Wednesday 3 June 2015

Notes for bible study of 7/6/2015.

Topic; The Kingdom Of God


Aim; it is expected that at the end of this study. We shall do the following;
i.                    Understand Gods kingdom.
ii.                  Appreciate Gods kingdom.
iii.                Tell of Gods might.
iv.                 Submit to Gods rule.

Nuggets from Our study Outline.
1.       Gods kingdom is way of life that is acceptable to God and is approved of men. (Rom. 14:17-18 kjv). It can also be said to be a way   of life that is pleasing to God and that receives  human approval (Rom. 14:17-18 NIV).
2.       A. From (Matt. 13:36-44) the interpretation, Christ gave the parable of kingdom of God in Matt. 13:24-30. We learn the following;
i.                    The founder of this kingdom of God (the way of life…) is Christ.
ii.                  This kingdom of God (way of life…) is  co-existing with another kingdom (way of life…). That is characterized by wickedness, offensiveness and unfairness.
iii.                The initiator of this other kingdom (way of life…) is Devil.
iv.                 The second way of life and those who practice them. Shall end up in the lake of fire (commonly/popularly refer to as Hell).
v.                   Those who submit to Gods kingdom  (those who practice the way of life…) shall at the end of all things. Shine as the sun.
B. Gods kingdom (way of life) have the capacity to grow and capacity to protect lives.(Matt 13:31-32)
C.  Gods kingdom (way of life) is infectious (can pass from 1 person to another).(Matt 13:33)
D.  Kingdom of God (Gods way of life) as a treasure and as a pearl (valuable, useful and important thing) call for meditation and a trade off (a call to balance  one quality against another).((Matt 13:44-48).

3 A. Some characteristics of Gods kingdom (way of Life…) are;
i.                    It is everlasting.(Psalm 154:13)
ii.                  It means righteousness, peace, quietness and assurance forever. (Isa. 32:17)
iii.                It has capacity to dominate. (Matt. 21:43)
iv.                 It comes with power of influence. (Matt. 16:19)
v.                  (A). It isn’t a matter of merry making. Rather it is a matter of righteousness (justification by the atonement of Christ, our savior), (B)a matter of peace and(C) a matter of joy in the Holy Ghost (having faith in the ability of Power of Christ or Holy Spirit).(Rom. 14:17)
vi.                 It isn’t a matter of talking. It is a matter of power (doing). (1 Cor. 4:20)


4 We as believers are to live;
i.                    A life of humility. This is because Christ in Matt. 5: 3, speak in favor of not being pompous.
ii.                  Concerned about upbringing and good values (ideas about what is right/wrong and what is important in life. This is because Christ in Matt. 5: 4 speak in favor of mourning (feeling very sad because something is not as good as it use to be.
iii.                To show ourselves as gentle as dove.   This is because Christ in Matt. 5: 5  speak in favor of meekness (quietness, gentleness and  unwilling to argue with people.
iv.                 To show an appetite for what is morally, legally and officially right/correct. This is because Christ in Matt. 5: 6 speak in favor of hungering and thirsting for righteousness (what is morally, legally and officially correct/right.
v.                   To show forgiveness. This is because Christ in Matt. 5: 7 speak in favor of being kind to people and forgiving people. Rather than punishing them for their mistakes/wrongs.
vi.                 To show good conscience towards God and towards people.   This is because Christ in Matt. 5:  8 speak in favor of pure heart (clean heart; a heart that is not containing anything harmful.
vii.               To show ourselves as peacemakers (those who persuade others to stop fighting).  This is because Christ in Matt. 5: 9 speak in favor of peacemaking.
viii.             To be an envy of all others, in matters of what is morally, legally and officially right/correct. This is because Christ in Matt. 5: 10 speak in favor of rejoicing in being persecuted for righteousness sake (sake of what is morally, legally and officially correct/right).
ix.                 To be an envy of all others, in matters of good works. This is because Christ in Matt. 5: 11-16 speak in favor of compelling others with our good works to give glory to God.
x.                   To be mentors of Gods word.  This is because Christ in Matt. 5:17-19 speak in favor of observing Gods commands and teaching others to observe them too.
xi.                 To show good motives. This is because Christ in Matt. 5: 20 speak against the righteousness of the Pharisees (dancing to the gallery of the eyes).
xii.               A life of pursuing peace with all people. This is because Christ in Matt. 5: 21-26 speak against being angry towards others. And against allowing others to be angry towards us.
xiii.             To  be wise (always  dodgy  and always ready to flee ) as snakes against adultery. This is because Christ in Matt. 5: 27-30 speak against stimulating self (encouraging helping an activity to begin or develop further) towards adultery.
xiv.             To show ourselves very careful, when we want to marry. This is because Christ in Matt. 5: 31-32 speak  against divorce and against marrying  a divorcee.
xv.               To show ourselves of good reputation. This is because Christ in Matt. 5:33-37 speak against swearing (using oath to convince our audience. We are saying the truth.
xvi.             To show ourselves simple to relate with. This is because Christ in Matt. 5:38-42, speak against striving.
xvii.           To show goodwill towards all people. This is because Christ in Matt. 5:43-end, speak; (A) against hatred towards our perceived enemy and (B) against friendship only towards, our perceived friends.
xviii.         A selfless life. This is because Christ in Matt. 6:1-18, speak against drawing attention to our selves.
xix.             To be sowing in peoples lives. This is because Christ in Matt. 6:19-23, speak in favor of spiritual investment (sowing in peoples lives). Against earthly investments (building up investment portfolios).
xx.               To show faith in Gods ability to provide for His people. This is because Christ in Matt. 6:24-end, speak against taking tension about tomorrow (having nervous feeling; a nervous worried feeling that make it impossible for us to relax)