 Please go home, praise the Lord and welcome everyone to our class on Kingdom Builders. Hope all of you had a good weekend. We'll begin class. I'll ask Francis to lead us in prayer please. Let's all pause for a prayer. Holy Father, thank you for this wonderful time. Lord Jesus, thank you for your with us. We are going to learn something new about your Kingdom God. We will leave and we will build your Kingdom God. Make us like as that Lord Jesus. Thank you for your Ma'am. Give the strength and concentrate on the teaching Lord. You will help your spirit to be with her Lord. Thank you for everything. We are giving all glory to you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Today we'll begin with a new chapter. We finished chapter 8 week before last, last week was a holiday. Today we look at chapter 9, Kingdom Government. Like we've been saying God is King. He is King. He has a kingdom. He rules over his kingdom which means he exercises his authority through his government that he establishes in his kingdom. Every king has a government through which he rules his kingdom through which he exercises his authority through his government. Look at Psalm 22 verse 28. What does the Bible say in Psalm 22 verse 28? Can one of you read that please? For the kingdom is the Lord and he rules over the nations. So here it says that God rules over the nations. Even today in the world that we are living in, God is ruling over the nations. Psalm 103 verse 19. What does Psalm 103 verse 19 say? Psalm 103 verse 19. Psalm 103 verse 19. Now know that the Lord he is God. It is he who has made us. Psalm 103 verse 19. The Lord has established his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all. Amen. So here it says that his kingdom rules over all. So his kingdom even in our present fallen world rules over everything. So we are to recognize God's rule coming into our world today. So even as we look at situations around the world, we think that God is not in control. God is not ruling. But the word of God says that we need to recognize that God's rule is coming in and through the world today. So wherever you are and whatever place you have in life, his rule is coming in and through your life. So wherever you are, whatever place you have in life, his rule is coming through to you and into your life. So we must understand that God has placed authority structures around us because he rules in the world today. He rules in the nations. His kingdom rules over everything. And so we need to understand that God has placed authority structures around us. And God's government comes to us into our lives through these authority structures that he has placed in our lives. So God's government comes into our lives through these authority structures that he has placed in our lives. So God has an authority structure for all of us in every facet in every area of our lives. Whether it's concerning family, whether it's concerning the local church, whether it's concerning the body of Christ, the workplace, the civil government. In each and every area of our life, God has placed authority structures. And what must we do? We must learn to see these areas. And we need to learn to see God's kingdom or the kingdom of God coming in and through these authority structures that he has placed around us or in us. We also need to see God's rule coming in and through these authority structures that he's placed in our lives. And we must not look at these authority structures as things that we must break free from or we must rebel against or we must tear down. That is a wrong posture for us to take on. But we need to look at these authority structures as something that God has placed in our lives. And we need to relate to these authority structures in a very correct way. Why should we relate to these authority structures in a correct way? Any idea? We're saying that God has placed authority structures around us through which his government, his rule comes in and through our lives. And we saw the various authority structures that he's placed in our lives, that his family, the local church, the body of Christ, also the workplace, the civil government. Now, why is it important for us to relate correctly to these authority structures that God has placed in our lives? So that his will should be done in our lives. So that his blessings flow in and through those structures. His blessings come to us through these authority structures. So here's how we can see God's authority structure lived out for mankind. Let's look at 1 Corinthians 11 and read verse 3, verse 11 and 12. And we will see how God's authority structure is lived out for mankind through these verses. 1 Corinthians 11 verses 3, 11 and 12. So can somebody read that please? 1 Corinthians 11, 3, 11 and 12. But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ. The head of woman is man and the head of Christ is God. Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man in the Lord. