The Rule And Reign of Christ

100:00:00.290 --> 00:00:02.850Real Life presents the Jack Hibbs Podcast.200:00:03.610 --> 00:00:06.850With intention and boldness to proclaim truth, equip300:00:06.850 --> 00:00:09.010the saints, and impact our culture.400:00:09.330 --> 00:00:11.410Wherever Christ is, it is the Kingdom of500:00:11.410 --> 00:00:11.610God.600:00:11.910 --> 00:00:14.310The Kingdom of God is in your heart,700:00:14.630 --> 00:00:16.390for those of you who believe, in you.800:00:16.910 --> 00:00:17.530Isn't that amazing?900:00:18.110 --> 00:00:19.270And then he says the Kingdom of God1000:00:19.270 --> 00:00:19.710is coming.1100:00:20.710 --> 00:00:21.650Wow, what is it?1200:00:21.810 --> 00:00:22.590Here's the answer.1300:00:22.730 --> 00:00:24.970Somebody asks you, what's the answer to this1400:00:24.970 --> 00:00:26.090Kingdom of God question?1500:00:26.090 --> 00:00:29.590The answer is the rule and reign of1600:00:29.590 --> 00:00:29.990Christ.1700:00:30.490 --> 00:00:32.890In your heart, in your family, in your1800:00:32.890 --> 00:00:34.950mind, the rule and reign of Christ.1900:00:38.410 --> 00:00:40.830You can get the outlines of this podcast2000:00:40.830 --> 00:00:44.610by going to Jackhibbs.com slash podcast.2100:00:45.230 --> 00:00:48.110Today, if this podcast lifts you up and2200:00:48.110 --> 00:00:50.370encourages you to live a more fulfilled life2300:00:50.370 --> 00:00:52.470in Christ, then make sure you leave us2400:00:52.470 --> 00:00:54.090one of those five-star ratings.2500:00:54.390 --> 00:00:57.710To us, that's like saying amen or yes.2600:00:57.710 --> 00:01:00.470Then that rating will encourage others to listen.2700:01:01.210 --> 00:01:03.170Now open your hearts to what God's Word2800:01:03.170 --> 00:01:04.190has to say to you.2900:01:04.570 --> 00:01:06.110Here is Jack Hibbs.3000:01:06.730 --> 00:01:10.110Remember now, when the day of Pentecost had3100:01:10.110 --> 00:01:11.790fully come, what does this mean?3200:01:11.830 --> 00:01:14.710It means that the Feast of Pentecost celebrated3300:01:14.710 --> 00:01:17.290as one of the seven great feasts or3400:01:17.290 --> 00:01:20.630celebrations of the Old Testament given by God3500:01:20.630 --> 00:01:24.050to Moses, to the children of Israel, Pentecost.3600:01:24.050 --> 00:01:27.980So when the day of Pentecost had fully3700:01:27.980 --> 00:01:32.040come, when the celebration is at its apex,3800:01:32.420 --> 00:01:37.100at the peak, something happened that directly involves3900:01:37.100 --> 00:01:38.680you today.4000:01:39.980 --> 00:01:42.500They were all in one accord, in one4100:01:42.500 --> 00:01:42.840place.4200:01:42.920 --> 00:01:44.420They were all in one place with one4300:01:44.420 --> 00:01:45.960mind, unified.4400:01:47.160 --> 00:01:48.240These are the people of God.4500:01:48.580 --> 00:01:50.940And suddenly there came a sound from heaven4600:01:50.940 --> 00:01:53.220as of a rushing mighty wind and it4700:01:53.220 --> 00:01:55.540filled the whole house where they were sitting.4800:01:55.840 --> 00:01:59.200Then there appeared to them divided tongues.4900:01:59.320 --> 00:02:02.540This is a bizarre, miraculous manifestation.5000:02:02.940 --> 00:02:07.039I mean, people saw this strange appearance, what5100:02:07.039 --> 00:02:10.860looked like tongues of fire over their heads.5200:02:11.100 --> 00:02:13.280And one sat upon each of them.5300:02:14.480 --> 00:02:16.180And they were all filled with the Holy5400:02:16.180 --> 00:02:16.560Spirit.5500:02:17.460 --> 00:02:19.700And they began to speak with other tongues.5600:02:19.900 --> 00:02:20.560Watch what happens.5700:02:21.460 --> 00:02:23.500As the Spirit gave them utterance.5800:02:23.560 --> 00:02:25.680In other words, as the Holy Spirit directed5900:02:25.680 --> 00:02:29.560each of them individually, each of these, we'll6000:02:29.560 --> 00:02:32.060find out in a moment, they're Galileans, which6100:02:32.060 --> 00:02:33.620means they're farmers and fishermen.6200:02:33.960 --> 00:02:34.620That's all it means.6300:02:35.280 --> 00:02:36.520Galileans are from the north.6400:02:37.420 --> 00:02:39.880And they would be what we would say6500:02:39.880 --> 