CSN - LightWing Messages - Sunday - 6/25/2023
Do Not Worry…
“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? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25:34 (NIV)
FOUNDER’S MESSAGE:
Much of the non-political news has been dominated by the stories of the tragedy of the Titanic submersible implosion, while much of the international news has been dominated recently by the stories of the Russian coup attempt. In both cases they represent tragedies from different realms, yet still tragedies nevertheless.Sometimes, it feels that the world is overflowing with tragedy rather than goodness. However, goodness exists despite all the tragedies that show up from one day to the next. Despite the difficulty in keeping the faith and holding onto hope, today is a day of great hope for those who can keep their faith. One of the purposes of the LightWing Messages is to ignite faith and encourage hope in such dark times.
In light of such a mission, we have a powerful message today. It is from the past (1845), and is from a great American man of faith – Rev. Charles Finney. His message is entitled: “Seeking the Kingdom of God first.” He delivered this sermon at another dark time in our nation’s history, just 20 years before the horrific and deadly American Civil War broke out. It is quite provocative as he urges his parishioners to take more seriously and responsibly to obey the command that Jesus delivered in the Sermon on the Mount.
Finney’s perspective is also applicable for our time as we currently live in such an incredibly divisive time and one in which our faith is tested daily. One needs to consider that Christ came teaching and preaching about the Kingdom, yet what we have left in our midst now are the churches where seldom such teaching on the Kingdom is heard, except for when self-centered and selfish understanding guarantees the kingdom by only believing in Jesus and having to do nothing but wait to be beamed up. That was not God’s Will when He created humanity on this planet. This self-centered concept of salvation was rooted in the mentality that the kingdom Jesus referred to was only meant to be a spiritual kingdom, which can be based on some of the scriptures. If that were true, yet Jesus taught people to pray in the same Sermon on the Mount: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven,” why is it only considered that he meant a spiritual kingdom and not something more substantial? This reveals a serious disconnect with the prophecy in Isaiah of the coming Messiah as king.
Jesus did state “Thy Will be done.” So, who determined that it was God’s Will that the Kingdom of God Jesus was talking about was only meant to be a spiritual kingdom? Consider this: if a king is not physically present in his kingdom and can only have authority in spirit – within the hearts and minds of those who remember him – is it not also possible Jesus’ own prophecies came true about the Kingdom being usurped, for example in the Parable of the Vineyard? A very simple question to consider, yet it runs against the grain of what men have told us about God’s Will, is this: is God’s Will is better known to Him, or men, regarding His Kingdom? Jesus knew the Will of God, so was Jesus only talking about a spiritual kingdom?
Has anyone asked our Father in Heaven directly? This could clear up the confusion, if He were sincerely consulted without a human agenda running counter to the Will of God to favor the will of men. Asking Heavenly Father would be ideal, but I also submit that people need to read the Bible for clear answers to such a basic question – because the answers are there. However, when one reads the whole Bible, the mind needs to be open to receive the viewpoint that God would have as a loving parent who has been trying to bring His lost children home for thousands of years. To read the Bible from man’s self-centered and agenda-driven perspective will not truly provide clarity. It is an extremely deep and provocative topic, yet many fear to tread in waters so deep. However, for those who dare, I will be discussing God’s KIngdom on Wednesday.
Our Zoom calls are on each Wednesday at 5pm PDT (6pm MDT; 7pm CDT; and 8pm EDT). This coming Wednesday, we will have a discussion on Finney’s article with an added bonus of the perspective that I bring to the table. We had a good interview session last week with founder of Safe KIds Now Network, Stephanie Mann, who is the author of several books, and who is just coming out with a new book for kids on how to connect to their inner divinity. We are grateful she could join us this past Wednesday. Her new book is advertised here: Safe Kids Now
If readers would like to partake in this upcoming Zoom call on Wednesday and take part in our discussion, please reach out. Readers who are interested in receiving the Zoom link to the call, are asked to please send a brief email request to this address: d.jamzon@gmail.com
CSN LightWing Mission – Zoom call Wednesday 6/28/23 at 5:00pm PST
As always, we hope our readers would consider all the messages in this edition, the featured one as well as the aggregate links. If readers know others who might value the messages as well, please consider passing this newsletter on to those whom you feel would welcome it. Or simply, please receive it yourselves. It is hoped they may spark a stronger flame of faith, if readers can receive the messages of light into their hearts, especially if they may be the only faith-filled words received during the week.
