I led a Bible study during the lunch hour with office and blue-collar workers at a manufacturing firm. We studied Old Testament covenants and how Christ fulfilled them in Matthew. Management decided the office staff and production workers should have separate lunch breaks at different times.
I asked Joe, a friend from church, “How would you like to lead a Bible study for other welders and assembly workers on the production floor?”
“I’ve never done anything like that, Mark” Joe said.
“I would be glad to train you. You might be amazed how God could use you,” Mark said.
“Ok, let me give it a try!” Joe said.
God’s kingdom came to this company as production workers trusted Christ. During their 15-minute morning and afternoon breaks, God’s word was discussed. In the evenings, Joe repaired many workers’ motorcycles at his home. He shared the gospel with many coming to faith in Christ.
Christ compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed (smallest of all seeds) and leaven (obscure material) that grows like a tree, and expands bread from the inside out, respectively.
1. Acknowledge God’s design
Neither the Galileans’ blood Pilate inter-mingled with the Roman sacrifices nor the 18 killed when the Siloam tower collapsed were greater sinners than those still alive. Unless you repent, you will also perish. For three years, a fig tree didn’t produce fruit. If a tree didn’t bear fruit in four years with fertilizer around it, he cut it down (Luke 13:1-9). Acknowledge God’s design of circumstances so people repent of sin and bear fruit.
2. Help others experience freedom in Christ
A woman bent double for 18 years with sickness stood erect when Jesus laid hands on her. A Sabbath healing upset a synagogue official. Jesus said he was hypocritical. Shouldn't a daughter of Abraham be released from Satan's bonds? All His opponents were humiliated and a multitude rejoiced over the glorious things done by Jesus (Luke 13:10-17). Help others experience freedom in Jesus by releasing people from Satan's bonds.
3. Facilitate the spread of God’s kingdom
Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed that grew and became a tree. The kingdom of God is also like leaven that a woman hid in meal until it was leavened (Luke 13:18-21). Facilitate the spread of God’s kingdom from small beginnings to impact a person from the inside out.
4. Experience God’s kingdom
When someone asked if just a few are saved, Jesus said to enter by the narrow door since many seek to enter without success. Those who know God's will eat and drink with Christ. Those left out will experience weeping and gnashing of teeth (Luke 13:22-30). Experience God's kingdom by trusting Christ and doing God’s will.
5. Patiently await Christ’s return
The Pharisees told Christ to leave since Herod wanted to kill Him. Jesus said His goal was to cast out demons and perform cures until His death and resurrection. Christ expressed sorrow over people rejecting and not seeing Him until His Second Coming (Luke 13:31-35). Patiently await Christ’s return when He sets up His kingdom.
The following principles show how God's kingdom grows:
1. Repent of your sin and personally receive His death and resurrection.
2. Bear fruit by accepting God’s rule in your life.
3. Be God’s agent releasing people from bondage to Satan so they experience freedom from the inside out.
4. Begin small with simple gospel conversations and see God's kingdom spread in your sphere of influence.
I asked Joe, a friend from church, “How would you like to lead a Bible study for other welders and assembly workers on the production floor?”
“I’ve never done anything like that, Mark” Joe said.
“I would be glad to train you. You might be amazed how God could use you,” Mark said.
“Ok, let me give it a try!” Joe said.
God’s kingdom came to this company as production workers trusted Christ. During their 15-minute morning and afternoon breaks, God’s word was discussed. In the evenings, Joe repaired many workers’ motorcycles at his home. He shared the gospel with many coming to faith in Christ.
Christ compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed (smallest of all seeds) and leaven (obscure material) that grows like a tree, and expands bread from the inside out, respectively.
1. Acknowledge God’s design
Neither the Galileans’ blood Pilate inter-mingled with the Roman sacrifices nor the 18 killed when the Siloam tower collapsed were greater sinners than those still alive. Unless you repent, you will also perish. For three years, a fig tree didn’t produce fruit. If a tree didn’t bear fruit in four years with fertilizer around it, he cut it down (Luke 13:1-9). Acknowledge God’s design of circumstances so people repent of sin and bear fruit.
2. Help others experience freedom in Christ
A woman bent double for 18 years with sickness stood erect when Jesus laid hands on her. A Sabbath healing upset a synagogue official. Jesus said he was hypocritical. Shouldn't a daughter of Abraham be released from Satan's bonds? All His opponents were humiliated and a multitude rejoiced over the glorious things done by Jesus (Luke 13:10-17). Help others experience freedom in Jesus by releasing people from Satan's bonds.
3. Facilitate the spread of God’s kingdom
Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed that grew and became a tree. The kingdom of God is also like leaven that a woman hid in meal until it was leavened (Luke 13:18-21). Facilitate the spread of God’s kingdom from small beginnings to impact a person from the inside out.
4. Experience God’s kingdom
When someone asked if just a few are saved, Jesus said to enter by the narrow door since many seek to enter without success. Those who know God's will eat and drink with Christ. Those left out will experience weeping and gnashing of teeth (Luke 13:22-30). Experience God's kingdom by trusting Christ and doing God’s will.
5. Patiently await Christ’s return
The Pharisees told Christ to leave since Herod wanted to kill Him. Jesus said His goal was to cast out demons and perform cures until His death and resurrection. Christ expressed sorrow over people rejecting and not seeing Him until His Second Coming (Luke 13:31-35). Patiently await Christ’s return when He sets up His kingdom.
The following principles show how God's kingdom grows:
1. Repent of your sin and personally receive His death and resurrection.
2. Bear fruit by accepting God’s rule in your life.
3. Be God’s agent releasing people from bondage to Satan so they experience freedom from the inside out.
4. Begin small with simple gospel conversations and see God's kingdom spread in your sphere of influence.
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