Which Values Would You Feast On To Get To The Kingdom Of God?

Which Values Would You Feast On To Get To The Kingdom Of God?

Good Morning Friends,

Early Americans feasted on hard work, civic duty, moderation, family, faith, the rule of law, frugality and simplicity. They were ultimately very humble people. Today’s Americans value comfort, experiences, expression, happiness, independence, entitlement, control, acceptance and freedom. And while these choices are not necessarily bad, I wonder which of each, or perhaps others not listed best serve God with wisdom. Which Values Would You Feast On To Get To The Kingdom Of God?

Scripture: Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11 (NRSV)

One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, “Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Then Jesus said to him, “Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.’ Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.’ Another said, ‘I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ And the slave said, ‘Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.” Then the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.'”

Luke 14:15-24 (NRSV)

Message: Our beliefs form our behaviors. So, what we value makes a big difference. At one point in his ministry Jesus held a child in his arms and said that we each need to be like a little child to enter the kingdom of heaven. By this one symbolic act He teaches us to accept the kingdom of God with the humility and trust of children. Jesus not only taught humility but lived it. His journey to the Cross was the most selfless, self-giving, loving act ever performed. He who is the only begotten Son of God gave Himself as the full final sacrifice for the sins of the world. And though this act in Christ we are freed but there is responsibility too. So, stop we need to stop making excuses about letting God bring meaningful change to our lives. You see, God’s plan for our lives is the best. Of all the experiencing we desire, the experience of God and the following of Christ’s lead is the best. And it comes about through a personal, growing love relationship with God, through trusting Christ and spending time in His Word, in prayer and with others of faith. Here God’s power will move the stones, boulders and even mountains that stand in our way. So, let us quit making excuses and let God in the power of the Holy Spirit make the changes He wants to make in us. We have been invited to a banquet to feast with others on the bread of life. We have accepted the invitation. Now let us grow in the knowledge of God with others who also have a personal relationship with Jesus. Friends, meaningful life change comes by the power of God sparked by those things we value most. What we value and believe makes a difference.

Pray we be examples of humility. Pray we be self-emptying so Christ might fill us up with values that serve the purposes of Christ. Pray we have the mind of Christ in us. Pray we know that God knows best. Pray when we have a crisis of belief that God helps us to adjust and to see in new ways. Pray we desire to see the change in us that honors God. Pray we accept the invitation to the banquet. Pray we join with others growing in the knowledge of a personal relationship with God. Pray we join with God in a growing personal love relationship that brings the Kingdom closer. Pray we quit making excuses and start following Jesus. Pray we realize that we cannot follow God and stay where we are.

Blessings,

John Lawson