Category Archives: Kingdom

Bible, Disobedience, Kingdom, Kings, Obedience, Power, Scripture, Sin

A NEW KING

ROMANS 6:12

“Therefore sin is not to reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,”

Every year we see new champions emerge in various sports. I am a huge college football fan, so I will be watching to see who wins this year’s national championship. Will Ohio State, the current “king,” repeat or will there be a new “king”? Of course, I am hoping my Georgia Bulldogs pull it out again. In the end, though, whatever team wins the title, it won’t have an eternal value. It’s just football.

In contrast, the new king in our life as followers of Christ means a huge eternal value for us. Up until we surrendered to Christ, sin was the king of our life. It ruled and reigned. But…when Christ came into our lives, sin’s dominion was over. I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating. Paul is telling us plainly that we have a new king – King Jesus. He now reigns in us and has filled us with His Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says this about the Greek word for “reign,” “The verb frames redemption as a transfer of government—from the tyrannical rule of sin and death to the liberating sovereignty of grace.” One commentator noted that Paul did NOT say that sin would not still be present. That’s a fact we have to live with until we go to heaven. But we are to not allow it to reign anymore.

Do you remember playing “King of the Mountain” when you were little? A group of kids find a small hill and take turns being “the king” on top while the others try to push him/her off and take their place. Man, I can remember the feeling of being on top and successfully defending my “throne.” However, when a bunch of them teamed up, they were able to “dethrone” me.

When we make Jesus King of our lives, I promise you the demons of hell will team up to try to dethrone Him in your life. Of course, they can’t do that, but they can make your life miserable if you pay them attention, if you allow them an inch of ground. Do not let sin reign in your body. It has no power over you as a follower of Christ. Yield to Christ’s reign and trust His power in your life.

Thank You, Lord, for putting King Jesus in my life.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Body, Equipping, Kingdom, Scripture, Training

PROPER EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING

EPHESIANS 4:12

“for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ;”

To do any job properly and well, you need the proper equipment and training. You wouldn’t send a lumberjack into the woods to cut down trees without a sharp ax or chainsaw and the knowledge of how to use those tools. You definitely would not send a soldier into war without the necessary weapons to protect himself and others and the training to handle those weapons safely and effectively. Equipping and training people for the task they are assigned is essential. Paul discusses that today.

Verse 12 begins with “for the equipping of the saints.” The Greek word translated “equipping” is katartismos. It is only used right here in this verse. HELPS Word studies defines the word this way, “exact adjustment which describes how (enables) the individual parts to work together in correct order.” That’s more than just equipping. It’s making sure the equipping is a good fit and works with the other parts well.

APPLICATION

This definition in HELPS makes sense when you look at the rest of verse 12. It reads, “for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ.” That’s why you need to make sure the equipment fits and works well. A saint is not alone in this effort. Every saint is connected to every other saint. If we are not working well together, the “machinery” of the body of Christ is not all it can be.

I have told this story before, but it fits well here. There was the old stone chapel in the hills of Scotland that had no electricity. The only way it had light for evening services was by the lanterns each member of the church brought with them. Every member knew that if their light was not present for the service, the chapel would be less bright. Their light was needed.

Listen, beloved, our equipping by the Lord of our gifts and skills is done so that we can be a part of something bigger. It is not about us. It is all about the body of Christ. We are equipped to help others. We are trained by the Holy Spirit to build up His kingdom. So, put it out there. Be bold. Let God use you in whatever way He chooses. Your light is needed.

Lord, I praise You that You have given me gifts to give to others.

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Bible, Father, God's Will, Kingdom, Majesty, Praise, Scripture

ONES, PART 3

EPHESIANS 4:6

“one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

Have you ever been in a culture where other gods were worshipped? As a believer, it feels kind of strange and dark. I remember during my second trip to Liberia, West Africa back in 1985, our small mission group went back into the bush to do some medical missions and preach. As we entered this one village, there was this large cottonwood tree upon which all kinds of animal bones and skulls were hanging. I asked what that was and was told by the missionary who was with us that that was the witch doctor’s tree where he practiced his sacrifices. That was a little unnerving.

Paul reminds the Ephesians in today’s verse that there is only one God who is the “Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” That pretty much covered it, don’t you think? Remember, Ephesus was the location of the temple of Artemis, who was in Greek religion, the goddess of wild animals, the hunt, and vegetation and of chastity and childbirth. She was identified by the Romans with Diana. The Ephesians understood the importance of recognizing God as their one God. And considering what Artemis stood for, Paul’s phrase, “of all who is over all and through all and in all,” wiped away all those claims.

