Who is King and Who is Not

From time to time with a Web cast like this one, that might seem to someone to represent another positive thinking approach, I think it is a good idea to remind listeners of something. Everything we try to say here is built on the ultimate and most vital mind change of all.

Years ago a Galilean man with a simple Jewish background, said to the people who would listen: “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Change your minds, and believe the good news.” From an obscure village in a poorly regarded region came the stunning announcement that the kingdom of God was breaking into this present age. Those who would receive it must turn their minds from the standards of this age to the standards and values of the new kingdom.

With this word, Jesus was not introducing “Helpful Tips for Staying Positive” or “A New Plan for Personal Success.” He was bringing the message of ultimate reality and calling for the most drastic and radical reorientation of the mind and heart that is possible. That mind change started with the acceptance that in Jesus of Nazareth the future kingdom of God was breaking into the present. That was the good news. What the Jews had long awaited, had come, though not at all as they expected.

One American president famously wanted to take what he considered the moral teachings of Jesus while leaving aside all the business about the kingdom of God. He even put together his own shortened version of the New Testament. How foolish. Trying to live the ethics of the kingdom without the kingdom or the king is like trying to run Mac software on your PC. Wrong operating system!

Some today try to find encouragement in the Scriptures, without changing their operating system. It cannot work. Every mind change we talk about here involves first changing your thinking about ultimate reality and your heart about who is king and who is not.

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Mark 1:15

"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Luke 6:46

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?

Luke 9:20-26

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Peter answered, "The Christ of God."

21Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."

23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

John 14:5-6

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.