Jesus told us to "store up treasure in heaven," but what is the point? Are we supposed to want "pearly mansions" in heaven? What use is a crown that we are supposed to throw at Jesus' feet? How can we convince our children that storing up treasure in heaven isn't a scam?
Communion, The Lord's Supper, The Eucharist, or Mass, depending on what you call it, is a strange practice. This meal never meant much to me until I could begin to wrap my mind around it. The way I saw this practice observed and taught in traditional churches didn't satisfy me. But on Good Friday, it is appropriate to explore this meal that the Church has always valued and which Jesus commanded us to observe "in remembrance" of Him. I have finally discovered meaning in the meal Jesus gave us.
The “Triumphal Entry” of Jesus is such a paradox. It sounds victorious and worthy of celebration but it is really pretty sober. We know that Good Friday and the cross are right around the corner. This Sunday feels like trying to celebrate your birthday when you know you will die on the next weekend. This day is the deep breath before the plunge.
This day represents our current cultural situation very well. We know we are in a great awakening. We know that better days are ahead. But we don’t know what we will have to suffer between here and there.
“for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”Hebrews 12:2
There is joy set before us. Victory is guaranteed to us because Jesus has sat down at the right hand of the Father (this is “the Gospel”: Jesus is King). With assurance of this, we move forward and embrace the cross and we despise it’s shame.
One accusation that strikes fear into the heart of Western Christians everywhere is the charge: "not Biblical!" But what does it mean to be "Biblical?" There are lots of earnest, Bible-believing Christians who have very different understandings of what the Bible teaches. Which one of these interpretations is "Biblical"? Today, I will suggest what I believe to be a much more accurate litmus test for the true Christian faith.
We lack power in the Western Church today because many of us still struggle with believing God loves and accepts us. We fear retribution for failure and making mistakes. We cannot operate in power in authority when we fear mistakes. Why? Because no one has trained us in spiritual warfare, the only way to learn is to begin trying.
To become warriors for God's Kingdom, we must have a deep enough trust in God's grace to know that He will catch us when we fall. Only then will we have the courage to try and fail until we succeed.
My earthly father was gracious with my mistakes, which gave me the courage to try new things. Our Heavenly Father is much more generous than my earthly Dad.
Let's go do try things. Make mistakes and learn from them.
No more bleacher critics. We need missionaries and pioneers.
Heal the sick
Raise the dead
Cast out demons
As you go, proclaim that the Kindom of God is here
It's time to break out the weapons. ⚡️
"the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses."
1 Corinthians 10:4
Here are some suggestions for going to war for the Kingdom of God.
1. Bless your home by inviting the Presence of God
2. Ask the Lord to help you identify demonic influences in your home. Consider books, movies, music, magazines, even photos of an old flame you haven't yet relinquished....
3. Bless your children.
4. Listen to one another.
5. Walk the length of your property, inviting God's presence.
6. Bless your enemies and those who persecute you.
7. Proclaim a curse on the works of the devil.
8. Bless your city council and county commissioners with an awareness of the Presence of God. Bless them with wisdom.
9. Bless extended family members and neighbors. Be specific as the Holy Spirit leads you.
10. Ask the Lord to anoint you for a new assignment.
What else can you think of?
“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:36-38
The “harvesters” are also the healers which goes hand in hand with the good news of the Kingdom.
I had a great conversation with my friend and mentor, John Van Wagoner on the subject of healing and releasing God's power in the world. I think you will find it practical and helpful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvEqg9GMBNU
We have a great new Safety Steve Episode for you. This one went viral on GAB TV!
https://tv.gab.com/channel/karlgessler/view/do-it-yourself-shed-repair-with-624086aab33e62c23e864d62
The Gospel of the Kingdom is much more relevant than a message merely about going to Heaven when we die:
Sex trafficking
Abortion
A Fatherless Generation
Spiritual bondage
These are issues for the Church to address because we have the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Jesus is King, satan lost. We must tell the world and we must live as though these things are true.
Lies don’t win.
Devils lose power.
The fatherless find a home.
The captives are set free.
When Jesus preached “the Gospel,” it sounded like this:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed...”
Luke 4:18
Jesus also said, “As the Father sent Me into the world, so I send you.” John 20:21
The Spirit of the Lord was on Jesus.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon you.
We have all that we need to move mountains.
Revival or Revolution?
College campuses are not happy places. The unrest and anger will make you shudder. The language of revolution is in the air and on the posters. But all is not well with the revolution. A counter-revolution is also underway. At Kennesaw State University, I believe that I sensed an undercurrent of hunger for truth, hope, and love. The college students crave love and healing much more than they crave chaos and anger. Strangers in the form of professors, politicians, and media try to whip college students into a frenzy and I think they are worn out from chasing the wind. I sense a receptiveness to hope, healing and truth.
#revival #hope
This is how we win the next generation:
https://www.karlgessler.com/post/an-encounter-with-grace
I am a husband, father, worship leader, song-writer, missionary, and podcast host. I live in Western North Carolina, USA, from where my family and I share our life and music with the world.