Matthew 19:23-28 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
 
THIS follows a question from a rich young ruler who walked away from Jesus saddened at the cost of eternal life: “Sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21) Of course, Jesus knew the human heart desires worldly things more than he. A camel can go through the eye of a sewing needle more easily than a rich man will give up his treasure for eternal life. There is no hope for salvation if mankind relies on the human heart to change.
   Then the disciples wanted to prove themselves. They had done what Jesus said was necessary. They had given up everything! Surely they were saved.
   Then Jesus assures them they are saved. But the assurance is salvation through God’s power, not their own works. “With man salvation is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Only God can save, and God will save.
   Then Jesus spoke of their blessed future. “You who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” The disciples won’t judge the sins of mankind, but they will aid in Kingdom rule. Giving up “everything” on earth will lead to eternal reward. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29-30)
   Following Jesus can and often is a discouraging process if we focus on our own desires and goals. We are sad when we see people live in faith for a while then walk away, unwilling to give up their worldly desires. We look at troubles in the church, and we watch the culture disintegrating around us. Often we question, “How will things change? Does the gospel still have the power to save and transform lives?”
   Be assured with Jesus words. God has been and is at work for His Kingdom to come. From Noah’s labor to build an ark to John’s vision of Heaven’s power, the Bible declares suffering, deprivation and martyrdom await Jesus’ own. So it is very good to know that one who suffers for Jesus’ sake “will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”
   What is the hundredfold blessing? The wonder of God’s blessings is something that can only be measured in God’s love. Hear Jesus’ words: “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:10-11) Such a blessing is uncountable. The LORD God draws us near, so we will love him with all of our heart.

Matthew 11:16-19 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
 
CRITICS come and critics go, but the Word of God remains steadfast. Jesus illustrates this truth as he compares the Jews ruling establishment with children sitting in a marketplace. What do idle children do? They call out to other children to often tease and create some type of challenge. Sometimes they argue and cause conflict for the sake of conflict.
   Jesus described that kind of scene as the children call out to other children to dance, but no one danced to their flute. The children expected others to mourn, but they did not mourn.
   This illustrates Israel’s response to John and Jesus. They criticized John as demon possessed because of his austere life. They criticized Jesus for gluttony because he did not live an austere life. Israel’s history, too, was to call to the prophets, “Dance to our tune!”
   The world wants Christians to dance to its tune. They don’t like the music of right and wrong, repentance and forgiveness. The sinner’s heart rejects the risen Savior. The tunes of self-desire play loudly over the melodies of God’s will. Only a few will quiet the noise and humble themselves before the music of salvation. That’s why Jesus then publicly prayed in Matthew 11:25-26 “I praise you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” Jesus declared his Father’s pleasure was to hide Kingdom knowledge from the educated and reveal it to the multitudes – the children of Israel. The Father’s pleasure was to move his Word from the learning centers of the synagogues and the temple to the public teachings.
   Jesus also prayed a truth quite radical and new. Addressing God as “Father” Jesus declared he is the Son of God. Jesus is the means of God’s revealed knowledge. Jesus is broadening Israel’s understanding of his own identity as he declares he is of the Holy God the Jews know as Yahweh.
          This, of course, will anger the establishment of the “wise and learned” men. This will leave others perplexed, unsure how to respond. Only a few will understand the Father’s pleasure to send his Son to save the elect. 

Matthew 10:34-38 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. 37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
 
A number of Bible teachings are labeled “hard sayings.” This is one. Such direct teaching that seems to judge the family structures could cause one to say, “I want no part of such a God, who teaches family members will reject one another. I simply want peace in my life and to enjoy my family.” Yes, it can be “hard” or difficult to understand why the Lord would speak of a divided family. But Jesus was emphasizing the supremacy of God, consistent with his Word from the beginning of time. Look back to Genesis and remember that in God’s perfect creation our first parents were formed with a very intimate love relationship with the Father. In the first family, Adam and Eve needed to place God above each other and to honor one another as God’s children. In the temptation, Eve placed herself above both God and her husband. Adam’s response to her sin should have been to turn to God and seek his Wisdom to restore Eve to love God first. But Adam placed Eve’s sin above God, too; then he joined in the sin. The family unit was given greater priority than God and his commands.
   Yes, in some ways families can be “at peace” in a worldly way, even as none live for the Lord. But what happens when one person says, “I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior.” Immediately the family is divided. Perhaps it is not a physical division in some households. But there is always an underlying spirit of division in the family that does not fully love God. That’s why husbands and wives should not be unequally yoked. In many families, confessing Jesus will cause great division and even a casting out of the believer from the family.
   Jesus points us to true peace. Jesus must be supreme in each earthly community. Even a “good” family cannot save you. We need to know this. Too many people put family above the Lord, believing they are doing the best thing. But the best thing – the only thing – is putting Jesus first.
   As the definition of family has been rewritten in the world, people do not understand how the love of God is the essential element for true family peace. A Christian must not submit to ungodly relationships in the family. We are to love the unsaved but not live as the unsaved.
   The gospel is a catalyst of conflict because the world rejects it. But the gospel will ultimately reshape the world into God’s eternal promises as we persevere in God’s truth. Commit to Jesus. No one must be greater than the King. 

