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I
Revival of the Kingdom Message
The church stands as a vanguard in reigniting the profound message of God’s Kingdom throughout Derby, embodying the essence of Psalm 72:8. Through biblical teachings and righteous living, the church aims to enhance awareness and adherence to the kingdom’s principles.
Lead texts
- “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”MATTHEW 24:14 · KJV
- “For the word of God {is} quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and {is} a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”HEBREWS 4:12 · KJV
The Kingdom foretold
- “They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Thy kingdom {is} an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion {endureth} throughout all generations. {an...: Heb. a kingdom of all ages}”PSALM 145:11-13 · KJV
- “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of {his} government and peace {there shall be} no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”ISAIAH 9:6-7 · KJV
- “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, {but} it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. {the days: Chaldee, their days} {the kingdom: Chaldee, the kingdom thereof}”DANIEL 2:44 · KJV
- “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, {one} like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion {is} an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom {that} which shall not be destroyed.”DANIEL 7:13-14 · KJV
- “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom {is} an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. {dominions: or, rulers}”DANIEL 7:27 · KJV
- “But in the last days it shall come to pass, {that} the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”MICAH 4:1-2 · KJV
- “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”ZECHARIAH 14:9 · KJV
Christ began to preach the Kingdom
- “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”MATTHEW 4:17 · KJV
- “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”MATTHEW 4:23 · KJV
- “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”MATTHEW 9:35 · KJV
- “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”MARK 1:14-15 · KJV
- “And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.”LUKE 4:43 · KJV
- “And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve {were} with him,”LUKE 8:1 · KJV
- “And the people, when they knew {it}, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.”LUKE 9:11 · KJV
- “The law and the prophets {were} until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”LUKE 16:16 · KJV
The Kingdom taught
- “Blessed {are} the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”MATTHEW 5:3 · KJV
- “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as {it is} in heaven.”MATTHEW 6:10 · KJV
- “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”MATTHEW 6:33 · KJV
- “He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”MATTHEW 13:11 · KJV
- “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:”MATTHEW 13:24 · KJV
- “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. {measures: the word in the Greek is a measure containing about a peck and a half, wanting a little more than a pint}”MATTHEW 13:31-33 · KJV
- “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”MATTHEW 13:44-46 · KJV
- “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”MATTHEW 18:3 · KJV
- “And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. {brought...: or, ripe}”MARK 4:26-29 · KJV
- “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”LUKE 12:32 · KJV
- “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: {with...: or, with outward shew} Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. {within you: or, among you}”LUKE 17:20-21 · KJV
- “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. {again: or, from above} Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and {of} the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”JOHN 3:3-5 · KJV
- “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”JOHN 18:36 · KJV
The Kingdom sent and preached
- “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”MATTHEW 10:7 · KJV
- “And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.”LUKE 9:2 · KJV
- “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.”LUKE 9:60 · KJV
- “And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.”LUKE 10:9 · KJV
- “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:”ACTS 1:3 · KJV
- “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”ACTS 8:12 · KJV
- “And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.”ACTS 19:8 · KJV
- “And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.”ACTS 20:25 · KJV
- “And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into {his} lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and {out of} the prophets, from morning till evening.”ACTS 28:23 · KJV
- “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”ACTS 28:31 · KJV
The Kingdom in the epistles and Revelation
- “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”ROMANS 14:17 · KJV
- “For the kingdom of God {is} not in word, but in power.”1 CORINTHIANS 4:20 · KJV
- “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated {us} into the kingdom of his dear Son: {his...: Gr. the Son of his love}”COLOSSIANS 1:13 · KJV
- “{Which is} a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:”2 THESSALONIANS 1:5 · KJV
- “I charge {thee} therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”2 TIMOTHY 4:1-2 · KJV
- “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: {let...: or, let us hold fast}”HEBREWS 12:28 · KJV
- “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him {be} glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”REVELATION 1:6 · KJV
- “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become {the kingdoms} of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”REVELATION 11:15 · KJV
- “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”REVELATION 12:10 · KJV
II
Fostering a Living Church
Engaging in the nurturing of a living church epitomizing holiness and divine order as instructed in 1 Peter 1:15–16 and 1 Corinthians 14:33.
