Author: Danny Panter

Danny is the Associate Pastor for NextGen Marrieds & Community Missions at FBCSA.

And He Didn’t Even Have a Portfolio

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 20:1-16 (day six)

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43

Truly, amazing! What grace! What generosity! Something incredible happened while Jesus hung on the Cross! A conversion took place; one of the convicted felons next to Jesus repented and believed. Jesus, on the spot, gave him a place in his Kingdom. No drug test, background check (that would have come back all-wrong), no references, and not even a request for him to reveal his “good works” portfolio, and yet Jesus says, “You, come with me. I have a place for you in my Kingdom for all eternity.”

Can you imagine the response of the chief priests, lawyers, and scribes if they could have overheard this declaration to a convicted, law-breaking, criminal? “Him, paradise?! Never! God surely would cast him out! He is nothing! A vagrant! He has done nothing worthy of God’s approval! If anyone deserves God’s approval, it would be us!”

When even the least of these, the last, say “yes” to Jesus, the fullness of God’s grace is theirs for the taking. They don’t even need a portfolio of “good works,” and neither do you.

 

Dying to Forgive

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 18:21-35 (day six) 

Forgiveness, whether we receive it or give it, springs from the infinite well of grace and mercy dug deep by the death and resurrection of the Son! If that is true, and it is, consider this. As Jesus is teaching his listeners about the nature of the Kingdom of God and forgiveness, he knows that the very basis of that reality hinges or is founded on his death and resurrection. The Father cannot forgive, nor can we, without the tragedy and joy of the Cross!

Our reluctance to forgive, or closeted resentment, is no small thing, it is a rejection of the Gospel, and reaps only separation from God and others. So perhaps, the most practical fruit that the Gospel produces in us is forgiveness!

Hearing and Seeing Equals Fruit

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day six)

Have you ever stared and stared at one of those 3D holographic posters to no avail, only to walk away frustrated because the person next to you sees it immediately? And as you walk away they say, “What, you can’t see that? It practically jumps out at you.” Interestingly enough, parables are very similar. The truth is there, it’s right in front of you, if only you have eyes to see and ears to hear. So, parables either condemn or reveal great truth. They condemn those whose hearts are hardened to the truth and cannot see it, and reveal to those who are looking (asking, seeking, knocking) for the Kingdom of God.

So, how do you know if you see and hear with understanding? Well according to the parable of the sower, you can know by whether or not your life bares Kingdom fruit.

Cast Your Pearls

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day six)

I think one of the points of Jesus’ message in Matthew 7:1-6 is that, by all means, we should love and help our neighbor, we only are to do so with great humility and discernment. In fact that is exactly how Kingdom people conduct themselves; fully aware of their own need, they make an appeal to others to enter into the Kingdom, just like Jesus has done for them. He does signal to us that we should still use discernment when casting our pearls; we should not overly invest in those who consistently reject the Kingdom of God. But here’s the deal, the assumption is that Kingdom people cast their pearls, they give what is holy to their neighbors.

You might be surprised by how many people in your neighborhoods and communities are very open to talking about spiritual things, about the Kingdom of God. So by all means, cast Kingdom pearls to your neighbor ! In fact do unto others, as you would have them do unto you!

Kingdom Fixer Upper

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 6:19-34 (day six)

There is a lot to say about Jesus’ teaching about money, possessions, and the Kingdom of God, and all of it becomes real personal real fast. I’m not going to talk about any of that. Phew, right?! What I would like to say is this: Jesus is far more interested in restoration than judgement. The entire Sermon on the Mount is a beautifully rich invitation into the Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:19-34, Jesus’ teaching on money, is no different. Jesus invites us to a little self-evaluation, and then says, “wouldn’t you rather live for the Kingdom of God?”

So, relax Jesus is not trying to clobber you, he is hoping to restore you! So, practice a little Holy Spirit-led self-evaluation, and ask for the grace to “seek first the Kingdom of God.”

 

Made for Kingdom Living

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 5:17-48 (day six)

We were made for Kingdom living.

Right away Jesus tells us the result of Kingdom living, “In the same way let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) Jesus identifies for us the natural display of God in Kingdom living. When we live for the Kingdom as people of the Kingdom, God is exalted; all of creation sees God’s image in us. When we get back to the heart of the matter, loving God and others, the image of God in us illuminates everything around us, and that is real living, for we were made to do just that; we were made in the image of God. We were made for Kingdom living.

He Opened His Mouth

Re:Verse – Matthew 5:1-12 (day six)

“And he opened his mouth and taught them saying…” Matthew 5:2.

Although simple, there is great significance in these words. Jesus came to die; to live a life without sin and take our sin to the Cross, and yet “he opened his mouth and taught.” One would think His teaching unnecessary in light of bigger things. These words not only set the scene for the greatest sermon ever preached, but also reveal to us a whole view of Jesus’ ministry to us. Jesus had to teach. Later he would tell us he only speaks what the Father tells him to say, and he would tell his disciples the Holy Spirit would help them remember all he has said. Why? Why was it necessary for Jesus to “open his mouth?”

Jesus taught to help us make sense of the cross; that we might have a sense of desperation that draws us to the Gospel. He also taught us so that once free of our sin we might make sense of this life. If Jesus opened his mouth, than by all means, we must listen!

Walking

Re:Verse reading–Romans 14:1-21 (day six)

In Romans 14, Paul encourages the strong to “walk in love.” Walking in love tends to change a lot of things, mainly how you relate to others. You are less inclined to think of yourself, and more inclined to think about your neighbor. Your rights, or personal liberties take a back seat to their physical and spiritual needs. You are less likely to say, “grow up,” or “get over it,” and more likely to say things like, “let me help you,” or “I can show you the way.” When you walk in love you are willing to “become all things to all people;” you will slow down rather than speed up, you will remove obstacles along the way, you will serve rather than be served, you may even lay down your life all for the sake of love.

Will you be strong and walk in love today?

A Different Kingdom

Re:Verse reading–Romans 13 (day six)

Paul sums up his teaching in Romans 13 by admonishing us to “put on Jesus.” Regardless of who is in authority over us, or the type of government, we are simply to be like Jesus. Whether we face justice or injustice, we are to be like Jesus. We are to live for another Kingdom altogether, under the authority of one who is greater than all earthly rulers. This, of course, means that often we look otherworldly in how we conduct our lives. That’s just it, Paul is far more concerned with our righteousness than he is about the state of our government. He is far more concerned with the state of the Church, than the state of the Union. Romans 13 reminds us that God has all the kingdoms of earth in the palm of his hand; we need not worry, we simply need to pursue one thing, to “put on Jesus.” Will you?

A Gospel Kind of Life

Re:Verse passage: Romans 12 (day six)

Coming out of Romans 1-11, it only makes sense that we would yield all of who we are in worship to such a big and glorious God. He defies comprehension! He literally sustains the universe and all human history by His word! So when we are reminded of what Jesus said to His disciples, “If you lose your life for my namesake, you shall find it,” it really is not to much to ask. Indeed it makes perfect sense.

And out of a life yielded to God comes the Gospel kind of life. We see the world with new eyes. We perceive the ways of God. We reap the reward of having the Holy Spirit active in our life. We lay down our own life, so that we might take it up again-just like Jesus!