The Kingdom of God: Luke 9:10-11
“10) When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida. 11) But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing.” Luke 9:10-11
Ministry can be both exciting and exhausting. When the Apostles returned from their various mission trips, they were bubbling with enthusiasm, Jesus pulled them aside to listen, debrief, teach, instruct and spend some time resting.
The maximum benefit from a good short-term mission trip comes afterward from a time of intensional processing. It is important! Withdrawing to Bethsaida was intended for a time of rest and recuperation.
But there was one problem; as soon as the crowds saw them, they began flocking to their retreat area. By this point, there was no escaping notice. How big was the crowd? The next context records that this is where and when Jesus fed the five thousand.
True to form, Jesus welcomed them. He loved people and wanted to minister to their needs. His prime focus was speaking to them about “the kingdom of God” and afterward He cured those who needed healing.
What catches my attention is His focus on “the kingdom of God!” It is sometimes called “the gospel of the Kingdom.” It was His focus even after His resurrection. (See Acts 1:3-5)
So what’s involved in kingdom living? Let my try to give a short synopsis.
Being born-again transfers the new believers from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. (See Colossians 1:12-14) A truly converted person is baptized, sealed, filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. (See Acts 1:5-8, Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 5:18) The ministry of the Holy Spirit is a central theme in the kingdom of God.
The Holy Spirit begins an immediate and thorough transformation and sanctifying process in the life of those truly born-again. (Titus 3:4-7) The change is so significant that new believers are called “children of light.” (Ephesians 4:6-10)
They live by the Word, embrace all the blessings of being in heavenly places “in Christ”, crucify the flesh, walk in the Spirit, walk in divine power, are rooted in love, and become Gods salt and light in the world.
Tragically, these concepts are a mystery to many Christians. Christianity has been watered down and reduced to mere religion rather than new life “in Christ.”
I encourage you to start studying your Bible earnestly. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Study the kingdom of God, the ministry of the Holy Spirit and all of the New Testament Epistles. Continually read through the four Gospels and the book of Acts.
Our daily Bible reading includes a chapter a day from the gospels. We also read four chapters a day from the Epistles. This is foundational.
Then step out and start doing ministry! Do what Jesus commanded His disciples to do! Your faith will grow and God will begin opening amazing doors. Be obedient to the Word and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Expect God to do more “in” you than “through” you. He is committed to your growth and transformation. Be ready and willing to learn, grow and change. Remember, you are being called into deep fellowship with God. Spending daily time with Him will change you.
Liberalism tries to change god. Being born-again means God radically changes you through His Word and His Spirit. Embrace the personal transformation and enjoy the journey.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“10) When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida. 11) But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing.” Luke 9:10-11
Ministry can be both exciting and exhausting. When the Apostles returned from their various mission trips, they were bubbling with enthusiasm, Jesus pulled them aside to listen, debrief, teach, instruct and spend some time resting.
The maximum benefit from a good short-term mission trip comes afterward from a time of intensional processing. It is important! Withdrawing to Bethsaida was intended for a time of rest and recuperation.
But there was one problem; as soon as the crowds saw them, they began flocking to their retreat area. By this point, there was no escaping notice. How big was the crowd? The next context records that this is where and when Jesus fed the five thousand.
True to form, Jesus welcomed them. He loved people and wanted to minister to their needs. His prime focus was speaking to them about “the kingdom of God” and afterward He cured those who needed healing.
What catches my attention is His focus on “the kingdom of God!” It is sometimes called “the gospel of the Kingdom.” It was His focus even after His resurrection. (See Acts 1:3-5)
So what’s involved in kingdom living? Let my try to give a short synopsis.
Being born-again transfers the new believers from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. (See Colossians 1:12-14) A truly converted person is baptized, sealed, filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. (See Acts 1:5-8, Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 5:18) The ministry of the Holy Spirit is a central theme in the kingdom of God.
The Holy Spirit begins an immediate and thorough transformation and sanctifying process in the life of those truly born-again. (Titus 3:4-7) The change is so significant that new believers are called “children of light.” (Ephesians 4:6-10)
They live by the Word, embrace all the blessings of being in heavenly places “in Christ”, crucify the flesh, walk in the Spirit, walk in divine power, are rooted in love, and become Gods salt and light in the world.
Tragically, these concepts are a mystery to many Christians. Christianity has been watered down and reduced to mere religion rather than new life “in Christ.”
I encourage you to start studying your Bible earnestly. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Study the kingdom of God, the ministry of the Holy Spirit and all of the New Testament Epistles. Continually read through the four Gospels and the book of Acts.
Our daily Bible reading includes a chapter a day from the gospels. We also read four chapters a day from the Epistles. This is foundational.
Then step out and start doing ministry! Do what Jesus commanded His disciples to do! Your faith will grow and God will begin opening amazing doors. Be obedient to the Word and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Expect God to do more “in” you than “through” you. He is committed to your growth and transformation. Be ready and willing to learn, grow and change. Remember, you are being called into deep fellowship with God. Spending daily time with Him will change you.
Liberalism tries to change god. Being born-again means God radically changes you through His Word and His Spirit. Embrace the personal transformation and enjoy the journey.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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