Breakthrough - Week 1
This month on Christian Book Club we will be reading “Breakthrough” by Derek Morphew. I really enjoy books about the Kingdom of God. My all time favorite book on the topic is by George Eldon Ladd called the Gospel of the Kingdom. This book is a close second. Having said that, please don’t feel under any pressure that you have to enjoy the book. For me it is enlightening and fascinating, but it is a subject that I enjoy talking and teaching about. I realize that it might not be as interesting for everyone else. Still, I hope you find it interesting!
Here is how we will read and discuss the book:
Week 1 - Pictures of the Kingdom, Promises of the Kingdom, Fulfillment of the Promises, The Mystery of the Kingdom, The Centrality of Christ
Week 2 - The Implications of the Kingdom, Bringing in the Kingdom, Acts of Intervention, The Parables of the Kingdom, Kingdom Lifestyle
Week 3 - The Messianic Banquet, The Kingdom and the Church, Already-Not Yet People, The End of Cessationism, Healing
Week 4 - Israel, Confusion about the Kingdom, A Final Perspective, Studying the Theology of the Kingdom
I think you will enjoy the description of the Spiritual Battle on page 18 and 19. I particularly like the explanation of how each of the plagues addressed one of the false gods of Egypt. Great stuff!
In case you don’t have the book yet I will include a link here for you to get one. They have copies available at Amazon.
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Comment by boatpat on 8 September 2008:
I wonder if it was a Hebrew who said a picture can be worth a thousand words and it is so true and descriptive like a burning bush yet the bush is not hurt. A staff that does the will of God when given to Moses to battle the many gods of Egypt descrubed in the plages, each plag being a different god. The parting of the Red Sea , the bring forth of living water from a rock by the Word of God. How much longer the scripture would be and i beleave less communicative than with Hebrew describtive writing.
Comment by boatpat on 8 September 2008:
Kingdom and Covenant
To be a people that God loved so much that he showed up in person.Than communicated to a couple of Hebrews the dos and don’ts of live, wrote them down,and instructed them to be read . The Israelites said yes to all but as time went by they listened to the wrong voice in their mind and fell into correction with a loving and caring and jealous God
Comment by boatpat on 9 September 2008:
Kingdom and Conquest
From Egypt to the Promised Land Our Fathers Word not only directed but promised that it would happen as it did, except when the Word was not fulfilled and there was a deviation than the wrath or correction of a loving parent was instilled , the same is true today.
Comment by stephenlawes on 9 September 2008:
Hi Pat,
Glad that you are enjoying the book. I enjoyed the teaching on the plagues all representing different Egyptian gods. I hope you continue to enjoy the book and look forward to reading your future comments.
Comment by Wendy on 13 September 2008:
Life is going too fast for me right now!! This is a great book btw.
We could learn alot about how our faith SHOULD encompass our entire lives. Unfortunately it doesn’t most of the time. The ancient Israelites totally understood how God’s kingdom had dominion over them. I love the statement on page 31 “Christ should be Lord over the whole of our lives.” My pastor says that if He isn’t given totally dominion over you then you really haven’t made Jesus the Lord of your life. Very true.
The study of the Holy Spirit is fascinating. He doesn’t get as much attention as He should and most of us misunderstand His role in our lives. Page 37 reminded me of my trip to Israel last year. We spent most of our time in Ramallah which is dry, rocky, hilly and dusty. We traveled to the Sea of Galilee one day to sight see and were amazed and the change in landscape. What was dry became lush and green. My husband made the comment “isn’t it amazing what water can do?”. This is the result of the life-giving waters of the Holy Spirit. We were dry and useless and now with the Holy Spirit we are alive.
The other concept that stood out to me is the idea of “immediate”. What is your definition of immediate? It will certainly be different than God’s definition. We are confined by time but He is not. This is a hard concept to grasp but it is also comforting because God KNOWS when and He promises to fulfill His promises.
Studying the Old Testament has become one of my favorite things to do lately. I don’t want to generalize the Church as a whole but I know that I was not taught the Old Testament much. Sure I knew all the stories (felt board and all!) but I was not taught that Jesus is the total fulfillment of ALL the OT prophesies. Reading Isaiah is beyond fascinating and amazing. God revealed to His people who the Messiah would be. The sad part is they are still looking. There are parts of Isaiah that the Jewish Rabbis will not read or teach. The ancient Jews totally understood what Jesus was saying and who He was claiming to be-this is why they wanted Him dead. It makes me wonder if they would believe anyone at all. They know the Scriptures better than most people but are blind to their own Messiah.
The Kingdom of God is hear and near. What a paradox but what an awesome reality.
(I’ll catch up soon I hope!)