Comments on: Planted By Water

Comment on Planted By Water by: Elwyn Jones

Sat, 29 Apr 2006 22:46:01 +0000

Thank you Mr lloyd for replying to my question. I have struggled for a long time now to understand how we has Christians are going to change this world,even influence it in the way you hope. I have no doubt you are sincere in you efforts. Your fellow blogger Mr Hugh Griffith has also expressed his sincere desire to bring the kingdom of God to the city he lives in.
Mr lloyd I am only asking questions as a fellow student of God’s word to my Brethen, I am trying so hard not to throw out the baby with the bath water but sometimes i’ve strained the bath water and I can’t find the baby.

Changing the world for Jesus! Our Apostle Paul, who surely,plainly told us that it is not our business to become judges over them also which are outside the faith (1 cor 5, 12 )Our Apostle Paul also taught that if anyone wishes to serve in the Lord’s Army, he is not to entanggleth himself with the affairs of this life. ( 2 tim 2, 4 )
Our Lord Jesus said, if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight.(john 18,36) To fight ( My family back ground is trade unions and politics I know all about fighting ) is to compete, struggle for power over other men by debate ,or by intrigue, or even by force.
But The Lord’s kingdom is not of this world, and the “rat race” in which men compete with each other.

Our Lord Jesus compares himself to a household servant, servants don’t give orders. Yhe only thing we are asked to do is Preach the Gospel and to be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks us a reason for the hope that is in us with meekness and fear.(1 pet £.15 )

It’s my understanding, and I am just another Christian… that Our Lord Jesus has explicitly forbidden his followers from trying to change this world or nations, He told us not to be like the world luke 22, 25-27. Our Lord Jesus also said that few would be saved ( matt7,14; luke 13, 23-24 ) Yet God will have His wonderful Gospel preached, so no man may make any excuses.

Perhaps I have not had “this revelation” of the kingdom you talk about, but it’s the revelation of the message of Christ that men are saved ( 1 cor 1, 21 )
But may God have mercy upon us both as we search the scriptures daily for his truth.

Comment on Planted By Water by: Frank Kellam

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 04:50:17 +0000

Definitions are so critical to productive communications, we might agree; and as Trevor has instructed Mr. Jones regarding “kingdom people.”

Does the Kingdom have a King? Who is He? What is the extent of His rule? By what standards does He govern?

The answers to these questions are central to our worldviews, our epistemology, our relationship with Jesus Christ — our Judge, Lawgiver and King — whether we think we have one or not.

Is Kingdom synonymous with church? Many say yes; they offer that the Kingdom comprises only Christians.

But are believers the limit of God’s constituency, of His sovereignty as King? Does He not also reign over the pagan populations, in whatever nation, whether they acknowledge Him or not (Ps. 2)?

And how about the non-human realms: the meadows, the mountains, the oceans; and all the creatures, trees, flowers, and produce that dwell therein (Ps. 24:1)?

Perhaps these thoughts are more relevant to the
“Kingdom Seed” thead, but I’ll deposit them here
for consideration.

Could the Kingdom of the Triune God of all Creation be seen, in the words of a mentor of mine, at least partially, within this huge revelation which I am grateful to share:

“The Kingdom of God is the civilization of God: heavenly, earthly; internal, external; historical and eternal” (G. North)

BIG!

Comment on Planted By Water by: Trevor

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 12:13:22 +0000

Mr Jones,

By Kingdom people, I mean Christians - those who have been born into the Kingdom of God, are citizens and ambassadors of that kingdom and, as sons of that Kingdom, are sown into the world to make a difference.

However, I do feel that not all Christians have an understanding that this is who they are. When they do come into such a revelation, by the illuminating wok of the Holy Spirit, it makes a big difference. We are able to see ourselves as world-changers!

Comment on Planted By Water by: peter paine

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 09:34:56 +0000

Hi again Trevor - it was the title of your blog that attracted me to look it up! It’s great to have an overview of the “why” of your choice. I have been dwelling on Jeremiah 17 v 7 for a couple of years now: “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” So many exciting themes - roots, plantings, streams, fruit and leaves. If the “leaves of the tree” are truly to be for the “healing of the nations” I agree we need deep roots in the word of God, in Spirit and in fellowship with each other.

Peter

Comment on Planted By Water by: Dave Humphreys

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 13:50:56 +0000

Hi Trevor

I was reading through your blog today, and started to look into the above post. I must say, that this has both challenged and excited me.

I grew up in a church, that believed in the Kingdom of God as a future event, not as we believe, a current reality as well as a future event. I used to think that we could only see the Kingdom once we got to Heaven, and this age was the Church Age, followed by the Kingdom age, only when Jesus came back here.

We the Church, are in way, Change Agents, bringing the Good News, and Life Transforming message of His Kingdom to our friends, neighbours and our communties

Comment on Planted By Water by: Elwyn Jones

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 10:45:35 +0000

Dear Mr lloyd
I must admit that I have become very interested in what you and your fellow band of bloggers say about “This christianity”.Infact I have recently been exchanging comments with your friend Chris H.H, this fellow brother has amazed me in his willness to discuss with me honestly and openly tough issues,the issues that I think all Christians struggle with.Our Lord Jesus once said “By this shall all men know that Ye are My disciples, if ye have love one another.Chris certaintly showed me love by responding to me,He could have blocked me or even told me to Go away because I was quite critical on the subject we were discussing.However he answered all my questions in a respectful way.(1 pet 3.15)

I don’t understand the term you use “Kingdom people”
I look on my self as a forgiven sinner, and now just a common christian with a desire to tell people about “the Gospel of The Lord Jesus Christ”.
To tell people that they have offended a Holy God and for them to pick up the Bible and hopefully tremble at God’s Word and repent of their sins and to turn to Christ in faith to be saved, who payed the price for their Sins. Because that is the message of the Bible. Flee from the wrath to come. Should we not spend our time learning to preach that Gospel instead of hoping to change the world.I might be wrong, I am only a mere man but my understanding of the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, The Son of God says that this World we live in can not be changed, It can not be improved and as I look around me I agree.I trust you will see my comment as a honest question from a fellow Christian. I don’t understand “kingdom People”