Finding God's Kingdom

Finding the Kingdom

Session 1 – Believing

Slide 1

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3.16

Notes. This is God’s wonderful promise to us.  If you believe you will be saved.

It tells us that God loves the whole world including those people that reject his love.  The offer is to everybody.

If you accept the offer, you enter into God’s love. You are justified before God.

If you reject the offer, you stand condemned. Not to believe in Jesus is a sin which will lead to your soul being condemned to hell on judgement day.

If you believe you will be saved. But with belief comes a box full of treasures that God has given those that believe in his one and only Son.

Righteousness

You have become right with God.  We are now justified and made right before God. We have received righteousness through our faith.

In Matthew 5, it tells us to seek God’s righteousness each day by following Jesus. Your spirit is alive because of righteousness.  We need to stay right with God each day of our lives.

Slide 2

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5.1

Note. We are at peace with God.

Grace

We now stand in God’s grace.  Grace is the love and mercy given to us by God because God wishes to give it to us, not because of anything we have done.

Slide 3

We have gained access through faith into this grace in which we stand. Romans 5.2

Notes. We enter through the door of faith into God’s grace where we now stand. We are surrounded by God’s love and protection.

The Holy Spirit

By believing, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit which is a life changing experience. He will be with you always guiding and helping you even when you don’t know he’s there.

Slide 4

If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14.23

Notes. This is Jesus’ promise of The Holy Spirit. This statement is awesome, mind boggling and a game changer.

It gives proof to the fact that God is three persons. The trinity. It implies that not only is the Holy Spirit is in us but God and Jesus are in us through the Holy Spirit.

But note it is conditional there is an ‘if’.  To receive the Holy Spirit, you must Love Jesus and obey his teachings. 

With it comes responsibility. If the Holy Spirit is in you, you don’t want to upset or grieve the Holy Spirit that is in you.  You want to do the opposite but please the Holy spirit that is in you.

You please the Holy Spirit in you by loving Jesus and obeying his teachings.

Serve in the way of the Spirit

We become part of the body of Christ and within that body we have gifts of the Spirit.  If you don’t know what your gift is then you need to ask God to show you.

Then we receive the fruits of the Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.

Forbearance - patient, self-control, restraint and tolerance. 

Note – Gentleness is not one of the fruits, but is mentioned in Philippians 4.4 as a quality that Christians should have.

Slide 5

Ask and it will be given you; Seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7.7

Notes. Ask God to give you the faith to believe in Jesus Christ
Knock on Jesus' door and ask him to come into your life.
Ask and you will receive the Holy Spirit in you

End of Session 1


Finding the Kingdom

Session 2 – Love

Slide 1

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts 1 Corinthians 14.1

Notes.  Paul encourages us to follow the way of love.  In 1 John 4.8 it says.  ‘Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love’.  In 1 Corinthians 13 it tells us a lot about God’s love. And because God is Love the qualities of Love described in 1 Corinthians 13 are also God’s qualities. These are the qualities that we should display in our daily lives.

Slide 2

Love is patient, Love is kind, It does not envy, It does not boast, It is not proud,  It is not rude, It is not self-seeking, It is not easily angered, It keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil But rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, Always trusts, Always hopes, Always perseveres.  Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13. 4

Notes.  These are God’s qualities and he wants us to show the same qualities. Just reading these words or saying them in your mind brings an inner sense of calm.

In 1 Corinthians 13.10 it describes God’s love as perfect.   That means there are only four perfect things in the whole cosmos.

GOD, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God’s Love.

God's love is perfect and never fails. It perseveres and protects. Love must be our motivation in everything we do.  Otherwise everything we do is meaningless 1 Corinthians 13.1 to 3. 

We can speak in tongues, prophecies, have faith to move mountains, but if we don’t have God’s love in us it is nothing.

God is everlasting so God’s love is everlasting.   It also never fails. That’s how powerful and gentle it is.

Now this powerful and gentle love is in us. How magnificent is that.

Paul says that following the way of love is a most excellent way.

Slide 3  

If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14.23

Notes.  We discussed this slide in session 1 and this is Jesus’ wonderful promise of The Holy Spirit.  It also shows that God’s love goes round in a circle.  We love God and God loves us in return. The circular flow of love.  We enter grace through faith in Jesus Christ and receive God’s unconditional love.  God loves us and asks us to love him in return. Hence there is a circular flow of love. 

But we need to remain in Jesus’ love because we can fall out of it. Remember the illustration of the vine and how the branches can die. How can we remain in Jesus’ love?

Slide 4

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love John 15.10

Notes.  This is another game changer.  If you obey Jesus’ commands, you will remain in Jesus’ love.

To remain in Jesus’ love we must obey Jesus commands.

Jesus teachings on how we should behave, are set out in Matthew 5, 6 and 7.

It is very important that to live each day in accordance to Matthew 5,6 and 7. That is what Jesus wants you to do.  He wants all of us to follow these commands.

Slide 5

Love keeps no records of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13.

