Kingdom Confidence ....

On August 27th 2017, Houston, the fourth largest city in America, was hit by Hurricane Harvey. Over the next four days, Houstonians watched as we had over fifty-one inches of rain. This storm was so bad that the national media stated that it would take Houston decades to recover, if it ever did. However, within hours, something unexpected happened. Before FEMA mobilized or the government had a plan, Houstonians launched boats into flooded neighborhoods, the “Cajun Navy” from Louisiana arrived, Mattress Mack opened his stores and churches became shelters. Furthermore, in the immediate weeks and months following, Houston began to rapidly rebuild, restore and recover. What experts said would take a decade or longer to accomplish only took two years with neighborhoods and businesses thriving by late 2019. By all accounts, the rapid recovery from Hurricane Harvery was a miracle.  

Just as Houston’s recovery from Hurricane Harvey was a miracle, God's spiritual kingdom, in a much more profound and important way,  also is. Right now, in the Greater Houston area, this church and in our individual lives, God is working in ways that we cannot presently see. As Scripture teaches, His kingdom advances through means that we do not control, operates on a timeline that we cannot predict, and toward outcomes that we cannot imagine. In Mark 4:21-34, Jesus tells three parables that build Kingdom Confidence; that is, confidence that God's kingdom (His rule and reign) will advance, even when we cannot see how. The first parable teaches us that….

As you listen, God will reveal

What is the purpose of light? To hide it? Of course not; instead it is to reveal. God’s purpose in sending light is so that His secret is known and His mystery is discovered.   And, as John 8:12 states, the light of the world is Jesus Himself. So, how should we respond to this light? This answer is emphatically revealed in Mark 4:23-25, when Jesus says “hear” (actively listen) three times.  Furthermore, we are assessed by God on how we respond to it: Careful listeners receive more and more light as they obey and careless hearers lose the light they currently have (Matthew 5:14-16, Romans 1:21). There is no neutrality toward God’s Word. Either we grow and mature from receiving this light (Jesus) or we shrink because we ignore or outright reject it. The principle is simple: use it or lose it. Within God’s kingdom, more obedience to what God reveals = God revealing more of Himself to us. For the Christ follower, following Jesus is like hiking with a guide through dense fog. At first, you only see a few feet ahead. Then, Your guide says to take three steps forward. As you obey in faith and take the steps, the fog lifts a little and you can now see ten feet ahead.  Then, as you obey the guide again and take more steps, the fog lifts even more and you can now see fifty feet. That is exactly how God reveals His kingdom. As you take small steps of obedience, more light is revealed and you will see more of God's plan taking shape. Conversely,  if you ignore God's light or outright refuse to obey, you stay in the fog.  

So, what does it practically look like to listen carefully to God's revelation? First, you must read God’s word. Then, as you are convicted by it, follow his prompting and obey. For example, when God’s word says “forgive”, do not rationalize your situation away. Instead, take the difficult step and forgive those who have wronged you. When God is calling you to serve, do so instead of making excuses not too. When God tells you to share the gospel with a neighbor, relative or co-worker, obey, not by your own strength, but by tapping into the power of the Holy Spirit. Brothers and sisters of the faith, are you taking these small steps of obedience? If not, will you begin doing so today? There is no greater delight for the Christ follower than having more light revealed and seeing your kingdom confidence grow as you walk in obedience! For those who have not yet received the light that is Jesus, will you join His kingdom today?....

To how to join God's kingdom,  please click here.

To listen to this entire sermon, follow this link. 

To watch this entire sermon, click on the YouTube video below.