APPLICATION

Is God your one God? Is He all that matters to you? Is He central to your beliefs and actions? Those may sound like simple questions, but they go much deeper. This God, who is our Father, is Father to all. Albert Barnes explains it this way, “The meaning here is, that God is the common Father of ‘all’ his people – of the rich and the poor; the bond and the free; the learned and the unlearned. He is no respecter of persons. Nothing would tend more to overcome the prejudices of color, rank, and wealth, than to feel that we all have one Father; and that we are all equally the objects of his favor;”.

Paul fully clarifies the importance of this one God by saying he is “Father of all who is over all and through all and in all,”. Look at that description. He is “over all.” He is supreme over all. 1 Chronicles 17:20 tells us, “LORD, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to everything that we have heard with our ears.”

He is also “through all.” What did Paul mean by that? This implies that He is seen throughout nature, in all the world around us. This would have gone directly against the goddess Artermis’ claims, and the Ephesians would have recognized that. Psalm 8 begins this way, “LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, You who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!” You should read the enter Psalm right now. It’s only 9 verses. Go ahead. I’ll wait…………

Are you back? Okay, the final thing Paul says in verse 6 is that God is “in all.” Jesus said in John 17:21, “‘that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.’” God is in us, but we are also in Him. Isn’t that incredible? If you believe that, live like it today. Be Jesus to someone.

O God, You are the only One true God. There is no other.

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Abiding, Building, Church, Dwelling, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Home, Indwelling, Kingdom, Scripture

GOD’S DWELLING PLACE

EPHESIANS 2:22

“in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”

My wife and I recently bought a new bed for our guest room. It is nothing fancy, just a metal headboard and footboard with side rails and middle support braces. When I finally got around to putting it together, I opened the box, laid out all the pieces and checked them off against the parts list (how many times have you come up short a piece without doing this?). Then I brought all the pieces inside, laid them on the bedroom floor and began the tedious process of trying to figure out from the drawing what part went where. In the end, I achieved my goal. We now have a bed someone can rest on when they visit.

Why do I use that illustration? Because the phrase “being built together” is exactly that. God has taken all the “pieces” and put them together to make His “bed,” His dwelling place. Once again, this Greek word has the preposition sun which is that permanent “with.” We are being built up together with other believers into a place where God says He will dwell here on this earth until one day we will dwell with Him in His kingdom in heaven.

APPLICATION

I love what Ellicott’s Commentary says here. “This verse seems primarily intended simply to emphasize the truth already enunciated in Ephesians 2:20, that the Ephesians themselves are now being made part of the Church of Christ, ‘being built up together in Christ.’ But it may also illustrate to us the character of the unity of the Church, as, primarily, a direct individual unity with Christ—each stone being itself a complete and living stone—and, secondarily and indirectly, a unity with others and with the whole.”

Did you get that? We are individually the dwelling of God through His Holy Spirit, and we are part of the corporate dwelling of God as part of His church. Ain’t God good? Two houses in one. Only God can do that. And God’s house has no flaws. There are no plumbing leaks or cracks in the foundation. His building warranty is eternal.

Okay, enough building metaphors. Simply put – we are God’s dwelling here on earth. He chooses to live in and through us. What an honor! Are you keeping His dwelling presentable? Can others see Him in you? As the cliché goes, “You may be the only Jesus some people ever see.”

Live in me, Lord. Shine Your eternal light through my eyes so that others are drawn into Your dwelling.

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Bible, Correction, God's Will, Kingdom, Perfection, Purpose, Scripture, Temple

A PERFECT FIT

EPHESIANS 2:21

“in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,”

As a boy I can remember my dad working to make something fit just right. He would measure carefully (measure twice cut once rule), try the fit, and if it didn’t feel just right to him, he would pull it back apart and file or sand some more. He wanted whatever he was working on to fit right and function properly for years to come. I wouldn’t go so far as to call him a perfectionist, but he was pretty close.

Did you know God is a perfectionist? Of course, you did. God is perfect. He is flawless. So why should it surprise us that anything He does is also perfect. Today’s verse uses a Greek word that is only use twice in the New Testament. In fact, both times it is used in Ephesians (today’s verse and 4:16). HELPS Word studies gives a great definition of the phrase “being fitted together.” It defines synarmologéō as “(hinged together), occurs twice in the NT (Eph 2:21, 4:16) – both times of God ‘fitly framing believers (OT, NT) into a harmonious, synergistic whole.’ That is, each individual being functioning as a part of the one people of God.”

