Sections
May 11, 2008
by Jack Cummings
What would your answer be if someone asked you to name the theme of the teachings of Jesus? Would it be baptism? Our need for salvation? The love God has for all mankind? The teachings about the church? Jesus did speak about all those topics and the fact he did says something about their importance and their essential truths. But it seems that most of his sermons could be titled “The kingdom of God”. Wherever he went, Jesus preached about the kingdom of God. What I notice is that when he preached on any topic, it was in the context of the kingdom. What some did not understand is that the kingdom of God is a present day reality. Everything from beginning faith to ministry is to be surrounded and engulfed by the kingdom concept. And what is that? All we do is not to be seen by others but is to be done in full submission to God for his glory. I have come to believe that any faith or ministry that produces pride, prejudice, arrogance or haughtiness is not of God’s kingdom but from the evil one, even if the ministry or work is good or even accomplishes some good. Maybe that is the reasoning behind Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21-23. It was not that they were not doing good works; it was that they had not been doing them in the context of the “Kingdom of God” mentality. I guess the next question would be, “What is that mentality?” Good question. Think about it.