John 18:36 NIV
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world…
Matthew 6:9-10 NIV
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
How does the Bible think about humans exercising power or authority?
God asserts his authority over the chaotic darkness to create life that will flourish.
God brings LIGHT and LIFE into DARKNESS and CHAOS.**
Righteousness = ‘tsedeq’ (Heb)
An ethical standard that refers to right relationships between people…
Justice = ‘mishpat’ (Heb)
Seeking out vulnerable people who are being taken advantage of and helping them.
Micah 6:8 NKJV
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
Matthew 3:2 (J.B.)
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:17 (After 40 day is in Wilderness)
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Luke 4:18-20
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Matthew 5:3-11 The Beatitudes
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus brought LIGHT & LIFE into DARKNESS & CHAOS.
Matthew 5:43-45 NIV
43”You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
Righteousness… Jesus showed what right relationships between people looks like.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 7:24-28
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Acts 4:32-35
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
- Am I asserting my power, authority, resources, & influence into chaos & darkness so that life can flourish?
- Or am I only using it for myself?
- Is God’s Kingdom being established thru me?
- Am I willing to pray… “Your KINGDOM come, Your will be done on earth - THRU ME!?”
- Am I willing to help reclaim BIBLICAL Righteousness and Justice by how I think, talk and behave?