Christ the Head of His church
- “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all {things} he might have the preeminence. {in...: or, among all}”COLOSSIANS 1:18 · KJV
- “And hath put all {things} under his feet, and gave him {to be} the head over all {things} to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”EPHESIANS 1:22-23 · KJV
- “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, {even} Christ: {speaking...: or, being sincere} From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”EPHESIANS 4:15-16 · KJV
- “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.”EPHESIANS 5:23 · KJV
- “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. {Peter: this name signifies a rock}”MATTHEW 16:18 · KJV
- “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.”COLOSSIANS 2:19 · KJV
The church as His body
- “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also {is} Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether {we be} Jews or Gentiles, whether {we be} bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. {Gentiles: Gr. Greeks} For the body is not one member, but many.”1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-14 · KJV
- “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”1 CORINTHIANS 12:18 · KJV
- “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”1 CORINTHIANS 12:27 · KJV
- “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, {being} many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”ROMANS 12:4-5 · KJV
- “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner {stone}; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”EPHESIANS 2:19-22 · KJV
- “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”EPHESIANS 3:6 · KJV
- “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”COLOSSIANS 3:15 · KJV
- “To whom coming, {as unto} a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, {and} precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. {are: or, be ye}”1 PETER 2:4-5 · KJV
Purchased with His blood
- “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”ACTS 20:28 · KJV
- “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”EPHESIANS 5:25-27 · KJV
- “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”TITUS 2:14 · KJV
- “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, {as} silver and gold, from your vain conversation {received} by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”1 PETER 1:18-19 · KJV
- “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”REVELATION 5:9 · KJV
The bride prepared for the Bridegroom
- “For {as} a young man marrieth a virgin, {so} shall thy sons marry thee: and {as} the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, {so} shall thy God rejoice over thee. {as the...: Heb. with the joy of the bridegroom}”ISAIAH 62:5 · KJV
- “And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.”HOSEA 2:19-20 · KJV
- “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present {you as} a chaste virgin to Christ.”2 CORINTHIANS 11:2 · KJV
- “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”EPHESIANS 5:31-32 · KJV
- “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. {white: or, bright}”REVELATION 19:7-8 · KJV
- “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”REVELATION 21:2 · KJV
- “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.”REVELATION 21:9 · KJV
- “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”REVELATION 22:17 · KJV
The flock of the Good Shepherd
- “[A Psalm of David.] The LORD {is} my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. {green...: Heb. pastures of tender grass} {still...: Heb. waters of quietness} He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”PSALM 23:1-3 · KJV
- “Know ye that the LORD he {is} God: {it is} he {that} hath made us, and not we ourselves; {we are} his people, and the sheep of his pasture. {and not...: or, and his we are}”PSALM 100:3 · KJV
- “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry {them} in his bosom, {and} shall gently lead those that are with young. {that...: or, that give suck}”ISAIAH 40:11 · KJV
- “For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, {even} I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep {that are} scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. {As...: Heb. According to the seeking} And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and {in} a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up {that which was} broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.”EZEKIEL 34:11-16 · KJV
- “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”JOHN 10:11 · KJV
- “I am the good shepherd, and know my {sheep}, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, {and} one shepherd.”JOHN 10:14-16 · KJV
- “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, {covenant: or, testament}”HEBREWS 13:20 · KJV
- “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight {thereof}, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; {which...: or, as much as in you is} Neither as being lords over {God's} heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. {being lords over: or, overruling} And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”1 PETER 5:2-4 · KJV
- “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”1 PETER 2:25 · KJV
A living church: holiness, order, gathering
- “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”1 PETER 1:15-16 · KJV
- “For God is not {the author} of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. {confusion: Gr. tumult, or, unquietness}”1 CORINTHIANS 14:33 · KJV
- “Let all things be done decently and in order.”1 CORINTHIANS 14:40 · KJV
- “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all {men}, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, {from...: or, at home} Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”ACTS 2:42-47 · KJV
- “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some {is}; but exhorting {one another}: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”HEBREWS 10:24-25 · KJV
- “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. {ground: or, stay}”1 TIMOTHY 3:15 · KJV
- “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”EPHESIANS 2:21-22 · KJV
III
Worship in Spirit and Truth
Encouraging a culture of worship centered in Spirit and Truth as elucidated by Jesus in John 4:24.
