The Big 5: #1 Kingdom is at hand - August 1, 2010

The Kingdom is at Hand

Matthew 6:25-33 (New International Version)
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 7:21 (NIV)
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

I.    Sense of Urgency
Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

II.    Dedicated to Duty 
II Timothy 2:2 (NIV)
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

III.    Kingdom minded people have a heart of sensitivity
Luke 19:41 (NIV)
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.
“This is not the future’s first verse!

Always it keeps coming – at supersonic speeds.
Suddenly in the desert stands

John the Baptist.
“Repent!” he shouts,
“The future – God’s future – is at hand!”
It will not wait

And so Jesus comes.
Are we ready?
Do we welcome Him?
Do we love Him?
Do we serve Him?
Do we see Him for who He is?
Or do we go on, hating the Romans,
Talking about the price of eggs?
Still the future speeds;
Tomorrow starts today.
People move.
Cities grow.
Times change.
In the name of God, we must do better than before!
The future will not wait!”