Our Position with God

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Judi Barrett

Luke 7:24 - 28: And when the messengers of John were departed, he (being Jesus) began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy fact, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

Think about this for a moment. John’s birth and position in Christian history is well recorded in our Bible. He was soooo important, the forerunner of our savior, Jesus Christ himself. Everyone knows who John the Baptist was!! And yet, Jesus said that the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. So…. Who are these people that are in the kingdom of God??

We are! If you are saved, that is.

There are (3) three things (at least) related to this that I want to write about today.

1. How great a man of GOD, John the Baptist was. It's good to take a look at John because the comparison was made between John and all others born of woman and then between John and those that are born again into the Kingdom of GOD.

t John 3:5 (NIV) I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of GOD unless he is born of water and the spirit.

2. The least in the kingdom of GOD is greater. Why we are greater than what came before Jesus and the privileges that accompany that.

3. The responsibilities of being in the Kingdom of GOD.

In the scripture that we just read, Jesus said that among those born of women, there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist. The NIV says "among those born of women there is no one greater than John" as does the amplified Bible.

John prepared the way for Jesus' ministry.

The first chapter of Luke contains one of the accounts of the birth of John the Baptist. In that account it says, “many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the LORD.”

Think about that for a moment. I don’t know that “many” rejoiced when I was born. Now this is physical birth. Somehow I think that there is much rejoicing in heaven when there is a spiritual birth!!

This scripture goes on to say that “he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb”

Isn’t that awesome?? He was filled with the Holy Ghost before he was born….and….yet….Jesus said….that we, in the Kingdom of God , the least of us, is greater than John (has a better position).

Verse 16 of that chapter says that John will turn many of the Israelites to the LORD their God, that he would go before the LORD in the spirit and power of Elias (Elijah), to turn hearts of fathers to their children, disobedient to the wisdom of the just and make a people prepared for the LORD.

Now, you know…I would like to think that I encourage some people in their Christian walk, but honestly I don’t think that I walk in the spirit and power of Elijah. I know, I know, it’s the same Holy Spirit, but face it, I’m not doing miracles, etc. I’m not turning many people to the LORD. I would like to, but can’t say that I have turned any that way lately. AND yet, we have a better position than John the Baptist, who was the forerunner of Jesus, was related to Jesus, and did wonderful works.

Now, I know that you know why we have a better position with God. Right? Of Course! We are under the new covenant, we are covered by the blood of Jesus. We have the righteousness of Him because of His sacrifice for us. Praise God!! Justified! Just as if I had never sinned. Doesn’t that make you feel so small and humble and yet so important all at the same time? That Jesus would do that for us!!

As great as John was, the dispensation that he was given to operate in does not compare to we who share in the blessing of being in God's kingdom.

Bible Scholars say that the phrase “The Kingdom of God” is used to mean different things in different places but they agree that in this verse concerning John the Baptist, The Kingdom of God” is the same one that Jesus described in:

U Luke 17:20-21 (KJV) And when he (Jesus) was demanded of the Pharisees, when the Kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, “The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or Lo there! For behold the kingdom of God is within you.

U Jesus said that He was sent to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God. in Luke 4:43

U and again John 3:5 (NIV) I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the spirit

The Kingdom is spiritual, internal and eternal.

The church is the bride of Christ. John is not part of the bride nor are any of those that came before Jesus.

(John 3:29) quotes John the Baptist as saying: He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

U John is the best man, but we are the bride.

U The people thought John could be the messiah – that is how righteously they viewed him – Yet we are given something greater than that because we are made righteous with the blood of God’s only Son – Jesus Christ.

& Each one, everyone, that comes to God with a repentant heart and accepts Jesus Christ as LORD of his life, gets washed white as snow….receives the righteousness of GOD'S Only Son who is God also, so you receive the sinless righteousness of God. (use the poster board to show sins on one side but white on the other)

& Our Sin is gone….completely gone…it does not exist anymore in the eyes of God.

& You are a NEW CREATURE, sinless, clean, a new beginning, born again.