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman, but all things are from God. Amen. So in this verse, there are three things that describe to us the authority structure. What is the first authority structure here we see in this verse? Christ is the head of man. That is one. The head of woman is man. The head of Christ is God and the head of man is Christ. So three things, three authority structures that is described here. The head of the woman is man. The head of man is Christ and the head of Christ is God. Now why does it say the head of Christ is God? When Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one and they are co-equal. Why does it say here that the head of Christ is God? When it comes to God releasing his authority structure or releasing his government, it says the head of Christ is the father or head of Christ is God. Which means Christ submitted himself to the father's will and carried out the father's will here on earth. Which means he submitted himself to the authority structure that God had placed. Which means that God is the head and Christ submitted himself to the father's will and carried out the father's will here on earth. So in the same regard, in the same manner, the head of the woman is man. Which means that man is not superior to woman. Because if we look at verse 11, it says that woman came out of man just as the man came out of woman. So it doesn't mean that man is superior to woman. It means that they are just dependent on each other in the Lord. In the Lord, both of man and woman are co-equal. And both man and woman are dependent on the Lord. But yet when it comes to God's government, the head of the woman is man. So in God's authority structure or God's government, the head of the woman is man. But head means that man is not superior to woman. They both are co-equal. They are dependent on God. Both of them are dependent equally on God. So we must learn to understand God's authority structure. Because when we relate to God's authority structure in a right way, we position ourselves rightly. And we follow God's authority structure or God's government that he has placed in our lives. We receive the blessings that God intends through it for us. So we look at the various authority structures that God has placed in our life. The first one we look at God's authority structure in the family. So can somebody please read Ephesians chapter 5 verses 22 and 23. Ephesians chapter 5 verses 22 and 23. Wives submit to your own husbands as to Lord. For the husband is head of the wife as also Christ is head of the church. And he is the Savior of the body. Amen. So here when it comes to the home, what is God's government in the home? Or the authority structure that he's placed in the home? The head is the husband and the wife. What should the wife do? Should walk in submission to the head or the wife should submit to the head. That is the husband. And yet we know that husbands being the head does not mean that they are tiny monarchs at home. Doesn't mean that they are bosses at home. It means that as head they actually have a responsibility. So as a head it doesn't mean that they go around bossing or they are the tiny monarchs at home. No. As a head they have a responsibility. So what is their responsibility? Look at this. Can somebody read 1 Peter chapter 3 verse 7 please. 1 Peter chapter 3 verse 7. 1 Peter chapter 3 verse 7. Husbands likewise well with them with understanding. Giving honor to the wife as to the weaker vessel. And as being heads together of the grace of life that your prayers may not be hindered. Amen. So here it says thank you. He says he wants husbands. What should the husbands do? What should the husbands do? They have understanding towards their wife. And what else the husbands do? Give honor to their wife. Okay. So it's very strange here. Don't you think it's strange that the husbands have to give honor to the wife? When the husbands are their head. You know the heads don't give honor to those who are below them. They only give honor to those who are above them. But here if you look at the biblical standard it's very unusual. Okay. God's standards are very different in God's standard on the biblical standard. You give honor to those who are above you and all those who are also below you. Okay. So both in God's kingdom it works both ways. We learn to give honor for those in authority learn to give honor to those who are above them and also to those who are below them. So he says give honor to your wife and treat them with respect. Okay. Treat them with respect as a weaker partner. Weaker partner means what? Not spiritually weak. Okay. Physically weak. Women are physically weak compared to men. So you know husbands have to treat their wives. Be considerate to them. Be understanding towards them. Also treat them with respect as the weaker vessel. So we see that in the authority structure that God has placed in the home, even though husband and wife are co-equal in the kingdom of God, both of them have equal access to the blessings of God. Both of them have equal access to every right in the kingdom of God. Both of them have equal access to the Word of God, to the Holy Spirit. Every area there is equal access because we know that God is not a partial God. But in the government structure or the authority structure in the government that God has placed in the family, the head is the husband and the wife has to walk in submission to the husband, to the head. Okay. And then we look at the other components in the family. We have not only husband and wife, but we also have children and parents. Okay. So let's see what Ephesians chapter 6 verses 1 to 4 says. Ephesians chapter 6 verses 1 to 4, can somebody read that please? Ephesians chapter 6, 1 to 4. Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise. Promise that it may be well with you and you may live long on earth. And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath. But bring them up to the training and admonition of Lord. Amen. Thank you. So here now the scripture is speaking to the children and they say children now here is God's government for you. So what is God's government for the children? They have to obey their parents. Okay. When they obey their parents, that is God's government coming into their lives. Now it's a well known fact that when children grow up, they go to college, they enter career courses, they learn more or they know more than their parents. Okay. Some parents may not even know how to turn on the computer, how to operate the phone, how to get into Gmail or you know, Instagram and all of those things. So of course, yes, children are very smarter. They learn more, they know more. But it says even in that situation, even though you know more than your parents, even in that situation, we have to honor our parents. Honor your parents. That's a full stop after that. There is nothing more to say. Okay. You still have to have regard to your parents, even though you know more than them. Okay. Honor means what? Respect. Honor means what? To have reverence, to have fear. It means to esteem very highly. Okay. Esteem very, very highly. To treat them with respect and to give them reverence. Okay. So why should children honor their parents? Because when you do that, it's God's government coming into your house. Okay. Why should husbands treat their wives with understanding, compassion and respect them? When we do, you have God's government coming into your life. You are following God's authority structure. Why should wives submit to their husbands and listen and obey their husbands? When you do that, you're bringing in your ushering God's government that is coming into your life. Okay. And what happens when we do that, when God's authority structure is correctly placed in the family, then we see God's blessing flowing into the home. Sometimes we always think that, you know, God is not blessing our home because there is some sin. Yes, one of the sins can be because if some member in the family is not following the authority structure or the government that God has placed in the family. Okay. So it's very important for us to recognize these authority structures that God has placed in our lives to position ourselves to do what we are supposed to do, you know, to esteem our parents, to regard them highly, to treat them well. You know, husbands to be considerate, loving, respect their wives, wives to submit to their husbands. When we do that, you know, God's government comes into our house and we receive God's kingdom. God's kingdom come and invades into our family, to our home and we receive the blessings. Okay. So that is God's authority structure in the family. Any questions? Okay. If there's no questions, we'll move on. God's authority structure in the local church. Okay. So God has placed His government or His authority structure in the local church as well. Can somebody please read Acts chapter 20 verses 28 to 30 please. Acts chapter 20 verse 28 to 30. Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. But I know this, that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after themselves. Amen. Thank you. So your Paul is speaking to the elders at Ephesus and he says, you know, this is what I want you to do. What does he tell the elders? What does he tell the elders? He says to shepherd the flock or shepherd the church. Okay. Which God has purchased by His own blood. Okay. Do not... Okay. Savage wolves will not spell the flock. What is the first thing that he tells the elders? Watch over your own life. Okay. He's saying you are elders, you are leaders and what you need to do is to watch over your own life. You know, and also watch over that people that God has placed in the church. Why does he tell them to do this? Why do they have to watch over their own life? Because the Holy Spirit has made them overseers of the flock or the sheep that God has given to them or entrusted them. So in that regard, because the Holy Spirit has made them overseers of their lives and also the lives of the flock that God has given to them. He says, I want you to watch over them. And also why does he say that they have to watch over the people or shepherd the flock? God's people, God's possession. It's the responsibility of the elders. Why should they shepherd the flock? Because they are purchased with God's own blood. Which means don't treat them lightly. You know, the people in your church don't treat them lightly because why? They are God's treasured possessions. They are purchased with his own blood. So don't treat them lightly. And he says, you need to be on God. Okay. And he says all kinds, if you don't do that, all kinds of things will happen. What kind of things will happen? Savage wolves will come and take prey of God's people. And if they will speak unnecessary doctrines, wrong doctrines, false doctrines, perverse things, and they will draw away the disciples after themselves. Okay. So he's telling the elders at Ephesus, Paul is saying, you got to watch over the congregation because God has put you responsible over these people. And that when you do that, that is God's government coming into the local church. Okay. So that is what the elders or the leaders who are called by God to be overseers of the flock are supposed to do in God's authority structure. And in response, what does he say to the people? Look at what the scriptures say to the people in the church. Look at Hebrews chapter 13 verse 17. Can somebody read that, please? Hebrews chapter 13 verse 17, obey those who rule over you and be submissive for they watch out for your souls. As those who must give account, let them do so with joy and not with grief. So that would be unprofitable for you. Amen. So here it says that, you know, he's telling the people in