REAL (5): KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

KEYS OF THE KINGDOM 

Paul Taylor:

Our thinking must change and will change when we discover that the Church is not the Kingdom of God. It is in the Kingdom but the Kingdom of God encompasses everything that is created. In the beginning was the Word....All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life.... John 1:1-4

The Kingdom of God is about Life!  Not just church life. We r His children. He is concerned about all aspects of our lives. Where our children go to school. Where we will go, even to play soccer with friends. He never leaves us!  

Josimar Salum:

1) Paul and Andre emphasized we are Kings and priests. What does it mean being kings and priests? What verses of the Scriptures can reveal these truths?  

2)Those who have been born again are kings and priests. If you are a pastor or an evangelist, per example, it doesn't mean you are more anointed than a carpenter, a Doctor, a businessman or a teacher. How you and I can bring the influence of the Kingdom into air daily lives? How can we rule financially, in our schools, in politics, etc?

3) The gifts and the work of the ministry are not just for church, but for anywhere there is a need. What about the gift of discernment helping us to close a business deal? The gift of knowledge to open doors for our orphanage kids? The gift of wisdom to help us get the resources we need to run a shop, a daycare?

4) Andre referred to that we need believers outside the church that will make things different within the church. What things? Church people tend to see the things in the world from a "local church perspective". Usually we want to make members for our churches and not disciples for the kingdom? Can we think differently? What are these concepts needed to be understood so we can be successful?  Why worldly people don't pray, don't fast, don't even believe in God and they are successful in their businesses? 

Camila spoke about the prophet making no distinction between ministry and outside of the ministry. Life is ministry. Anything can be a ministry. 

For God there are no more altars in churches. The last altar was the cross of Jesus. Religious people build altars, Jesus disciples build His kingdom.

Paul Taylor

We r doing our best to provoke u to think, ask questions, search the scriptures and to expand your understanding of why Jesus gave His life for the world.  

Once u begin to think with a renewed mind (Romans 12:2), you will better understand God's will for your life and His Kingdom. 

We MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS BIGGER THAN ANY CHURCH, CHURCH SERVICE OR PERSON OTHER THAN JESUS!!! 

We collectively have the mind of Christ. That is the reason we need to be in church so Christ can express fully through us.

Ask the Holy Spirit to open your understanding so that u can begin to know your identity, purpose and pursue your destiny with passion!

Your life will never be the same. U will have discovered the freedom that Jesus came to give us!  U will be able to worship God with your life and not just singing on Sunday morning or evening. 

KINGS AND PRIESTS

Revelation 1:6 says “and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:6

Jesus Christ has made us kings. That is why He is referred to as "The King of kings."  What does a king do?  He rules or governs the people of his domain. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT WE WERE NEVER CREATED TO CONTROL OR DOMINATE OTHER PEOPLE.  

Our leadership is like that of Christ. We r to be Servant leaders that lead by example not by might, by force.

Jesus gave us authority, not power to lead or govern. 

Authority is the skill of getting people to willing do your will because of your personal influence. 

Power is the ability to force someone to do your will because of your position or might. 

Many believers confuse these two words. We have authority in this world and power against the devil or evil. DONT CONFUSE THE TWO OR U WILL HURT MANY PEOPLE AS U TRY TO LEAD THEM IN LIFE. We also called to be a righteous king and most of all a servant king!

A priest is one who intercedes for others. That is our spiritual responsibility. Again just like Jesus who intercedes for us and the people of the world. 

The problem is that believers try to be priests in places where they have been called to be kings. This is not to say that we can't pray for people on the job because we r always spiritual beings and God is always with us. But there is a time for all things and we must discern when to apply say compassion on the job and when to fire the person who was stealing money from u. 

Let me ask this question. In scripture who did more for Israel (OT) or the church in the NT, kings or priests?

Was David a priest? Daniel? Abraham?  Moses?  Solomon?  The answer of course is no.

David was a "politician". He was a king! Daniel, Moses, Solomon were also men of the state. They governed people. Abraham was a farmer, he owned thousands of cattle and was involved in the matters of nations around him.

We are a royal priesthood, but we should discern the differences of the roles of a priest from the roles of a king. 

The first people in the OT to be filled with the Spirit of God and wisdom were not priests, but artisans that built the tabernacle and the garments of the priests. Ex. 31:1-4; 28:3. Marketplace people!

In the NT the disciples were fishermen, a tax collector and other various occupations but none were priests. Even John the Baptist who could follow the priesthood like his father did rather serve God in the desert, far away from the temple.

Of all the miracles in the Book of Acts of the Holy Spirit, 39 total, none happened in a church or synagogue!

My point is that western civilization and originally Constantine made ministers and priests religious leaders (clergy) and all the others lay people or secular.  U will not find clergy and secular in NT scripture.  Jesus Christ has made us ALL KINGS AND PRIESTS. 

That does not mean there is no place for the 5 fold ministry among those who gather together. Some are called to be Apostles, prophets,evangelists, teachers, and pastors.  They have gifts to do that work, BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE THEM MORE ANOINTED THAN THE PERSON CALLED TO BE A CARPENTER OR BUSINESSMAN OR FARMER. We are now both kings and priests to our God.

Who anoints us?  A Bible College?  A pastor or church leader?  Only the Anointed One, Jesus Christ!  He has anointed everyone who He has chosen and dwells in!

The key is you must know who u are (your identity), and your purpose and that u are anointed, then u will go forth with authority, and confidence!  Now u can move mountains because of the anointing that flows through your life.