00:02:41.720today, they're the country bumpkins.6600:02:42.720 --> 00:02:43.600Do you know what that means, everybody?6700:02:43.780 --> 00:02:44.780Do we even use that term anymore?6800:02:46.420 --> 00:02:47.740These are not city folk.6900:02:47.820 --> 00:02:49.040They're not refined like us.7000:02:49.600 --> 00:02:52.420These are farmers and fishermen up in Galilee,7100:02:52.640 --> 00:02:55.700where all the illiterate people come from.7200:02:57.060 --> 00:02:59.600That's who these Galileans are.7300:03:02.440 --> 00:03:03.400So how's this happening?7400:03:03.620 --> 00:03:05.040Watch what transpires.7500:03:07.420 --> 00:03:09.400And so verse five, and they were dwelling7600:03:09.400 --> 00:03:10.060in Jerusalem.7700:03:10.280 --> 00:03:13.880So the spectators are these, Jews, devout men7800:03:13.880 --> 00:03:15.680from every nation under heaven.7900:03:15.820 --> 00:03:16.060Why?8000:03:16.180 --> 00:03:17.380Because it's the feast of Pentecost.8100:03:17.860 --> 00:03:20.400And when the sound occurred, the multitude came8200:03:20.400 --> 00:03:22.320together and they were confused.8300:03:22.320 --> 00:03:24.320Now this word confused doesn't mean that they8400:03:24.320 --> 00:03:26.020were confused like you and I think of8500:03:26.020 --> 00:03:26.480confused.8600:03:26.780 --> 00:03:29.940They were absolutely puzzled and mesmerized as to8700:03:29.940 --> 00:03:31.360what in the world is going on.8800:03:31.660 --> 00:03:31.840Why?8900:03:32.100 --> 00:03:34.520Because it was foggy and mysterious.9000:03:34.800 --> 00:03:35.880No, the exact opposite.9100:03:36.360 --> 00:03:38.680They were completely mind blown because what was9200:03:38.680 --> 00:03:40.960happening in front of them was so crystal9300:03:40.960 --> 00:03:43.440clear, they couldn't believe it.9400:03:44.640 --> 00:03:45.780Because, here's the reason.9500:03:46.020 --> 00:03:47.060Why were you confused?9600:03:48.180 --> 00:03:51.300Because everyone heard them speak in their own9700:03:51.300 --> 00:03:51.800language.9800:03:53.660 --> 00:03:54.220What?9900:03:55.620 --> 00:03:57.960Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying10000:03:57.960 --> 00:04:00.460to one another, Look, are not all these10100:04:00.460 --> 00:04:04.780who speak Galileans, country bumpkins, fishermen, and farmers?10200:04:05.840 --> 00:04:08.320And how is it that we hear each10300:04:08.320 --> 00:04:10.360in our own language in which we were10400:04:10.360 --> 00:04:10.900born?10500:04:11.980 --> 00:04:12.700Is this awesome?10600:04:12.960 --> 00:04:14.340Are you guys excited about this?10700:04:14.340 --> 00:04:16.880These are just uneducated people who the Holy10800:04:16.880 --> 00:04:19.440Spirit came upon and they started speaking.10900:04:19.640 --> 00:04:23.360Each one started speaking in a language that11000:04:23.360 --> 00:04:25.960is not known to them, but it was11100:04:25.960 --> 00:04:28.340known to some of the spectators that were11200:04:28.340 --> 00:04:29.960there from whatever country they were from.11300:04:31.020 --> 00:04:33.140Can you imagine Holy Spirit coming upon you11400:04:33.140 --> 00:04:35.080and you start speaking fluent French?11500:04:36.160 --> 00:04:37.440You say, I never studied French.11600:04:37.540 --> 00:04:38.120That's the point.11700:04:38.840 --> 00:04:42.400The Holy Spirit is announcing to all those11800:04:42.400 --> 00:04:45.440who understand French the wonderful works of God.11900:04:45.560 --> 00:04:46.280Look what happens.12000:04:46.680 --> 00:04:48.440It says, do we not hear them in12100:04:48.440 --> 00:04:49.860our own language in which we were born?12200:04:50.000 --> 00:04:54.460Parthians and Medes, Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia,12300:04:54.880 --> 00:04:58.720Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, all of12400:04:58.720 --> 00:05:02.420the ancient known world, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt12500:05:02.420 --> 00:05:05.360and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors12600:05:05.360 --> 00:05:10.080from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and12700:05:10.080 --> 00:05:10.660Arabs.12800:05:11.400 --> 