Common Christian Community Year Devotional
Christianity for Christians
The Kingdom of God
A Daily Devotional for the Evangelical Congregational Church Fellowship Style
Introduction
Introductory Post
The Evangelical Congregational Church model of Christian Fellowship
Presenting equality in the individual Christian believers (royal) priesthood. The individual righteousness and holiness maturity in the current Kingdom Church Age of Jesus Christ and in His Millennial Age reign to come and of the present Age of individual Christian responsibilities.
Note: Evangelical is a reference to the loving, goodness and kindness of God and in mankind’s friendship relationship with God as opposed to an i.e. Calvinism that references an unkind god and an antagonist relationship with a supposedly reprobate mankind.
God bless everyone,
David Anson Brown
Located at DavidAnsonBrown.com and at DavidAnsonBrown.site
Downloads BasicChristian_Essentials.zip or Common-Christian-Concern.zip
The Devotional was originally posted at BasicChristian.org
* The Christian Community Devotional is published in the HTML 5 and CSS format.
~ Most of the Bible verses are from the ÜKJV 2014 Bible PDF
By David Anson Brown
January - Beginnings
January 1
The Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God vs The Kingdom of Heaven
When first reading and studying the Bible especially the New Testament one of the first topics that is going to be encountered is the topic of the Kingdom of God. In The Gospel of Matthew it is referenced as both the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. When I first started studying the New Testament I mistakenly concluded that Matthew was using both Heaven and God interchangeably and later realizing that there is a slight difference that The Gospel of Matthew is conveying in relating to The Kingdom of Heaven and also The Kingdom of God.
The Apostle Matthew in writing his Gospel of Matthew is conveying to us as disciples that apart from the kingdoms of this world there is also the more important eternal Kingdom of God, but that the Kingdom of God is temporarily separated into the two segments of The Kingdom of Heaven and The Kingdom of God.
Kingdom of Heaven is the presence of God
When Jesus was on earth the Kingdom of Heaven was among us as people.
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent all of you: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. ~ Matthew 3:1-2
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. ~ Matthew 4:17
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. ~ Matthew 5:3
Not everyone that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in Heaven. ~ Matthew 7:21
Kingdom of God is the domain of God
Even though Jesus is not physically, visibly present among us as people His eternal Kingdom remains something we can enter into [via the Holy Spirit] even at this very moment.
But seek all of you first the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness; and all these [necessary - worldly] things shall be added unto you. ~ Matthew 6:33
But if I (Jesus) cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come unto you. ~ Matthew 12:28
And again I (Jesus) say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man [without the Holy Spirit] to enter into the Kingdom of God. ~ Matthew 19:24
Therefore say I unto you, The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. ~ Matthew 21:43
Both Kingdom Segments Reconciled
Eventually the two segments of Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God on earth will be reconciled into the one eternal Kingdom of God in Heaven.
Father, I (Jesus) will that they [Christians - Kingdom of God] also, whom you have given Me, be with Me [in Heaven] where I Am [Kingdom of Heaven]; that they may behold My Glory, which You have given Me: for you loved Me before the foundation of the world. ~ John 17:24
Know all of you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? ~ 1 Corinthians 6:9
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood [physical] cannot inherit the Kingdom of God; neither does corruption [sin] inherit incorruption [holiness]. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:50
For it pleased the Father that in Him (Jesus) should all fullness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth [Kingdom of God], or things in Heaven [Kingdom of Heaven]. ~ Colossians 1:19-20
Note: Though this is an introduction to the Biblical principal of The Kingdom of God and obviously we will need to look at more scriptures and involve more material to further develop the common principal of the Kingdom of God. We do need to consider the importance of reading the Bible as the document it is including the various complexities it has in making sure that our own readings present the Biblical precepts and concepts of the Bible in a reliable and accurate way.
January 2
You shall call His Name Jesus
The Current Church Age and The Millennial Age to Come
Jesus: Je=Jehovah God is sus=Salvation
During the present Christian Church Age [redemption-salvation as Children of God] we as Christians [Children of God] call upon God and our Father in the Name of the Savior Jesus Christ (lit. God of our Salvation and Savior).
For unto us a [infant] Child [Jesus Christ] is born, unto us a Son [from God] is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the Throne of [King] David, and upon His Kingdom [Millennial Kingdom Reign], to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever [eternal]. The zeal [joy] of the LORD of Hosts will perform this. ~ Isaiah 9:6-7
But while he (Joseph) thought on these things [Mary's pregnancy], behold, the Angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph [from King David via the line of King Solomon], you son of David, fear not to take unto you Mary [a daughter of King David from the line of Nathan - Nathan an older brother of Solomon - 1 Chronicles 3:5] your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet [Isaiah 7:13-14], saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel (God with and among us), which being interpreted is, God with us. ~ Matthew 1:20-23
During the 1st Coming and present Church Age the emphasis for individuals is our Redemption-Salvation through our faith and the forgiveness of our sins, resulting in our becoming a Child of God.
