The Summit of God’s Kingdom (Acts 28:30-31) 7/26/2020
The Summit of God’s Kingdom (Acts 28:30-31) 7/26/2020
The 24th World Missions intensive training and conference successfully took place despite the pandemic. Many of the missionaries had to participate virtually, but I believe that they did so in deep prayer for the new paradigm.
When we talk about missions, we cannot help but to think of Paul from the passage, who demonstrated to us the missions that God desires. For the past few weeks, we looked at the absolute answer and power that came from holding onto the absolute covenant of God on the way to Rome. Paul has now entered Rome. The passage briefly tells of Paul’s ministry in Rome. Living under a landlord for about two years, he proclaimed of the kingdom of God to everyone who passed by. He spoke of Christ, the King of the nation. We must think about three things as we hold onto the covenant of true evangelism and missions.
- When we realize what the evangelism and missions that God desires is, we are already within the blessing of the summit.
First, if we do not realize evangelism and missions, we are far away from the heart of God (1Timothy 2:4-5). If one does not possess the spirit of evangelism and missions, no matter how successful he/she is, they are not a summit raised by God. The result will be Genesis 1:2.
1) Mankind was created as the summit to rule over the world in God (Genesis 1:27-28)
The heartbreaking history of losing all of that is Genesis 3 (Genesis 3:1-5, Romans 5:12). How utterly fallen are we? We are worshipping idols of humans and animals instead of the eternal glory of God (Romans 1:23).
2) Who deceived mankind? What is he doing now?
He destroys the inner thought of humans, eats away their spiritual strength, corrupts the cultures, and steals the economy. Isaiah 61:1-5 says when we rise and shine the light, all things lost will find its way back. Arising and shining the light is having correct spiritual lifestyle and saving the world through evangelism and missions.
3) What are we deceived by even after receiving salvation?
“I am poor,” “I am powerless,” “I have nothing.” Satan’s strategy is to deceive you through your environment and realities. This may very well be our reality living in the superpower of this age. The house we live in belongs to the bank and sometimes we don’t get to complete the payments. If it is true that God loves you more than enough to send his own son to die for your salvation (Isaiah 43:4, Romans 5:8), and that Christ resurrected from the dead and is now with you in his Holy Spirit, then you must have the assurance that you are someone who possesses everything (2Corinthians 4:7-9, 6:9-11). If you do not know who you are, you do not know the blessings you have been given or will get to enjoy your entire life. Keep in mind. From the moment you received salvation through Christ, you became the summit of God’s kingdom who has the identity of 1Peter 2:9.
- Realizing and enjoying the kingdom of God on this earth is the beginning of evangelism and missions. The evidence of the summit will then follow.
What kind of nation was Rome of Paul’s time? They believed that the glory of Rome will be forever. Though she perished, the kingdom of God will be our eternal background, authority, and blessings. The fact that Paul traveled to the superpower of that age and proclaimed of only God’s kingdom reveals important spiritual significance.
1) There are three coexisting kingdoms on earth.
① Satan’s kingdom. Though Satan cannot conquer or possess the world. There are forces of corrupt spirits. However, with his 12 strategies, he continues to deceive mankind and drag them into spiritual curses (John 16:11).
② World’s kingdom. As a superpower, it is easier to carry out Satan’s errands (Ephesians 6:12, Revelation 18:1-3). Sometimes the authorities oppress the people. The superpower sometimes takes control of the weaker nations’ politics and economy.
③ God’s kingdom. The triune God reigns and His authority, power, and blessings show. After resurrection and before ascension, Christ had his disciples concentrate on this kingdom of God for 40 days (Acts 1:3)
2) How can we enjoy this kingdom of God?
① Within you (Mark 17:21). The state in which you enjoy the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). This is the reason we must worship, listen to the voice of God, and pray every day, every moment, and inside every problem and circumstance. Receive guidance of the triune God, and enjoy the authority, power, and blessing of God’s throne. Then, the blessing of summit will come (Genesis 41:38, 1Samuel 3:19, 1Samuel 16:23, 2King 6:9).
② Within your studies and work (Matthew 6:33). That is when you receive the blessing of skills summit (Genesis 39:5). No matter what you do, receive God’s governance. Receive the help of God’s kingdom and do it for God’s kingdom. Give him the first hour of your day, and do all small things, studies, and work within His word and prayer. That is when doors will open in your field and disciples begin to rise (upper room ministry, team ministry, mission home, specialized church, regional church).
③ Within all your evangelism and missions fields (Matthew 12:28). That is when you receive the blessing of culture summit (Acts 8:4-8).
All flow will change, and you will find evidence of healing and even financial blessings. This is the ministry and message which Paul concentrated on and enjoyed for himself.
- Who became the way for us to enter God’s kingdom and become God’s people?
He who set us free (priest), became the way (prophet), and looks after us eternally (king). He is Christ. That Christ will raise us up as witnesses to the ends of the earth. This is the absolute covenant (Acts 1:8).
1) A Church that proclaims this Christ and is filled with people who believe and confesses this Christ will never fail. As promised in Matthew 16:16-19, absolute blessing (rock), absolute victory (gates of Hades), and absolute answer (keys to kingdom of heaven) will be fulfilled. Coronavirus, 4th industrial revolution – do not worry. There are separate blessings and answers that we will enjoy.
2) Truly pray and support the servants of God and missionaries who proclaim this Christ as apostle Paul did. Our prayers, missions offering, and all our devotion will come to us as the blessing of protector, coworker, and supporter in Romans 16.
3) In Christ, we are royal priesthood, and 70 layperson evangelism disciple that will save the world. There are about 5,000 ethnic groups that have yet to hear the gospel. That is about 40% of the human population. There may be people representing those 237 nations here in America. There also may be people connected to these 5,000 tribes around you. They may be here for studying abroad, immigration, or in relation to the military.
Conclusion – God’s kingdom’s summit means you are representing the kingdom of God (2Corinthians 5:20). May you restore this identity, enjoy the background, authority, and power of God’s kingdom, and stand as witnesses of Christ who is the King of the kingdom of God.