APPLICATION

In yesterday’s blog we looked at the cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and how He fitted the two walls (Gentiles and Jews) together. Synarmologéō just goes on to complete that picture. The first part of that word is the preposition sun which is the Greek word that implies an inseparable togetherness. This “fitting together” is permanent. And the purpose of this “fitting together” is to build a permanent holy temple. This temple is not an earthly temple. No! It is a heavenly temple for all believers.

Look at what Paul said in the letter to the Galatians. 3:26-29 says, “26 For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”

Listen, beloved, we are all “fitted together” to serve the Lord. The reason God brought us to Himself was to be a part of the big picture. You are important in the kingdom. He needs you to do your part, to play your role. It’s not about works. It’s about service. Will you “fit together” today? Allow God to use His tools of grace on you to make you fit perfectly.

Thank You, Lord, for all the filing and chiseling You do on me to make me more like You.

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Authority, Bible, Dominion, God's Will, Heaven, Kingdom, Majesty, Power, Scripture

UNDER HIS FEET

EPHESIANS 1:22

“And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church,”

To put your feet on someone can be degrading. No one wants someone’s dirty, nasty feet on them. My wife makes me take off my shoes when I come into the house to keep my “nasty” shoes off the floors. We tend to think of feet in that way. But we are also told “how beautiful are the feet of them who bring good news.” (Romans 10:15) So, feet aren’t all bad, are they?

Of course, Paul isn’t really talking about Jesus’ feet. He is talking about His authority over all things. That’s what the second part of the verse says. “Put all things in subjection” means to arrange things under God’s plan. God knew from the foundation of the universe that His Son would be in authority over all things. That has not changed, nor will it ever!

APPLICATION

Over in 1 Corinthians 15:27, Paul says the same thing about Christ. “For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, ‘All things are put in subjection,’ it is clear that this excludes the Father who put all things in subjection to Him.” Christ rules over all, except the Father to whom He willingly submitted without ever giving up His position.

The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) begins by saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” Jesus said this right before He ascended to heaven. I don’t think He was exaggerating. If He had been the Father might have said, “Uh, Son, I just heard what You said. Come again?” LOL. But I don’t think God, the Father, had to say that. He had given all authority. He reigns supreme.

Knowing that, what will you do with it? Why do you worry about tomorrow? Christ is in control. Why do you fret about that doctor’s diagnosis you just got? Christ has authority over that too. Why do you stay up at night wringing your hands over things that you cannot change? Christ has His foot on it. Trust Him. He is truly King of kings and Lord of lords.

Thank You, Lord, for reigning supreme over all things.

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Authority, Bible, Eternity, Exalting, Glory, God's Will, Heaven, Kingdom, Majesty, Power, Scripture

FAR ABOVE ALL

EPHESIANS 1:21

“far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”

Okay, if you know me at all, you know I am a huge Georgia Bulldog fan. I follow their sports teams, especially the football team. They won back-to-back national championships and are picked to win it again next season. They are currently ranked #1 in the Pre-season poll. Being ranked high at the beginning of the season, however, doesn’t mean quite the same as being ranked at the top at the end. And teams move up and down in the rankings as the season progresses.

Aren’t you glad Jesus’ ranking doesn’t change? Paul says just that when he uses the Greek word huperanó, which comes from two Greek words, huper and anó. Literally, it means “beyond above.” Paul is saying Jesus is so far above every rule, authority, power, dominion and name that you can’t even compare Him to them. He is super, exceedingly above. His ranking will never change. He has been, still is and will forever be above them all.

APPLICATION

Philippians 2:9-11 describes Jesus similarly. “9 For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” One day, everybody will bow. They will all concede His authority. No one nor nothing will ever take His place.

Paul continues this thought in Colossians 2:10. “and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over every ruler and authority.” This theme ran through these three letters, which were written while Paul was a prisoner in Rome. The authorities who had arrested Paul were no match for Jesus. Paul wasn’t worried about his imprisonment. He knew who was ultimately in charge.

How about you? Are you worried about who is charge? Jesus is! No one else. Others may think they are for a season. They may use their authority in a way that is not appropriate. But every authority, every ruler, every power will one day bow. I have already bowed to Him. Have you?

O Father, You have placed Your Son in an exalted position that will never change.

