The Kingdom Message!

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” – Matthew 13:19-23 NIV

Since God loves all people and sent Jesus Christ into the world to be crucified on the cross for their sins, it is so easy to believe the kingdom of heaven is already on the earth. Although I am a Christian, I get confused sometimes. Often I feel overflowing peace of God that I eventually think it is okay to watch television for a while. I used to play games to bring my mind into a restful state and get rid of the boredom. However, I also believe that seeking God should be our top priority. Of course, playing games and watching television is okay as long as these do not become obstacles and replacement of seeking Him. Through a couple of the convictions from the Spirit of God, I finally decided not to play games and as I experienced that I could not control my satisfactory state. As for watching television, I guess I need to remember what I am living for and how my core identity is founded.

There are two possible meanings of eternal life. Of course, there is a place where believers in Christ are able to live eternally after death. Nonetheless, they also already have it within themselves as Jesus Christ is probably the source of eternal life due to His crucifixion and resurrection (Romans 6). He has proclaimed, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) On answering the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He has also declared, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:20-21)

Since “the word” is stated in Jesus’ interpretation of the Parable of the Sower five times, “the message about the kingdom” in the verse 19 must refer to “the word” as it is in the same parable. According to Tom Wright, Jesus’ parables are considered as mazes of God’s kingdom. They are to challenge His listeners to truly understand how the kingdom life should be lived in the world. Therefore, as Matthew 13:23 says, comprehending and acting on God’s word is the only way how the kingdom life should be lived successfully (cf. James 1:22-25). According to Andrew Clark-Howard, the youth pastoral intern of Windsor Park Baptist Church, God has provided His word to be our stories as it is filled with His goodness and faithfulness. Of course, theological sources may help us, but God’s word should be kept as our first source to understand how to live the kingdom life. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Meditate on Psalm 1:1-3 and ask yourself these questions: “What hinders me from reading God’s word?” and “How can I abide His Word and live the kingdom life successfully?”

The Wise Builders in Jesus Christ!

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” – Luke 6:46-49 NIV

When we have conversations with close friends, mentors, teachers, or family members, their words may affect us.  They could be either of giving encouragements or giving wise teachings and both of them are important to people’s lives. When we are feeling down or depressed, we may need encouragements. For example, one of my friends supported me to continue my studies when I was almost about to give up. Of course, there are other times for encouragements, to build someone up, for instance. The most encouragement my mentor gave me was that I am a 120% functioning person, even though I have got two disabilities. When we are living in the wrong ways or don’t know how to live a life properly, we may need wise teachings. Through ‘Te Ao Māori – The Māori World and Customs’ course, I have learned that families are important to our lives as I was studying genealogies. What my father taught me was that I need to become an independent person, so he taught me how to do things properly until I came to New Zealand. Therefore, conversations are like a foundation in getting more aware of ourselves.

Likewise, the Bible is there to teach us how to live properly as believers in Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul proclaims in Romans 1:16-17 that the Good News about Him is salvation and it is an evidence of God’s power working within those who believe in Him. Keeping faith is how to live righteously in God’s sight.  Paul also talks about this and the supremacy of Christ in Colossians 1:15-23.  Nevertheless, we may think the Bible is too burdensome as there are limitations that people can do. According to one commentary on Luke, Heinrich Bullinger states that the word of God is not just about knowledge to share it among communities. Of course, we have to share the word among them. However, the word of God requires actions to be involved as well.  Therefore, getting the word of God into our brains is not enough. If there are no actions involved, we won’t be living as believers in Christ effectively.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:22-25)

Since the followers of Christ belong to the kingdom of heaven and are called to set apart from the world according to 1 Peter 1:13-17, we probably have to consider the world as a testing place for children of God in spite of there is forgiveness of God. In my point of view, many people are watching believers how they live differently and people are pondering why Christianity is important. To put these simply, believers are called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ in the world (Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:9-10).

How to Comprehend the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Part 2!

