“Light from on high”
– Luk 1:78 (AMP)
Kingdom Manifestation
Paul wrote in Rom 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”. In other words, God’s Kingdom (which we are praying to be revealed on earth), is vested in invisible matters – we cannot see righteousness, peace and joy. However, the effects thereof, are very visible. Let’s look at these 3 aspects of the Kingdom of God:
- Righteousness: One way unsaved people can see the Kingdom, is when they evidence deeds of righteousness in and through us. Are we doing everything “above board”? Do we not participate in ANY illegal schemes and activities? Are we honest in all our accounts, taxation practices, labour payments? Is our righteousness MORE than that of the Biblical Pharisees?
- Peace: Can the world see the peace of God in us when our circumstances are against us? Are we trying to make peace when arguments happen around us, or are we participating in quarrels? It is our calm impartiality that shows we are governed by a Kingdom that is not of this world.
- Joy: We live in a troubled world. Non-believers may experience short bursts of happiness, but believers have an inward joy that is never affected by the environment. “Rejoicing” in the Lord continually will enable us to portray that joy outwardly.
Unless God’s “invisible” Kingdom is manifested in the material world, how would people that are not yet part of this Heavenly Kingdom, come in contact with it? Yes, we are to “preach” the Gospel, but remember, Paul also taught the Corinthian church in 1 Cor 4:20 that “the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power”. Once again, the Kingdom, operates on a level above the natural – even though the effects must be “seen” in this world. The prayer Jesus taught us was “let Your Kingdom come on earth”, basically meaning “let Your rulership be visible in the natural world”. Righteousness, peace, joy and God’s supernatural power must affect the physical lives of people, and we are the undeniable instruments. We are God’s instruments to change this world, because we occupy both the visible and invisible realms! Can you see how important it is for us to be on this earth until it is God’s time for us to go “Home”?
A special “thank you” to all the men that were with us over the past weekend at the Men’s Camp. It certainly was a very enriching experience!
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UPCOMING Events:
Ladies Camp: Fri 29 Sep 2017 (18h00) to Sun 1 Oct 2017 @ Constantia Rus (Vaal River)
Ethiopian Outreach (Gambela) 16-22 Oct 2017 (team leaves 13 Oct, returns 25 Oct)
REGISTRATIONS: (at the Info Desk at Church)
New member applications: Estelle – 0824902274
Water Baptisms: Dunia – 0612241522
Child Dedications: George – 0823207014 (ask for the dedication form)