30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 17 3-6 Faith and relationships 12 Faith and the kingdom of God
📖 Luke 17:3-6
08Jul2020 - *Faith and the kingdom of God* - _Luke 17:3-6_ - FAITH AND RELATIONSHIPS 12 – Bible reading: _Luke 4:17-21_
_Luke 17:5 And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." (6) So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you._
_Matthew 17:19-20 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" (20) So Jesus said to them, "*Because of your unbelief*; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you._
We examined, what causes unbelief in us and prevents us from walking by faith in our relationship with God. Since the disciples, were still bothered about their bread needs, they were in unbelief.
We will now see that faith and the kingdom of God are both illustrated by the mustard seed. _Luke 13:18-19 Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? (19) It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."_
How can we understand the kingdom of God, here? The kingdom of God begins as small as a mustard seed but it grows and becomes large. The kingdom of God becomes large to take care of the needs and wellbeing of people. People can find shelter, protection, provision and their own development and growth in the kingdom of God.
_Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit._ The kingdom of God is about righteousness (the ways of God experienced by faith), peace (the shalom of God or the fullness of God), Joy (An internal state of rest that is not dependent on external circumstances) all of these are in the Holy Spirit. This is the expression of the kingdom of God.
The common link between the kingdom of God and faith in God is the mustard seed.
As we apply the mustard seed of faith, we are also appropriating the kingdom of God. We must, therefore, always keep in mind that as we exercise the mustard seed of faith, in any context, it is not just about a solution to the particular issue, (especially in the matter of relationships) but we are exercising faith that will bring about the kingdom of God.
The mustard seed of faith and the kingdom of God will always go together.
It was the kingdom of God that Jesus came to inaugurate. We call this the Nazarene Manifesto. _Luke 4:17-21 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: (18) "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR; HE HAS SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET AT LIBERTY THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED; (19) TO PROCLAIM THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." (20) Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. (21) And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."_
The Jews were eagerly expecting the coming of the Messiah and the inauguration of His kingdom rule here on earth. Jesus announced that He, The Messiah, had come and He was now setting up His rule here on earth. When we come into a relationship with Jesus, we are not only receiving the forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God but we are now part of the kingdom rule of God, here on earth.
People may raise questions at this time saying, “How can there be the kingdom rule of God here on earth, at this time of great despondency all over the world?”
The answer is twofold. 1. We, the people of His kingdom, apply the mustard seed of faith into our context and bring about kingdom results, into our situations. 2. We are also exercising faith as in _Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen._ We look forward to new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness reigns and we are inviting people around us to join us in God’s kingdom. _II Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells._
*Thought to ponder*
```Are you a part of the hopelessness or are you a part of the solution?```