In spirit and in truth
- “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God {is} a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship {him} in spirit and in truth.”JOHN 4:23-24 · KJV
- “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”PHILIPPIANS 3:3 · KJV
- “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, {which is} your reasonable service.”ROMANS 12:1 · KJV
- “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: {let...: or, let us hold fast}”HEBREWS 12:28 · KJV
- “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of {our} lips giving thanks to his name. {giving...: Gr. confessing to}”HEBREWS 13:15 · KJV
The call to worship
- “Give unto the LORD the glory {due} unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”1 CHRONICLES 16:29 · KJV
- “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. {the glory...: Heb. the honour of his name} {in...: or, in his glorious sanctuary}”PSALM 29:2 · KJV
- “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”PSALM 95:6 · KJV
- “O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. {in the...: or, in the glorious sanctuary}”PSALM 96:9 · KJV
- “[A Psalm of praise.] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. {praise: or, thanksgiving} {all...: Heb. all the earth} Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he {is} God: {it is} he {that} hath made us, and not we ourselves; {we are} his people, and the sheep of his pasture. {and not...: or, and his we are} Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, {and} into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, {and} bless his name. For the LORD {is} good; his mercy {is} everlasting; and his truth {endureth} to all generations. {to all...: Heb. to generation and generation}”PSALM 100:1-5 · KJV
- “Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. {Praise ye...: Heb. Hallelujah} Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. {trumpet: or, cornet} Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. {dance: or, pipe} Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”PSALM 150:1-6 · KJV
- “And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. {call...: or, proclaim} Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this {is} known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great {is} the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. {inhabitant: Heb. inhabitress}”ISAIAH 12:4-6 · KJV
Not with the lips only
- “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near {me} with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”ISAIAH 29:13 · KJV
- “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with {their} lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching {for} doctrines the commandments of men.”MATTHEW 15:8-9 · KJV
- “I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. {in...: or, your holy days} Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept {them}: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. {peace...: or, thank offerings} Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. {run: Heb. roll}”AMOS 5:21-24 · KJV
- “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give {it}: thou delightest not in burnt offering. {else...: or, that I should} The sacrifices of God {are} a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”PSALM 51:16-17 · KJV
- “Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, {and} bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? {of a...: Heb. sons of a year?} Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, {or} with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn {for} my transgression, the fruit of my body {for} the sin of my soul? {body: Heb. belly} He hath shewed thee, O man, what {is} good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? {walk...: Heb. humble thyself to walk}”MICAH 6:6-8 · KJV
Worship in the assembly and in heaven
- “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”EPHESIANS 5:18-20 · KJV
- “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”COLOSSIANS 3:16 · KJV
- “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.”1 CORINTHIANS 14:26 · KJV
- “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about {him}; and {they were} full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. {rest...: Gr. have no rest} And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”REVELATION 4:8-11 · KJV
- “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, {be} unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four {and} twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”REVELATION 5:11-14 · KJV
- “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and {about} the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, {be} unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”REVELATION 7:9-12 · KJV
IV
Living for God’s Glory
Inspiring individuals to transcend worldly entanglements and live solely for the glory of God as depicted in 1 Corinthians 10:31.
