Empowered to build – Kingdom Builders
Text: 1 John 1:1-4
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—
2the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—
3that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
4And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
John opens here in his general epistle with the joy and the revealing privilege of experiencing the Son of God with his physical senses. We have seen Him with our own eyes, We have touched him with our own hands…
What a privilege of 1 generation believers. To handle the Word of Life in such manner.
But as for the 2nd generation believers! We too can experience the Son of God in an intimate way, through the fellowship of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit enables us to have fellowship with the Son.
The Holy Spirit enables us to have intimate contact with the our heavenly father. One of the great advantages that the ascension of Christ has produced is that every believer can enjoy fellowship with the Son all over the World at all times.
When Jesus walked among the 1st generation disciples He was limited from going to all houses at once, some even blamed death on Him , because he did not seem to make it in time. (Lazarus) But today we enjoy His presence, His Power, His Comfort and direction through the Holy Spirit.
John 15:26-27
26"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
27And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
These disciples would not have to start all over in a new relationship, because The Holy Spirit will bear witness. It’s like meeting a Christian for the first time and feeling like you knew them all along.
Not only is the Holy Spirit a powerful presence, but He is accomplishing a powerful program…
John 14:12
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father
John 16:7
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Def: of Expedient -
There are so many great advantages of being empowered by the Holy Spirit. When we try to serve God in our own strength we are merely bound by religion.
Right before the major transition, before the ascension of Christ In the books of Acts, the Kingdom of God was still on the disciples mind, in a physical way.
Acts 1:5-8
6Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
8But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Jesus, makes it clear that what His agenda is and what is not to be ours, but He points us to the supernatural enabler that will build the Kingdom of God, rather than the Kingdom of Israel.
We have to be careful, as much as the disciples that we do not desire the building of the wrong Kingdom. We are not saved and filled with this Holy Ghost empowerment to build our little kingdoms, but we are empowered to build the Kingdom of God.
Def: of the Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God today is not a physical realm as much as spiritual realm. It is not a city or a country that we are trying to establish by force. Although one day it will be an establishment, as we know that the Earth belongs to the Lord. The primary concept of the Kingdom of God is God’s rule.
Maybe this is our question today…
Luke 13:18-21
18Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?
19It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."
20And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."
In these two examples it is something that been placed in something considered insignificant then grows and becomes dominant. This is the endeavor of the Holy Spirit that He would empower you to allow God’s Rule in your hearts.
Jesus said… The Kingdom of God is not there or here, but lo it is within you.
We might feel insignificant, but let us remember that He has placed this Heavenly treasure in Earthen Vessels.
We are not disqualified of being human, but not being submitting humans.
The Young rich ruler could not enter in to the Kingdom of God, because He could not submit to it’s rule.
Luke 18:23-24
23But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
24And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!
Let us refresh that the primary concept of the Kingdom of God, is God’s Rule. When you become part of God’s Kingdom you come under his rule. That’s what the Holy Spirit wants to do in your life, bring you under the kingdom rule of God.
God is only going to bless HIS MESS, and anything that cooraporates in building His Kingdom He empowers and give you the keys to bind and loose.
Notice the effects…
Luke 9:1-2Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
We are not merely promoting miracles, but the Kingdom of God, and miracles follow!
We are empowered to overcome every spiritual hindrance because our business is HIS business in promoting the Kingdom of God and not ourselves. “And he gave them power and authority”
So we must stop asking God to bless our kingdom, and begin promoting His.
If what you are doing is not building God’s Kingdom, the Holy Spirit us not interested in empowering you.
This revelation should stop us from spirit-hunting, and God is not using his power as a display to show off God has a specific program in mind and He is using the Holy Spirit through us to accomplish it.
The Effects of the Holy Spirit
Acts 4:13-14
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
The disciples had to endure harder times after the Holy Spirit empowerment.
Acts 5:27-32
27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!"
29But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.
30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.
31Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
32And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."
Acts 5:40-42
40And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
42And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
