✅ Subscribe –  @Dr. Scott Silverii  talks about “God Is Kingdom – Learning To Recognize God’s Will on Earth As It Is In Heaven. Citizen Of Heaven?”

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE:

Luke 7:15-23 (NASB)

¹⁵ And the dead man sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother. ¹⁶ Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us!” and, “God has visited His people!” ¹⁷ And this report about Him spread throughout Judea and in all the surrounding region.

¹⁸ The disciples of John also reported to him about all these things. ¹⁹ And after summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for another?” 

²⁰ When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for another?’” ²¹ At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. ²² And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: people who were blind receive sight, people who limped walk, people with leprosy are cleansed and people who were deaf hear, dead people are raised up, and people who are poor have the gospel preached to them. ²³And blessed is anyone who does not take offense at Me.”

What is God’s Kingdom?

“God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule.” SAVIOR and LORD (rule)

Kingdom of God over 80 times in NT

Introduction, explaining and clarifying.

MISUNDERSTANDING – Unmet Expectation –Marriage & Divorce

• Disciples expected force overthrow of Rome – Create Independent nation
• They’d be BIG BOSSES – Mark 10:35-38 (Amplified Bible)

James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”  And He replied to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”  They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit [with You], one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory [Your majesty and splendor in Your kingdom].”  But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism [of suffering and death] with which I am baptized?”

NOTE: No Clue What Asking for.

NOTE: Thank God His answers are NO – Rescue from Ourselves

Learn to Recognize God’s kingdom even though it’s not what you think or feel:

He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a person took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all the other seeds, but when it is fully grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches.”

Matthew 13:31-32 (NASB)

Seek God’s Mustard Seed and Faithfully Grow God’s Garden.

REALITY in Anchor Scripture:

• John the Baptizer – recognizes God’s kingdom in times of innocence (in womb) and miss it in times of trouble (in prison)

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb,

and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:41 (NASB)

• John’s ministry – Announce Kingdom of God through Messiah coming. NOT homeless, healing, etc
• Life didn’t work out like John thought – Has yours?
• Are you faithful to your calling – Willing voice in a wilderness – Willing to die to self for Christ?

John’s Mega Ministry DIMINISHED

He must become more important, while I become less important.

John 3:30 (Complete Jewish Bible)

NOTE: Did John RESENT Jesus in his life?

John’s expectation of who Jesus actually was didn’t match who he thought Jesus should be.

When we DEFINE God’s Kingdom according to our WANTS, we miss out on God’s WILL.

John’s disciples questioned Jesus – They reflected John’s doubt not Christ’s hope.

When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us (NAME DROP) to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Coming One (COULD HAVE STOPPED QUESTION HERE), or are we to look for another?’”

Luke 7:20

NOTE: Only seeking God’s Kingdom through Jesus.

NOTE:  Derailed if eyes are not fixed on The Cross

? If God’s kingdom doesn’t fit my Truth or Narrative, can I ditch Him for someone else?

NOTE: God’s kingdom citizenship is VOLUNTARY – God sent His son to die for sins so you may know eternal life, but you have a choice – REVELATION 3:20

NOTE: CHOSE WISELY

John said this as Jesus approached to be baptized:

Matthew 3:11-13 (Amplified Bible)

… He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit and [you who remain unrepentant] with fire (judgment). 12 His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom), but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.”

NOTE: John thought Jesus had come to establish Kingdom through judgment, rewarding the faithful and punishing the wicked.

NOTE: Didn’t realize Jesus came to teach, heal, and die on our behalf.

NOTE: Johnwas preaching his own message – Not that of Messiah

NOTE: In PRISON, John thought King Herod would be judged by unquenchable fire, and he would be rewarded as faithful.

NOTE: Situation didn’t match expectation of Kingdom – Sent his men to question Jesus

NOTE: Jesus again explained Kingdom not by FORCE- Luke 7:22-23 (NASB)

²² And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: people who were blind receive sight, people who limped walk, people with leprosy are cleansed and people who were deaf hear, dead people are raised up, and people who are poor have the gospel preached to them. ²³ And blessed is anyone who does not take offense at Me.”

NOTE: Don’t STUMBLE – Don’t understand the Kingdom while on earth, we must continue to trust Jesus. EVEN when life doesn’t turn out as we want.

Furthermore, we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called in accordance with his purpose;

Romans 8:28 (Complete Jewish Bible)

HOW APPLIES TO OUR LIFE?

1. Disciples returned to John and not stayed with Jesus – Stick With Jesus
2. You have authority to Draw Kingdom Down or Hell Up – Mathew 6:10

Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

• Don’t allow your limited perspective to lose God’s unlimited provision.
• Commit to Keep It Kingdom

Matthew 6:9-13 (Amplified Bible)

⁹ “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father, who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
¹⁰ ‘Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
¹² ‘And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors.
¹³‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’

DO THESE TO STAY CONNECTED

#1. This simple link – https://linktr.ee/scottsilverii – Connects us through encouraging emails sent to you, subscribes you to my teaching YouTube channel, and shows you cool merch supporting ministry missions.Connect to be intentional about our relationship.

PRAYING FOR YOU

There is freedom waiting for you on the other side of tough times. I’m praying that you begin to identify the blessings in your life and focus on them until you breakthrough into a new, anointed light. PLEASE do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need someone to walk through the process with you.

Make sure to get connected at Five Stones Church – we have an incredible community and small groups.

Blessings and Honor,
Scott

OUR SHOP IS OPEN

STOP BY OUR SHOP – Every penny goes to ministry!