Last Days Believers - Violent Pursuit (notes)

Last Days Believers - Violent Pursuit

There are two systems in operation today:

1. The Kingdom of God.
2. The world.

We Are

• Part of the Kingdom of God and in the world.
• Not of this world.

We Can Love

• The World or love God.
• Make the choice today to love God with all our heart, mind and strength.

What Is The World?

• The fallen system (kosmos) which means:
1. The material world (Matt. 24:21)
2. Humanity (Matt. 5:14)
3. Human societies, cultures, the world system. (Matt. 16:26)
4. The system of the world that is independent from God. (Gal. 6:14)

Obedience is better than sacrifice. (I Samuel 15:22)

There Is A Constant clash between the two systems in operation right now.

Matthew 11:12

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, the violent take it by force.

God Honors

Those who passionately seek Him and His will for their lives.

The Word Violent is Biazo in Greek

It means violent, to overpower or compel.

Translations:

• As a precious prize--a share in the heavenly Kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion.

Why Do Good

• People stay silent when evil raises its ugly head?
• We are not passionately going after righteousness.

Now Is The Time for the righteous to stand up and take a stand for Jesus, for life, for Godliness.

We Have

• A real hope in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• A great opportunity to stand up and give this nation real hope--it is Jesus Christ.

How We Can Interpret

• Matthew 11:12

1. When John came on the scene the enemy knew the Kingdom was about to invade the world so he started to attack the Kingdom of Heaven--but didn’t prevail.
2. Since John came the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing and violent people are attacking it.
3. Or violent people have been trying to take over the Kingdom of Heaven by force.

What Jesus Meant

• About the Kingdom of Heaven:

1. It involves violent intercession
2. There is a spiritual war constantly raging.
3. The Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing since the time of John and Jesus Christ.

Why John & Jesus Involved in the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven?

1. John was the herald--the for-runner who would announce the coming of the King.
2. Jesus was the King of the Kingdom of heaven.

How do I know if I am living under the blessing of the Kingdom of God?

1. God’s favor will be upon me.
2. God’s power will operate in my life.
3. I will be a powerful intercessor.
4. I will proclaim the Word of God with power.