The Christian Conscience

It is my goal to learn something new about God, or the Bible, each week.  It is also my goal to present a Biblical truth each week that will be new to our congregation, not the same old, same old, that you find elsewhere.  It is always, exciting and uplifting, to learn something new, and to share it with those who are committed Christians.

Here’s something new for you. Are the Kingdom of God, and the Kingdom of Heaven, the same thing?  Recently I was surprised to learn that the term “Kingdom of Heaven” only appears in the gospel according to Matthew.  By examining parallel passages in the other gospels, we find many descriptions, or quotes, of the same events, except that in the other gospels, the term “Kingdom of God” is used.  This gives support to the idea, that Matthew’s gospel was first written in Aramaic, and translated into Greek shortly thereafter.  In the original Greek, we occasionally find the term, “Kingdom of Heavens.” Somehow, in the translation or manuscript selection process, the Kingdom of God became the Kingdom of Heaven/s, in the book of Matthew.

The Kingdom of God, and Kingdom of Heaven, are the same thing.  The Kingdom of God can be thought of, as the rule of God, God ruling in our thoughts, and our conduct, and our lives.  Who is ruling in your life?  Is it you, or is it God?

Why is this so important?  Because the gospel, according to Jesus, was not about “getting saved.” It was about the Kingdom of God.  In Matthew, alone, where it is called the Kingdom of Heaven, we find that term over 30 times.  In Mark, Luke, and John, we find Jesus preaching the Kingdom of God over 50 times.  We have now learned that the message of Jesus, about the Kingdom of God, was mentioned over 80 times in the first four gospels alone!

 In Mark 1:14,15 it says, “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. repent, and believe in the gospel.’”  That was the very first thing that Jesus preached!

In John 3:3, we have another record of the first thing that Jesus taught: “Jesus answered and said unto him (Nicodemus), ‘ Verily, verily, I say unto thee: Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”

If that is not, what you are being taught about the gospel, you need to ask why!

The gospel of the Apostle Paul, found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 contains truth, but it should not be substituted for the gospel that Jesus taught.  What have you been taught?

1 Corinthians 15:1,2 says, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, If ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain!”

Questions or comments?  Send an e-mail to the address below.

At the Mexico Beach Christian Worship Center, we believe that God wants you know the truth about the Bible, and to be born of God,- not risk your present, and eternal future, on faulty religious teaching.  At the MBCWC, we don’t pass an offering plate and plead for money, or twist your arm to join.  Plan to check us out this Sunday!  Our services begin, with a time of greeting and fellowship, at 9:30 a.m. CT on Sunday.  Worship begins at 9:45 a.m.  Come early so that you can meet, and fellowship with us, and enjoy the praise and worship music led by TJ!  We meet, and worship, at the Mexico Beach Civic Center on 105 N. 31st street, behind Parker Realty, and the Beach Walk gift shop, just off U.S. 98, in Mexico Beach.

God Bless,

Pastor Tim Morrill

Mexico Beach Christian Worship Center

pastor@mexicobeachcwc.com

http://www.mexicobeachcwc.com