Notes. Each day we start with a clean sheet.  There is a clean sheet for my sins and a clean sheet for all those people that have sinned against me.  Jesus’ death on the cross has taken them all away.

So each day, try to obey his commands as set out in Matthew 5, 6 and 7. You should have them in your heart and in your mind. Helped by the Holy Spirit.  

Slide 6 -Recap

If you Believe, Love and Obey (BLO) You will remain in Jesus’ love.

End of Session 2

Finding the Kingdom

Session 3 – Bear Fruit

Slide 1 -Recap

If you Believe, Love and Obey (BLO) You will remain in Jesus’ love.

Notes. If you Believe, Love and Obey BLO, you will remain in Jesus’ love (session 2).

Slide 2 - Recap

If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14.15 if you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. John 15.10

With faith comes love; with love come obedience.  And obedience opens up a whole new ball game because obedience is key to remaining in Jesus’ love. Each day you start with a clean sheet because love keeps no record of wrongs and try to follow his commands as set out in Matthew 5,6 and 7.

Slide 3

If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15.5

Notes:  Jesus says that he is the vine, the Father is the gardener, we are the branches and we should bear fruit. Bear fruit means bringing people to Jesus. You bring them Jesus will turn them and heal their hearts.

If you remain in Jesus, you will bear much fruit. Like the good branches on the vine God will prune you and care for you so that you bear much fruit.

If you don’t remain in Jesus you will not bear fruit and you will be cut off.  

There is a condition - you must remain in Jesus. How do you remain in Jesus? By obeying his commands.

Slide 4

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15.7 and 8.

Notes

This is a life changer.

How do you bear fruit?  This verse says that you bear fruit by asking. By asking God in prayer to save someone. As simple as that. 

Purpose – We were created to glorify God.  We should live every day to glorify Him.  This is the purpose of all our thoughts, words and deeds.  We should not only Glorify God each day but also glorify his Name.  Hallowed be your name.  His name is YAHWEH. He is ELSHEDAI (GOD Almighty).

Outcome of our Action – Bear fruit – bringing people to Jesus.

How is this Achieved – By asking. How do we ask? By praying to him. Our Father which art in heaven. God is telling us all to ask. To ask not for ourselves but for the people around us. 

Conditions – if you remain in me and my words remain in you. Jesus’ words must be in us.  We should have Jesus’ words in our hearts and minds daily. Whether by reading the new testament or from memory. They must be part of us. God will show you the words that are important to you. 

Always remember the purpose of all this is for the glory of God.  We are helped by the Holy Spirit in us and around us. We have received God’s grace which is the love he gives us believers. We have God’s righteousness which is credited to us by faith. Most of all, we have God’s love in us. We know from 1 Corinthians 13 that God’s love never ever fails.

BLOB FOR GLORY

Slide5

Believe, Love, Obey, Bear Fruit BLOB FOR GLORY

Notes To make this easy to remember BLOB.  Why does God want us to bear fruit?

For his glory

BLOB FOR GLORY

Slide 6

STEP 1 – BLOB FOR GLORY STEP 2 – Remain in Jesus’ love and following the way of Love STEP 3 – Hold Jesus’ words in your hearts STEP 4 – Ask in prayer

End of Session 3

Finding the Kingdom

Session 4 – Pray for the Kingdom

The new testament asks us to pray to the Father in many places.

Slide 1

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7.7

 Slide 2

Do not be anxious about anything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4.4

Slide 3

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15.7 and 8.

Notes

Jesus commands us to pray.  We should talk to God frequently throughout the day. In the bathroom in the morning, over breakfast, on the bus waiting for the bus, walking the dog, in the gym, waiting in the dentist, driving the car, lying in bed first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Jesus commands us to pray in secret -  No one must know when we pray or what we pray for.  Not even your wife or husband.  Its your secret with God.

What do you pray for? – You pray for the kingdom.  Your kingdom come.

Your kingdom come in people hearts.   You pray for the people that God puts in your heart to pray for.  They might be believers or non-believers.   They might be people in the church or not in the church.

You pray that God will come into their hearts and deliver them from evil. Use the Lord’s prayer as a model for your prayers.

Pray with passion for the people that God’s put in your hearts to pray for.    Pray with love in your heart believing that it will happen. Persevere with your prayers for that person until God removes that person from your memory which might be never.

Remembering God’s love is perfect and never fails. When each member of the church prays with love in his heart for a member or a non-member a powerful mesh or web of love forms. Bearing fruit for the glory of God.

Slide 4

STEP 1 – BLOB FOR GLORY STEP 2 – Remain in Jesus’ love and following the way of Love STEP 3 – Hold Jesus’ words in your hearts STEP 4 – Ask in prayer

End of session 4

  

Finding the Kingdom

Session 5 – Finding the Kingdom Part 1

Slide 1

Jesus told us to: Seek his Kingdom and his righteousness. Matthew 6.33

Notes. In Matthew 6 Jesus told us not to worry about what we eat, drink or wear or any aspect of our life but first seek his Kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be yours.  You seek God’s kingdom with your hearts. We should seek God’s Kingdom and his righteousness each day. This talk is about how you go about finding God’s kingdom each day. 

