Heirs Of The Kingdom

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

June 18, 2023

in Spritual Growth

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3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time:
Readings: Exodus 19:2-8a
Romans 5: 6-11
Matthew 9:35-10:8

As a people, sometimes we forget who we are. We forget the things that have happened in our lives, or even the people who have affected us. In the Scriptures, God teaches us His character. He shows us His ways. The first reading talks about how God redeemed Israel. God always has a plan. It may take time for a plan to be carried out but He always makes sure it is carried out. Look at the life of Joseph who was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. God had a plan for him. And eventually, he was made 2nd in command to the king, or Governor of Egypt because of his ability to interpret dreams for the Pharaoh. He had to go through tough experiences before he got to where he was. God wanted to show us that He had a plan and a purpose. From the beginning of time, God had told Israel to be fruitful and to multiply so that His Kingdom may be propagated. But these days, the opposite is happening, and it is not of God.

When Joseph finished His mission, God chose Moses to deliver His people out of slavery from Egypt. The children of Israel, in spite of having been set free and taking with them all the wealth of Egypt still longed for the leeks, onions and garlic. But God was showing them to take off Egypt out of their system to trust God instead and what He could do for them. The same thing is happening today. Do we pay attention to God and His Word? Or do we follow the systems of the world more. The enemy’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy us. But God said He would give us life in abundance.

In today’s lesson, the message of Christ is, “watch me.” He showed His disciples what they were suppose to do. God’s message that He would send His Son to redeem His people had been the very same message He had been wanting to tell Israel through Moses. The Epistle tells us that faith alone will not save us. Faith without works is dead. As we look around us, we are a confused generation. We do what we want and we think it’s ok. We wonder as to what voice we should be listening to. 2 Timothy 1:12

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” We have a purpose in life. Why were we created? We were created to be like Him. Christ had one purpose in life- to redeem man. He says to us, “follow me.” Are we willing to be “crucified?” Not on the cross but to lay aside the things of this world to follow Christ. We are not to follow people or doctrines but to follow Christ, who is the very essence of life.

Many people go to church for what they can get out of it. We should be going to church to worship Him. It does not matter if we do not like the music or the teaching. What matters is that we go to honor God, whether we feel like it or not. Have we become a selfish generation? Nowadays, we can choose what we want to be. But Jesus wants us to be like Him. He gave His disciples the power to do all things for Him. Do we realize we have the potential and authority to rule and reign as well? We should have the ability to “preach the Kingdom.” Matthew 13:38 “The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one.” Matthew 16:19 “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Colossians 1:13 “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” Christ has already forgiven us. We should not condemn ourselves. He will deliver us out of every evil deed. James 2:15 “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” The disciples were not wealthy or very educated people. They were common, ordinary men whom God chose to do extraordinary things. Thomas, for instance is one disciple who is to be admired for his tenacity. He walked all the way to India to build God’s Kingdom. It didn’t matter how long it took. He had a goal. And it was to accomplish the work of Christ.

What or who is our source? God is the source who gives us the ability to give our love, our compassion to others. Our confidence should be in God. We pray “Our Father, Thy Kingdom come.” But do we really believe in the phrase, “Thy Kingdom come?” It may take time for these things to be fulfilled. But we must follow Him at all times and be on the alert.