00:05:12.200What's the deal?12900:05:12.200 --> 00:05:13.200Why are you guys all excited?13000:05:13.720 --> 00:05:16.060We hear them speaking in our own tongues13100:05:16.060 --> 00:05:18.280or languages the wonderful works of God.13200:05:18.740 --> 00:05:20.660Church, don't you think that the wonderful works13300:05:20.660 --> 00:05:22.160of God is that Jesus died on the13400:05:22.160 --> 00:05:23.860cross and rose again from the dead?13500:05:23.920 --> 00:05:25.400Don't you think the wonderful works of God13600:05:25.400 --> 00:05:26.540was the gospel?13700:05:27.540 --> 00:05:29.080These people had come from all over the13800:05:29.080 --> 00:05:31.100known world to the feast of Pentecost in13900:05:31.100 --> 00:05:31.440Jerusalem.14000:05:31.840 --> 00:05:32.880And what do they hear?14100:05:33.060 --> 00:05:35.120They hear the gospel in their own language.14200:05:36.100 --> 00:05:36.520Wow.14300:05:38.660 --> 00:05:41.520So they were all amazed and perplexing to14400:05:41.520 --> 00:05:42.000one another.14500:05:42.000 --> 00:05:43.380Whatever could this mean?14600:05:43.600 --> 00:05:46.500Verse 13, others mocking said, They're full of14700:05:46.500 --> 00:05:46.820new wine.14800:05:46.880 --> 00:05:47.580They're drunk.14900:05:48.660 --> 00:05:51.800But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised15000:05:51.800 --> 00:05:54.040his voice and said to them, Men of15100:05:54.040 --> 00:05:56.700Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let15200:05:56.700 --> 00:05:59.040this be known to you and heed my15300:05:59.040 --> 00:05:59.820words.15400:06:00.800 --> 00:06:04.480And he went on to announce everybody that15500:06:04.480 --> 00:06:06.100Christ had come into the world.15600:06:06.760 --> 00:06:08.400They were convicted of their sins.15700:06:08.700 --> 00:06:10.360They gave their lives to Christ.15800:06:10.360 --> 00:06:11.680Their lives were changed.15900:06:11.860 --> 00:06:13.560They all went back home.16000:06:14.320 --> 00:06:18.600And the gospel was spread throughout Asia and16100:06:18.600 --> 00:06:19.320into Europe.16200:06:19.860 --> 00:06:22.120What an amazing moment that was on the16300:06:22.120 --> 00:06:22.900day of Pentecost.16400:06:24.220 --> 00:06:25.960And people were changed.16500:06:26.260 --> 00:06:27.360They were changed.16600:06:28.820 --> 00:06:30.600You have to ask yourself, I have to16700:06:30.600 --> 00:06:33.960ask myself, with my level of Christian witness16800:06:33.960 --> 00:06:37.500today, am I changing the world like they16900:06:37.500 --> 00:06:38.400changed the world?17000:06:38.920 --> 00:06:42.300What are we doing to change the world?17100:06:43.100 --> 00:06:45.240It doesn't fall upon one person.17200:06:45.540 --> 00:06:47.440Listen, it falls upon the body.17300:06:47.860 --> 00:06:50.760We're all made up of individual members.17400:06:51.100 --> 00:06:52.240Some of us are mouths.17500:06:52.500 --> 00:06:53.420Some of us are feet.17600:06:53.540 --> 00:06:54.540Some of us are knees.17700:06:55.100 --> 00:06:55.840Do you get that?17800:06:56.240 --> 00:06:58.260It's not, listen, church should never be a17900:06:58.260 --> 00:06:58.720show.18000:07:00.500 --> 00:07:02.360That's what's wrong with the church in America.18100:07:02.440 --> 00:07:03.360It's become a production.18200:07:07.400 --> 00:07:07.720No.18300:07:09.180 --> 00:07:10.380And we must get this right.18400:07:11.820 --> 00:07:13.440There's too much at stake here.18500:07:14.720 --> 00:07:15.980Are we truly believers?18600:07:16.320 --> 00:07:17.880Are we truly followers of Jesus?18700:07:18.540 --> 00:07:20.020Number one, if it's true, we're gonna love18800:07:20.020 --> 00:07:20.920our brothers and sisters.18900:07:23.510 --> 00:07:24.710And we're gonna love our enemies.19000:07:26.550 --> 00:07:28.290We're gonna love those who hate us.19100:07:28.910 --> 00:07:29.470You wanna know why?19200:07:30.310 --> 00:07:31.810Because we're playing for keeps, people.19300:07:32.650 --> 00:07:33.630We're playing for keeps.19400:07:33.710 --> 00:07:36.350By the way, listen, our friends and our19500:07:36.350 --> 00:07:37.870enemies may not be playing for keeps.19600:07:37.950 --> 