Slide 2

The kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17.21

Notes.  Where is God’s Kingdom?  The kingdom of God is within you.  The kingdom of God is made up of God’s people.  If you believe in Jesus, you are part of his Kingdom.  If you have received the Holy Spirit, the kingdom of God is in you now. You could say that you have already found the Kingdom because it is in you. You keep God’s kingdom in your heart.

Jesus told many parables to explain the kingdom of God.  These parables fall into two types. There were those that explained the future Kingdom that will be set in place when Jesus returns. For examples, the parable of the weeds and the wheat  and the parable of the wise and foolish servants.  The other type of parables is those that referred to the kingdom of God that exists in the now.  

  

Slide 3

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13.44

Notes.  The man had to consciously search for the Kingdom because it was hidden.  You must seek the kingdom to find it.  The man didn’t have to wait until the resurrection to find it.  He found the joy of finding the kingdom of heaven in the present world in the now.  The kingdom of heaven is in you now. 

Notice that he gave all he had to buy it.  Jesus requires total commitment. It becomes the most important thing in your life.

The kingdom of heaven is in your hearts because that where God’s love is. 

Slide 4

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13.45

Notes. Again, he is searching for the pearl and again he sells all he has to buy it.

Slide 5

He told them another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.  Matthew 13.31

Slide 6

The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough. Matthew13.33

Notes. You find the kingdom of God by praying for it. Praying for it to come into your heart and into the hearts of the people you know.  You are the mustard seed and your prayers will cause the kingdom of heaven to grow like the mustard seed. You are the yeast and your prayers will cause the kingdom of heaven to spread like the yeast.

Pray for the people God puts in your heart so that you bear fruit for the Kingdom through prayer.  And all this will happen for the glory of God on earth and in heaven. 

If you place your self in the right place with God, God will use you for his Glory. Guided by the Holy Spirit, motivated by Love, he will give you the opportunity to serve him. Jesus must be in us to achieve God’s outcome.

You pray for the kingdom. 

Our Father, Your kingdom come in my heart and in the hearts of the people I pray for. Amen

Your kingdom come in people hearts.   You pray for the people that God puts on your heart to pray for.  They might be believers or non-believers.   They might be people in the church or not in the church.

Pray with passion for the people that God’s put in your hearts to pray for.    Pray with love in your heart believing that it will happen. Persevere with your prayers for that person until God removes that person from your memory which might be never.

Remembering God’s love is perfect and never fails. When each member of the church prays with love in his heart for a member or a non-member a powerful mesh or web of love forms. Bearing fruit and advancing the Kingdom of heaven for the Glory of God.

End of session 5

Finding the Kingdom

Session 6 – Finding the Kingdom Part 2

Jesus was determined to teach us about the kingdom of heaven.  15 of the 16 parables in Matthew are about the kingdom. He wants everyone to enter the kingdom of heaven.

The Parable of the Sower

Slide 1

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  Whoever has ears, let them hear. The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”  He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Matthew 13. 1 to 23

 Notes. To bear fruit for Jesus, you must hear the word and understand it.  You must understand the message about the kingdom.  Notice the things that can happen to prevent this happening.  Worrying about life, the deceit of wealth,  trouble or persecution because of the word or, simply, not understanding. 

 Satan does not want you to understand the message about the kingdom.  God does.

Slide 2

Otherwise they (the people) might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. Matthew13.15

Notes. The kingdom of heaven is God’s people here on earth now.  To enter God’s kingdom, you need to see with your eyes, hear with your ears and understand with your heart.  Once you understand you need to turn.  It says Jesus himself will heal you.   That is how important understanding the message is.  You should want to understand the message more than anything else in the world.  The kingdom of heaven should be the centre of your life.

Rejoicing in Heaven

Slide 3

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15. 10

Notes. Like the prodigal son, who realised he had sinned against his father and against heaven, you need to turn. And the father will welcome you with open arms.

The stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son say that there will be rejoicing in heaven when one just one person repents and turns to God.

Like the story of the one in a hundred sheep.  Father does not want to lose anyone. He wants everyone to turn to Jesus for salvation.

When you turn to God, Jesus will heal you.  We all need Jesus’ healing hands in our life, every day of our lives. He will heal your hearts.

Slide 4

The kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold on it Matthew 11.12

Note.  You forcefully advance the kingdom of heaven by praying for it to come into people’s hearts.

Slide 5

Remembering God’s love is perfect and never fails. When each member of the church prays with love in his heart for a member or a non-member a powerful mesh or web of love forms. Bearing fruit and advancing the Kingdom of heaven for the Glory of God.

End of Session 6 

Finding the Kingdom

Session 7 – Obey part 1

Slide 1 

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love John 15.10

Notes. If you Believe, Love and Obey (BLO), you will remain in Jesus’ love.