All to the glory of God
- “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 · KJV
- “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, {do} all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”COLOSSIANS 3:17 · KJV
- “And whatsoever ye do, do {it} heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”COLOSSIANS 3:23-24 · KJV
- “If any man speak, {let him speak} as the oracles of God; if any man minister, {let him do it} as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”1 PETER 4:11 · KJV
- “For of him, and through him, and to him, {are} all things: to whom {be} glory for ever. Amen. {whom: Gr. him}”ROMANS 11:36 · KJV
- “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”1 CORINTHIANS 6:20 · KJV
Created and called for His glory
- “{Even} every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”ISAIAH 43:7 · KJV
- “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.”ISAIAH 43:21 · KJV
- “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, {and} for thy truth's sake.”PSALM 115:1 · KJV
- “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. {trusted: or, hoped}”EPHESIANS 1:11-12 · KJV
- “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”REVELATION 4:11 · KJV
- “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate {to be} conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”ROMANS 8:29-30 · KJV
Transcending worldly entanglements
- “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, {which is} your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what {is} that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”ROMANS 12:1-2 · KJV
- “Love not the world, neither the things {that are} in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that {is} in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”1 JOHN 2:15-17 · KJV
- “And {that} he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”2 CORINTHIANS 5:15 · KJV
- “According to my earnest expectation and {my} hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but {that} with all boldness, as always, {so} now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether {it be} by life, or by death. For to me to live {is} Christ, and to die {is} gain.”PHILIPPIANS 1:20-21 · KJV
- “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things {but} loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them {but} dung, that I may win Christ,”PHILIPPIANS 3:7-8 · KJV
- “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. {by whom: or, whereby}”GALATIANS 6:14 · KJV
- “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of {this} life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”2 TIMOTHY 2:4 · KJV
- “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”MATTHEW 6:19-21 · KJV
Changed from glory to glory
- “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, {even} as by the Spirit of the Lord. {by the...: or, of the Lord the Spirit}”2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 · KJV
- “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding {and} eternal weight of glory;”2 CORINTHIANS 4:17 · KJV
- “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”MATTHEW 5:16 · KJV
- “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”JOHN 17:4 · KJV
- “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”JOHN 15:8 · KJV
- “To whom God would make known what {is} the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: {in: or, among}”COLOSSIANS 1:27 · KJV
V
Establishing Divine Order
Promoting the acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as the supreme Head over His church and His people, aligning with the divine order portrayed in Colossians 1:18. Inspiring the Body of Christ to break away from religion and religious systems of men to a system that revolves around Christ where He alone is head and center.
Christ alone Head and centre
- “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all {things} he might have the preeminence. {in...: or, among all}”COLOSSIANS 1:18 · KJV
- “And hath put all {things} under his feet, and gave him {to be} the head over all {things} to the church,”EPHESIANS 1:22 · KJV
- “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, {even} Christ: {speaking...: or, being sincere}”EPHESIANS 4:15 · KJV
- “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.”EPHESIANS 5:23 · KJV
- “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”COLOSSIANS 2:10 · KJV
- “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.”COLOSSIANS 2:19 · KJV
- “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman {is} the man; and the head of Christ {is} God.”1 CORINTHIANS 11:3 · KJV
- “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”ACTS 2:36 · KJV
- “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. {set: Heb. anointed} {upon...: Heb. upon Zion, the hill of my holiness} I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou {art} my Son; this day have I begotten thee. {the decree: or, for a decree} Ask of me, and I shall give {thee} the heathen {for} thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth {for} thy possession.”PSALM 2:6-8 · KJV
- “For the LORD {is} our judge, the LORD {is} our lawgiver, the LORD {is} our king; he will save us. {lawgiver: Heb. statutemaker}”ISAIAH 33:22 · KJV
- “And from Jesus Christ, {who is} the faithful witness, {and} the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him {be} glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”REVELATION 1:5-6 · KJV
God sets the members in the body
- “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”1 CORINTHIANS 12:18 · KJV
- “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. {diversities: or, kinds}”1 CORINTHIANS 12:28 · KJV
- “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”1 CORINTHIANS 3:11 · KJV
- “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner {stone};”EPHESIANS 2:20 · KJV
- “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”EPHESIANS 4:11-12 · KJV
- “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”HEBREWS 3:6 · KJV
- “For God is not {the author} of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. {confusion: Gr. tumult, or, unquietness}”1 CORINTHIANS 14:33 · KJV
- “Let all things be done decently and in order.”1 CORINTHIANS 14:40 · KJV
No lordship of men over the flock
- “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, {even} Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no {man} your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, {even} Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”MATTHEW 23:8-11 · KJV
- “But Jesus called them {to him}, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. {are...: or, think good} But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”MARK 10:42-45 · KJV
- “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.”2 CORINTHIANS 1:24 · KJV
- “Neither as being lords over {God's} heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. {being lords over: or, overruling}”1 PETER 5:3 · KJV
