Does the Kingdom cost me everything?

It's been said that salvation is free but the Kingdom costs you everything.  What is the Scriptural substantiation for that statement?

In all of this, keep in mind that Christ died and provided complete salvation.  The universalists then claim that everyone is saved--even those who refuse to believe and put their trust in Jesus.  That's not true.  Christ also died to create the Church, give ministries, give offices, give gifts of the Spirit, give the fruit of the Spirit, and give the manifestation of the sons of God and the progressive experience that leads to the manifestation.  We can't earn any of those things.  In universalistic thinking, all who are born again will automatically have all these things fulfilled in their lives.  The reality is that we must lay down our faith in our own righteousness to be born again.  Being born again really does cost us our self-righteousness and independence from God.  At each stage of growth, we need to lay down what we have to pick up what Jesus has for us.  In this sense, the Kingdom will cost us everything--but the good news is that everything we have is worthless.

Matthew 13:44 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.

45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

What is God's plan for building the church?

God is not so much concerned with numbers of members in a church.  He is concerned with your growth.  God has given the church what is needed to make this growth take place, but much of the church is taken up with the money, power, and prestige or religion, so they don't listen to God's voice.

1 Corinthians 12:28 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.

To edify is to build up. There is a building, a holy temple that is being built. It has foundations.

1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

1 Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Do I really have a place or a purpose in the body of Christ?

Every Person Who Is A Member Of The Body Of Christ Has And Is A Ministry?  You have a ministry.  You have a holy calling.  The gifts of the Spirit are given by the laying on of hands of the presbytery.  Even this holy work of laying on hands for receiving gifts has, among many Christians, been distorted.  Many have called themselves to this work instead of following the calling of God, and that has brought confusion to many.  However, just because there is a counterfeit, that doesn't make the real any less real.  The following scriptures give some guidance for those who desire to know more about God's ways.

1 Corinthians 12
1   Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2   Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3   Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4   Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5   And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6   And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7   But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8   For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9   To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10   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:
11   But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12   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.
13   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.
14   For the body is not one member, but many.
15   If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16   And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17   If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18   But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19   And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20   But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21   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.
22   Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23   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.
24   For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25   That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26   And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27   Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28   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.
29   Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30   Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31   But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

1 Corinthians 13
1   Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2   And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3   And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4   Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5   Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6   Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7   Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8   Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9   For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10   But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11   When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12   For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13   And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1 Corinthians 14
1   Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
2   For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3   But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4   He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5   I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
6   Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7   And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8   For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9   So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10   There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11   Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12   Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13   Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14   For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15   What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16   Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17   For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18   I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19   Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
20   Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21   In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22   Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23   If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24   But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25   And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
26   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.
27   If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28   But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29   Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30   If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31   For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32   And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33   For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34   Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
35   And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36   What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37   If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38   But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39   Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40   Let all things be done decently and in order.

Ephesians 4
1   I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2   With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3   Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4   There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5   One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6   One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7   But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8   Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9   (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10   He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11   And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12   For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13   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:
14   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;
15   But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16   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.

The body of Christ, the church, will grow up into the Head, Jesus.  Jesus will always be the Head.  The church will be His Body.  We will rule and reign with Him in power and His glory will be shown through us.  His glory is already shown through us as we let our light shine before men.  Christ is our light.

Isn't it just being picky to want to do things the Scriptural way?

God has His own way that is better than the ways that the human mind would dream up.  God will not compromise and do His works our way.  God's Own Way Is The Scriptural Order That Is Now Restored To The Church.

It isn't a matter of being picky of laying down a law.  It's a matter of walking in the Spirit.  All who walk in the Spirit are led and given spiritual power to follow the patterns of Scripture.  Those patterns, in themselves, are for the purpose of bringing us to perfection.  Notice the following Scripture.

Ephesians 4:11-16 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: 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: 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.

When God first filled me with His Spirit, the Scripture opened up to me.  I was still subject to making errors as before, but things changed.  I was a new person.  I saw the orders of Scripture.  I saw the power of God, the miracles, the amazing things in the Bible, and they became real to me.  When I went to my pastor, he said that these things no longer apply.  He said that this was all for something he called, "the apostolic age."  I didn't find anything about an apostolic age in my Bible and I knew that God has ordained a church that is governed by God-set apostles.

This order has been restored.  Though it may be imperfect and incomplete, God will see it through.  The Church will be restored by God and the Church will be a spotless bride to Christ.

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