 Obeying Jesus’ commands is important to our Christian life.

Slide 2 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12.30

Notes

This is Jesus’ greatest command.  Notice that you not only love with your heart, but also you love with your soul and mind.  If you love someone with your heart, soul and mind you really are loving them.  Again, it shows the circular flow of love.  If we love God, God will love us in return

Jesus teachings on how we should behave, are set out in Matthew 5, 6 and 7.

It is very important that to live each day in accordance to Matthew 5,6 and 7. That is what Jesus wants you to do.  He wants all of us to follow these commands.

Chapter 5 covers Jesus’ sermon on the mount in which he tells all the people how they should behave.  Before the sermon Jesus preached to the people, ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near’ – Matthew 4.17.  Becoming a Christian is a life changing experience and not to be entered lightly.  As part of the change, God expects us to acknowledge that our old lives were wrong. They might not feel that wrong, but because you did not love God and believe in Jesus before your old life was sinful.

It is a sin not to believe in Jesus. It is a sin not to love God.      

The Beatitudes

In chapter 5. Jesus starts by explaining how we can achieve happiness on earth (the beatitudes).

Slide 3 

And he began to teach them. He said:  Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5.1 to 10

Notes. These are the 8 conditions to acquiring happiness as a Christian.

The poor in spirit -  those who realise they need to be saved.  Those who realise that they need to repent of their sins, change their ways and need God’s help to do so. All Christians should be poor in spirit because all Christians need God’s help.

Those that mourn – Those who pray for God’s help to be saved. How do you mourn? You mourn by praying to God either for yourself or other people.  The Holy Spirit is the comforter. All Christians should mourn to God for help.

Happy are the meek - They that are humble before God. All Christians should be humble before God.

They that hunger and thirst after righteousness -  Those who want to be right with God.  Righteousness is achieved through faith. You should seek righteousness every day of your life. All Christians should seek righteousness.

The merciful are the tender hearted, who love all men as themselves – Jesus’ the second commandment - Love everybody

The pure in heart – those who have God’s love in their heart.

The peace makers – Those that spread the word of Christ. The sowers of the word who keep Jesus’ words in their hearts. Spread the word.

  

You are persecuted when someone says, thinks or does bad things against you because you are a Christian. This is a situation you find you self in through no fault of your own.  Don’t worry because God’s love will protect you. Endure dislike because God’s love is with you.

POMMER

P - poor in spirit-  needing God’s help to be saved

M - mourn – pray for yourself and others

M - meek before God

R - right with God through believing in Jesus.

MPPP

M – Mercy - Love everybody

P – Pure in heart - God’s love is in you.

P – Peacemakers - spread the word

P – Persecution - Endure dislike

A Christian needs these 8 qualities to be a Christian.

Jesus starts is sermon explaining the 8 conditions to finding true happiness on earth.  The world will not understand them but we as Christians need to understand them.  If you follow them then you are following Jesus’ way - to remain in his love.

Slide 4 

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love John 15.10

End of Session 7

Finding the Kingdom 

Session 8 – Obey part 2

Slide 1 

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love John 15.10

Notes. If you Believe, Love and Obey (BLO), you will remain in Jesus’ love.

 Obeying Jesus’ commands is important to our Christian life. Last week we started going through Matthew 5, 6 and 7 to understand what were Jesus commands.

Slide 2 

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. Matthew 5.13

Notes.  Although we Christians are few in numbers we put God’s flavour into the whole world.  But be careful, because if you do not obey Jesus commands, you can fall out of Jesus’ love and lose your saltiness and  be like the dead branches on the vine.

 

Slide 3 

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5.14 to 16

 Notes.  When Jesus was in the world he was the light of the world. When he left we became the light of the world. Let your light shine so everyone can see it. How do you shine your light?  By the gentleness, patients and kindness you show when you do good things for others.  You are justified by faith but works are important so that your light can shine.  This was one of Jesus’ commands to you, Let your light shine.  

Slide 4 

whoever practices and teaches these commands ( the old law) will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5.19

Notes Do not forget to keep the ten commandments. They are equally as important as Jesus’ teachings.

Slide 5

Have only one God me Do not worship idols Do not miss-use my name Rest for one day each week Honour your father and your mother. Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not covet.

  

Notes.  They are just as important in today’s world as they were in biblical times. 

Jesus added the following 6 commands to these ten. This is a summary of Mathew 5. 21 to 48.

  

Slide 6 

Do not be angry, be friends with everyone. Do not look at a woman lustfully. Do not divorce your wife unless she is unfaithful. Keep your promises, keeping them simple as yes or no Do not resist an evil person who hurts you or steals from you Love and pray for your enemies and those who dislike you

End of Session 8

 Finding the Kingdom

Session 9 – Obey part 3

Slide 1 

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love John 15.10

Notes. If you Believe, Love and Obey (BLO), you will remain in Jesus’ love.

