Message Notes

The Kingdom of God

Today: The Divine Conspiracy

June 13, 2004

 

The Divine Conspiracy:

1. God wanted to make people who could fellowship with Him. He didn’t make robots, but people with free will.

1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

 

Genesis 2:15-17 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

 

Genesis 3:9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"

2. By allowing for free will, the possibility for sin arose. Sin entered the world when man chose sin. Even Satan and some of the angels chose to rebel.

Luke 10:18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

 

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—

 

3. Sin brings death, but usually not “instant death.” God seems to allow rebellion for a time because of free will. Each man or woman is allowed his or her own “kingdom” for a time. Also, It seems that Satan has been allowed to rule this world for a time and the world falls under his influence.

Ephesians 2:1-2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

 

4. Because of Jesus’ perfect life, his death as the payment for our sin, and his resurrection, we can enter the Kingdom of Heaven now by choice, literally snatched from under the influence of the evil one. That is what we are calling the “Divine Conspiracy.”

Ephesians 3:10-11 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Matthew 13:44-46 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

 

Jesus, I want you to be in control in every area of my life: my career, my relationships, my time, my health, and my family. I want to put you first. Today, I humbly ask for your help. Jesus Christ, I admit to you that I am messed up. I realize today that I am not living my life for you. I realize my sin has offended you, so I turn from my sin and ask for the forgiveness that you freely give. I turn to you, Christ, and ask you to be the leader of my life. I give you everything I am and everything I will be. Amen.

 

5. When we become a Christian, we change sides. We are in a new kingdom, under a new king. Everything changes. Nothing belongs to us. It is all in service for the king. We have to change the way we view our time, our money, our talents, our rights, our relationships… everything.

Ephesians 5:1-10 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ²and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.