalms 94:22. Lesson:
the church built on Christ – Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:11.

8). FATHER – denotes begetter, sustainer, nourisher, protector.
Genesis 45:8; Deuteronomy 32:6; Isaiah 9:6; 63:16; 64:8. Lesson: Jesus reveals the Father – John 14:7, 9,f.

9). JEHOVAH – “the Existing One” (from YAHWEH). 6,823 times – more than any other. First in Genesis 2:4, combined JEHOVAH and ELOHIM. “To BE” – changeless. Exodus 3:14 – “I AM that I AM”. Self existent, sufficient, Immutable – Malachi 3:6. Lesson: Jesus = I AM. John 8:58; Revelation 1: 4,8,17; 2:8; 21:6; 22:13.
Since Jesus is the “I AM”, we have assurance of our covenant.

Now we will look at compound names of God.

1). JEHOVAH – JIREH = “JEHOVAH will Provide”. Genesis 22:14.
New Testament, John 1:29.

2). JEHOVAH – TSIDKENU = “JEHOVAH our Righteousness”, Jeremiah 33:16. New Testament – 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4.

3). JEHOVAH – SHALOM = “JEHOVAH is our Peace”, Judges 6:24.
New Testament – Ephesians 2:14; John 14:27.

4). JEHOVAH – ROHI = “JEHOVAH is my Shepard”, lead, pasture, Psalms 23. New Testament - 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4; John 10:14-15; Hebrews 13:20.

5). JEHOVAH – SHAMMAH = “JEHOVAH is there”, Ezekiel 48:35;
New Testament – Matthew 1:23; 28:20;

6). JEHOVAH – NISSI = “JEHOVAH is my Banner”, Exodus 17:9-16.
New Testament - theme of Revelation 17:14; 2 Timothy 4:7; 2:3-4;
Ephesians 6:11-17; 1 John 5:4 – Jesus our banner. We cannot fail when we march under His flag.

7). JEHOVAH – ROPHE = “JEHOVAH heals”, Exodus 15:26; Jeremiah
8:21-22. New Testament – Matthew 9:12; Luke 4:18; 1 Peter 2:24.

8). JEHOVAH – KANNA = “JEHOVAH is Jealous” (jealous = intolerant of rivalry). Exodus 20:5; 34:14; Deuteronomy 5:9. New Testament – John 2:17; Titus 2:14; 2 Corinthians 9:2.

9). JEHOVAH – SABAOTH = “JEHOVAH of Hosts” – Psalms 24:10;
Genesis 2:1. New Testament – Romans 9:29; James 5:4; Matthew 28:18.

10). JEHOVAH – M.KADDESH = “JEHOVAH who Sanctifies” – Exodus 13:2; 31:13. New Testament – 1 Peter 1:15; Hebrews 12:14; 2 Peter 1:3-4.

Concl: ALL divine attributes seen in Jesus. John 14:9; Is it any wonder that we should respect His name……Exodus 20:7.

A Bible 'Quiz' based on Socrates Method!

The Socratic (from Socrates) method of teaching is by questions.

Questions:

1). Which church did Jesus promise to build? Matthew 16:18. __________

2). When did Jesus say the kingdom would come? Mark 9:1. __________

3). Was the apostle John, who wrote the book of Revelation, in the kingdom? Revelation 1:9. _____________

4). Was the apostle Paul in the kingdom? Colossians 1:13. ___________

5). Can Jesus be king if he has no kingdom? Revelation 17:14. _________
Note: Those who say the kingdom has not yet come are guilty of teaching Jesus is not a king if He has no kingdom.

6). What did Jesus say one must do to be saved? Mark 16:16. ________
Note: also see previous post – ‘How Does One Become a Christian’?

7). What did the apostle Peter preach on Pentecost that one must do to be saved? Acts 2:47. ____________

8). What did the Lord add the saved to? Acts 2:47. ___________

9). What does Ephesians 5:23 say Jesus is the Savior of? ___________

10). What is the body? Colossians 1:24. ______________

11). Did Jesus have to die for us to be saved? Matthew 26:28. __________

12). If yes…since Jesus purchased His church with His blood (Acts 20:28), can one be saved out of what Jesus purchased with His blood? _________

13). Is faith apart from works dead? James 2:26. ___________

14). Can a man be justified (made right with God) by faith alone? James 2:24.
Note: This being so, why do so many teach that man is saved by faith alone?

