Matthew 16: Thy Kingdom Come
The Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.
Matthew 16:27-28 (NKJV)
The Kingdom of God came down to Earth once, although He wasn't what men expected. Jews anticipated pomp and power, re-establishing their supremacy.
Jesus had power, but where was His pomp?
Somehow, the Jews had forgotten their past: the humility of their first leaders and the crushing pride of their latter kings, who sought selfish gains and sovereignty… instead of sacrifice and submission.
But the Kingdom of God WILL come again…
Through the pleas of His devoted children, in the Person of the Holy Spirit;
Through the body of His beloved church, in grateful service and obedience;
Through the power of His Second Coming, in a worldwide, glorious victory…
If God counts you and me among His elect, we'll be celebrating right by His Side!
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Matthew 16 concerns discipleship: the light-filled roles you're commissioned to take. Sadly, some Christians refuse God’s casting, because some pastors disparage the field. Consequently, some lost lambs remain lost: 😞
Today, you're called to form a NEW FRONT LINE, to reach both insiders and outsiders.
For Group #1 (laying low congregations): You can fan the flames of a Lukewarm church. It’s grown comfortable in padded pews, un-Christlike in worldly condemnation, and fearful of anyone different. Your courageous, outgoing example will help reignite ALL missionaries.
For Group #2 (those who don’t know Christ): You shine for fans now sitting in darkness and search for the people churches ignore. You open arms to those who’ve been hated and offer the nine fruits of God’s Spirit. Your point wandering sheep to their Shepherd.
Through Jesus in you, God’s Kingdom does come.
Matthew 16: Thy Kingdom Come (Part 26, Conclusion)
* 'The onward march of the Church of Christ was as the coming of the Son of Man in His kingdom' (Ellicott's Commentary re: Matthew 16:28).
* 'My church, now small, feeble, and despised, greatly enlarged, established and spreading with great rapidity and extent' (Barnes' Notes on the Bible re: Matthew 16:28).
* 'The disciples saw their Master coming in His kingdom, when they were witnesses of His transfiguration, resurrection and ascension, and the miraculous gifts of his Spirit conferred upon them; and lived to see Jerusalem, with the Jewish state, destroyed, and The Gospel propagated through the greatest part of the then known world' (Benson Commentary re: Matthew 16:28).
* Link to Bible scholar commentaries on Matthew 28: Matthew 16:28 Commentaries: "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God– to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.
WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!