In This Issue

• "THE KINGDOM OF GOD PRESENT WITH POWER"
• OBEYING GOD FOR GOODNESS' SAKE
• BEFORE I SPEAK . . .
• A TEST FOR THE SOCIAL DRINKER
• MORE INFORMATION...

"THE KINGDOM OF GOD PRESENT WITH POWER"

In Mark 9:1, Jesus said to His first century audience, "Assuredly I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power."

Matthew's account shows that earlier in the same conversation Jesus had promised to build His church. He assured His followers that even His death would not prevent His accomplishing that goal. And He promised to give to Simon Peter the "keys to the kingdom" He was about to establish, that is, the power to open that kingdom to admit those who would be its citizens.

There is a common misconception in modern religious circles that Jesus' kingdom has still not been established. That concept is clearly an error.

Around 26 A.D., John the Baptist burst upon the scene, reviving the prophetic ministry that had been dormant for almost 400 years. His basic message was "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 3:2). About six months later, Jesus came preaching the same basic message, Matt. 4:17. Jesus appointed 12 apostles and sent them out to preach that the kingdom was at hand, Matt. 10:7. Soon afterward, He sent out an additional 70 disciples with the same message, Luke 10:11. Certainly, the time for the establishment of Christ's heavenly kingdom was close at hand.

As we look at Mark 9:1, and parallel passages, Matt. 16:28; Luke 9:27, we see that the kingdom must surely be established during the lifetime of men who walked and talked with Jesus while He was on earth. Jesus' statement in Mark 9:1 that the kingdom would have its beginning with a display of power helps us pinpoint the establishment of that reign.

After Jesus' resurrection from the dead, His disciples still had not realized the spiritual nature of His kingdom. They asked Him if He was about to restore the kingdom to Israel. They envisioned a political reign that would free them from Roman domination. It was only after the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost that they realized that Christ's reign was fully spiritual, not political. He answered their question about restoring the kingdom to Israel by indicating that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them, and then they would be His witnesses to the world at large. Note Mark 9:1, the kingdom was to come with power. Acts 1:6-8, the power would come when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles. All these promises were fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2. At that time, Jesus was anointed both Lord and Christ. He had been raised up to sit on His throne, Acts 2:29-36. Thus the rule of Christ was announced and 3,000 willing subjects filed into the newly established kingdom that day, Acts 2:41, 47.

--Clarence R. Johnson

OBEYING GOD FOR GOODNESS' SAKE

Why should children obey their parents? If you asked a child, he might say, "Because I'll get a spanking if I don't" or "I'll get candy if I do." Perhaps a more grown-up child would say, "Because I love my parents and want to make them happy." But I wonder how many would be mature enough to respond by saying, "Because it is the right thing to do"? In Ephesians 6:1 the Scripture says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." One of the reasons children ought to obey their parents is simply that it is the right thing to do. Of course, few children appear to be phased at all by the knowledge that obedience is right; many will continue headlong in disobedience until corrective measures are taken.

I was talking with a teenager the other day about how to get a certain group of young people to comply with rules. The rules I had in mind were reasonable and very simple, and the young people were very good young people - many of them Christians. Yet, the person I was talking with told me (in essence) that I should not expect young people to obey rules unless I first explained the consequences of disobedience -- and then, I needed to make sure that anyone who broke the rules paid the consequences!

I must confess that there is more than a little wisdom in this philosophy. It is one approach that God Himself has often used to motivate men to obey His rules. A classic example is found in Deuteronomy 28. There, at length, God promised the Israelites blessings if they obeyed Him, but curses if they disobeyed. When, in the course of history, Israel disobeyed, they suffered the exact consequences the Lord promised.

Hebrews 2:2-3 states that under the Law of Moses "every violation and disobedience received its just punishment." The passage goes on to indicate that this principle is even more true for those of us living under the New Testament; if those under the Old Law could not escape the consequences of disobedience, "How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?" So, just as He did in times past, God still uses the fear of punishment or negative consequences to motivate His children to obey. 

It's rather sad, isn't it, that the Lord has to use this kind of thing to motivate us? Don't you think He would be better pleased with children who obeyed Him without threat of punishment, simply because they loved Him and wanted to do right? Can we not simply be like Jesus, who loved righteousness and hated iniquity (Hebrews 1:9)? Can we not learn to do the right thing just because it is the right thing, and to be good for goodness' sake?

If the only reason we do right is out of fear of getting caught and punished if we don't, it may be that we lack spiritual maturity. Let us all try to grow up a little bit, to the measure of the stature of Christ. Spend some time today thinking about WHY you WANT to obey God. Determine that you want to do right because it's right.

--Steve Klein, New Georgia bulletin, Rogersville, AL, 8/26/2001

BEFORE I SPEAK . . .

In Jas. 4:9, James writes, "Do not complain brethren against one another..." It is pointed in a different direction, but the thought is still the same in 1 Cor. 10:10 where the apostle instructs Christians not to grumble. Surely we understand God's admonition not to complain and grumble, but when we are unhappy about something, how many of us stop to consider if we are about to sin with our tongue? An article by Cathy Miller in Discipleship Journal, May-June 1998, addresses this problem with seven questions to help us break the complaining habit.

1. Am I The Problem? If I were quiet would there be a problem at all, or am I just being self-centered and wanting things to suit me?

2. What Is My Real Motive In Complaining? Does my complaint glorify God or help me to serve others in some way? Wanting to make someone else look bad or desiring attention would be impure motives.

3. Am I Being Humble, Gentle, Patient And Forbearing With Others? (Eph. 4:1-3).

4. Am I Genuinely Interested In Submitting To The Church's Elders? (Heb. 13:17). Be careful lest our complaint be little more than a thinly disguised case of rebellion.

5. Am I Demanding That Others Be Perfect? If not, exactly what mistakes will I allow others to make without complaint? Matt. 7:12 indicates that I should first consider how I would feel if someone took this same complaint to the elders about me.

6. Can I State My Complaint In The Form Of An Encouraging Suggestion Rather Than A Hurtful Criticism? (Col. 3:12-14).

7. Am I Willing To Be Part Of The Solution? Your willingness to help and be active in solving the problem gives validity to your recommendation. It says you are willing to do more than grumble. Back up your words with actions (Jas. 1:23-25).

Consider the above before you speak against another and God will bless you for your self-control and thoughtfulness toward His family. 

--Carl McMurray in Gospel Power, July 6, 2003.

A TEST FOR THE SOCIAL DRINKER

Social drinking has always had its proponents, even in the church. Behavior which Peter described as typical of the ungodly (licentiousness, passions, drunkeness, revelry, carousing and idolatry, I Peter 4:3) are sometimes observed among Christians. Sadly, to me Christians will defend these things and will even try to encourage other Christians to join them in their sins. If you or someone you know is a social drinker, would you be willing to sign the following statement?

• I do not believe drinking harms my influence or reputation.
• I believe I could teach someone to become a Christian with a drink in my hand.
• My interest in the church and spiritual things has not diminished since I started drinking.
• I am more generous in my giving to the lord since I began to drink.
• Drinking is good for my marriage; we have a more stable relationship since alcohol became a part of my life.
• I believe drinking exhibits a good influence for my children; I have no objection to them following my example.

Surely no wise Christian would try to defend such an evil. People of good sense know the truth of the Bible statement, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise" (Prov. 20:1). 

--Mark White, College View Columns, Florence, AL

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