the church, he's saying the people in the church, listen, I want you to, what should you do? What should they do? Submissive. Okay. You need to respect. You need to treat with respect. And you need to be submissive to whom? To the leadership or to those who are leading over you because they are watching out for yourselves. And when you do that, it is God's government coming into the local church. Okay. But it does not mean that those who are in leadership can do whatever they want because they are in a role of leading or in the place of leadership or in responsibility. But look at what scripture says for those who are in important leadership positions or in responsibility. First Peter chapter five versus one to four. Can somebody please read first Peter chapter five versus one to four, please? The elders who are among you, I XOR, I who am a fellow elder and the witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a particle of the glory that will be revealed. Just one minute, sorry. Jack in, are you also reading? Yeah. We can't hear the online students speaking. They are saying something. So online, online students, are you able to hear what the other students were reading so far from scripture? Yes, no? Yes, okay. Yes, we can. Okay. Okay, thank you, Jack in. Go ahead, Jack in, please read first Peter chapter five versus one to four because when you were reading, Nina Santosh was also reading here. So we couldn't hear you. Yeah, please go ahead and read Jack in. Pastor, can you hear me now? Yes, we can. The elders who are among you, I XOR, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a particle of the glory that will be revealed. Shepherd the flock of God, which is among you serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly, not as being lords over those entrusted to you but being examples to the flock and when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Amen. Thank you, Jack in. So here what does Peter write to the elders? He says, what does he say? They need to be shepherds of God's flock that is under their care. Okay. And what should they do? How should they shepherd them? How should they shepherd them? How should they watch over them? Willingly, okay. Not because they are, you know, paid money or, you know, not for dishonest gain but they are supposed to do it eagerly with enthusiasm with zeal and they should not be lords over those entrusted to them, which means don't be a big boss. Okay. Not by compulsion. Yes, not because they have to or, you know, of compulsion but willingly they need to, you know, take care of the flock that God has entrusted to them, not being, not lording over the people, not being big bosses, but what should they do? There should be examples to the flock. Okay. So you don't see themselves as being lured over what has been entrusted to them but there be an example to the flock. Okay. That is what leaders or elders or people in places of responsibility in the local church, they should lead people by example. And what happens when the cheap shepherd will appear? They will receive a crown that does not fade away. Okay. So here the scripture is talking about God's government in the local church when it comes to the elders or to the leaders or those in spiritual authority in the local church. Okay. And what does it say in verse five? Can somebody read verse five again please? Like what? So here he's talking about God's authority structure and he's saying that younger people, what should the younger people do? They must submit themselves to whom? The elders. Okay. But he's also saying something more over here. He says all of you must be submitted to one another and all of us are called to walk in humility. Okay. So all of us are supposed to submit to one another and all of us are called to walk in humility. Okay. I'll give you an example. Now, suppose you are an elderly person an older person and you are coming into church. Okay. And you expect the younger people in the church to help you. Okay. Maybe you've forgotten your communion elements. You just tell a young, can you please go and get me and you know, I'm younger people. They are very willing. They'll just go and bring it to you. Can you please call this person? Or can you get me a proper chair? Or can you get me a glass of water? You know, can you get me a cup of tea? So, you know, when you ask the younger people in the church, you know, they're more than willing to help you out. But that's fine. You know, and the younger people do it very gladly. But, you know, it also says in this verse that all of us need to submit to each other. So I don't think if it's anything wrong, if an older person does something in church and older person does something in church means only younger people don't need to lay out chairs, even the older person can go and get their chair. An older person can, you know, even serve a younger person in church. So when they're doing that, you know, when an older person is doing that, they're saying that I'm submitting myself. I'm walking in humility according to what the word of God says. It says all of you walk in humility towards one another and all of you be submitted to one another. Okay. So what a walk in humility and what is he saying here in God's government in the local church, you know, he's saying that it's okay. It's not only necessary for younger people to serve and do things. It's also okay for older people to do that because all of us should walk in submission to one another and we need to walk in humility. Okay. So in God's government in the local church, we have