FOREVER!
Dec. 14, 2022.
Kingdoms upon this earth have never lasted; all governments have faded with time. Dating back to the first world power when Alexander the Great cried because there were no more worlds to conquer, til the Romans overthrew the Greeks, and then the Visagoth’s overthrew the Romans. Soon the French, and Germans and and Brits would all take their turn as super powers. In recent decades it has been the US holding the greatest sway over world events. But we too are now going the direction of so many before us, and are showing signs of a society in retrograde. The grand point of this chronology is this: kingdoms do not last forever.
Against that earthly history, I am greatly intrigued by what the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary about her forthcoming son, “He will be great, He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Lu. 1:32-33). Those words are startling. Think of it – a government that will never lose its reign. And this is the kingdom we represent. This gospel that was birthed upon the earth 2000 years ago will never cease to be an influential kingdom upon the earth. Kings and tyrants have predicted Christianity’s demise, famous sociologists have declared that the Church will soon become invisible, and at times it might even feel like they are right and that momentum is waning. But in the face of these falterings I will recall Gabriels prophecy, that our Lord’s kingdom will never fall and his government will be the singular movement upon the earth that will never fade into irrelevance. Jesus’ leadership is FOREVER. The kingdom we serve is FOREVER!
Merry Christmas,
Verlon
Dr. Verlon and Melodee Fosner have led a multi-site Assemblies of God Dinner Church in Seattle, Washington since 1999 (www.CommunityDinners.com). In this decade when more churches in the U.S. are declining than thriving, and when ninety-six churches a week are closing, Verlon and Melodee sensed that a different way of doing church was needed for their 100-year old Seattle congregation. It soon became obvious that they were not the only ones in need of a different path. They joined the FX team in 2016 and founded the Dinner Church Collective. And then in 2019 founded the Dinner Church School of Leadership. There is a lot to be gained when church leaders begin to see open doors in the American landscape that they had previously overlooked. Therein lies the journey for those who will forge a new future for the American Church.
Categories: Uncategorized
12.18.22
By: Sandy Johnson
What an awesome reminder right before Christmas. We can trust the words of our God. He is always working behind the scenes, and truth in any given moment can be very different than what we see with our human eyes. He is our King forever! Merry Christmas Verlon, to you and your family.
12.19.22
By: Julie
My kids and I just read this passage! Thy will be done, Amen!
Merry Christmas and thank you for staying passionate about growing the kingdom of God!
12.21.22
By: David Bennett
Take a step back. Kick down the barriers. We can throw off the narrow minded, self serving, temporal thoughts of political parties. There is a beginning and an end to their moment in the spotlight. This king/kingdom we represent is not confined by such limitations. Our king isn’t bound by time or space and to His kingdom there is no end. We are citizens of such a kingdom, first and foremost, let us live as people of this realm. We can move in the confidence of His reign!
01.2.23
By: Maria Ward
“Come Lord Jesus, Come!” I’ve been hearing these words more and more in Christian circles, said in exaperation as the governments of the world and especially America seem to be, as you say, in retrograde. I am reminded that Jesus has already come and His Kingdom has already been established. And this is the comforting reminder that there is no end to the hope, peace, joy, and love established in-part when Jesus first came, and will be made whole when He comes again. “Come Lord Jesus, Come!” Not said in exasperation but in hope that I will see the fullness of the Kingdom that I get a glimpse of today.
01.10.23
By: Steven Curry
I hold on to this with all I am….and grab as many as I can to hold on with me. I’m old enough to have seen the results of all those who disparage Jesus. Those results have always been a refreshing/renewal by God.
I do not remember his name, but the young football player who recently had a heart attack on the field in a sport that has become “woke” to the point that I don’t watch much sports anymore. Entire teams are now kneeling in the middle of the field before their game and PRAYING. In the open, not hiding in the shadows, but in the open in front of the nation.
Will it last? No, but God will just execute the next part of His plan and the nay sayers will have to start over.
In starting our dinner church I’ve learned that the traditional church is shrinking. Younger generations don’t want a whole lot to do with the Sunday version of worship. Yet, how many dinner churches have started in the last 20 years? I don’t think this time it’s a new thing. This time it’s returning to how Christ does church…with food. 🙂
Steven