00:07:39.030They may not understand it.19700:07:39.390 --> 00:07:41.470But the Satan, the devil that has blinded19800:07:41.470 --> 00:07:42.650them, he is playing for keeps.19900:07:43.230 --> 00:07:45.690He wants their souls forever because he knows20000:07:45.690 --> 00:07:47.470that's how he can inflict pain in the20100:07:47.470 --> 00:07:48.010heart of God.20200:07:49.070 --> 00:07:51.210We are God's ambassadors to go out and20300:07:51.210 --> 00:07:51.770rescue them.20400:07:52.890 --> 00:07:54.750You say, wait a minute, the person, I20500:07:54.750 --> 00:07:55.830can't stand that person.20600:07:55.890 --> 00:07:57.350I'd rather just see them burn up in20700:07:57.350 --> 00:07:57.590hell.20800:07:58.790 --> 00:08:01.410You cannot know Jesus and think like that.20900:08:02.010 --> 00:08:02.810It's impossible.21000:08:04.070 --> 00:08:05.650Oh, that person, I just, I don't want21100:08:05.650 --> 00:08:06.130them in heaven.21200:08:06.410 --> 00:08:07.410Oh, it'd ruin everything.21300:08:09.650 --> 00:08:11.050Let me be the first to tell you21400:08:11.050 --> 00:08:12.710because nobody, look, nobody told me you were21500:08:12.710 --> 00:08:13.950gonna be here today, so I'm not picking21600:08:13.950 --> 00:08:14.270on you.21700:08:14.530 --> 00:08:16.070I'm just telling you right now, you do21800:08:16.070 --> 00:08:18.110not know God if that's your attitude toward21900:08:18.110 --> 00:08:18.850those who hate you.22000:08:22.250 --> 00:08:24.730That is our attitude in our natural man.22100:08:25.590 --> 00:08:27.090That's how we naturally think.22200:08:28.790 --> 00:08:31.510Supernaturally, the Holy Spirit causes us to think22300:08:31.510 --> 00:08:33.789and to love and to be supernaturally.22400:08:35.130 --> 00:08:36.470That's why none of us can walk around22500:08:36.470 --> 00:08:38.210and say, hi, everyone.22600:08:39.289 --> 00:08:40.190Yes, it's true.22700:08:41.330 --> 00:08:42.549I love like God.22800:08:44.930 --> 00:08:45.990Can't help it.22900:08:47.590 --> 00:08:49.170No, none of us are gonna do that23000:08:49.170 --> 00:08:51.110because we're the ones, it's like, what's happening23100:08:51.110 --> 00:08:51.590to me?23200:08:52.130 --> 00:08:53.390What is happening to me?23300:08:53.530 --> 00:08:55.050I never liked that person before.23400:08:55.870 --> 00:08:57.790And now I care about their welfare.23500:08:58.530 --> 00:09:00.130Now I care about their end.23600:09:00.850 --> 00:09:02.150I think it's safe to say that all23700:09:02.150 --> 00:09:04.490of us as Christians, we care more about23800:09:04.490 --> 00:09:08.450our enemies' eternal soul than they do.23900:09:12.940 --> 00:09:14.180And this is why it's important.24000:09:14.700 --> 00:09:16.600Luke chapter six, verse 46.24100:09:16.600 --> 00:09:18.480I'm gonna give you a long line here,24200:09:18.620 --> 00:09:19.420but just watch this.24300:09:19.460 --> 00:09:20.680You see that picture on the left?24400:09:21.660 --> 00:09:22.480This is shocking.24500:09:23.240 --> 00:09:24.080Hear me out.24600:09:24.980 --> 00:09:27.060On the left is the broad way.24700:09:27.680 --> 00:09:28.480Notice the sign.24800:09:29.040 --> 00:09:30.280It says, I believe in God.24900:09:31.800 --> 00:09:33.900Notice the sign on the right, the narrow25000:09:33.900 --> 00:09:34.300way.25100:09:36.140 --> 00:09:37.360I obey God.25200:09:42.050 --> 00:09:43.650It is probably safe to say that no25300:09:43.650 --> 00:09:45.290matter who you might stop in the street25400:09:45.290 --> 00:09:46.770or at the beach or at the fair25500:09:46.770 --> 00:09:48.950or on the mountain that you might ask25600:09:48.950 --> 00:09:50.330them, hey, do you believe in God?25700:09:50.970 --> 00:09:52.330What do you think their answer's gonna be?25800:09:53.510 --> 00:09:55.65090 plus percent of the people are gonna25900:09:55.650 --> 00:09:58.370tell you, according to statistics, yes, I believe26000:09:58.370 --> 00:09:58.890in God.26100:09:59.330 --> 00:10:01.270And we walk away thinking all is well,26200:10:03.850 --> 00:10:05.730and we know nothing about what they believe.26300:10:06.770 --> 00:10:07.290God, who?26400:10:08.330 --> 00:10:09.170Which one?26500:10:12.160 --> 00:10:13.800The Bible says in the book of James,26600:10:14.100 --> 00:10:16.960Satan believes in Christ, and so do the26700:10:16.960 --> 00:10:18.260demons, and they tremble.26800:10:21.050 --> 00:10:22.650But Satan and the demons are going to26900:10:22.650 --> 00:10:22.870hell.27000:10:22.870 --> 00:10:33.110The answer27100:10:33.110 --> 00:10:34.190is I obey God.27200:10:34.670 --> 00:10:36.830Do all of us obey God perfectly?27300:10:37.310 --> 00:10:38.030Of course not.27400:10:38.390 --> 00:10:39.670That's why we have grace.27500:10:42.560 --> 00:10:44.100Jesus said it this way, but why do27600:10:44.100 --> 00:10:45.880you call me Lord, Lord, and do not27700:10:45.880 --> 00:10:47.440do the things which I say?27800:10:48.280 --> 00:10:53.150Whoever comes to me to get to heaven,27900:10:53.790 --> 00:10:54.630you gotta come to him.28000:10:56.070 --> 00:10:58.050And here's my sayings and does them, I28100:10:58.050 --> 00:11:00.770will show him, show you whom he is28200:11:00.770 --> 00:11:01.150like.28300:11:01.550 --> 00:11:02.870He is like a man built in a28400:11:02.870 --> 00:11:05.190house who dug deep and laid the foundation28500:11:05.190 --> 00:11:05.990on the rock.28600:11:06.210 --> 00:11:08.850And when the flood arose, the stream beat28700:11:08.850 --> 00:11:11.630vehemently against that house and could not shake28800:11:11.630 --> 00:11:13.350it, for it was founded on the rock.28900:11:13.430 --> 00:11:14.410Isn't this who you want to be?29000:11:14.590 --> 00:11:15.510It's who I want to be.29100:11:17.130 --> 00:11:20.910But he who heard and did nothing is29200:11:20.910 --> 00:11:22.750like a man who built a house on29300:11:22.750 --> 00:11:26.730the earth without a foundation against which the29400:11:26.730 --> 00:11:31.030stream beat vehemently, and immediately it fell, and29500:11:31.030 --> 00:11:32.990the ruin of that house was great.29600:11:33.850 --> 00:11:35.250It's a profound warning.29700:11:35.830 --> 00:11:37.190No doubt about it.29800:11:37.970 --> 00:11:39.670Question is, what are you building on?29900:11:40.330 --> 00:11:41.350Well, how do I know?30000:11:42.210 --> 00:11:43.970Is God prompting your heart to love your30100:11:43.970 --> 00:11:48.290brothers and sisters, to give yourself to him,30200:11:48.390 --> 00:11:50.630to live like him, where he can use30300:11:50.630 --> 00:11:50.730you?30400:11:50.830 --> 00:11:51.890Next slide here.30500:11:52.530 --> 00:11:54.570This is Matthew's account.30600:11:55.750 --> 00:11:58.810Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is30700:11:58.810 --> 00:11:59.870the gate, Jesus said.30800:11:59.970 --> 00:12:02.590Broad is the way, Jesus said, that leads30900:12:02.590 --> 00:12:04.770to destruction, and there are many who go31000:12:04.770 --> 00:12:05.650in by it.31100:12:06.230 --> 00:12:06.610Wow.31200:12:07.390 --> 00:12:09.430Because narrow is the gate, and difficult is31300:12:09.430 --> 00:12:11.690the way, which leads to life, and there31400:12:11.690 --> 00:12:12.870are few who find it.31500:12:13.670 --> 00:12:16.030Verse 15, Beware false prophets who come to31600:12:16.030 --> 00:12:18.590you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they're ravenous31700:12:18.590 --> 00:12:18.850wolves.31800:12:18.930 --> 00:12:20.090They'll eat you up.31900:12:21.050 --> 00:12:22.270You will know them by their fruits.32000:12:22.430 --> 00:12:24.710Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or32100:12:24.710 --> 00:12:25.750figs from thistles?32200:12:25.850 --> 00:12:26.610The answer is no.32300:12:27.070 --> 00:12:29.210Even so, every good tree bears good fruit,32400:12:29.550 --> 00:12:31.330but a bad tree bears bad fruit.32500:12:31.330 --> 00:12:33.790A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor32600:12:33.790 --> 00:12:35.490can a bad tree bear good fruit.32700:12:35.570 --> 00:12:37.750Verse 19, Every tree that does not bear32800:12:37.750 --> 00:12:39.810good fruit is cut down and thrown into32900:12:39.810 --> 00:12:40.410the fire.33000:12:40.950 --> 00:12:43.410Therefore, by their fruits, you will know them.33100:12:45.110 --> 00:12:46.730So how do people know us?33200:12:46.950 --> 00:12:48.090How do people know me?33300:12:49.330 --> 00:12:51.810Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord,33400:12:52.350 --> 00:12:55.710shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he33500:12:55.710 --> 00:12:57.490who does the will of my Father in33600:12:57.490 --> 00:12:57.830heaven.33700:12:58.810 --> 00:13:01.050Many will say, oh my goodness, church, listen,33800:13:01.210 --> 00:13:01.950will this be me?33900:13:02.050 --> 00:13:02.810Will this be you?34000:13:03.870 --> 00:13:05.710Many will say to me in that day,34100:13:05.810 --> 00:13:08.770Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your34200:13:08.770 --> 00:13:11.130name, cast out demons in your name, done34300:13:11.130 --> 00:13:12.450many wonders in your name?34400:13:12.510 --> 00:13:14.550Verse 23, And then Jesus said, I will34500:13:14.550 --> 00:13:16.330declare to them, I never knew you.34600:13:16.710 --> 00:13:18.550Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.34700:13:18.970 --> 00:13:19.850This is the Bible.34800:13:20.130 --> 00:13:22.130And not only the Bible, those letters are34900:13:22.130 --> 00:13:22.570in red.35000:13:22.770 --> 00:13:23.830It's Jesus speaking.35100:13:24.990 --> 00:13:25.870Serious stuff.35200:13:28.520 --> 00:13:32.280There's a high probability that you haven't heard35300:13:32.280 --> 00:13:34.000such verses in a long time, if ever35400:13:34.000 --> 00:13:36.960in a church setting, because this causes reality35500:13:36.960 --> 00:13:38.260to hit you right in the nose.35600:13:40.000 --> 00:13:41.660Am I in hot pursuit of God?35700:13:41.760 --> 00:13:45.320If I am, God wants to love other35800:13:45.320 --> 00:13:46.500people through my life.35900:13:47.980 --> 00:13:49.660And that means I'm to give up me.36000:13:50.420 --> 00:13:54.360I'm to surrender myself to him and say36100:13:54.360 --> 00:13:55.860to him, Lord, do what you want with36200:13:55.860 --> 00:13:56.160me.36300:13:56.460 --> 00:13:58.880But this one thing I know, I want36400:13:58.880 --> 00:14:00.480to be on the straight and narrow.36500:14:00.600 --> 00:14:02.640And if I'm not, pick me up and36600:14:02.640 --> 00:14:03.460put me on it.36700:14:04.680 --> 00:14:06.840Because I don't want to live my life36800:14:06.840 --> 00:14:08.800and come to the end of it all.36900:14:09.520 --> 00:14:10.700And I'm lost.37000:14:11.760 --> 00:14:14.360Notice they called him Lord, Lord, but never37100:14:14.360 --> 00:14:15.560did the things he said.37200:14:17.160 --> 00:14:18.480Do you believe in God?37300:14:19.640 --> 00:14:20.860Or do you have a heart to obey37400:14:20.860 --> 00:14:21.240God?37500:14:23.000 --> 00:14:24.820Only you know the answer to that.37600:14:26.770 --> 00:14:28.550Only I know the answer to that.37700:14:29.650 --> 00:14:33.970In public and in private is my heart37800:14:33.970 --> 00:14:37.630hot in wanting to please God.37900:14:38.710 --> 00:14:41.110And with the few moments remaining verses 1638000:14:41.110 --> 00:14:42.690to 18, we see that we're in hot38100:14:42.690 --> 00:14:45.430pursuit of the kingdom of God.38200:14:45.730 --> 00:14:46.810Hallelujah for this.38300:14:46.910 --> 00:14:48.730Folks, listen, this is where we're going.38400:14:48.830 --> 00:14:49.450Now let me explain.38500:14:49.610 --> 00:14:51.510Jesus said, the kingdom of God is among38600:14:51.510 --> 00:14:51.830you.38700:14:53.250 --> 00:14:54.470What was that all about?38800:14:54.470 --> 00:14:57.570When Jesus was on earth, he brought the38900:14:57.570 --> 00:14:58.570kingdom of God around him.39000:14:58.610 --> 00:15:00.250That's why the dead was raised up from39100:15:00.250 --> 00:15:00.570the dead.39200:15:00.650 --> 00:15:02.470That's why the leprous were cleansed.39300:15:02.530 --> 00:15:04.870That's why those that were blind and couldn't39400:15:04.870 --> 00:15:06.590speak or hear were healed.39500:15:06.990 --> 00:15:09.190The kingdom of God was present in Christ.39600:15:09.490 --> 00:15:09.990How about this?39700:15:10.330 --> 00:15:12.330Wherever Christ is, it is the kingdom of39800:15:12.330 --> 00:15:12.570God.39900:15:13.310 --> 00:15:15.670And then he says, the kingdom of