The Amadeo Church

Kingdom Theology (A Biblical Description of God’s Rule and Reign) - Part I

2009-07-14T23:19:00.000-07:00

Our Hope as a local community:

That God is presently establishing his kingdom rule and reign
in our lives
through his great and mighty work.

the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.
Ephesians 1:17-19

honor Christ the Lord as holy, (by) being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;
1 Peter 3:15

The body of Christ, which is the church, has a hope that is a unique and God given gift. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we have been given a “spirit of wisdom and revelation,” that is a “knowledge of Him.” He goes on to say this knowledge of Him is the result of “the eyes of (our) hearts being enlightened,” to the “hope in which he has called us.” And Paul starts to expound upon this by telling us the hope has specifically to do with the “riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.” In this amazing description of his divine and sovereign work in our lives we see that we are called and set apart by him (as saints) according to the working of his great might. We see that it is in His riches and in His power that we have been given the grace of wisdom, revelation, and knowledge of Him. In gaining knowledge of his rule and reign, which results from knowing God, we have also gained something unique to those who are believers: hope. In his great and mighty kingdom rule and reign there is riches and powers that open our hearts, and bring revelation that lead to hope.

Peter reminds the readers of his letter that we should, as believers, always be prepared to make a “reasonable” defense for the hope that is in you. As a church, we should be able to clearly describe the hope we have in our sovereign king’s rule and reign. We should not take for granted the very thing Jesus spent his whole time on earth proclaiming, which was that his kingdom rule and reign was at hand. That He, the son, through the father, had been given the keys to the kingdom and that there was now hope for all mankind that came through a “spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Paul was only reiterating to the Ephesians the same things that Jesus had proclaimed when he was on earth – that the Kingdom of God was at hand – and that there was hope. In the kingdom of God there was hope for the poor, hope for the oppressed, hope for the gentiles, and hope for all mankind.
False Hopes in the Church?

Part of our problem as churches is that we have no common unity about what exactly our hope is. Some relegate our hope to the overly-simplistic idea that we are not going to hell, which although partially true, is not even close to being a complete description of the hope we have in Christ. Others seem to demonstrate through their behaviors and words that their greatest hope as Christians in a church is to have all their needs met through others. They hope they will find a church that will teach their kids the word of God in a safe environment, as well as give them an entertaining and challenging message. They hope they will have music played in a style of music that fits their tastes, and they hope to have their consciences soothed in regards to their obligatory time in church with the Lord and others. They hope to find a church where people love God, and they are loved. Unfortunately, for them, this is not at all the hope that God had intended for his people.
True Hope

1Th. 2:12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

2Tim. 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Heb. 12:28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,

The New Testament authors gave us some more clues into the Kingdom of God that shows us what authentic hopes we ought to have. In Thessalonians Paul reminded people that God’s call into his kingdom and glory involved being empowered to walk in a manner worthy of God. In Timothy we see that entrance into the kingdom involved us being rescued from “every evil deed,” and being brought “safely into the heavenly kingdom.” It was this blessed assurance that caused the author of Hebrews to tell us we should be “grateful,” for “receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,” that allowed us to “offer to God acceptable worship.” The author of Hebrews also reminds us that this should be done with reverence and awe because he knew that God was the sovereign ruler, and that in his reign alone could we dare to have hope for conquering this present darkness. The concept of the Kingdom of God (his rule and reign) was so important that Jesus talked about it more than anything else, except heaven and God himself.

In the gospels:

Words How many times mentioned
Disciple 23
Pray or Prayer 35
Love 42
Heal, Healer, Healed 59
Money, riches, rich, poor 62
Servant or Served 79
Preach, teach, taught, teaching, proclaim 80
Death or Dead 95
Kingdom 116
Heaven 122
God 270

So what did Jesus say about the kingdom?

