The Cross and The Kingdom

17 July 2011

1. Introduction

• Ps.37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart”.
• Delight = OT6026 = Remain soft, pliable, yielded, easily moved or shaped.
• The desires, passions and gifts in our life are connected to God’s purpose for our life.
• To discover God’s purpose we need to identify desires/passions.
• God guides us by (i) Desires of heart (ii) Wisdom (iii) Revelation – He speaks.
• God gives us great freedom to take initiative e.g. Mt. 25:14+ Talents.

2. Kingdom of “Self”

(a) Culture is governed by principle of self interest

• Eph.2:2 “…you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, that spirit now works in the children of disobedience”.
• The world is governed by the principle of self interest  - “What’s in this for me?”
• Course = NT 165 = Age period of time, or path of successive ages of time.

                                    = value, culture, cares, temptations

• This path or way of life is governed and influenced by demonic powers.
• Works = NT1754 = to energise, empower something to happen.

(b) This Culture originated in the Garden of Eden

• Gen.3:4-6 “You shall be as God…”
• The heart and core of Kingdom of Satan is self interest – I will ascend, I will be like God.
• The temptation was to abandon trust and alignment with God and to advance own interest.
• What’s in this for me? How do I get ahead? It’s all about me and my interest.
• Adam and Eve abandoned commitment to the King and His Kingdom for self promotion.

(c) Selfish Ambition activates Demonic Spirits

• Jam.3:13-17 “…bitter envy and self seeking = confusion and every evil thing”.
• Selfish ambition – getting ahead at the expense of others is destructive.
• The fruit of selfish ambition is confusion and demonic activity.
• E.g. Mt.16:21-23 “Get behind me Satan”.
• Jesus outlined God’s purpose for His life – suffering and death on the Cross and resurrection.
• Peter’s response came out of selfish ambition
• Jesus identified the energising power behind this thinking as demonic.
• Jesus affirmed the need to deal with selfish ambition – using others to advance self.
• Jesus revealed the Cross is at the core of His Kingdom – it is a way of life.

(d) Jesus wrestled to Overcome Selfish Ambition

• Mt.27:39 “Oh my Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me”.
• Lk.22:42-44 “He being in agony prayed more earnestly”.
• The natural man always resists pain, suffering, sacrifice – Jesus wrestled to gain victory – surrender to the Father’s Will.
• His personal desire – avoid the Cross. His life commitment yield to the Father.

3. The Cross is the Door to the Kingdom of God

• Heb.2:2 “Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despising the shame”.
• Jesus focus was on the resurrection life released by surrender to Father on the Cross.
• Bible: References to Oak Tree – prophetic picture of the Cross.
• Oak = OT424 = strong tree, to be strong.

(i) Place of burying idols – substitutes for God

 – Gen.35:4 Jacob buried idols.

(ii) Place of grieving over disappointments and losses

– Gen.35:8 Jacob buried wife.

(iii) Place of burying our defeats, failures, pride

– 1 Chron.10:12 Saul.

(iv) Place of facing and overcoming fears, self preservation

– 1 Sam. 17:19 David slew Goliath.

(v) Place of bringing to death selfish ambition, hidden agendas, bitterness.

-  2 Sam 18:19 Absolum slain in tree.

(vi) Place of decision whose voice you will listen to

– 1 K.13:14 Young prophet – listened to voice of old prophet instead of personal revelation.

(vii) Place of decision to covenant to serve God.

- Josh 24:26.

(viii) Place of calling to fulfil God’s purpose in life.

- Jud.6:11 Gideon – received call to nation.

• Each of us must face and deal with the core issue of self centredness.
• Recognise and reject the common world view – what’s in this for me?
• This mindset uses people and God to advance own interests.

• Mt.25:14 – Parable of servants

All servants were given gifts, abilities.

The expectation on all was the same – be productive.

Successful servants

1) Took initiative                                                 )

2) Took risks                                                      ) = commended

3) Had the interest of the master in their heart )     increase

One Talent servant

            1) Took no initiate/risk

            2) Had his own interests in mind

            3) Rebuked for being a negative influence and lost opportunities.