God40000:15:15.670 --> 00:15:17.010is in your heart.40100:15:17.430 --> 00:15:19.310For those of you who believe in you.40200:15:19.790 --> 00:15:20.430Isn't that amazing?40300:15:20.970 --> 00:15:22.170And then he says, the kingdom of God40400:15:22.170 --> 00:15:22.650is coming.40500:15:23.510 --> 00:15:23.990Wow.40600:15:24.130 --> 00:15:24.590What is it?40700:15:24.730 --> 00:15:25.510Here's the answer.40800:15:25.590 --> 00:15:27.670If somebody asks you, what's the answer to40900:15:27.670 --> 00:15:28.990this kingdom of God question?41000:15:29.270 --> 00:15:32.490The answer is the rule and reign of41100:15:32.490 --> 00:15:33.050Christ.41200:15:33.910 --> 00:15:34.870Are you guys awake?41300:15:35.670 --> 00:15:38.070The rule and reign of Christ in your41400:15:38.070 --> 00:15:43.390heart, in your family, in your mind, your41500:15:43.390 --> 00:15:43.850home.41600:15:48.160 --> 00:15:49.500Is he the one we're following?41700:15:49.820 --> 00:15:51.560Now I'm going to say something that's going41800:15:51.560 --> 00:15:52.580to upset people.41900:15:52.680 --> 00:15:54.760How do I know I'm not a prophet?42000:15:54.880 --> 00:15:56.240I just did it last service.42100:15:56.240 --> 00:15:57.740And I know how it goes.42200:16:00.560 --> 00:16:02.500You do know that the kingdom of God42300:16:03.920 --> 00:16:06.980is not lined with American flags.42400:16:08.800 --> 00:16:10.960You do know that God is not in42500:16:10.960 --> 00:16:13.120heaven and there's the throne with the angels42600:16:13.760 --> 00:16:15.900and there's the constitution of the United States42700:16:15.900 --> 00:16:16.920behind the throne of God.42800:16:17.780 --> 00:16:19.280I mean, I'm not making fun of our42900:16:19.280 --> 00:16:19.780constitution.43000:16:19.920 --> 00:16:21.700It's the greatest document that man has ever43100:16:21.700 --> 00:16:22.640crafted on earth.43200:16:23.000 --> 00:16:24.200There's no doubt about it.43300:16:24.900 --> 00:16:26.120I got to tell you this.43400:16:26.500 --> 00:16:28.780God's not, God's not a Republican and he's43500:16:28.780 --> 00:16:30.020absolutely not a Democrat.43600:16:32.610 --> 00:16:35.570God, listen, God, God is, he's, God is43700:16:35.570 --> 00:16:36.490a monarchist.43800:16:36.910 --> 00:16:37.830Did you know that?43900:16:39.090 --> 00:16:40.390He's a, he's king.44000:16:42.090 --> 00:16:45.090And heaven, the kingdom of God, yeah, the44100:16:45.090 --> 00:16:46.590kingdom of God is never going to come44200:16:46.590 --> 00:16:47.790in any political party.44300:16:48.190 --> 00:16:49.650And I said this years ago and it44400:16:49.650 --> 00:16:50.610kind of got well known.44500:16:51.050 --> 00:16:53.010And it is this, the Messiah is not44600:16:53.010 --> 00:16:54.470coming and he's not going to arrive on44700:16:54.470 --> 00:16:55.090Air Force One.44800:16:56.430 --> 00:16:58.050We need to remember that folks.44900:16:59.490 --> 00:17:01.650Look, am I grateful for the incredible stuff45000:17:01.650 --> 00:17:03.050that's going on in our country right now?45100:17:03.210 --> 00:17:04.109Yes, I am.45200:17:04.310 --> 00:17:08.230But we need a spiritual awakening and no45300:17:08.230 --> 00:17:10.930politician, no human is going to pull that45400:17:10.930 --> 00:17:11.270off.45500:17:11.609 --> 00:17:13.910It's got to be the work of God45600:17:15.010 --> 00:17:16.410and the kingdom of God.45700:17:17.190 --> 00:17:19.089You and I are ambassadors, the Bible says,45800:17:19.170 --> 00:17:19.890of his kingdom.45900:17:20.770 --> 00:17:23.390You and I walk, live, move, everything about46000:17:23.390 --> 00:17:24.950us is the politic of heaven.46100:17:28.460 --> 00:17:30.080And America is not going to bring in46200:17:30.080 --> 00:17:30.980the kingdom of God.46300:17:31.360 --> 00:17:32.300Should we do the right thing?46400:17:32.380 --> 00:17:33.000Of course.46500:17:35.900 --> 00:17:37.420Should we be good citizens?46600:17:37.600 --> 00:17:38.280Should we love?46700:17:38.700 --> 00:17:39.800Yes, all that.46800:17:39.980 --> 00:17:42.620But don't think that the kingdom is going46900:17:42.620 --> 00:17:44.380to come by some political power.47000:17:46.000 --> 