So we can see that Jesus had a favorite topic: the Kingdom of God. And as a local and communal church, we believe that the Kingdom of God is the hope worth discussing and being in unity about. We believe: That God is presently establishing his kingdom rule and reign in our lives through his great and mighty work. And we want to equip the church to always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. We believe the best way to gain this communal-unity is to spend time with Jesus through the spiritual disciplines of silence, solitude, community, worship, and the study of HIS words, as well as the words of his disciples and the faithful saints throughout the ages. In the following chapters, we will examine the Kingdom Hope that we have as spoken primarily by the words of Jesus. We will first examine that the Kingdom hope we have is a very real and near present hope, and not just a future hope. But we will also examine the fact that it is also a hope to come. We will see that the Kingdom hope we have includes the marginalized, the oppressed, the persecuted, and the poor. We will also see that the kingdom hope we have is one of empowered repentance, empowered righteousness, empowered actions and empowered love. We will see that through God’s rule and reign in our life that we are sometimes empowered to bring spiritual and physical freedom through our preaching, teaching, and proclamation; we will also see that in preaching and teaching we sometimes realize healing in the lives of those we are ministering. What a great communal hope we would have, if we could actually gather in unity around his kingdom principles. In fact, we will see that through God’s kingdom rule and reign we are brought into unity with people we would normally not associate with, these are one of the hopeful side effects of the kingdom, that we gather together in bond of unity, that people see that we are a part of the kingdom of God by our love for one another. Finally, we will examine that the kingdom hope we have is a kingdom that is only fit for the “humble,” and “poor in spirit,” and we will see that participation in the kingdom is a unique endowment given by God alone to those whom he loves and has chosen through regeneration to give a “spirit of wisdom and revelation.”

The leadership of our church, has decided it is important to develop a mature and unified vision of the hope we have in Christ and sincerely believe a critical examination and regular ongoing discussion of the “kingdom of God,” is an important part of continuing the word of Christ to make disciples of all tribes and tongues and nations as well as to help equip the saints for ministry.

New Sermon Series - the Gospels - What Jesus Said.

2009-07-14T23:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Church for being the church....

2009-07-12T07:13:00.000-07:00

The church has done what it is supposed to do - love, serve, and care about one another - this time we were the recipients of the love and it is a truly amazing thing - and humbling. Thank you church for caring about our family - from the littlest child to the ones of us that were in the hospital. Thank you for being living examples of Jesus' care for us.

Bibliography of Resources on Sexuality

2009-07-10T11:10:00.001-07:00

Intimate Issues: Conversation Woman to Woman
by Linda Dillow & Lorraine Pintus, 1999

A Celebration of Sex
By Douglay E Roseneau, 2002

Sheet Music: Uncovering the Secrets of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage
By Dr. Kevin Leman, 2003

Sex and the Supremacy of Christ
By John Piper and Justin Taylor

Sex, Romance and the Glory of God: What Every Christian Husband Needs to Know
By CJ Mahaney, 2004

Sex for Christians
By Lewis B Smedes, 1994

Great Audio Resources for couples

http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/proverbs/lovemaking
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/the-peasant-princess/let-him-kiss-me
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/1st-corinthians/good-sex-bad-sex
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/the-peasant-princess/my-beloved-my-friend/rules-for-sexuality

In two weeks: July 12th

2009-06-29T20:23:00.001-07:00

In two weeks!

2009-06-29T08:42:00.000-07:00

It is recommended that no kids under 17 attend this service unless parents approve. Youth (JH and SH) will meet at the pool for a time of community and fellowship.

Family Camp Coming up in August... July 31st-August 2nd

2009-06-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

VBS SAVE THE DATES!

2009-06-22T12:09:00.001-07:00

1. Decorate the Building for VBS! Monday Evening June 22nd from 4:00pm-
8:00pm at the VBS Location.
CORTINA ELEMENTARY 19680 South 188th Street Queen Creek, AZ, 85242
RSVP NEEDED! Dinner and Childcare provided!

2. Please note the date change. Crocodile Dock VBS! June 23rd-25th (Tues
Thurs) from 6:00pm-8:45pm.

A Wordle of AMADEO...

2009-06-20T08:47:00.001-07:00

A word map of the things spoken on this blog...

