Call to Worship: 1 Chronicles 29:10 “Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. 11 Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”
Songs: Praise to the King - Steve Green
He Is Exalted - Twila Paris
Sing to the King - Umobile Worship
Build Your Kingdom Here - Rend Collective Experiment
Scripture: Description of the King’s Kingdom - Matthew 10:1-42
Mark 10:29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Song: Yours Is the Kingdom- Hillsong
Sermon: “The Kingdom Comes Near”
Closing Song: Majesty of the Most High - Matt Redman
Benediction: Revelation 12:10 “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Messiah.”
-----------------------------------------------
Sermon: The Kingdom Comes Near
Today around the world, on this final Sunday of November, many Christian churches celebrate Christ as King as they close off the liturgical year. Now obviously with all these dates like Christmas, Easter, Pentecost to name a few, this day should be a year-round celebration, as Jesus is already King and will continue to be. Yet, year after year many churches cycle through the calendar, yet never coming to the knowledge of the truth. This day was started by Pope Pius XI. One writer wrote, “While the problems our world faces today differ from the particular events that inspired Pope Pius XI to establish this feast in the 1920s, his message and call to honor Christ the King in a society that denies the authority of Our Lord is no less pertinent now than it was then.” Pope Pius XI said, "If to Christ our Lord is given all power in heaven and on earth; if all men, purchased by his precious blood, are by a new right subjected to his dominion; if this power embraces all men, it must be clear that not one of our faculties is exempt from his empire. He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ. He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God. He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things, and cleave to him alone. He must reign in our bodies and in our members, which should serve as instruments for the interior sanctification of our souls, or to use the words of the Apostle Paul, as instruments of justice unto God." But you don’t stop there. If Jesus gave us all authority, we then have the power to do as He did and by submitting our selves wholeheartedly, the world will be radically changed when the Kingdom comes near. This means all the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit will be at work in us His disciples. Luke 24:45 “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
The problem is the church no longer operates under the authority of Jesus Christ nor does the church have the power to do as we read in Matthew 10. If we did the church would look and do like Jesus. Matthew 8:16 “When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.” John 14:12 “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Mark 16:20 “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”
Not only are we missing this power and authority, we also do not have the fear of the Lord. Therefore the kingdom doesn’t come near. Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 2:1 “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— 3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.” Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 12:12 “Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. 13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Now since this is Christ the King Sunday, I do want to touch on one topic before I move on. It is interesting that just before this Sunday when doing a search on the internet you would see Jesus is King all over the place of which the news and the church alike have covered, and it looks like a big deal and yes you would think this is amazing at first glance if you are not careful in your discernment. The man’s name is Kanye West and is married to Kim Kardashian. Some people say God moved, while others say it was not God and some don’t know. So how do you know? As always the first thing to do is test the spirits! You do this by listening to the voices and see if it lines up with the voice of Jesus. You have to listen closely and discern what is being said. Yes, Jesus is proclaimed as King but there seems to be a conflict as to whose empire / kingdom is being built. It is not a mans empire you want come near. Sadly the church continues to be about making money, which couldn’t be seen any clearer than last Sunday with Joel Osteen and Kanya West standing arm and in arm. To test the Spirits you listen to what is being said. Are these the words of Jesus? While some of them are, if you listen closely all of them are not as there is more talk about self than Jesus. That means there is a problem. One writer said when talking about Osteen and West, “Both have baptized their commercial notoriety and their financial gains in Jesus’ name, The communion table has become a merch (merchandise) table.” “Similarly, someone on Twitter wrote: “Jesus is King is trending on Twitter except no one is talking about Jesus of Nazareth, the savior of the world . . . They’re talking about the self-proclaimed god Kanye West who is a mere man.” Now this isn’t new, as the church has fallen into this money pit a long time ago; some just do it better than others. The church has long been selling its wares. So while Jesus remains King, continue to heed His warning; Luke 21:8 “He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.” Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” You really have to listen carefully. I think the apostle Paul said it best. 2 Corinthians 2:17 “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” I will leave that topic for now.