Matthew 10:5-8 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
 
WE have learned from Jesus in the previous several lessons about Kingdom of God citizenship. Living in the grace of God’s Word transforms our lives as we live what we learn. The King of Kings requires us to be a visible witnesses – salt and light – of the good news, so more of the world will become Kingdom territory. Now we read of Jesus directing his disciples with two specific commands to purposefully evangelize – to make known – the King’s good news.
   The first command is about God’s order. The disciples are Jews, who are to go only to Israel. It is no yet time to go to all the world. We know God’s gospel plan is certainly to save the world, and the plan began in Israel and will ultimately draw all nations to Israel. Isaiah 60:3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
   Jesus’ method was very direct. As Jesus would sometimes feed the masses, frequently heal diseases, periodically raise the dead and often exorcise demons, he would constantly preach the coming of the Kingdom of God, which required repentance. He served Israel’s physical needs. Then he preached soul salvation. His restorative ministry drew thousands to seek his favor.
   Jesus then commanded his disciples to do exactly as he did: Preach the Good News and then, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” This is Kingdom power! Jesus is the rabbi who directs his students to be as he is. They are to be very direct, going door-to-door or person-to-person in Israel’s villages. Some of you reading this evangelize in this way. You weekly or monthly engage in this type of ministry. You then testify to God’s work to save, heal, redeem and restore. The Spirit has anointed all Kingdom citizens to preach the news in your communities, so we must.
   We may engage in gospel conversations with people we meet. If we are prayerful and purposeful, the conversation will lead to revealing the gospel’s glory. Evangelism can also be done in a Bible study, sermon, church event or street-side encounter. Bible teaching must always lead to the gospel.  
   This is being Kingdom salt and light, isn’t it? Under the Spirit’s power, the Living Word commanded his disciples to display God’s salvation. He preached the Word.
   It is God’s plan to bring the good news to you. What will you do with it? Do we all have this same authority as those first disciples? The same Spirit who empowered the disciples then lives in us now. We don’t know how he will make us effective gospel ministers until we become active Kingdom workers.  

Luke 9:27 “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God.”
 
OUR prior lesson was about praying “your kingdom come.” With this verse, we might understand Jesus was promising its quick coming to the Jews of his generation. But we know the world still awaits the fullness of the “Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (Revelation 11:15).
   Jesus’ words here have challenged many since Jesus first spoke them. Some say Jesus was confused about when the Kingdom would come. Some say Jesus didn’t know because Jesus sometimes displayed his humanity with a limited knowledge of events. Remember, he ministered in the Spirit’s power. Perhaps the Spirit did not reveal this future to Jesus. But the Son of God had spoken. He spoke only what the Father gave him to say. The only place to begin to understand this, then, is to know Scripture is without error, inspired by God to reveal God.
   First, let’s know “Kingdom of God” has several definitions. John the Baptist promised the Jews in Matthew 3:2 “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven (God) is near.” Jesus then echoed those words as he began his ministry. As “kingdom” relates to a king’s rule, John and Jesus told the Jews to expect a power change to spiritually rule the Jews. 
   Then Jesus defined the new power as a kingdom much different than the Jews anticipated: Luke 11:20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the Kingdom of God has come to you. The Kingdom of God is a spiritual territory ruled with God’s power to redeem mankind from Satan’s grasp. Romans 14:17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The Kingdom had arrived with Jesus’ preaching and the Spirit’s power. When Jesus taught that some “will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God.” he was promising much more of God’s salvation power was about to be unleashed over the world. Our next reading refers to remarkable Kingdom work the disciples did. Also, three disciples would witness Kingdom glory in Jesus’ Transfiguration. Many more witnessed the Kingdom come in glorious power through Jesus’ resurrection and his ascension. Even more people heard and saw God’s Kingdom rule come to earth through the Spirit’s anointing on the Day of Pentecost to begin the church. The church then became empowered to be the King’s governing body on earth.
          Through 2,000 years the Kingdom of God has spread throughout the earth. Be assured that one day the Kingdom of God will be God’s full government over the new Heaven and new earth. Jesus, the Son of God, knew the time for that to happen is in the Father’s hands. He was not confused about the Kingdom come, but he spoke to encourage and give hope to a small group of his disciples that God’s rule would direct the world to great change, even through many trials. His assurance is still for his disciples today.  