2009-06-20T08:28:00.001-07:00

I'm sure glad Jesus and God show up the most often. Brothers - relates to the sermon...

The Art (Spiritual Discipline) of Solitude and Prayer - from Psalm 62

2009-06-19T09:35:00.000-07:00

For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

"Silence is frightening because it strips us as nothing else does, throwing us upon the stark realities of our life."
-Dallas Willard, "The Spirit of the Disciplines"

"It is a good discipline to wonder in each new situation if people wouldn't be better served by our silence than by our words." -Henri J. M. Nouwen, "The Way of the Heart"

Jesus spent 40 days in fasting and solitude - Matthew 4:1

Jesus sent the multitudes away - and went up to the mountain by himself to pray - Matthew 14:23

Some Solutions:

Turn Crap Off
Limit yourself in what you do
Go away
Create Sabbaths and Down Time
Have quiet times

Some Common HORRIBLE mistakes:

1. Do not remove yourself from community for a long period - you need people, people need you - God uses community to be a blessing.

2. In solitude or community you are forced to grow up - so do not forsake one for the other.

the Heart of a Family...

2009-06-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

When the church gets to the point where we will take in others into our home and family - we will have found out what Jesus meant when he asked and commanded, "Do you love me? Then feed my sheep." When we consider others needs over our own - or at least elevate others to the level of our own family we will understand what Jesus said when he said, "everyone who has left houses or brothers and sisters.... will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life."

the family of God...

2009-06-13T19:49:00.000-07:00

observe the evidence...

1Cor. 12:11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually has he wills.
1Cor. 12:18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.
1Cor. 12:25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
1Cor. 12:21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
Matt. 10:37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Matt. 4:22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matt. 8:21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

Matt. 10:35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Matt. 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
Mark 3:32 “Your mother and your brothers* are outside, seeking you.” 33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!

Acts 1:16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled,
Acts 2:29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David
Acts 3:17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance,
Acts 7:2 And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me.”
Acts 15:23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. (Gentiles included)
Matt. 5:47 And if you greet only your brothers,* what more are you doing than others?
Matt. 7:3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
Rom. 8:29 ... he foreknew (and) he predestined... in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

1Tim. 1:2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith:
2Tim. 1:2 To Timothy, my beloved child:
Titus 1:4 To Titus, my true child in common faith: Grace and peace
Philem. 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.
Phil. 2:22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.
1Th. 2:11-12 For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
1 Tim. 5:1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father. Treat younger men like brothers,
1Tim. 5:2 older women like mothers, younger women like sisters, in all purity.

Pointing to Temporal Help or to Jesus

2009-06-11T17:01:00.000-07:00

The old proverb tells us if we give someone a fish they will eat for a day - teach them how to fish and they can eat for a lifetime. Well most of the people I see know how to fish - but that the lakes have dried up - and there are no fish left. There are watering holes but they have to travel farther distances to find the fish, and exert a lot more effort. Some are talking about moving out of town to get a job so that they can provide for their family. Sometimes this is looking like two people living in separate towns to make ends meet. There is a genuine temptation to say "just live more simply - but people can't sell their houses without short-selling or foreclosing. I'd like to tell them all they need is "Jesus," but clearly they need a lot more than that. They need to see Jesus lived out in our lives. They could use a simple mortgage to be paid once or twice until the next job shows us. They could use a bag or two of groceries and meat to get them through the day.

So, yes we point them to Jesus. And yes we meet their practical needs where we can. And yes we draw lines of what we can and can't do. And the ones we invest in the most may move on - because they think their needs aren't being met. This is what it means to love our neighbor. To build an ark when people think you are crazy. This is the kingdom of God where justice and righteousness kiss.

It is not enough to speak of Jesus. We must be Jesus. It is not enough to just meet one days worth of needs - we must point them to the eternal love and kingdom of God. It is not either or. It is both.

