The Rising Kingdom

The Priest

November 12, 2023 • Steve Deane • Matthew 13:33, 1 Peter 2:5–9, Luke 10:30–37

Since human community is the temple in which God desires to dwell, priests' work is to tend and to cultivate human community for God's presence. To be a priest unto God is to be a good neighbor. That which was high and lofty only for the elite, is now within reach of all from the simplest to the greatest. Christ has raised all up with Him! Be a good neighbor! Be a priest!

The Temple

November 5, 2023 • Steve Deane • Exodus 15:17, 1 Peter 2:5, Matthew 13:33

The Kingdom of Heaven is about the TRUE temple of God. The Garden was a living temple; the holy of holies of Creation. Therefore all of Creation was a temple. Israel had a temple made of dead stones that included an holy of holies. Israel's temple was a model of Creation so all Creation is a temple. The church is described as being made of living stone and is the true holy of holies of human community. Therefore all of human community is the true temple of God.

The Planting

October 29, 2023 • Steve Deane • Genesis 2:8, Matthew 13:33

The Kingdom of God is a planting that grows over time and will fill the earth with fruit and heal the nations.

Civic Responsibility

September 24, 2023 • Steve Deane, Gary Porter • Jeremiah 29:7

Whether for our own sake or for the sake of Christ, we are to take care of human communities and seek their prosperity.

Comparing Creation and Exodus Stories

July 30, 2023 • Steve Deane • Matthew 13:33, Genesis 1:1

This sermon compares and contrasts the Creation and Exodus stories. Historically, the Creation story and the story of Israel's exodus from Egypt over two different stories progressing over 1000's of years. Typeologically they are parallel stories teaching the same thing. God is overcoming sin and death.

Monorails and Train Tracks

July 23, 2023 • Steve Deane • Psalm 103:7, Matthew 13:33

The story of man's redemption invites us to know our heavenly Father. The story of God redeeming humanity can be told historically and/or type-logically. Each of these tracks has value independently. The wise will use both tracks to understand. The historical track reveals what God did in space and time; His acts. The typeological tracks reveals who God is in Spirit; His ways.

Definition of Sin

July 16, 2023 • Steve Deane • Matthew 13:33, Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:2

The Greek word for sins means without form or portion. To be without form is to be formless. To be without your portion is to be empty or void. The Creation story speaks of formless and void and was told by our heavenly Father to give us comfort. From the beginning, the God of Life overcomes human sin. For our heavenly Father it is a no brainer to forgive, reconcile, and restore His beloved kids...us!

Death - Deep

July 9, 2023 • Steve Deane • Matthew 13:33, Genesis 1:1, John 17:24, Revelation 21:1

The Earth became formless and void and darkness covered the deep. Though death entered into Creation after it was created, the story of Creation being made was told as God overcoming death. Telling the story this way would be comforting to all who heard it who were experiencing death.

Death - Darkness Cont.

June 25, 2023 • Steve Deane • Hebrews 2:4, Matthew 13:33, Genesis 1:1, James 3:9, 2 Corinthians 4:6

The Earth became formless and void and darkness and covered the deep. Though death entered into Creation after it was created, the story of Creation being made was told as God overcoming death. Telling the story this way would be comforting to all who heard it who were experiencing death.

Death - Darkness

June 18, 2023 • Steve Deane • Matthew 13:33, Genesis 1:1, 2 Corinthians 4:6, 2 Timothy 1:10, 2 Timothy 1:9

The Earth became formless and void and darkness covered the deep. Though death entered into Creation after it was created, the story of Creation being made was told as God overcoming death. Telling the story this way would be comforting to all who heard it experiencing death.

Death - Void

June 11, 2023 • Steve Deane • Genesis 1:1, Matthew 13:33

The Earth became formless and void. Formlessness in the effect of death. Though death entered into Creation after it was created, the story of Creation being made was told as God overcoming death. Telling the story this way would be comforting to all who heard it who were experiencing death.

Death - Formless

June 4, 2023 • Steve Deane • Matthew 13:33, Genesis 1:1