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Bible, Compassion, Encouragement, Family, God's Will, Goodness, Kingdom, Love, Scripture

HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH 

GALATIANS 6:10 

“So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” 

As a man, I am supposed to take care of my household. The Bible tells us that to not do that makes us worse than an unbeliever. But so many men neglect their families in so many ways. Oh, they may provide for them financially and physically, but they neglect the spiritual health of the wife and children.  

I believe Paul includes that in his encouragement to the Galatians in today’s verse. He says to do good to all people, “and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” You see, Paul goes beyond just the man’s household. He includes the household of the faith. We should especially do good to our fellow believers. We are in the same family – God’s family.  

APPLICATION 

Let me speak to the men right now. Men, you have a responsibility to care for your family. You also have a responsibility to aid those in your church or fellowship who have a need. Is there a widow who needs her yard mowed? Is there a single mom who needs some men to do some home repairs? I can’t help but think about James 1:27. “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” 

In Ephesians 2:19, Paul says we believers are all part of God’s household. That word has the idea of an intimate relationship. If that is true, why wouldn’t we watch out for each other? Why wouldn’t we come to the aid of a brother or sister? Why wouldn’t we give to them freely and without expectation of repayment? 

Now, wait a minute, Carl. You’re getting a little carried away. Really. Let me challenge you to look around and do as the Lord leads you. Ask your pastor if there is a family in the church who has a need. Volunteer to help. He will be so excited to put you to work serving those who have needs. We can do this now. Don’t wait! 

Father, show me who You want me to invest in. I know there are many. 

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Authority, Bible, Heaven, Justice, Kingdom, Kings, Scripture, Witnessing

PRIEST AND KING

ZECHARIAH 4:14

“Then he said, ‘These are the two anointed ones, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.’”

I have had a lot of titles in my ministry career. I have been a Director, a Social Worker, a Vice President and many more. I have loved most, if not all, my positions of ministry. Each gave me a purpose and drive. My current title of International Coach and Prayer Coordinator for Every Man A Warrior is a joy. This two-fold title suits me perfectly at this time in my ministry career.

So, who are these “two anointed ones” mentioned in today’s verse? Some scholars believe that are supposed to represent Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and Joshua, the High Priest. Others believe they are symbolic of Jesus as Priest and King, two titles that He fulfilled in His coming. Some even think these are the same two people who are called the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3. We don’t really know, but we can be assured that they represent our Father in heaven.

APPLICATION

How does this verse apply to us? It is because Jesus is our High Priest and King that we can even look at these truths in God’s Word. He opens our eyes and ears to see these words of life. Jesus is seated at the right hand of God right now, interceding on our behalf. Whoever these “two anointed ones” are, they are a part of God’s messengers to us.

Right now in the heavenlies there is a war going on for the souls of men. Because we have a High Priest and King in Jesus, we can rest assured that the battle is won by Him. He is the ultimate authority. He is the overarching ruler.

I can’t say it any better than the author of Hebrews. In 4:14-16, he writes, “14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.”

Thank You, Lord, for fulfilling all prophecy. Thank You for being our King and High Priest.

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Advocate, Bible, Brokenness, Caregiver, Hearing, Kingdom, Restoration, Scripture

CRAFTSMANSHIP

ZECHARIAH 1:20

“Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen.” 

My dad was a craftsman. He was self-taught, having worked with wood all his life. As a boy and young man, he had to work on the farm where they had to rebuild, repair and create new items for their work. I am sure this helped him learn the skills he showed me as I was growing up. He continued to tinker with this craft until he was no longer able to do so. He knew how to fix stuff.

The Lord is gracious, isn’t He? You see, He not only showed Zechariah the four horns that had destroyed the nation, but He also showed him four craftsmen who would rebuild. You can just imagine the joy Zechariah felt when he learned this. This message of hope for the nation was needed. Having returned from their latest exile, this message of hope was just what the people, needed to hear.

APPLICATION

And what comforting words those are to us today. God is still rebuilding lives. He is still repairing the broken and thrown away things. Are you broken? Do you feel as if you have been thrown on the garbage heap of life? Take heart, my friend. God can take you just like you are and restore you into a useable vessel, fit for His kingdom.

Just as my dad would take a broken and discarded rocker and rebuild it into a beautiful and useable heirloom, our God will restore you. Everything my dad repaired will one day burn, but you, beloved, will never be discarded by the hand of the One who rebuilt you.

I am reminded of the words of Peter in 1 Peter 2:9. “But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” You were restored for a purpose. Now, you are the craftsman, spreading the words of the Gospel, which always builds up and never tears down.

Create in me a new heart, O God. Make my hands Your hands. 

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