15). When did the early church take the Lord’s supper? Acts 20:7. _______

16). What kind of music did the church you read about in the Bible use in worship? Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19. ________________

17). What were local churches called in the Bible? Romans 16:16. _____

It is hoped this short quiz has given you a better understanding of God’s word and His plan for mankind! Do you worship as the Christians of the first century, in Christs’ church, as recorded in the Bible? Or, are you in a ‘church’ started by man which uses creed books, doctrine of men, and teaches contrary to God's word? Bible reading and study make it very easy to tell the difference.

A Fail-proof Solution for Global Warming or Cooling!

[In the bible] Genesis 8:22, God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, in talking to Noah after the flood stated…
”As long as the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, And night and day, Shall not cease.”
New King James

Relying on God to 'manage' His creation costs us nothing monetarily. It does take our faith that we believe He can do what He has promised. However, God is in charge whether we believe Him or not. Lets better spend our time and resources first building our faith in God and then working in areas where we might possibly have an effect. The weather is NOT one of them!!

How Does One Become a Christian?

‘Christian’ – according to Webster’s Dictionary, ‘a follower of Christ.’ Bible says a Christian is 'one IN Christ'. The book of Acts records 10 examples of people becoming Christians. (see at end).
Study of these conversions shows that although each was at a different 'level' in their learning and action, ALL did exactly the same thing.

“What shall we do” – Acts 2:37.

1). Hear the word of God – Overcome disinterest. Read bible/preacher. “Faith cometh by hearing" – Romans 10:17; Acts 2:37-38 – they heard (believed) they were pricked in their hearts (repentance), ask “what shall we do?” were commanded to be baptized in order to have sins forgiven.

2). Faith/believe – Overcome doubt. Have faith in God’s word. Hebrews 11:6 - “without faith it is impossible to please [God]"; Acts 8: 35-39; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 11:6; John 8:24. Romans 10:10.

3). Repent – Overcome self. A change of mind that leads to a change in action. Acts 17:30; Mark 1:15; Mark 6:12.

4). Confess –not confessing sins, but confessing that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God. Romans 10:10; Acts 8:37; Matthew 16:16.

5). Baptized (immersion) for remission of sins; (‘for’ - looking forward> in order to > have sins forgiven). Romans 6:3 – “baptized into” death of Christ, Christ’s blood shed, baptism brings contact with that blood. Christ blood remits sin(s) – Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 10:4; Acts 8:38.

Baptism also brings a change in relationship; was outside Christ, baptism puts one inside/into Christ. “All spiritual blessings in Christ”–Ephesians 1:3. Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-4; Acts 8:12; Acts 8:36.

Christ adds to His church, those obeying His word - Acts 2:47.

They were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 11:26.

God’s word works exactly the same way today!

Ten examples of conversions in Acts:
1). The 3,000 – Acts 2:22-41.

2). Samaritans - Acts 8:12.
3). Simon – Acts 8:13.

4).The Eunuch – Acts 8:26-40.

5). Saul/Paul – Acts 9; 22; 26.

6). Cornelius - Acts 10:3-11.

7). Lydia - Acts 16:14-15.

8). Jailor - Acts 16:25-34.

9). Corinthians - Acts 18:8.

10). Ephesians - Acts 19:1-7.

All scripture King James version.

EVOLUTION? NO WAY!

Three monkeys sat in a coconut tree, discussing things as they’re said to be. Said one to the others, ‘Now listen you two, there’s a certain rumor that isn’t true. That man descended from our noble race, the very idea is a big disgrace!

For no monkey ever deserted his wife, starved his babies, ruined their lives. And you’ve never known a mother monk to leave her babies with others to bunk. Or pass them from one to another till they scarcely know who is their mother.

And another thing you never see – a monk build a fence around a coconut tree! And then let the coconuts go to waste, forbidding all other monkeys a taste. Why, if I put a fence around the tree, starvation would force you to steal from me.

Here’s another thing a monk won’t do, go out at night and get on a stew, or use a gun or a knife or club.

Yes, man descended, the honorary cuss, but let me tell you brother monks, he certainly didn’t descended from us!

Author Unknown