It is important to point out and understand the difference between our current relationship in God as being only Children of God and not confusing [as the word of faith heresy often does - in making claims that are not currently available to us] our future status [i.e. responsibilities and rewards] as Sons and Daughters in the future visible presence of Jesus.
Jehovah-Tsidkenu: The LORD (Yahweh-Jehovah) is our Righteousness
In the future Millennial Reign [Kingdom Age - our individual maturity as Sons and Daughters of God] on earth Jesus Christ will primarily be referred to by His new title of Jehovah-Tsidkenu [The LORD our Righteousness].
Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will raise unto [King] David a Righteous Branch, and a King [Jesus Christ] shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In His days [Millennial Reign] Judah [already redeemed - Deuteronomy 7:8-9] shall be saved [salvation, healing - Romans 11:26], and Israel shall dwell safely [a fruit of salvation]: and this is His Name whereby he shall be called, [Jehovah-Tsidkenu] THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. ~ Jeremiah 23:5-6
So [Jesus] Christ was once offered [cross] to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time [2nd coming] without [regarding] sin [but] unto [regarding] salvation [maturity]. ~ Hebrews 9:28
During the 2nd Coming Millennial Kingdom Age the emphasis for us individuals will no longer be redemption from sin and our uncertain life of faith as Children of God but instead in the presence of Jesus we will have become Sons of God and as Sons and Daughters of God, we will no longer be as uncertain children but as knowing, growing, maturing Sons and Daughters of God.
Conclusion: we as Christians currently live by our faith in the unseen [but not unexperienced] God. Living as Children of God by faith means just that in that for the most part we are helpless infant children in a biblical sense and therefore we shouldn't expect too much from others or even from ourselves at this current time. Knowing that much of our maturity, rewards and responsibilities will yet come in the future Millennial Kingdom Reign of Jesus Christ.
January 3
Our Responsibility as Christians
It is our individual responsibility to be in fellowship with God
Despite the current misleading teachings of the day it is and always will be for our part that our responsibility is to respond to God and to have a personal relationship with God in Jesus Christ. Just as Abraham in his day pressed in and had fellowship with God it is our individual Christian responsibility to likewise press in and have our own individual fellowship with God our Father.
The Common Christian Community Devotional
Accentuating the Congregational Church model of Christian fellowship equality in being Children of God, the individual believers (royal) priesthood, individual righteousness and holiness maturity in the current Kingdom of Jesus Christ while still focusing on and seeking His future Millennial Kingdom Reign to come on earth.
Jesus answered, If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing: it is My Father that honors Me; of whom all of you [hypocrites] say, that He is your God: Yet all of you [hypocrites] have not known Him; but I know Him: and if I should say, I know Him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know Him, and keep His saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see [Me] My day: and he saw it, and was glad. ~ John 8:54-56
And the LORD appeared unto him (Abraham) in the plains of Mamre: and he (Abraham) sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men [the Lord and two Angels] stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in your sight, pass not away, I pray you, from your servant: Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort all of you your hearts; after that all of you shall pass on: for [to be refreshed] therefore are all of you come to your servant. And they said, So do, as you have said. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth ... Genesis 18:1-6
Therefore it [righteousness - being right with God] is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that [Old Testamnet Saints] only which is of the law, but to that [New Testament Saints] also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the [spiritual] father of us all, As it is written, I have made you a father of many nations, before Him whom he believed, even God, who replenishes life to the dead, and calls those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall your seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences [sins], and was raised again for our justification. ~ Romans 4:16-25
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest [Heaven] by the blood of Jesus, By a new and [Holy Spirit] living way, which He (Jesus) has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; And having an High Priest over the House [Church] of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised; And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as all of you see the day [2nd Coming] approaching. ~ Hebrews 10:19-25
Unto me (Apostle Paul), who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. Wherefore I desire that all of you faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner [soul] man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that all of you, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that all of you might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the [Holy Spirit] power that works in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all Ages [Dispensations], world without end. Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:8-21
Conclusion: The Common Christian Community Year Devotional is going to maintain its entire year long devotional study focus in the pursuit of the biblical concepts of fellowship that have been previously presented.
January 4
The Church Predicted in the Old Testament
The New Testament Congregation of Called Out Ones
Church lit. Ekklesia (G-1577) 'Ek' out of; 'Kaleo' called: the congregation of the called out ones, called out of this world and into God's heavenly gathering.
In the Old Testament the redeemed Children of God were called out of Egypt [the world] and led by Moses [a type of Jesus] they were to fellowship with God on their journey all the way, through the desert and into the Promise Land [Heaven].
And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh [of Egypt], Thus says the LORD God of Israel, Let My people go, that they may hold a Feast [worship] unto Me in the wilderness. ~ Exodus 5:1
And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the Children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. ~ Exodus 16:1
The New Testament Church (Ekklesia) the redeemed and saved (salvation) Children of God as Christians we are still gathered outside of the present world system and into the Heavenly Congregation led by the Alpha (Beginning) and Omega (Ending) of Jesus Christ [Revelation 1:8].