The Kingdom Turn, Part 6 {byline} “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12.32 Listen Now | Download jwplayer('avreloaded1').setup({ 'id': 'playerID', 'width': '272', 'height': '24', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'allowfullscreen': 'false', 'usefullscreen': 'false', 'file': '/images/content/wilberforce/audio/vpkingdomturn/vpkingdomturn6.mp3', 'modes': [ {type: 'flash', src: '/includes/js/player.swf'}, {type: 'html5'}, {type: 'download'} ] }); The pleasure of His company Contrary to what many people seem to think, life in the Kingdom of God is a life of deeply satisfying pleasure. David understood this, and he remarked that the pleasures forevermore are centered at the right hand of God (Ps. 16.11). This is where Jesus sits (Ps. 110), as He administers His Kingdom and leads those who have made the Kingdom turn into greater riches of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit. And Paul says that we have been “seated with Christ” in the epicenter of divine pleasure (Eph. 2.6), so that our lives can be deeply satisfying, lacking nothing, as we rest in Jesus and the pleasure of the Lord.

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'Your Father’s Good Pleasure'

The Kingdom Turn, Part 3 {byline} “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory...” John 17.24 Listen Now | Download jwplayer('avreloaded4').setup({ 'id': 'playerID', 'width': '272', 'height': '24', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'allowfullscreen': 'false', 'usefullscreen': 'false', 'file': '/images/content/wilberforce/audio/vpkingdomturn/vpkingdomturn3.mp3', 'modes': [ {type: 'flash', src: '/includes/js/player.swf'}, {type: 'html5'}, {type: 'download'} ] }); The money priority For many people – undoubtedly, too many – money is the determining factor in all their priorities. It is the great priority that drives everything else they do. But it’s interesting to consider the different ways people pursue this highest priority. We’re all familiar with the guy who wants to get rich and enjoy all the benefits money can afford. He’s the guy who’ll go to any length to get the money he wants, even if, like Bernie Madoff, he cons and swindles people out of their money in order to line his own pockets.

'That They May Behold My Glory'

The Kingdom Turn, Part 2 {byline} So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” John 21.15 Listen Now | Download jwplayer('avreloaded5').setup({ 'id': 'playerID', 'width': '272', 'height': '24', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'allowfullscreen': 'false', 'usefullscreen': 'false', 'file': '/images/content/wilberforce/audio/vpkingdomturn/vpkingdomturn2.mp3', 'modes': [ {type: 'flash', src: '/includes/js/player.swf'}, {type: 'html5'}, {type: 'download'} ] }); The life we should love In the book of Revelation those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ, who have truly made the Kingdom turn, are described as not loving their lives so much that they would not gladly die for their faith (Rev. 12.10, 11, especially in NASB). The wellbeing of our lives is not threatened only by persecution, as in the book of Revelation. All kinds of situations can challenge us to consider whether we love this present life so much that the prospect of losing it can depress and destroy us.

'More than These?'

The Kingdom Turn, Part 1 {byline} “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” Jn. 4.35 Listen Now | Download jwplayer('avreloaded6').setup({ 'id': 'playerID', 'width': '272', 'height': '24', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'allowfullscreen': 'false', 'usefullscreen': 'false', 'file': '/images/content/wilberforce/audio/vpkingdomturn/vpkingdomturn1.mp3', 'modes': [ {type: 'flash', src: '/includes/js/player.swf'}, {type: 'html5'}, {type: 'download'} ] }); Forever changed Sometime early in the year 1436, art and painting in the Western world changed dramatically and permanently. Prior to 1436 artists in Europe depicted their subjects on a flat surface, without dimension. The colors were bright, the drawings were brilliant, and the themes were clear. But the paintings were flat. They didn’t “look like” people and scenes such as one might observe during the course of a day. Something was missing, and nobody understood quite what.

'Lift Up Your Eyes!'

The Purpose of Culture, Part 6 {byline} Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?” Acts 23.1-3 Listen Now | Download jwplayer('avreloaded8').setup({ 'id': 'playerID', 'width': '272', 'height': '24', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'allowfullscreen': 'false', 'usefullscreen': 'false', 'file': '/images/content/wilberforce/audio/vpculturelove/vpculturelove6.mp3', 'modes': [ {type: 'flash', src: '/includes/js/player.swf'}, {type: 'html5'}, {type: 'download'} ] }); Sic ‘em!I have to tell you, this is one of my favorite passages in the whole of Scripture. Here is Paul, stung by an abuse of culture and a transgression of civility, laying into the highest religious official in Israel, complete with name-calling and threats of retribution from God.

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