Introduction to the Kingdom
What is the Kingdom of God?
The word Kingdom comes from two words... King and Dominion. So the Kingdom is where the King has Dominion.
Simply put, when Jesus who is the King of Kings, becomes Lord, the Kingdom of God exists in that domain.
Since God is not physical, we cannot assume that His Kingdom will be like human kingdoms. The disciples often confused God's Kingdom with that of the world's. If we want to know what the Kingdom of God is like, we need to look at what Jesus taught on the Kingdom.
Simply put, when Jesus who is the King of Kings, becomes Lord, the Kingdom of God exists in that domain.
Since God is not physical, we cannot assume that His Kingdom will be like human kingdoms. The disciples often confused God's Kingdom with that of the world's. If we want to know what the Kingdom of God is like, we need to look at what Jesus taught on the Kingdom.
Entrance into the Kingdom
The scriptures teach that as humans, we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Therefore we all need to be reconciled to God.
The way we do that is to come to a realization that Jesus died in our place as a punishment for our sins. When that happens we are transferred from the Kingdom of Darkness into the kingdom of light.
The way we do that is to come to a realization that Jesus died in our place as a punishment for our sins. When that happens we are transferred from the Kingdom of Darkness into the kingdom of light.
Where is the Kingdom?
Jesus warned His disciples not to heed those who declared that His Kingdom was here or there, as if it was a physical place. Instead, He said that His Kingdom was AROUND them, and would be IN them! While this may seem "ordinary" to us, it was revolutionary for the Jewish mind. How can God come to dwell in His creation. That was almost like blasphemy! Throughout the Old Testament, the only ones who had the Holy Spirit come upon them were the Kings, Priests and Prophets, and then it was not permanent. (This is why David pleaded for God not to take His Spirit from him.) In the Kingdom, God's Spirit comes and indwells everyone of His Children. When that happens, the Kingdom has come for that person.
Luke 17:21
Luke 17:21
The Gospel of the Kingdom
We assume that everyone knows what the gospel is. Yet, Paul talked about the ease of which the Galatian believers were deceived by "another" gospel. We need to ask if the gospel that we preach is the one Jesus and Paul preached. Much of what is presented as the gospel today is a compromise, watered down to present God as a panacea to our problems.
Jesus, on the other hand preached the Kingdom of God. John the baptist's message was also about the kingdom. Jesus said that the Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached in all the world, as a witness to all Nations before He could come again. Matt 24:14
Jesus, on the other hand preached the Kingdom of God. John the baptist's message was also about the kingdom. Jesus said that the Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached in all the world, as a witness to all Nations before He could come again. Matt 24:14
The Growth of the Kingdom
Jesus taught many parables about the Kingdom of God growing.
He said it was like a mustard seed - although small - would grow into a great tree.
He said it was like a little yeast which will cause the whole lump to be raised.
He said it was like a light set on a Hill.
He said it was like a mustard seed - although small - would grow into a great tree.
He said it was like a little yeast which will cause the whole lump to be raised.
He said it was like a light set on a Hill.
The Kingdom and the World
Jesus said that the Kingdom WILL impact the world around it.
It is to be like :
1. Salt
2. Light
3. Yeast
In all these examples, the Kingdom will change the world that it comes into contact with!
It is to be like :
1. Salt
2. Light
3. Yeast
In all these examples, the Kingdom will change the world that it comes into contact with!
Has the Kingdom Come?
Most people think that the Kingdom of God is yet to come. Their misunderstanding comes from the idea of Jesus coming again in the clouds in His glory. They mistake that for the Kingdom. Surely, there cannot be a kingdom of God unless there is power and rulership from God Himself.
That is a very common misunderstanding of what the kingdom is, and it stems from comparing God's Kingdom to man's.
I believe that God's kingdom is in fact already here, and in glory. It is just that our idea of the "glory" is very different from God's.
Here are some scriptures that show that the Kingdom is already here:
1. Matt 12:28 - If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come to you
2. Matthew 16:28 Jesus said some of those hearing Him speak would not taste death before they saw Him coming in in His Kingdom
3. Mark 9:1: Jesus said Truly I say to you that there are some of those who stand here who shall not taste of death until they see the kingdom of God come with power.
4. Luke 9:27: But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste of death until they see the kingdom of God.
5. Jesus said that He would not drink from the fruit of the vine until kingdom of God came. Yet, He drank of the cup with the disciples whom He met on the road to Emaeus. Luke 22:18
That is a very common misunderstanding of what the kingdom is, and it stems from comparing God's Kingdom to man's.
I believe that God's kingdom is in fact already here, and in glory. It is just that our idea of the "glory" is very different from God's.
Here are some scriptures that show that the Kingdom is already here:
1. Matt 12:28 - If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come to you
2. Matthew 16:28 Jesus said some of those hearing Him speak would not taste death before they saw Him coming in in His Kingdom
3. Mark 9:1: Jesus said Truly I say to you that there are some of those who stand here who shall not taste of death until they see the kingdom of God come with power.
4. Luke 9:27: But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste of death until they see the kingdom of God.
5. Jesus said that He would not drink from the fruit of the vine until kingdom of God came. Yet, He drank of the cup with the disciples whom He met on the road to Emaeus. Luke 22:18