 Obeying Jesus’ commands is important to our Christian life. Last week we started going through Matthew 5, 6 and 7 to understand what were Jesus commands. Today we are covering Matthew chapter 6.

Slide 2 

Give to the needy in secret. Fast in secret Pray in secret. And your Father will reward you Matthew 6. 1 to 18

Notes. Jesus emphasised the importance of doing all these in secret.  As far as possible you should do them without telling your wife, your children, your family.  The Lord will give you the opportunity to do them in secret.  If you are found out don’t lie. 

Jesus taught us how to pray;

  

Slide 3 

Our Father who art in heaven Hallowed is your name (YAWEH) Your kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven Give us today our daily bread And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive others their trespasses against us And lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil. Matthew 6. 9 to 13

Notes.  We should pray to the Father.  His name is important and it is YAWEH. We should pray for the kingdom.  The kingdom of god is made up of the people of God. The Kingdom of god is in your hearts. You should therefore pray for the kingdom of God to come into the people’s hearts. God will lay on your heart the people he wants you to pray for.  They might be believers or non-believers.   They might be people in the church or not in the church. You pray that God will come into their hearts and deliver them from evil. Praying for the kingdom is important.

Asking God’s help to deliver us from evil each day is important.  The enemy is in us and around us and we should ask God’s to help us each day.   

Use the Lord’s prayer as a model for your prayers

Forgiving others is so important it is mentioned twice.

Slide 4 

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6. 14

Forgiving - Letting go of the past.  Letting go of things that hold you. Setting yourself free from the past. Forgiveness is continuous. It is not a one time thing.  That is why Jesus asks us to do it daily in the Lord’s prayer.

But there is an added bonus. If we forgive others in our hearts, God will forgive us our sins. Each day start with a clean sheet holding no resentment for anyone or anything. You will feel a lightness in your heart as God’s love takes over.

Fasting

Fasting. Notice in Matthew 6 it says when you fast not if you fast. So why do Christians fast?  It is explained in Acts 13. 1 to 3. We fast to show God that we are serious about what we are praying for and that we are intent on those prayers being answered.  Fasting intensifies our prayers. Fasting makes our prayers stronger in God’s eyes. 

Treasures in Heaven

Slide 5 

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6. 20,21

Notes.  This section comes immediately after Jesus tells us that God will reward us if we give to the needy, pray and fast in secret.  Doing these things will result in us being rewarded.  Notice it doesn’t just say store it says store up. That means the more you do these activities the more rewards will accumulate.   This is our heavenly treasure which is unlike any earthly treasure.

Your body might belong to the world, but your heart belongs to Jesus. Your heart is part of God’s heavenly kingdom. Your heart is in the Kingdom of Heaven that’s in you. Your heart is where Jesus’ love remains. His love combined with our love creates a love that never fails.

Your heart must be right when you give, pray and fast.

Give to the needy with love

Pray for others with love

Fast with love.

When you die your spirit and heart go to heaven.

The Eye

Slide 6 

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.  Matthew 6. 22

Notes.  If Jesus’s love is in you, you will look at life with a completely different attitude.  You will see with your heart the goodness and beauty that is in the world that he created. 

Human nature makes us lust, covet and envy.  Jesus’ love overcomes these desires and helps us see with a healthy attitude. 

You can train your eyes to be good so that when you feel human nature taking control of your mind, YOU THINK OF JESUS’ WORDS.  Receipting the Jesus’ words will expel any bad thoughts from your head.

Slide 7

You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6. 24

Notes.   Jesus tells us to serve God.  We were created to serve God.  There is no choice. When we serve God, we trust in him and he will provide. We serve God by obeying his commands.

Everybody needs money to live. Money is hard to earn. We spend most of our waking life earning it.  But it is wrong when money controls our life. God should be the motivation for all we do. We should not be motivated by money.

End of Session 9

Finding the Kingdom

Session 10 – Obey part 4

Slide 1 

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love John 15.10

Notes. If you Believe, Love and Obey (BLO), you will remain in Jesus’ love.

 Obeying Jesus’ commands is important to our Christian life. In the last two weeks,   we have been going through Matthew 5, 6 and 7 to understand what were Jesus commands. Today we are covering Matthew chapter 6. 24  and chapter 7

Slide 2

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6. 25 and 33

Notes.  Isn’t this a wonderful command. Do not worry about anything. 

 He knows that our human nature is to worry and he tells us to stop it immediately and start trusting in God every day of our lives.

Now we have stopped worrying, what do we do instead each day. Each day we seek his kingdom and his righteousness.  How do we do this by praying for the kingdom.  

Judgement

Slide 3

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Matthew 7.1

Notes.  As soon as you see a person, your human nature has formed an opinion of that person.  That’s human nature and very difficult to stop.

The eyes are the lamp of the body and if the eyes are good the whole body is good.   If Jesus’s love is in you and your eyes are good, you will not be judgemental. 

You should be friendly towards others, yet cautious of their human nature.

Slide 4

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7.6

Notes. Be discreet with whom you share your inner beliefs. The Holy Spirit will guide you as to whom to witness. You don’t witness to everybody.