Yes we have been warned about this deception and the deception has been going on a long time but Jesus is still King of Kings in spite of it. Matthew 1:1 “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” Yes this kingdom will not end but right now we are experiencing what Israel experienced, as God has allowed the enemy to reign for a time. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” If we want to do as Jesus did and have His kingdom come near, the enemy must be removed. This happens by the church turning from their wicked ways. Jeremiah said, Jeremiah 7:2 “‘Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the Lord. 3 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. 4 Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” 5 If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, 6 if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever. 8 But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.” Isaiah 30:15 “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” When the people of Israel disobeyed, God allowed their enemies to defeat them. There were actually few kings that did right in the eyes of God. 2 Chronicles 12:8 “They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands.”
The same is happening today as God has allowed the enemy to take the land and His people into captivity. Jeremiah 34:17 “Therefore this is what the Lord says: You have not obeyed me; you have not proclaimed freedom to your own people. So I now proclaim ‘freedom’ for you, declares the Lord—‘freedom’ to fall by the sword, plague and famine. I will make you abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth.” But because God promised David, we will once again take the land and the kingdom of God will come near. 2 Chronicles 36:20 “He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his successors until the kingdom of Persia came to power. 21 The land enjoyed its sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah.” The same thing has happened to us but like Jehoiada said, 2 Chronicles 23:3 “The king’s son shall reign, as the Lord promised concerning the descendants of David.” This gives us great hope. Living in times of deception is why it is so important to hold on to God’s promises.
Scripture makes it clear that we must obey if we want to be part of this kingdom. We have to do more than just hear God’s word. Romans 2:13 “For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” It is not just about saying words but living by them. 1 John 2:3 “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” Jesus said in John 14:15 “if you love me, keep my commands.” We must obey God’s word if we want to be part of the kingdom. Matthew 28:18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Obedience is the key to this passage. We must obey the one who has been given the authority to give. Daniel 7:14 “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” When we obey, amazing things will happen because as Jesus said John 14:23 “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” John 8:51 “Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” As we read in Matthew 10 earlier we don’t have to worry about anything. For example Acts 5:27 “The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” We saw in Matthew 10:7 “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 4:23 “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”
We too live in the mist of people who refuse to believe. Stephen said Acts 7:51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” When the disciples were sent out, Jesus said, Luke 10:8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.”
If we want this Kingdom to come near we must obey and turn from our wicked ways trust. We don’t question the King. Ecclesiastes 8:4 “Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, “What are you doing?” God questioned Job and all he could say was Job 42:4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ 5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. 6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” We live in a day of a total disrespect for authority. Most people don’t even know they are going the wrong way and they are not interested in knowing even though their lives depend on this knowledge. Paul said Galatians 5:7 “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.” But once you realize you are going the wrong way, you repent. Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Jesus said Mark 1:15 “The time has come, the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Repenting means you have decided to serve the king wholeheartedly and be part of His kingdom. Joshua said, Joshua 24:14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
God has given us His word that if we turn to Him He will return to us. King Asa was told 2 Chronicles 15:1 “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. 3 For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. 4 But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them.” We are in the same position as everyone does as they see fit yet no one is distressed enough to return to God. Hezekiah also said 2 Chronicles 30:6 “People of Israel, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to you who are left, who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. 7 Do not be like your parents and your fellow Israelites, who were unfaithful to the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. 8 Do not be stiff-necked, as your ancestors were; submit to the Lord. Come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the Lord your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. 9 If you return to the Lord, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.” Most people don’t really want to return to the Lord because they like the kingdoms they are part of and don’t want to give it up. Many have been deceived even by going to church as they do not know who is really behind that particular kingdom. Luke 4:5 “The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours. 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” Many liked satan’s offer of authority and splendor more than God’s. They don’t realize that following other gospels is following another kingdom and rejecting God’s word, therefore rejecting His son. John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”
But when we turn back 2 Thessalonians 1:6 “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.” Yes there is a kingdom that we will enter when Jesus takes us home to be with Him but as a reminder, hell is real. They both will be sternal. Matthew 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. That should be enough for us to turn back but hell has been downplayed. Notice the words eternal fire.