& And God within us in the form of the HOLY SPIRIT. God’s Holy Spirit is right there inside of you, constantly, walking with you and talking to you. We have to learn to open our spiritual ears and spiritual eyes to hear Him and see Him at work, but His promises are true….He is there.

We are part of God's Kingdom right now. We don't have to die to enter. It doesn't start with death, it starts with life, life in Christ. Our eternal real citizenship is in God's Kingdom. You moved into that realm the day that you made Jesus Lord of your life. (Use Don's Timeline)

So what are some of the other privileges that go with being a citizen in the Kingdom of God.

1. We've already talked about pardon from sin and eternal life. You could say that we have life insurance. In the insurance business, if you have wind damage insurance, it covers you when you have wind damage. If you have collapse insurance, it covers you when a building collapses. But in insurance business, if you purchase regular life insurance, it covers you when you die. It goes to your benefactors when you die. God has the only real life insurance there is. And if you belong to him, you are being covered right now! It is paying off.

2. Access to the Father through Jesus. (Ephesians 3:12 - In him (being Christ Jesus, our LORD) we may approach God with freedom and confidence.) Listen to what that says: We may approach God with freedom and with confidence.

3. Sonship - John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

4. We have talked about the fact that The Holy Spirit is with us- God - Jesus, the creator of the whole universe, right with us.

5. **and promises that prayer will be answered: John 15:7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

6. Peace, John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

7. **The promise of blessings: Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. The things being the discussed in this context are what you will eat, drink, or wear. Ps 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

8. Health insurance - If you have a job that provides health insurance, you consider that a worthwhile benefit, am I right? James 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

9. Comfort from God when we need comforting. 2 Cor 1:3 Blessed be GOD, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. The HOLY SPIRIT is referred to as the comforter John 14:16 - And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

10. A way to escape temptation 1 Cor 10:13 says in part: God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

11. Guidance if we listen Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. The NIV states it this way: Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying "This is the way; walk in it."

12. Protection - Ps 34:7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

And the list goes on and on God's WORD is full of promises to his children.

And my final point.

What are the responsibilities of this greatness that we have in the Kingdom of God?

There is a difference between requirements and responsibilities.

The requirements for being a parent and the responsibilities of parenting are totally different.

The requirement for getting into the Kingdom of GOD is to accept the gift of salvation from Jesus Christ. Let's look at what I call the responsibilities.

When you truly have given your life over to Jesus Christ, you love him, you WANT to please him, you WANT to share the gospel with others. When you belong to Jesus, GOD's love flows through you to others and you will feel a desire and a responsibility to live accordingly.

Jesus said in John 14:15 - If you love me, keep my commandments. Also John 14:23 "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

When asked which commandment is the greatest, Jesus answered in Mark 12:30-31 "And thou shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength; this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none greater than these.

and then in John 13:34 we find: "A new command I give you : Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

If we love Jesus, we will keep his commands. Keeping the first one to love God should bring us to reading his word, praying, attending church, praising Him.

Keeping the second one to love our neighbor as ourselves should lead us to be kind hearted to him, witness to him, pray for him, perform acts of kindness toward him.

Jesus said to preach the good news to all creation. Do you have beautiful feet? Romans 10:15 says "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Keeping the third commandment will lead us into a strong family tie with our brothers and sisters. They are our support group. None of us can or do spend 2 hours a day worshipping the LORD on any other day, we come together on Sunday to do that together with our brothers and sister….to lift up Jesus and support each other in our walks.

A lot people live their lives by the 80/20 rule. 80 % of the good comes from the first 20 percent of your effort and it takes 5 times more effort to get that last 20 % of the good. GOD does not call us to his service to serve with an 80/20 rule. He wants 100 %.

I leave you with this closing thought. We have been given much as citizens in the Kingdom of God, and there is a parable in Luke Chapter 12 concerning the faithful and wise manager. It ends this way. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. I pray that we will be found to have been faithful and wise managers of the grace and gospel entrusted to us.

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