For or With?

Competition in the Kingdom? by Charles Pretlow September 27, 2023

“And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”  But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.  And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”  And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me” (Mark 9:33-37).

Christians Tirelessly Working for Jesus

When the disciples first began to walk with Jesus, they were given spiritual power over demons and divine authority to heal the sick. Christ sent out the twelve and also another seventy-two followers into ministry. When the seventy-two returned they were full of joy: “The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’  And he said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.  Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven’” (Luke 10:17-20).

These followers of Christ, and the twelve disciples closest to Jesus began to enjoy for themselves the limelight they received in ministry—using Christ’s name. We read in our opening passage how the disciples began to compete with each other in ministry, leading them to argue with each other over who was the greater in ministry. And the seventy-two were more thrilled for themselves, about the power they walked in with less regard to the source of that power.

Underneath their joy of ministering in Christ’s name was the development of competition with each other. Being the greatest over each other would draw followers after themselves as they competed with each other using the power of God in Christ’s name.

Jesus confronts both the seventy-two and the disciples with what they should be joyous about and that they should make sure their eternal life is secure, and they were to walk humbly towards each other with child-like faith.

This carnal nature issue was not dealt with by Christ’s simple explanation and confrontation. It was not until Christ’s arrest, trial, and execution that forged Christ’s sayings and teaching upon the hearts of the disciples and the serious followers of Christ.

The Persecution was Horrendous

The disciples hid for their lives, Peter denies knowing Christ three times as the disciples’ heady days of ministry using the name of Christ came to an end. Persecution stunned them and took the starch out of their religious egos and competition with each other. They all saw their underlying carnal weaknesses and lack of trust in God.

It was not until Christ was raised from the dead and appeared to the disciples that their (the disciples) confidence was somewhat restored. Later, after Christ’s ascension and his command to wait to receive power from on high, they restarted ministering with a humble attitude and firm presentation. As they waited in the upper room for the power to fall upon them, they began to put two and two together in understanding what Christ did for them. Their fear of persecution and death was completely erased from their hearts.

The Last Days Church is in Competitive Disarray

As the end approaches, over the last 100 years, leaders, pastors, and evangelist alike compete for recognition, followers, fellowship attendees, and money. Most do not see that their pride of life and ego is giving them much energy to competitively work tirelessly for Jesus. This subtle but widespread competition throughout the body of Christ is about to be cancelled. Most in leadership have learned to present what the people want to hear and avoid ruffling feathers by preaching and teaching on what God’s people need to hear.

Just as the Apostle Paul predicted: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

As the end-time troubles mount and the whole world is beginning to look for global unity, God’s people, for the most part are still clinging to their preferential doctrines that religiously soothes and entertains but does not challenge the believer to become ready. Few are in a solid relationship with Christ to allow themselves to navigate successfully through the trouble and persecution that has already started. The persecution and trouble will become much worse.

Few believers know exactly what Christ taught and warned about on how the end would unfold. Mass persecution, the rise of the antichrist, and the great tribulation is coming, and then after the Great Tribulation has been cut short, comes the appearance of Jesus and the rapture of true Christians.

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.  And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.  And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven” (Mark 13:24-27).

Most believers are enjoying church, American prosperity, and entertaining messages that do little in warning what is about to befall America and Christians. God’s people as a whole are weak in faith, asleep to the warning signs, and are about to be thrown into confusion. When the persecution ramps up to the level Christ warned of, many seemly solid believers will crumble in faith, deny the Lord, and fall away, and even turn on the true Christian (like Judas).

When the smoke clears from the coming attempted cancellation of Christianity by the unbelievers and Satan’s evil weeds. Those who endure and learn the truth by allowing the discipline of the Lord to transform their old carnal nature to become Christlike—these will be the core of a purified church that God will use during the coming Great Tribulation harvest of lost souls.

Just as Christ’s passion and the persecution of his followers brought death to the disciple’s old nature, so too, the last days Christian will suffer severe persecution—thus Christ will have a last day’s church that is unified, without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish.

This warning of persecution will come to pass soon, just like the many troubles we have already warned about, but like those in Ezekeil’s day, most hear but do not hear, where many read about these warnings but do not take heed:  “As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, say to one another, each to his brother, ‘Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’  And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.  And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it.  When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” (Ezekiel 33:30-33).

The disciplined Christian will learn to avoid “working” for Jesus, by developing a relationship that works “with” Christ, being led by the Holy Spirit.

Find A Ministry and Fellowship That Helps

Follow a ministry that knows the score and attend a fellowship that builds disciples of Christ, not followers of leadership or a denomination. Take a deep breath and choose to embrace sound doctrine (teachings) that adhere to Scripture and expounds on all that Christ taught. Too many believers have been taught to take the easy path in life and learned to avoid the discipline of the Lord that produces true holiness and strength of faith. They fear the harder teachings of Christ.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14).

If you are looking for a sound fellowship here in southern Colorado in the Canon City area, stop by our Sunday fellowship. Sunday meeting begins at 10:30 AM and if you are too far away, you can view our Sunday message live, starting at 11:15 AM.  

View live stream of Sunday at 11:15 AM here: Live Stream

We are located at the Abbey complex at 2951 E. Hwy 50 ~ Canon City, CO 81212. Our facilities are at the St. Joseph Bldg.

You are welcome to call for prayer and/or counsel at (833) 695-1236 ext. 11.

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