a pastor who is responsible. There are people in spiritual authority who are also responsible. God's people in the local church are called to walk in submission and honor and reverence towards them, towards those in leadership, to those in spiritual authority. Okay. But yet those in leadership are not to abuse their traditions of authority and finally all of us irrespective of our ages, whoever we are, we are called to walk in humility towards one another and God's government and when we do that, God's government comes into the local church. So sometimes if you don't see a greater manifestation of God's glory, if you don't see signs, miracles and wonders happening in the local church, it can also mean that people are not following the government structure or the authority structure that God has placed in the local church. So you see how important it is for all of us irrespective of our ages, whether we are leaders in spiritual authority or we're just people attending the local church, how important it is for us to recognize God's government, his authority structure and position ourselves and follow it and obey it so that God's rule and reign and his presence and his power can flow through the local church. Okay. Any questions regarding this? Any questions? Like when we are talking about this, I mean this structure and all, so this one of the things is coming now and then like if some miracles or things are not happening in our church, is that a term to not to happen in miracles or things in the church? It could be one of the reasons. There are various other reasons why that science miracles and wonders are not happening. One of this is because any one of them in the local church is not following the authority structure, the government that God has placed. It could be other reasons as well. There could be sin, there could be, people are not pursuing that, people are not hungry for God's presence, God's our agendas are very totally different. So it can be various other reasons, but one of the reasons can be this as well. Yes. I mean he bruised 13, 17. It was also like a watch over yourself as though you must give an account, like talking about elders. So they were given authority or placed as an overseer over people of the congregation. So they have the responsibility over them and they have to be accountable for them. So my question is like, if they have to give an account if they are misleading or if they are responsible for some people to get lost or not taking care of people, they have to give an account to God during judgment. Yeah, they have to give an account. They are accountable to God. Like we know when God comes to judge, he or everybody have Not only then, not only wait for that, for all even year in the present, God would hold them accountable. Yes. You know, God would hold them accountable for what they are doing. Yes. Pastor, like you said, so for the kingdom of, for God's authority to be manifested in the church and to see God's glory, you said that that we have to walk in humanity and submission to one another and all that. So the church actually has to be like that pure in order to see God's glory then, right? The church has to be has to be like so pure. I mean, like everyone must be in that same mind in order for that to happen. Yes, it's not that they have to be so pure because God understands our weakness. He knows our friendlies as human beings. But at least mindful of what he's asking us to do where we are and where we need to be is something that God requires of us. Some of us, some churches, God knows that they are not being taught that the shepherd doesn't know they're not being taught that they don't have the knowledge of that. So according to our knowledge, God also works according to our level of faith or understanding or maturity, God works in us, right? So the pastor even doesn't know about this then, you know, the congregation cannot be blamed. People don't know that God has a government and authority structure that they have to... because of that God will not be told his blessings. No. But even if there's a basic sin that they know that they should not be sinning but yet they're sinning, then God will hold them accountable for that but it's not that he will not bless them or know he won't hear their prayer, no. According to our level of maturity and where we are, God works with us and of course he teaches us. Yes. But as now as a church we are learning and knowing once we know it, we need to fall into place. We need to do what God wants us to do. Yes. God's authority over the family their husband, sometimes literally they act like very bossy and wives are like not submissive. Not because of bossy husband, otherwise also. So in that scenario, how we how we help them like what can be if our near families are going through this stuff, where wives sometimes be very arrogant, like they will not they don't know what's the meaning of submitting. Submitting they feel like they're belittling they don't want to do that. Maybe ignorance. So as a family like how can we help as if not even unbeliever maybe sometime, sometimes believer only or he knows maybe a Christian not believer, Christian but this they don't know, they're thinking okay, wives are down. One step down, you have to be like whatever I say you have to listen and in other cases, wives will be very arrogant they don't know what the meaning of listening for them it is their say. Submitting to their husbands. It's time for a break now, we'll go for a break and come back and then we'll take on these questions. Thank you. Yeah.