This journey back to the kingdom is done by faith. Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” When they crossed the Jordon, they were told Joshua 3:3 “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.” If we are to see this kingdom come near once again, we must believe and not doubt. I came across this quote that said “Christianity has not failed; it has not even been tried.” We have been shown the kingdoms of the world and many decided to follow satan and not God. Satan and his minions know who Jesus was so don’t be deceived by satan masquerading as an angel of light. Mark 3:10 “For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. 11 Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, You are the Son of God. 12 But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him.” Matthew 8:28 “When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Mark 1:23 “Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.” This many be hard to hear but just because someone says Jesus is King or professes Jesus as the son of God doesn’t mean God reigns in their life. This is why we need God to give us great discernment. Matthew 16:16 “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” Jesus knew the difference. Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” James 2:19 “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
When Jesus came he showed us what the true kingdom looked like. He is the King and already sits on David’s throne. We know this because Jesus said Matthew 12:28 “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Plain and simple; Jesus drove out demons. When the kingdom comes near, we will do as Jesus did. Luke 10:17 “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” So don’t be deceived into thinking the millennial kingdom is true and Jesus will come back to earth to set up his Kingdom and then do it all over again. Jesus came, showed us and then empowered us so that the kingdom would come near. Are you really letting God reign in your life? Have you offered your life as a living sacrifice to your King? If you have, then the kingdom will come near! Just wait for it! We are told Deuteronomy 28:1 “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.” When the kingdom comes near the church will once again be as it should. Matthew 11:4 “Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Matthew 9:35 “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Jesus still has compassion on people. We are still his disciples so we should be doing as He did. When God’s face shines on us once again Matthew 24:14 “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come”
When we understand how destitute we are, and if we humble ourselves before God who said Malachi 1:14 “ For I am a great king,” says the Lord Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations,” we will once again see his power as described in 1 Chronicles 29:11 “Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” If we wait, we will see His kingdom come just as Jesus said it would. We will see a kingdom as Paul described 1 Corinthians 4:20 “the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” The power will look just as it does in scripture but we must submit ourselves to God. Waiting is a willingness to submit to our King. James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” You either believe God’s word or you don’t as we talked about last week.
One example that describes the severity of our times is the account of Manasseh. This man was evil. 2 Chronicles 33:1 “Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 9 But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.” Yes most people will not equate their lives to Manasseh’s but our times are a time of deception and desolation because the church has followed other gospels just like Manasseh followed other gods. But then something amazing happened. 2 Chronicles 33:10 “The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 11 So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. 12 In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. 13 And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.”
We can humble ourselves or we can pay no attention. If we want to see the kingdom come near then we must humble ourselves greatly before our Lord and King because this is what we live in Jeremiah 9:1 “Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people. 2 Oh, that I had in the desert a lodging place for travelers, so that I might leave my people and go away from them; for they are all adulterers, a crowd of unfaithful people. 3 “They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me,” declares the LORD. 4 “Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan. For every one of them is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer. 5 Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning. 6 You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the LORD.”
Once you can acknowledge the deception and desolation we live in, you will faithfully turn back just as Manasseh did. Just as we read about King Asa and Hezekiah, God said he would return to us if we returned to Him. We must take this journey seriously and believe God will do as He said He would. God gave us a promise, so hold on till he fulfills it. Psalm 145:9 “The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. 10 All your works praise you, LORD; your faithful people extol you. 11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. 14 The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. 20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.”
So just as God moved in His disciples God will once again pour out His Spirit on us. Luke 9:1 “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” Luke 10:9 “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.” Acts 1:4 “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Today ask yourself is Jesus your King. After Manasseh repented he knew that the Lord is God.” Job said Job 42:5 “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. 6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” After Naaman was healed from leprosy 2 Kings 5:15 “he and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. 1 Kings 18:21 “Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. But the people said nothing.” They were supposed to say “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!” Believe what God’s word states and wait for it to happen.
As we wait, we have great hope that the Kingdom of God will come near once again and will be restored. Psalm 80:19 “Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.” Joel 2:23 “Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. 24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. 25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm — my great army that I sent among you. 26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. 27 Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.”
As we wait know that God will save us and His kingdom will come near once again and His power will flow once again. Psalm 77:7 “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? 8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” 10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. 11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” 13 Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? 14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. 15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Yes satan is fighting hard to get you to not wait as He knows what’s coming. Romans 12:12 “woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” The good news is that because we have turned back to God. Revelation 11:15 “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign for ever and ever.” The kingdom will come near! Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
