In Search of… The Kingdom

[6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—[7] not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-8 ESV)

What have we restored? Biblical organization Biblical worship Biblical stewardship

3 traits to continue restoration The record repeatedly sets forth God’s purpose and work and focus In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. (Acts 1:1-2 ESV) GOD DROVE THE MOVEMENT!

3 traits to continue restoration Apostles led Christians to deepen their knowledge of God

[15] For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, [16] I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, [18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might (Ephesians 1:15-19 ESV)

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11 ESV)

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:9-10 ESV)

Why deepen knowledge? Apostles won’t always be there Can’t share what you don’t know Can’t love God deeply without knowing Him

3 traits to continue restoration Apostles led Christians to deepen their knowledge of God Apostles expected high levels of commitment

[25] Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, [26] “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:25-26 ESV) Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:27 ESV)

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:28-33 ESV)

3 traits to continue restoration Apostles led Christians to deepen their knowledge of God Apostles expected high levels of commitment Apostles modeled spreading the gospel

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1 ESV) [3] But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. [4] Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. (Acts 8:3-4 ESV) So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. (Acts 16:5 ESV)

It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” (Isaiah 2:2-3 ESV) For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10 ESV)

3 examples of eliminating clutter 1 Cor. 14 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (1 Cor. 14:26 ESV) If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? (1 Cor. 14:23 ESV)

3 examples of eliminating clutter If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows. (1 Tim. 5:16 ESV) 1 Cor. 14 1 Tim. 5:3-16

3 examples of eliminating clutter 1 Cor. 14 1 Tim. 5:3-16 Acts 6 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:3-4 ESV)

2 tests to keep our focus Does it fit into God’s purpose for His church, i.e., Does it deepen knowledge Does it increase commitment Does it spread the gospel Obstacles that clutter God’s purpose need to be addressed

Pattern for the Lord’s church certainly includes… Biblical organization Biblical worship Biblical stewardship Pattern also includes Deepening knowledge Increased commitment Spreading the gospel