Asking

Slide 5

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  Matthew 7.7

Notes. Jesus commands us to ASK. God wants us to ask for things. He wants us to communicate with him each day.

Evil in Us

In Matthew 7. 11 Jesus says. ‘If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!’ 

This is Jesus stating as a fact that we are all evil because our human nature was corrupted by Satan in the Garden of Eden.  We often forget this fact. It is good and sobering to remember that we are indeed evil and we are completely reliant on God for our salvation from the evil in us.

Slide 5

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.  Matthew 7.13, 14

Slide 6

Watch out for false prophets. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matthew 7.15 and 20

Slide 7

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 7.21

Slide 8

Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.   Matthew 7.24

Notes.

At the end of his speech on how we should behave in Matthew 5,6 and 7. Jesus said that whoever hears these words and importantly puts them into practice is like a wise man building his house on rock hard foundations.  You must do three things; hear the words, understand them and thirdly put them into practice in your daily lives.

It is not easy to obey all these commands.  You will fail. Otherwise you would be free of sin and nobody is free of sin.  But what Jesus wants us to do is to try each day.

But we are not on our own.  We have the Holy Spirit inside us and God’s love helping us each day.

End of session 10

Finding the Kingdom

Session 11 – Heart, Spirit, Soul, Mind and Body

There is spiritual man with heart and spirit

There is physical man with mind soul and body.

Spiritual Man

The heart and spirit of an unsaved person is set on earthly desires and needs. When a person asks Jesus into their lives there is a transformation of the heart and the spirit.

God's love is poured into their heart, the Holy Spirit enters the heart, Jesus' words enter the heart and the heart is healed. The heart miraculously understands Jesus' message and is turned. This can occur instantly or over a period of years.  The heart fills up with God's love and treasures leaving less room for earthly desires. The hearts capacity to believe, love and obey is increased.

Slide 1 

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Galatians 4.6

Slide 2

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5

The heart is our innermost spiritual being. The heart thinks, plans and feels all our emotions. 

The heart of a saved person is fused with the spirit because it is working continually with the spirit.

The spirit of an unsaved person is virtually dormant and inactive because they have no or little communication with God.  

When they are saved the spirit is reborn, refreshed and made new.  Before they were empty glasses now they are full or partly filled glasses.

The Holy Spirit that dwells in the heart combines with our new born spirits to glorify and worship God.  The heart and the spirit work together to serve and communicate with God.

Slide 3

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16

This is the spiritual man that lives within the physical man which is in us.

Physical Man

The thoughts and deeds and emotions of the spiritual man overflows into the life of the physical man influencing the mind, soul and body. Goodness overflows from the heart into the soul.

For example, when we glorify God with our hearts and spirits this overflows into the mind, soul and body of the physical man who also glorifies God.

If the heart is right with God the soul and mind will follow because the soul and mind are led by the heart.   Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The heart loves first the physical body follows.

Unfortunately, not only does the good things overflow from the heart into the soul but also sinful thoughts and deeds. How do we stop these sinful thoughts when they occur in the heart and soul? Think or speak Jesus words when the thought occurs.  God has given us his words in our hearts. Use these words to overcome the evil that is in us. I receipt, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life no one comes to the father except through me.” “The eyes are the light of the body, if the eyes are good the whole body is good,” also works.

Slide 4

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).

When we die our spiritual body goes back to heaven. Our physical body rots away. However, at the resurrection, all the saved souls will rise to meet the Lord and find rest in heaven. All the unsaved souls will suffer in hell. We are not alone. Our spiritual body is part of Jesus' spiritual body. Jesus said remain in me and I will remain in you. We are part of the larger body of Christ. 

Blessed are those who realise that their own spirit is poor and inadequate. They are the ones that mourn to God for help. They are meek before God. God makes them righteous because they have faith in Jesus.  God purifies their hearts through the Holy Spirit. Matthew 5.1

End of Session 11 

Finding the Kingdom

Session 12 – The Heart.

The condition of the heart is important.

When we become Christians, god’s love transforms our hearts from being self-seeking to become kingdom seeking.

Our heart is where our heavenly treasure is.

The heart is where we keep God’s love (Rom 5.5)

The heart is where we keep Jesus’s words (Rev1.3 and Psalm 119.9)

The heart is where the Kingdom of heaven is in us.

The heart is where the Holy Spirit lives making our hearts pure (Galatians 4.6).

The treasure therein is our love for Jesus our Saviour, our love for the Father God Almighty and our love for the Holy Spirit in us and around us.

The heart is where we commit our lives to God.

The heart is where we decide to follow Jesus.

Slide 1 

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Galatians 4.6

The heart is where the Holy Spirit lives making our hearts pure.

Slide 1A 

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5

Our hearts are where God’s love is.

   

Slide 2 

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Revelation 1:3

Slide 3 

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

The heart is where we keep Jesus’s words

God has given us a new pure heart

Slide 4 

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10.22

Slide 5 

God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Acts 15.8-9.

