The invisible
Leader!
Could it be that you are like the people in our story today? -
looking for the Kingdom of God but, because you're not sure how to
recognise it, you're in danger of missing it altogether! Do you
know what the Kingdom of God is? Or where is it?
"When will the kingdom of God come?" the Pharisees asked Jesus. He
replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful
observation, nor will people say, `Here it is,' or `There it is' "
1*.
Jesus was clearly showing that a person did not become a member of
His Kingdom by being joined to any visible church or organisation!
So, how can anyone ever hope to find or belong to the Kingdom of
God if it cannot be seen or observed?
The kingdoms and republics of this world are easily identified,
each having its own territory and its own recognised president or
king. But the Kingdom of God is very different! It is NOT a
country with a fixed border, nor is it a group of people who follow
a visible leader! 2*.
The true citizens of God's Kingdom are "aliens and strangers
on earth." They are to be found scattered in every country and
nation of the world! 3*. They are NOT united by any visible leader or
king upon earth! 4*.
For a short while God's Kingdom on earth did have a true visible
King and Leader called Jesus. But one day He told His followers,
"It is for your good that I am going away." 5*. From then on they would have something
better than a visible Head to guide and instruct them - each
true member of God's Kingdom would have, through their faith in
Jesus, the presence of God's Holy Spirit within him or her!
6*.
Those who realise that Jesus said these things about His Kingdom
will not fall into the confusion that many are in today. Many are
wondering which religion is the one to make them into the people of
God! Some even claim they have found a mere man to be their Messiah
- someone to be their vicar and saviour in place of the true
Christ! They ignore the warning that Jesus gave when He said,
"Watch out that no-one deceives you. For many will come in My
name, claiming, `I am the Christ,' and will deceive many."
7*. Jesus said, "Men
will tell you, `There he is!' or `Here he is!' Do not go running
off after them. For the Son of Man in His day will be like the
lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the
other. 8*.
So, there will be no mistaking the true Christ when He does return
from Heaven. In the mean time the invisible
Leader for every true Christian is the One who was once
willing to "suffer many things and be rejected" so that He could be
able to save us from God's wrath and judgment. 9*.
By true faith in the invisible Jesus as your only spiritual Leader
and Saviour you will become a member of the Kingdom of God eagerly
awaiting your soon returning Lord Jesus Christ? 10*.
Read what Jesus said about these things in Luke's Gospel chapter
17, verses 10-25.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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---------------oOo---------------
Bible quotations from N.I.V.
1 Luke
17:20-21.
2 See John 18:36-37.
Philippians 3:20-21. Matthew 20:25-26.
3 Hebrews 11:13. 1st Peter
1:1. 2:11. Revelation 5:9. 7:9
4 Mark 10:42-43. John
7:33-34. 18:36.
5 John 16:7.
6 Romans 8:9.
7 Matthew 24:4-5.
8 Luke 17:23-24.
9 Luke 17:25. Romans
3:21-26.
10 Titus 2:11-14. 1st
Thessalonians 1:9-10. Hebrews 9:24-28.
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