Matthew 6:10a & Luke 11:2b “your kingdom come”
 
DO you really want to pray this? As Jesus’ disciples had asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus responded with the framework of a purposeful prayer with “The Lord’s Prayer.” Among the seven petitions of this prayer, our Lord taught that our prayers should 1) Address and honor God relationally with “Father”. 2) Elevate God’s name to be holy in your heart and throughout the world.  3) Desire the kingdom to come. What does “kingdom come” mean? 
    “Kingdom of God” has several meanings as we will explore. But we can know that a kingdom is the rule of a king, isn’t it? Jesus came to inaugurate the Kingdom of God on earth with the gospel message. The Kingdom became evident through Jesus’ Father-directed and Spirit-powered ministry. God in three Persons was unified for the Kingdom work. Jesus was the Trinity’s physical form to personally reveal God’s plan to re-establish his full reign over all the earth one day.
    The Bible tells us God is a planner. He knows what his eternal earthly rule with look like, and he has graciously given us a view. Many Old Testament scriptures, for example, reveal this fulfilled age. Zechariah 14:9 The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name. This is the plan. Jesus teaches us to pray for the plan to be fulfilled.
    Now, you may ask, “As God will complete his plan, why pray for it?” One purpose of prayer is to focus our hearts on the hope of God and his eternal plan. Jesus has instructed all of us to keep our minds thinking forward into God’s ultimate reign on earth. The Lord wants to hear our trusting hearts call on him to come. He desires you speak your faith. Praying “your kingdom come”, you are telling the Lord, “I long for your reign to be complete throughout the earth again. Eagerly I anticipate the day you will free us from sin, so our lives will know unrestrained peace and joy. I give my life to you, Lord.”
    Yes, “your kingdom come” is an expression of expectant love to the hallowed Father. You are eager to see him face-to-face, to live in the King’s eternal home prepared for you. John 14:2-4 “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” Great is the love and joy the King offers to all who are saved from sin.    
   Now I again ask, “Do you really want to pray this? Will the holy God welcome you with, ‘Come, my child, into my mansion?’ If you do not have such assurance, if you are not ready for the kingdom to come, then it’s time for you to pray that the King is the King of your life. 
 

Matthew 5:13-15 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”
 
SALT and light are keys to life. Salt may not seem as important now as it did in Jesus’ time, but it is. Salt then was necessary to preserve food. It was currency for services done, and Roman soldiers sometimes received salt as part of their pay. But the fact is salt sustains life itself. Too little salt will cause a number of problems in the body - even death - just as too much can. Balanced salt intake leads to balanced body chemistry.
   Jesus teaches that his followers are necessary for the world’s life. The world cannot be sustained without the gospel. We easily see that the absence of God’s Word causes great tribulation throughout cultures, countries and the world. That’s why Jesus calls – commands – his people to be salt of the earth to transform turmoil to peace. He urges us to be obedient disciples, feeding the world with soul-transforming truth. The gospel is the right way of life to bring health to a world.
   The remedy requires action, doesn’t it? If the salt loses its saltiness, it is no good. If the gospel is weakened and diluted with worldly teachings, or if the Word of God sits in our minds unused, people will miss the fullness of God’s good news. The Spirit has made you to be God’s salt. Sprinkle the world with Him.
   Light, too, is a critical for life. It is the first element God brought into his universe: Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:2-3) This was the presence of God come into his creation. He would form the sun and the moon to be lights to guide the days and night. Light marks time. Without light nothing exists.
   But sin has dimmed the light in our lives. God has come in the flesh to re-ignite his perfect Light of the World: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) His essence is light, and so the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Matthew 4:16)
   It is a remarkable gift to know, “You are the light of the world.” Think of it! You become the world’s light, too, when Jesus’ light gives new life to you. The Christian life is the Christ-like life to impact the world.
   Salt and light are life in God’s creation. We cannot be salt and light by sitting on a shelf or living under a bushel. Too many people spend their time studying the Bible but too little time doing the Bible. The world’s Creator requires we live in his world demonstrating the power of his Word. He is telling us who we must be.