He has purified our hearts by faith.

Functions of the Heart.

Slide 6

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10.9-10

It is with our hearts that we believe. Faith comes from the heart.

Slide 7 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Mark 12.30

It is with our hearts that we love God.

Slide 8

Otherwise they (the people) might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. Matthew13.15

It is with our hearts that we understand what is written in the Bible. We take God’s words to heart.

Slide 9

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

We think with our hearts.  The word of God judges our hearts.

Our hearts have a dark side.

Slide10

For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Mark 7.21-23

Notes. Both good and evil thoughts come from the heart.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4.4

We Praise God with our Hearts and Souls

Slide11

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. Psalm 86:12

We Sing with our Hearts

Slide12

speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, Ephesians 5:19

We Call on the Lord with our Hearts

Slide13

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22

 Slide 14

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God Matthew 5.8

God’s love makes our hearts pure.

Slide 15

In the time of judgment God will expose the hidden counsels of the heart. 1 Corinthians 4.5

At the time of judgement God will judge our hearts.

The emotional state of the heart affects the rest of a person:

 "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit" ( Prov 15.13).  "a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17.22).

The heart and spirit are fused together.

The heart is the centre of man’s character  

Slide 16

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).

The heart is closely linked to our spirits

But Sihon king of Heshbon refused to let us pass through. For the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate in order to give him into your hands, as he has now done. Deuteronomy 2:30

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

A happy heart makes the face cheerful; but heartache crushes the spirit.  Prov 15.13

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:17

It is with the heart that we repent.

God has given us a new heart

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19

Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? Ezekiel 18:31 

End of session 12

Finding the Kingdom

Session 13 - The spirit

When a baby is born, he has a spirit in him giving him life.  As the body grows, the spirit grows in the same way until a fully-grown spirit exists in that person.  But that spirit is inadequate or insufficient on its own. That is why there is no true happiness on earth.  That spirit needs God’s Holy Spirit to make it complete.

Slide 1

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Cor. 3:16

Slide 2

And he began to teach them. He said:  Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5.1

Blessed are those who realise that their spirits are insufficient or inadequate and need God’s help. That is why those who realise that they are poor in spirit and need God’s help will inherit the kingdom of heaven.

People are walking about like half-filled glasses. Only when they receive the Holy Spirit inside them will the glasses be topped up and become full (regeneration). 

Slide 3

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children Romans 8.16

The Holy Spirit needs a conduit or vessel to praise God on earth. We are that conduit.  The Holy Spirit combines with our spirit to pray praise, worship, serve and rejoice in the Lord.

Slide 4

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. Matthew 3.5-6

We need to ask God to purify both the spiritual man (spirit) and the physical man (body).

Slide 5

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

Slide 6

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

We need to ask God to sanctify our whole spirit.  Your spirit, body and soul need to be cleansed by God.

When we praise, worship and pray to God the action starts in spiritual man (heart and spirit) and overflows to physical man (mind, body and soul).

Slide 7

I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 1 Corinthians 14:15

  

God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you. Romans 1.9

We serve with our spirits

God encourages us to develop a quiet and gentle spirit

Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.  1 Peter 3:4

Develop a quiet and gentle spirit.

Your spirit is not constant. It varies with our moods. It can be refreshed.

For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition. 1 Corinthians 16:18

Our feelings are felt by our spirit

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. John 11:33

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” John 13:21

Our preception comes from our spirit

Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Mark 2:8

Our spirits need the Lord and need his grace.

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all. 2 Timothy 4:22

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Philippians 4:23

The spirit gives the body life.  We give up or spirit when we die.

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. Matthew 27.50

 End of Session 13

Finding the Kingdom

Session 14 - The Soul

The feelings, emotions and thoughts of the heart overflow into the soul.   The soul is led by the heart. If the heart is good the soul will follow.   

God will judge the words and thoughts of the heart, but if the heart is found wanting, it is the soul that will pay the price of sin.

Slide 1

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

Slide 2

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Mark 8:36

The soul of sinful man will be destroyed in hell.  This is what Satan wants.

The soul is part of physical man which consists of soul, mind and body.  The spirit is part of spiritual man consisting of heart and spirit.  Jesus’ words are part of spiritual man and overflow from the spirit to the soul at times of worship.  Hence the word of God  divides soul and spirit.

Slide 3

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Slide 4

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

You need to ask God to sanctify both spiritual man (spirit) and physical man (soul and body).  Both need to be kept blameless. But if the heart and spirit are right with God, the soul will follow.

Slide 5

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour.” Luke 1:46

Mary’s spirit was right with God and her soul followed.

 Slide 6

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11

It is from within a person’s heart that evil thoughts and desires come (Mark 7.21). But it is the soul that will suffer on judgement day because of these sinful desires. You stop them by receipting Jesus’s words.

Seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness each day of your life will keep your heart pure.  A pure heart will lead to a pure soul that praises the Lord each day.

