Rev. Manson B. Johnson

By Rev. Manson B. Johnson
Special to the NNPA from the Houston Forward Times

Matthew 16:19-21

Bible Fact: Jesus expects all of His disciples to demonstrate the authority and power of His kingdom as a witness to a weak and wicked world.

The Big Idea: To get Christian disciples to surrender their faith beyond the traditional to be offered the opportunity to engage with God without restrictions to do miraculous works that represent God.

One foggy night in London, many years ago, a ragged unkempt man shuffled into a little music shop, owned by a Mr. Betts. Clutched under the man’s arm was a violin. “Will you buy this old violin from me?” the man muttered. “I’m starving. I need money to buy something to eat.” “Well, I already have several violins,” Mr. Betts replied. “But I don’t want to see you go hungry. Will $5.00 help you out?” “Oh, yes,” said the man. “Thank you. Thank you.” He took the money and disappeared into the night. Mr. Betts picked up the violin, took the bow and drew it across the strings. The violin gave forth a deep mellow tone. Surprised, Mr. Betts took a light and peered into the inside of the violin. He could hardly believe what he saw. There, carved into the wood were these words: “Antonio Stradivari…1704.” Mr. Betts ran out into the street to find the old man, to pay him more for the violin. But he had gone. He had disappeared into the night but left a fortune with Mr. Betts. Mr. Betts did all he could to find the old man. —Source Unknown.

  1. The SOUL ONLY is the citizen that lives in the kingdom of heaven.
    1. On the Cross, Jesus suffered for me
    2. In me, Jesus saves me
    3. Around me, Jesus secures me
    4. By my side, Jesus sustains me
    5. For me, Jesus sanctifies me
  2. Keys to unlock authority and power of the kingdom of heaven within you:
    1. Love God; Deuteronomy 6:4-6
      1. Four ways to love God:
        1. Believe God…prerequisite for victory or answered expectation (Exodus 4:5; II Chronicles 20:20)
        2. Trust God…provides endurance to prevail during trails (Job 13:15,16)
        3. Have faith in God…confidence in the existence of The Supreme Power (Hebrews 11:6)
        4. Obey God …to accept the control of His authority (Hebrews 11:7,8)
      2. Loving God helps the soul to see God and respond to Him in a spiritual observance that transcends any earthly care, understanding or concern; Psalm 35:9; 42:1-4, 62:1,5; 63:1,5; Romans 4:17b
      3. Loving God is directly connected to our (spiritual) confidence in His ability to perform the impossible. The resurrection of the dead back to life is the most impossible to believe; yet, it is the most fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith; Matthew 16:21; John 11:20-27
      4. Loving God moves humans past complications and questions of earthly restrictions, limitations and boundaries; Genesis 18:9-15; Colossians 3:1-3
      5. Loving God enables true Christians to demonstrate that same unconditional limitless love toward others; I Corinthians 13:1-13
    2. Manifest your love of God daily in practice (not just on Sundays)

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