The world is in a State of Chaos:

Afghanistan, Haiti, Louisiana, economic disparity, racial tension, immigration, global warming. Anti-Vax vs Vaccine.

It seems that people are just attacking each other at every opportunity.

Bored, listless, uninspired, distracted ...

Others aren't even aware of all those issues. They are just fighting for survival!

Someone Step Up!

All through history we have longed for a leader - a political victory. Someone to establish a kingdom for us!!! Someone who will stop the rot! Save us from this turmoil.

Jesus arrived! Can you imagine….

But the kingdom wasn’t what anyone expected. Jesus’ grand plan wasn’t about world domination. Or political or military power.

You think we have it bad. Life under Roman rule was oppressive, violent and ruthless.

His kingdom is going to give you everything you desire, but not the way you expect!

The kingdom of God is different ... upside down kingdom ... 12 disciples ... serve the weak broken outcast.

His kingdom doesn’t install a law/control based kingdom. Jesus doesn’t want subjects, he wants FREE TRANSFORMED RIGHTEOUS people who can flourish in any situation.

IF WE ARE WILLING TO PURSUE JESUS. WE WILL FIND A SOLUTION TO EVERY DILEMMA.

In Matthew 13, we find three shocking realities about God’s plan

In the first parable there is wheat and tares. When young they look the same.

The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest.

-Matthew 13:28b-30

1. Evil will be here until the end

This sounds annoying - But in reality it’s exciting. God has promised he will come and establish his kingdom fully in the way we ultimately hope for. But

The reason he’s slow is because he wants to give everyone a chance.

We don’t know who will decide and who won’t, you can’t tell. In fact you can’t tell who truly has accepted Jesus and who hasn’t until the end.

Do you know an unlikely convert?

Isn’t that awesome. The word of God tells us, God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish. This is why Jesus tells us to love our enemies. We never know who will respond.

Evil will be dealt with, but not until the time of judgement.

Thank you Jesus for waiting for me!

So the fact that the Kingdom won’t remove evil people now, is a great opportunity for the Gospel. All along the way Christians need to bring glimpses of Justice to society. But our main aim, at all times, is the salvation of people's souls. Physical liberty is nothing without Spiritual Freedom.

In this season of God’s kingdom we have to put up with evil, but that’s a good thing.

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 13:31-32

2. The kingdom will start small and inconspicuous - but grow to become a large movement that cares for many people

Jesus tells us here, it starts small (12 disciples) but becomes huge, able to care for many people.

Who are you guiding and teaching and discipling? (you don’t know)

What about your family ... That’s how it starts. A transformed heart, then mind, then behaviour, then relationships.

It will start small but grow to become large and reliable for other people.

3. The kingdom is invisible at first but changes everything from the inside out.

He told them still another parable: '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.'

-Matthew 13:33

Entrance into the kingdom occurs with the establishment of God’s righteousness in the heart of a believer, which results in becoming a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus offers an inside out approach to KINGDOM entrance. It’s a heart change, that slowly makes its way to the surface. You are truly in the kingdom when your will, and spirit want to follow your king, Jesus.

Heart - Mind - Body - Relationships

This is a total transformation. Not following a set of rules. It’s a deep spiritual ‘soulish’ desire to emulate Jesus and bring his way of life to others.

Why pursue Jesus?

Because it will provide the deepest, most effective solution to your deepest needs.

And if we as a church pursue Jesus, we can become an outpost that will provide branches for many people, people who may go on to transform the whole world

As you pursue Jesus over the next 5 weeks, you will discover a way of life that meets your deepest needs and will begin to help you rise above any circumstance.

Know God

Learn how to spend time with God and relate to him in a way that we truly know him and experience him

Grow Together

Discover the deep joy of life with other Christians who help us give and receive Grace and Truth

Make a Difference

Learn how we are uniquely equipped to serve others and extend God’s kingdom through love in action

Go All In

When the church stops being a place we go, but rather who we are. His priorities become our priorities and we are willing to live generously and sacrificially to see God’s kingdom move. Where we go all in to pursue our ONE LIFE and go the extra mile to share the Gospel with love and gentleness.

NEXT WEEK we start with Know God.

Wear your Pursuing Jesus T-Shirt next week and bring your Growth Card each week. Attend every week and invite your One Life to come with you.

This is going to be a profound season in our church.

Are you ready to PURSUE JESUS?

ONE&ALL - Let’s shift the PURSUIT OF JESUS to another level, not just number one, a new level of number 1.

Let’s GO!

FIND A COMMUNITY GROUP DOWNLOAD GROWTH CARD