The words are being freely offered and are being sent to you as part of an effort that started based upon genuine inspiration from Heavenly Father. The LightWing Messages are the latest evolution and are intended to shine light onto our paths, as it was written: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18 - KJV
May God bless all of our readers and all of their loved ones. May God bless America!
May we humble yourselves and seek His face in genuine sincerity, repent for our wicked ways, and turn away from wickedness - and may we truly seek an honest and genuine relationship with our Father in Heaven. He has always sought a relationship with His children. May we seek to emulate Christ in his relationship with our Heavenly Father, and obey him to seek first His Kingdom and righteousness.
SEEKING THE KINGDOM OF GOD FIRST
Sermon by Prof. Charles Finney
August 27, 1845
Reported by The Editor
Editor’s Note: The following only represents a portion of the full message from Charles G. Finney, the legendary evangelist and one of the leaders of the Second Great Awakening that took place in America from 1790 – 1840. There are additional notes and footnotes to this lecture and they are available as a compilation of his remarks in the form of an explication of his message. A full transcript can be found by using this link: SEEKING THE KINGDOM OF GOD FIRST by Charles G. Finney
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." – Matthew 6:33.
The Jews were greatly mistaken in respect to the nature of that kingdom which their Messiah was to set up. They expected a kingdom like the kingdoms of this world, invested with earthly splendor, fitted to aggrandize their nation, and minister to their national pride. Christ sought to undeceive them. He told them that his kingdom did not come with outward show--that it must be within men, and that it was not of this world. He would have them understand that it was spiritual, and not temporal; demanding the homage of the heart, and not the pomp and pageant, so commonly rendered to royalty. The simple idea of this kingdom is that Christ himself reigns in the hearts of his people, securing the perfect submission of the will, and the consecration of every power to himself. Thus his kingdom is within; it is invisible. It puts on no outward glare. In the hearts of men he writes his laws by his Spirit, and thus rules over them to deliver them from Satan and sin, and translate them into his own kingdom of peace and love.
The subjects of this Kingdom are shut up to no particular location. Each in the sphere where providence has called him to reside and to his master's will, may there be truly a member of this invisible kingdom. Christ may be reigning over him, and he may be indeed a subject and a citizen of this kingdom of God.
This is the kingdom we are required in our text to seek. To seek it, implies that we seek to belong to it--seek to know Christ's will and to do it--seek to be recognized by Christ as one of his subjects, and seek to promote the interests of this kingdom, as all true subjects of any kingdom do, and should do if the government deserves their support. He who truly seeks first the kingdom of God, seeks to be as really and perfectly governed by Christ now, as the holy in Heaven are. He would have Christ living and reigning within him so that every thought shall be brought into obedience.
We are required, not only to seek the kingdom of God, but also "his righteousness." The original word here rendered righteousness, is sometimes rendered justification. The radical idea seems to be simply this--being right with God--coming into a state of acceptance with him. This we know must in our case include both the free pardon of past sin and the being sanctified so that we are not actually sinning. So long as his law condemns us for unpardoned sin, or so long as we are actually sinning, it would be monstrous to suppose that God can accept us as righteous, and that we are right in his sight. Hence, when the righteousness of God as in our text, is spoken of as a thing for us to seek, it must include both pardon and sanctification.
The command to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness first, enjoins upon us to treat this subject as of absolute and supreme importance. This must be the great business of our lives. Nothing else is allowed to have any practical importance compared with this.
The injunction--seek God's kingdom first, implies that we seek it first in point of time. It should be the first thing attended to. It is not merely to be admitted as of first importance, but should really be put first in point of time. The first thoughts of each morning should be given to it. And whenever God's word, or his providence brings before our mind the invitations or the claims of this kingdom, we are to remember that now is the accepted time. Now, first in order, before any thing else, let the concerns of your soul with the kingdom of God and his righteousness have the first regard.
It is also implied that we seek this kingdom with supreme earnestness. This is fully involved in the points just spoken of. We are required to agonize to enter in at the strait gate--to press hard for entrance, with the greatest earnestness, and the most strenuous efforts. Let the soul be indeed in agony to carry the point and make sure of admission into the kingdom of God. To the same purport are very many passages which I might quote from the Scriptures, all going to show that God requires us to seek with all our hearts, to lay out the utmost strength of our souls, if we would successfully resist the devil, and really break the chains of sin, and secure so great a treasure as eternal life.
