JESUS BEGAN HIS ministry by preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and demonstrating the power of the Kingdom. He then called the disciples and sent them out with instructions to preach that the Kingdom of God was now here.
Before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He spoke to the disciples about “things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3 NKJV). If the Lord started and ended His ministry preaching about the Kingdom of God, maybe it’s important for us to be involved in it too.
Jesus commanded the disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they received the promise of the Father
(v. 4). They then asked Him, “Will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (v. 6). Notice that Jesus was talking about the Kingdom of God, but they got caught up with end-time events and natural kingdoms.
If we don’t watch out, we will allow the enemy to distract us and get us caught up in things that aren’t really important to the Lord. We need to get connected to what Jesus commissioned us to do.
Jesus said that all authority was given unto Him. He then delegated that authority to us and said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you”
(Matt. 28:19–20 NKJV).
JESUS WANTS US TO GET PEOPLE IN THE DEVIL’S KINGDOM AND BRING THEM OVER TO GOD’S KINGDOM. Paul tells us what the Kingdom of God is. It is not “eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17 NKJV).
Joy is a spiritual force that flows out of our spirit. In the midst of sorrow, we can tap into “a joy that is unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). It gives us strength in the middle of a test and causes us to stand in the power of God.
Jesus wants us to get people IN THE DEVIL’S KINGDOM and bring them OVER TO GOD’S KINGDOM.
OPERATING IN GOD’S POWER
Jesus told us how to operate in the power of the Kingdom today. He said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NKJV).
The word power means “ability.” GOD’S ABILITY IN OUR LIVES WILL ENABLE US TO DO WHAT HE WANTS US TO DO. The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to be witnesses. And the word witness means “one who can produce evidence and proof.”
Our purpose is to take the Gospel and reach all the nations of the world. It’s not by our power or might. When the Holy Spirit comes on us, He will empower us with His ability. We will be people who can get the job done!
A LIGHT TO THE WORLD
The Book of Daniel says the wicked will get more wicked in the last days. But Daniel also said the righteous will shine like stars (Dan. 12:3).
Now is the time for Christians to get bolder in God. Light always dispels darkness, but the light has to be turned on. Jesus told us not to hide our light under a bushel. Our light needs to shine so everybody can see what God is doing.
Jesus said in John 14:12 (NKJV) that “he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” God has filled us with His Holy Spirit and has given us His ability. Jesus has given us His authority.
Let’s not live our lives just to get to Heaven. God wants to work with us, in us, and through us. Let’s go out and do the works of Jesus.
Author
Darrell Huffman
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