00:17:48.820That is wrong thinking.47100:17:49.680 --> 00:17:52.120It says in verse 16, therefore, do not47200:17:52.120 --> 00:17:54.880let your good be spoken of as evil,47300:17:54.960 --> 00:17:58.020for the kingdom of God is not eating47400:17:58.020 --> 00:17:58.640and drinking.47500:17:58.900 --> 00:17:59.420I love it.47600:17:59.580 --> 00:18:02.920Watch, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the47700:18:02.920 --> 00:18:06.460Holy Spirit, for he who serves Christ in47800:18:06.460 --> 00:18:10.520these things is accepted to God and approved47900:18:10.520 --> 00:18:11.140by men.48000:18:11.280 --> 00:18:13.140Very quickly, I'll wrap it up this way48100:18:13.140 --> 00:18:14.680with the few moments we have left.48200:18:15.180 --> 00:18:20.240It is this, that don't let your good48300:18:20.240 --> 00:18:21.620be spoken evil of.48400:18:21.800 --> 00:18:24.080It means this, whatever you do good, what48500:18:24.080 --> 00:18:25.020is that saying?48600:18:25.600 --> 00:18:28.160No good deed ever goes unpunished.48700:18:29.520 --> 00:18:31.320In this world, when you do the right48800:18:31.320 --> 00:18:33.120thing, it's going to be rejected and hated48900:18:33.120 --> 00:18:33.760by people.49000:18:34.560 --> 00:18:35.260That's okay.49100:18:36.380 --> 00:18:39.060Don't let that stop you from continuing on49200:18:39.060 --> 00:18:40.300doing the good thing.49300:18:41.180 --> 00:18:43.420Just because people criticize you and they try49400:18:43.420 --> 00:18:44.920to label you and make fun of you49500:18:44.920 --> 00:18:46.520and say all kinds of evil against you,49600:18:46.640 --> 00:18:48.740doesn't mean that you're supposed to stop doing49700:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.560the right thing.49800:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.980In fact, if anything, I should encourage you49900:18:51.980 --> 00:18:53.240to keep doing the right thing.50000:18:54.320 --> 00:18:54.560Right?50100:18:55.560 --> 00:18:57.520You can know a lot about somebody if50200:18:57.520 --> 00:18:58.680you know who their enemies are.50300:19:01.130 --> 00:19:05.670So don't let that curtail or have you50400:19:05.670 --> 00:19:06.830withhold doing good.50500:19:07.690 --> 00:19:10.250Don't allow your good to be spoken evil50600:19:10.250 --> 00:19:10.450of.50700:19:10.470 --> 00:19:11.670It doesn't mean you punch somebody in the50800:19:11.670 --> 00:19:12.990nose who disapproves.50900:19:13.870 --> 00:19:15.610No, it means you keep doing the good51000:19:15.610 --> 00:19:16.010thing.51100:19:17.150 --> 00:19:19.090Look, you can contact your senator and do51200:19:19.090 --> 00:19:21.110a good thing by protecting children's lives.51300:19:21.490 --> 00:19:23.170If you don't want to do that, that's51400:19:23.170 --> 00:19:23.570on you.51500:19:23.750 --> 00:19:25.810I blew the trumpet warning you.51600:19:25.930 --> 00:19:26.610I invited you.51700:19:26.850 --> 00:19:27.390We gave it.51800:19:27.390 --> 00:19:29.010You gave you a QR code for crying51900:19:29.010 --> 00:19:29.330out loud.52000:19:30.470 --> 00:19:32.510But God, I didn't see the QR code.52100:19:32.570 --> 00:19:33.890It was right in your face on the52200:19:33.890 --> 00:19:34.410screen.52300:19:35.470 --> 00:19:36.690Do you care enough?52400:19:36.770 --> 00:19:38.870Do you care enough to love the things52500:19:38.870 --> 00:19:40.650that God loves and God loves the innocence52600:19:40.650 --> 00:19:41.210of children?52700:19:42.090 --> 00:19:43.250And he wants them protected.52800:19:43.510 --> 00:19:45.170This is an opportunity for you to do52900:19:45.170 --> 00:19:48.810church in the sense of righteousness is simply53000:19:48.810 --> 00:19:49.690doing the right thing.53100:19:51.190 --> 00:19:51.630Righteousness.53200:19:56.130 --> 00:19:58.590This Jack Kemp's podcast, as well as all53300:19:58.590 --> 00:20:01.650the broadcast outreach opportunities are listener supported.53400:20:02.390 --> 00:20:04.490Will you consider partnering with us through a53500:20:04.490 --> 00:20:05.170special gift?53600:20:05.990 --> 00:20:09.610Go to Jackhibbs.com to learn more and53700:20:09.610 --> 00:20:10.490stay connected.