It is also implied that we seek the kingdom of God with perseverance. We must press on till we obtain. This is the great business of life--to get back from revolt, to obedience--from our state of rejection, cast out from God, to a state of acceptance, where we shall be sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. Then let us persevere in seeking the whole of this change until it be completely effected. The nature of the case demands such perseverance. The blessings within reach are too great and precious to be lost for want of perseverance in the pursuit. They will amply reward you for a whole life of most earnest seeking.
Again, the kingdom of God would be the object of supreme engrossment. You must bring all your powers into action. Your intellect must be thoroughly awake--your sensibility to the claims of truth must be all alive, and your will must act with inflexible decision. Absolutely your whole mind must be aroused to its utmost exertion.
Still again, the command implies that every thing else must be postponed to this. The spirit of the precept demands that every thing else be thrown into the back-ground, and this be placed foremost of all.
When Christ was upon earth, he admitted no apology for delay--would allow nothing to interpose between the soul, and its present duty. On a certain occasion, Christ called a man to follow himself. The man replied, "Suffer me first to go and bury my father." No, said Christ, "leave the dead to bury their dead"--the dead in sin to bury the natural dead--"but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." One might suppose that if any circumstances would justify delay, these would. God has said, "Honor thy father;" and the instinctive feelings of propriety, as well as respect for the dead are wont to secure a prompt regard to these last offices which we can pay to the departed. Shall we then forsake a father's burial, and leave to others, yea to wicked men, these last obsequies? Yea, let the dead bury their dead; thou hast a call from God--go thou and preach his kingdom.
But "let me go first and bid them farewell which are at home in my house." No; said Christ, ["]no man putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God."
Now it is plain that our Savior puts these strong cases for the very purpose of enforcing strongly this point--that nothing else whatever may be placed before prompt obedience to this great precept, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness."
The spirit of the text requires that every thing shall be promptly sacrificed that comes in competition with this. Let nothing else come up to crowd this aside; seek this first; make this your present business; if your father is dead, no matter, attend to this; cut off your right hand if it interfere with this work--make any sacrifice whatever which needs to be made in order to your successful prosecution of this great work of seeking first the kingdom of God. No consideration whatever may be allowed to divert the mind from this subject.
To this command Christ has annexed a promise. This next claims our attention.
You will observe that the condition of this promise is, "Seek first the kingdom of God;"--as if he had said "If you will seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, you shall have all these earthly things of which he had been speaking. You shall be fed as surely as I feed the ravens, and clothed as well as I clothe the lilies. You need not be anxious for these things. It is my business to provide them. Mark the lilies of the field; how they grow--they toil not--they spin not; yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. And if God so gloriously attires the grass which grows only for a day, and is burnt tomorrow, will he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" ["]Therefore, be not anxious about these earthly things. Let the Gentiles who know not their Father on high, seek after these things anxiously--but remember that your Father knows your wants and will take care to supply them. Only, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
Consider also that your anxieties about these things can do no good. Which of you by ever so much anxiety can add to his stature one cubit?
We are to understand this promise as including all that is necessary for us, either in time or eternity. The connection however, shows that Christ had principal reference to provisions for our earthly wants. He knows what these wants are. He formed the constitution which creates them; and he passed through this very state of physical want himself. He understood how strong the tendencies of our minds are to excessive anxiety about the requisite supply. Hence he says--I will take away from you all apology for neglecting the things of My kingdom--you shall have no excuse for not making religion the chief thing; let it be your first business--first in point of time--first in your esteem--first in the earnestness with which you seek it; then trust me to make up all the other things that you need. Do My business and I will do yours. Take care of My kingdom--throw your whole soul into its interests, and I will supply your physical wants. Do your duty as I enjoin it, and I will be responsible for these lesser things.
To refresh reader’s memories, Charles Finney agreed to become a professor at Oberlin Collegiate Institute (known as Oberlin College after 1850) in 1835, with the agreement that he could continue to preach in New York, where he was from. In 1851, the professor became the second president of the college. Oberlin College became the first college in the United States to admit women and blacks as students in addition to white men. In fact, Oberlin is the oldest co-educational college in the United States.
Finney was a firm believer that Christians needed to work to build the Kingdom of God on earth. He believed the truly faithful would be able to usher in the Millennium by eliminating the “great and sore evils” of the world, which he identified in fiery fashion. If one reads the sermons Finney preached in his time, perceptive individuals can see his words also apply in such a time as this. The words he shared then could be shared across America today, which again is in a time of tense divisiveness, and void of true moral leadership for the most part. (Description from Tim Taylor - Kingdom League international)
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