Cost Cutting Measures - Simplifying Your Life

2009-06-09T19:03:00.001-07:00

Job Searching Resources

2009-06-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

Do you need help getting a job - here are some places to look:

Trade and Professional Organizations are probably the best place to start for displaced professionals. These are degreed people who have lost a job in a certain profession, ie Accountants, HR etc. I have listed a few that I am familiar with. Your members can go online and find an org for any industry.

Arizona Society of CPA's 602-252-4144 www.ascpa.com
Project Management Institute 602-712-1016 www.phx-pmi.org
Arizona Dental Association 480-344-5777 www.azda.org
Arizona Nurses Association 480-831-0404 www.aznurse.org
Financial Planning Association 480-483-9035 www.fpaofphoenix.org
World at Work (For HR Directors) 877-951-9191 www.worldatwork.org

Here are some non-profit organizations that provide assistance as well:
Friendly House 602-257-1870 www.friendlyhouse.org
Goodwill 602-535-4000 www.goodwillaz.org (Most poeple don't realize that Goodwill provides job training and placement)

Last but not least, here are some direct placement services:
Ajilon Finance 602-957-1200
Professional Placement 602-955-0870
Lucas Group 602-954-1325
Accent Careers 602-955-2222
Corporate Job Bank 480-966-0709 (great for Mortgage Professionals)
Culver Careers 480-615-6565
JBN and Associates 480-344-2822
Recruiting Connection 602-954-8886 (construction industry)
Pro-Tem Services 602-955-0870 (light industrial and clerical)

Thanks to Lainika for this info from www.lainika.com - http://www.lainika.com/

Hoover baby phone calls going out....

2009-06-03T14:58:00.000-07:00

Watch live video from amadeoone's channel on Justin.tv

Get food help here....

2009-06-02T23:47:00.000-07:00

Order Online from Vineyard Community Church

Host Site

This is where you will pick up your order. Angel Food orders are submitted through a local host site, and are picked up at a designated location according to their host site's distribution schedule.
Orders will not be shipped directly to you.
Your Zip Code: within miles

Selected Host Site:
Paul Earles
Vineyard Community Church
601 S. Cooper Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85233
480-892-5828
Host Site Director:
Paul Earles
480-892-5828

Order Pickup:
Start: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:30 AM
End: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:30 PM
Instructions: Please pick up your order at Vineyard Community Church located at 601 S, Cooper Rd. Gilbert, AZ. 85233. We are located on Cooper Rd., about a quarter mile north of Warner. Please bring your receipt and a container to the site -- a large box is best -- between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. To avoid the rush, the earlier the better. Thank You.

Food Pantry at AMADEO

2009-06-02T11:58:00.000-07:00

We have picked up our first order and the pantry is overflowing with perishables - fresh produce, ready made sandwiches, milk, etc -

I desperately need hungry needy families...

See the RE:STORE website here.

If you have know of any families please let me know or let them know to call me - 480-229-7356

Thanks,

Shelly,
Helps, Mercy, Outreach

Another option for food that cost - but is at highly reduced rate is: Here

Collision.

2009-06-01T23:25:00.001-07:00

COLLISION - 13 min VIMEO Exclusive Sneak Peek from Collision Movie on Vimeo.

Being God-Centric

2009-06-01T22:54:00.001-07:00

"Many preachers are tempted to identify themselves with the congregation in preaching, rather than with God. This may be the most significant reason for their feeling ill at ease in speaking to their congregation in the second person. Such preachers do not want their people to get the impression that the preacher is holier than them -- for preachers know they are not . . . If a man, even for the most noble of motives, identifies himself primarily with the congregation in preaching, rather than with God, the best he will be able to do is speak as one sinner to other sinners about God. He will not be able to speak from God to them" (Wagner, Tongues Aflame, p. 74).

More Kindness

2009-05-27T22:01:00.001-07:00

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. ~Plato

Kindness and Good Character

2009-05-27T22:00:00.001-07:00

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~Mark Twain

Kindness and Good Character

2009-05-27T21:58:00.000-07:00

A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble. ~Charles H. Spurgeon

Romans 15:5-6

2009-05-20T07:09:00.000-07:00

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.