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 15:4-6

On Monday, we have discussed that reading the entire Bible help us to comprehend how God loves us and how could we love Him. In part two of ‘How to Comprehend the Gospel of Jesus Christ’ series, we are going to look at the value of faith communities in today’s context. Although we know that seeking God through faith in Jesus Christ alone in our own devotion times is crucial, why seeking Him with others is theologically significant?

We know that listening to Christian podcasts, sermons are a good routine to seek God daily. However, there are many reasons that people are gathering together other than attending church services, such as to discuss and learn things with each other or to spend quality time with each other. Being with one another is important as this fosters their relationships. I agree with Robert Moss when he says that congregations are called to be in relationships with each other. This teaches their missional identity. Within the Trinity, God has so perfect relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to the point that they become One being.  This perfect relationship lays out a fundamental role model for believers.  Jesus prays that all believers would become one, just as Christ and God are one, before His crucifixion.

I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them (John 17:20-26)

In order to seek God through faith in Christ daily, we have to know God as much as possible, even though knowledge of God is so beyond human knowledge (Romans 11:33-36). Jesus proclaims, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) As the gospel of Christ is about the love of God, we should discuss it with giving praises to Him with other fellow believers (Ephesians 3:16-21). My mentor and I are devout Christians so that we give praises to Him through our prayers and discussions. The Bible is not about getting us to think theologically, but it’s about all aspects of life. I needed to learn more about time management. Hence, my mentor taught me Genesis 1:3-5 and 14-19 as these are about days and nights. She also helped me to get an idea of what schedule is like. Because of this, I made my daily schedule on the next morning. I was concerned that I might not able to follow it if I make one, but I am not going to concern about it anymore. Instead, I’m going to try an follow my schedule and give all aspects of my life to God. There is no point in concerning about it, due to worrying creates an obstacle of moving our lives forward. Jesus says, “Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”  Therefore, I agree with Jo Cheyne, the pastor of Creative Ministries at Windsor Park Baptist Church, as she has declared that we get opportunities every day so there should be no pressures of living a perfect life (Lamentations 3:22-23).

How to Comprehend the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Part 1!

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:8-9

What is the Old Testament of the Bible? Is it just the illustration of God’s judgement for those who do not believe in Him? How does the Old Testament relate to the New Testament of the Bible? Do we simply ignore the Old Testament since it is boring, and just focus on the New Testament as it is interesting and it has much application to our lives? Many are likely to face these questions at some stage of their lives, especially with believers who want to know what gospel message of Jesus Christ is all about.

The Old Testament is part of God’s word as it is in the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states the importance of the Bible to our lives. 2 Timothy 3:16 in New International Version begins a sentence with “All Scripture is God-breathed…” One of the theological dictionaries refers ‘Scripture, authority of’ as “In the Christian view, the conviction that the writings of the OT and NT have a unique status in being and/or conveying God’s self-revelation. They are thus to be recognised as such and obeyed as reliable guides for Christian living.” 

I agree with Hawthorne when He declares that the Bible is a love story and needs to be read the entire message of the Bible. To put this simply, the Bible is about completely understanding how God loves people and how they could love him. With this perspective in mind, we should consider God’s judgement in the Old Testament as how He hates evil, due to our reconciliation with God under Jesus Christ. God’s kindness was clearly shown to us by sending Christ to sacrifice His life for people’s wrongdoings and this leads to repentance.

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:21-26)

Due to everyone has different approaches of reading the Bible, I don’t really have the answer on how the Bible should be read. Nonetheless, I suggest you divide the Bible reading times between one of the Gospel books and Old Testament books. The reason for this is that people might find readings confusing if different stories are to be read at once. I find it confusing. The Gospel of Luke is the best gospel to start off with as this gospel gives people certainty about Christianity. Although the Bible is not chronologically-based, you could read the Old Testament books in order as this is one of the simplest ways to comprehend what Christianity is all about. You also may find them amazing as they illustrate what God is like and how they connect with New Testament and in the context of today. However, if you need more help in understanding the Bible, try to read one of the online devotionals. My top three devotionals are ‘Strength for the Journey’ (https://getmorestrength.org), ‘Our Daily Bread’ (https://odb.org) and ‘Our Daily Journey’ (https://www.ourdailyjourney.org).