Slide 7

Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Psalm 103:1

End of Session 14

Finding the Kingdom

Session 15 - The Christian Journey

God has chosen you.

You chose God out of your own free will. But God knew that you would choose him before you chose him because he knows everything.

You start your Christian journey at the point, that you see with your eyes, hear with your ears, understand with your heart, turn to Jesus. Jesus comes into your heart and heals it. You understand with your heart and believe. You receive the Holy Spirit and your heart and spirit are renewed. You are saved. You now stand in God’s grace. You are righteous with God through your faith.

At this point, in Christian terms you are like a young child (even though you are a grown person) who has much to learn from Jesus. God has a long and fruitful education planned for you.

At this point you have a split heart.  Part of it holds the Holy Spirit and God’s love in you. Part of it holds your sinful nature and desires. These two parts are in conflict within you.  This is the hybrid Christian struggling between sin and goodness.

Sometimes Satan wins and you lose your saltiness or your branch withers and dies.

God has started a transformation process in you and gradually or suddenly he turns your heart from being self-seeking to being God seeking.    Your ‘good’ heart becomes stronger and God teaches you to use the power of God’s word to overcome your sinful desires. The kingdom of God grows in you.

Each day you seek his kingdom and his righteousness and the Holy Spirit helps you.

Your life becomes controlled by the spiritual man (heart and spirit) that lives inside you. Physical man (soul, mind and body) has less control over your daily life.

The next change point comes when you dedicate yourself completely to God and to his Glory.  You give him your heart, spirit, soul mind and body to serve him as he pleases.  At this point, you completely trust in Jesus your saviour and in God the Father Almighty. You are His.

This process took me 34 years. I am sure it can happen in days.

Then once you enter this wonderful state with God, anything can happen.  Each day you live for Him and for his Glory. 

My Testimony

Before I became a Christian, I wanted to know the meaning to life and started reading different articles on evolution and the origins of man.  I also started reading The New Testament especially the book of Matthew.  I was 34 with a busy job and a busy life with a wife and two children.  Yet each evening I found the time to go into my bedroom and read the Bible.   I wrote notes on what I learnt and typed it up into a small booklet.  It was only looking back years later, that I realised that the Holy Spirit was with me, leading me through the Bible and teaching me thinks that had been hidden. After two years of studying alone, a voice inside me said that I should find a church to attend.  Within a year of this I was baptised.  It was the custom at our church that when a person was baptised that they ask God secretly for a gift in the Spirit.    I asked for the gift of prayer. Again, it was only years later that I realised that I had been using the gift I asked for many years without realising it.

I became a hybrid Christian struggling between the good in my heart and my sinful self-seeking  desires. I could have easily gone back to the dark side, but God persevered with me.

It took me 33 years and the cancer to bring me fully to my senses. It was in January 2017, I went to the front in a church meeting and dedicated my heart, spirit, soul, mind and body to Jesus.

I am no longer my own person. I belong to Jesus. I am His. 

Suddenly and dramatically, the Holy Spirit gave me a deep understanding of the Bible.  I wrote it all down and created this blog.

At 69 years of age, God showed me great mercy. He not only healed my heart but also my physical body.  I don’t want to go back to where I was a hybrid Christian.  I want to stay in the control of Spiritual Man inside me being united with the Holy Spirit.  Each day, I pray for God’s kingdom and to be delivered from evil. I keep Jesus’s words in my heart and mind, my protection from the evil in me and in the world.  I live to glorify God. I breath to love God. I love God the Father Almighty, Jesus our Saviour and the hard-working Holy Spirit.  I am so grateful for everything that he has done and will do. My heart and soul rejoices in Christ my Saviour. I am His.

End of session 15

Finding the Kingdom

Session 16 – Epilogue

What did Jesus mean when he spoke of the poor in spirit in Mathew 5.1?

Poor in Spirit

It's the starting point/the launching point from where you start to talk to God. The poor in spirit are ready to talk to God.

It is when your spirit concedes to God. Recognising Him for who he is. Your spirit is poor because you realise how inadequate your life is and how much you need him.

 Lord I need your help today and everyday

Lowly in heart and spirit
Lowly in your innermost self
An inner peace
Meek before God
Trusting him

Yielding yourself to him
Aware of his presence
Safe in his care
Sorrowful for your sins
Sorrowful towards the world
Yet joyful In the Spirit
Open to God
Yet not wanting
Happy in his presence
Content
At peace
Wanting to be righteous
In his eyes
Wanting to please him

Slow breathing
Hypnotic state
Yet wide awake

Touching the kingdom of heaven Inside you

Blessed are the poor in spirit

Because theirs is the kingdom of heaven

You have just found the Kingdom of Heaven

The Truth

Truth and justice come through Jesus our Lord and Saviour
On this I will build my church

And the truth that is in me will set you free
From sin that is in the world

Stand in my faith and grace
Rejoice in my love 

Believe in me and anything is possible.

Prayer

Everybody on earth needs you
Lord I need you.

End of session 16