Shalom,
Our world is in turmoil. But for us, we believe in His holy and eternal Word and we abide in His Word.
It seems that the theme of today’s sermon (The Concept of Heavenly Kingdom Leadership) has no correlation with Jesus’resurrection that really occurred 2,000 years ago. Before we go further, what is a concept? Designs, ideas and images conceived in the mind regarding a particular event that is yet to happen. As an example, for the 2024 presidential election ahead, some contestants may have prepared some concept for the new presidency.
What is the heavenly kingdom leadership that the Lord desires? Does it match with the world’s orders and cultures? Luke 22: 24-38 write, “Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors. ’But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel….”
At that time Jesus was having the last supper with His disciples. He took the bread and broke it and gave it to them. Likewise, He took the cup which was the new covenant in His blood. Then, a dispute arose about which of them was the greatest. They were talking about the concept of leadership. They anticipated Jesus’ death because Jesus Himself told them. However, they did not believe He would rise again. According to Jewish tradition, the office of a leader should not be vacant. Once a leader dies, a successor is installed. Moses’ death resulted in the appointment of replacement, Joshua. So, Jesus’disciples began to wonder about who would lead the twelve. There was nothing wrong with their initiatives. That’s a fine logic. And it made sense to plan for a smooth succession. Jesus knew where they (including Judas Iscariot) were heading with their debate. Therefore, He then said that they would eat and drink at His table in His Kingdom and sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Unfortunately, Judas Iscariot missed this opportunity and adopted the world’s concept leading to eternal condemnation.
Do we cling to worldly concept because we are still in the world? What about our faith? Do we believe in the concept of heavenly kingdom leadership which is different from the worldly concept? At the last supper, Jesus’ disciples doubted the Kingdom. Jesus had not been crucified yet so they had not seen the evidence of what Jesus said. And even post-resurrection they were still doubtful.
The words from the women about the empty tomb sounded like nonsense to them (Luke 24:9-11). The two disciples who were walking to Emmaus also did not recognize the risen Jesus although He was talking with them through all the way (vv. 15-21). The disciples were still fixed upon the old concept. This proves how powerful the world influence is despite different backgrounds, cultures, conditions, climates, etc.
Church may adopt Western Christianity or Eastern Christianity but either way would not mean anything if Jesus had not been raised. His resurrection attests to His eternal Kingdom. And it shall never fail. Jesus’ coming into the world showed that His Kingdom is not of the world and its order was not created by sinful man. Hence, it is said in the Lord’s Prayer, “Your kingdom come… on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). So, for instance, if we move from a tropical country to a country with four seasons, we must learn to accept the changes in the climates, language, food, culture, lifestyles and so on. The order in one country may differ from others’.
What does the Heavenly Kingdom leadership exemplified by Jesus look like? The greatest be as the younger. He who governs be as he who serves. And we are to emulate Jesus; He was the Teacher and Lord but became a servant by washing His disciples’ feet (John 13:4-5). He was also a Servant in whom His Father was pleased. He served the multitudes by performing many miracles. And in His Name—the King of all kings who is also a Servant—gentiles will trust (Matthew 12:15-22).
Now we see there is a big difference between the worldly concept and the heavenly kingdom concept. According to the worldly concept, a leader should possess certain criteria, while according to the Heavenly kingdom concept, leadership should be marked with humility. A leader should not seek attention and fame through viral videos. Ironically, the disciples became involved in heated argument over which one among them is considered to be the greatest on three occasions (Mark 9:34, Luke 22:24). They followed Jesus while fighting over who was the greatest, who was more eligible for the ministry, etc.
The Heavenly kingdom concept began with Jesus Himself. At first the disciples did not understand why their Teacher had to die on the cross. Peter, thinking like a human, rebuked Jesus for predicting His death and suffering (Matthew 16:21-23). Peter also denied Him (Matthew 26:69-75). Judas Iscariot betrayed Him for money (Luke 22:3-6). They all deserted Him when He was arrested (Mark 16:50). All of these show that worldly concepts make a person afraid and try to run away from the cross.
But what did the disciples confess after Jesus ascended into heaven? “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go” (Acts 3: 13). And, “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together… by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus” (Acts 4: 27, 30).
What are the marks of the Heavenly Kingdom leadership?
- Humility and servanthood.
The Apostle Paul demonstrated these qualities. Therefore, he wrote in his letter that he was a bondservant of Jesus Christ who was called to be an apostle and separated to the gospel of God. He also acknowledged that Jesus was the Son of God with power (Romans 1:1-5). More stunningly still, Jesus is the Son of God and at the same time a holy Servant. He was the Son of God (the highest position) but made Himself a bondservant (the lowliest position). And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:6-8). His crucifixion was the most disgraced form of humiliation.
We are to possess a Heavenly kingdom concept marked by humility and servanthood. Didn't Jesus tell Peter to feed His sheep in John 21:15,16,17?
- In freedom, be a servant to all and be flexible to adjust in different conditions that might by all means save some (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
Often, we, who claim to be servants of the truth, cannot win people because we are not humble. Rather, our objective is to be served.
What are the risks for being a servant of the truth as experienced by the Apostle Paul? Being beaten and even imprisoned.
Application: As servants of the truth, we should not be boastful and easily look down on others.
- Adaptability. All creatures are His We, who used to live without hope (Ephesians 2:11- 13) but now, in Christ, are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- Be a servant of God not a servant of man.
Beware of unbiblical preaching (Galatians 1:9-10)! The true servant of God will only seek to please Him, not men, through the sermon he preaches.
The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthian church not to be slaves of men (1 Corinthians 7:23). For your information, most of the members in Corinthian church were ex-slaves who were traded in a marketplace, making it difficult for them to believe in Jesus. Paul asserted that when they were called in Christ, they were free men. So was Onesimus, though he was a former slave, he had been bought at a price through His sacrifice.
It turns out that Paul was not the only one who claimed to be a servant of God. James and Jude, Jesus' brothers, were not ashamed to proclaim themselves as servants of Jesus Christ (James 1:1; Jude 1:1) even though they once considered Jesus a lunatic (Mark 3:21). Why? Because Jesus did something out of the ordinary.
- Servants who serve as well as reign as kings (Revelation 22:1-5).
Obviously, if you want to reign as kings, you must be servants first. Unfortunately, Judas Iscariot threw away the heavenly kingdom concept and chose the worldly concept that led to perdition. It's not that Jesus did not want to help him but Judas himself blocked the way.
- Death no longer has dominion and His kingdom is eternal (Romans 6:8-14). We are not under law but under grace.
Even though we still live in this world, let’s choose the heavenly kingdom leadership which is eternal and marked by humility and servanthood until one day we reign as kings with Him in His Kingdom forever and ever. Amen.