- “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth {them} out of the church.”3 JOHN 9-10 · KJV
Away from the religious systems of men
- “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching {for} doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, {as} the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. {reject: or, frustrate}”MARK 7:7-9 · KJV
- “And when he had called all the people {unto him}, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one {of you}, and understand:”MARK 7:13 · KJV
- “But in vain they do worship me, teaching {for} doctrines the commandments of men.”MATTHEW 15:9 · KJV
- “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. {rudiments: or, elements} {make a prey: or, seduce you, or, lead you astray}”COLOSSIANS 2:8 · KJV
- “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, {rudiments: or, elements} (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. {neglecting: or, punishing, or, not sparing}”COLOSSIANS 2:20-23 · KJV
- “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”GALATIANS 5:1 · KJV
- “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”2 TIMOTHY 3:5 · KJV
- “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”REVELATION 18:4 · KJV
- “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.”HEBREWS 13:13 · KJV
VI
Discipleship and Body of Christ
Creating avenues for believers to assume their divine roles in the Body of Christ, engaging in discipleship for the glory of God, resonating with the values shared in Ephesians 4:11–16.
Equipping the saints, building the body
- “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: {in: or, into} {stature: or, age}”EPHESIANS 4:11-13 · KJV
- “That we {henceforth} be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, {and} cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, {even} Christ: {speaking...: or, being sincere} From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”EPHESIANS 4:14-16 · KJV
- “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”COLOSSIANS 1:28 · KJV
- “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.”COLOSSIANS 2:19 · KJV
- “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, {ye are} God's building. {husbandry: or, tillage}”1 CORINTHIANS 3:6-9 · KJV
- “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which {be} the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk {is} unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. {is unskillful: Gr. hath no experience} But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, {even} those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. {of full age: or, perfect} {use: or, an habit, or, perfection}”HEBREWS 5:12-14 · KJV
- “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, {principles...: or, word of the beginning of}”HEBREWS 6:1 · KJV
Every member with a gift and a place
- “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. {administrations: or, ministries} And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another {divers} kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-11 · KJV
- “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”1 CORINTHIANS 12:18 · KJV
- “And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those {members} of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely {parts} have more abundant comeliness. {bestow: or, put on} For our comely {parts} have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that {part} which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but {that} the members should have the same care one for another. {schism: or, division}”1 CORINTHIANS 12:21-25 · KJV
- “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, {being} many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, {let us prophesy} according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, {let us wait} on {our} ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, {let him do it} with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. {giveth: or, imparteth} {with simplicity: or, liberally}”ROMANS 12:4-8 · KJV
- “As every man hath received the gift, {even so} minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, {let him speak} as the oracles of God; if any man minister, {let him do it} as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”1 PETER 4:10-11 · KJV
- “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.”1 CORINTHIANS 14:26 · KJV
Make disciples, teach them to observe
- “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {teach...: or, make disciples, or, Christians of all nations} Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, {even} unto the end of the world. Amen.”MATTHEW 28:19-20 · KJV
- “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. {among: or, by}”2 TIMOTHY 2:2 · KJV
- “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”ACTS 2:42 · KJV
- “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. {sober: or, vigilant} The aged women likewise, that {they be} in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; {holiness: or, holy women} {false...: or, one who foments strife} That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, {sober: or, wise} {To be} discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. {sober...: or, discreet} In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine {shewing} uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”TITUS 2:1-8 · KJV
- “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”PROVERBS 27:17 · KJV
- “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. {teach: Heb. whet, or, sharpen}”DEUTERONOMY 6:6-7 · KJV
- “We will not hide {them} from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know {them, even} the children {which} should be born; {who} should arise and declare {them} to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:”PSALM 78:4-7 · KJV
The cost and the mark of a disciple
- “And he said to {them} all, If any {man} will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”LUKE 9:23 · KJV
- “If any {man} come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”LUKE 14:26-27 · KJV
- “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”LUKE 14:33 · KJV
- “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, {then} are ye my disciples indeed;”JOHN 8:31 · KJV
- “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all {men} know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”JOHN 13:34-35 · KJV
- “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”JOHN 15:8 · KJV
- “The disciple is not above {his} master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more {shall they call} them of his household? {Beelzebub: Gr. Beelzebul}”MATTHEW 10:24-25 · KJV
VII
Community Engagement and Service
Emulating the love, compassion, and righteousness of God’s Kingdom within the communities of Derby, aligning with the principles of service delineated in Matthew 25:34–40.
Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least
- “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed {thee}? or thirsty, and gave {thee} drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took {thee} in? or naked, and clothed {thee}? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done {it} unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done {it} unto me.”MATTHEW 25:34-40 · KJV
- “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did {it} not to one of the least of these, ye did {it} not to me.”MATTHEW 25:41-45 · KJV
- “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain {man} went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded {him}, and departed, leaving {him} half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked {on him}, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion {on him}, And went to {him}, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave {them} to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”LUKE 10:25-37 · KJV
- “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, {and} to keep himself unspotted from the world.”JAMES 1:27 · KJV
- “What {doth it} profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be {ye} warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what {doth it} profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. {alone: Gr. by itself}”JAMES 2:14-17 · KJV
- “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels {of compassion} from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”1 JOHN 3:17-18 · KJV
- “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”HEBREWS 13:16 · KJV
The righteousness of the Kingdom toward the poor
- “If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, {in that} which he wanteth. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. {thought: Heb. word} {wicked: Heb. Belial} Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”DEUTERONOMY 15:7-11 · KJV
- “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. {Defend: Heb. Judge} Deliver the poor and needy: rid {them} out of the hand of the wicked.”PSALM 82:3-4 · KJV
- “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. {that which...: or, his deed}”PROVERBS 19:17 · KJV
- “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. {such...: Heb. the sons of destruction} Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”PROVERBS 31:8-9 · KJV
- “Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. {relieve: or, righten}”ISAIAH 1:17 · KJV
- “{Is} not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? {the heavy...: Heb. the bundles of the yoke} {oppressed: Heb. broken} {Is it} not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? {cast...: or, afflicted} Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. {be...: Heb. gather thee up} Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I {am}. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And {if} thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness {be} as the noonday:”ISAIAH 58:6-10 · KJV
- “He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then {it was} well {with him: was} not this to know me? saith the LORD.”JEREMIAH 22:16 · KJV
- “He hath shewed thee, O man, what {is} good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? {walk...: Heb. humble thyself to walk}”MICAH 6:8 · KJV
- “Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: {Execute...: Heb. Judge judgment of truth} And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.”ZECHARIAH 7:9-10 · KJV
Christ came to serve
- “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”MARK 10:45 · KJV
- “The Spirit of the Lord {is} upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”LUKE 4:18-19 · KJV
- “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”ACTS 10:38 · KJV
- “If I then, {your} Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”JOHN 13:14-15 · KJV
- “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”PHILIPPIANS 2:5-7 · KJV
Salt and light in the community
- “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. {a bushel: the word in the original signifieth a measure containing about a pint less than a peck} Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”MATTHEW 5:13-16 · KJV
- “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all {men}, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”GALATIANS 6:9-10 · KJV
- “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. {ordained: or, prepared}”EPHESIANS 2:10 · KJV
- “{This is} a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”TITUS 3:8 · KJV
- “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by {your} good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. {whereas: or, wherein}”1 PETER 2:12 · KJV
- “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech {be} alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”COLOSSIANS 4:5-6 · KJV
- “And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.”JEREMIAH 29:7 · KJV
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.