The Kingdom

Acts 1:3 NLT He talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

Jesus mentioned it over 50 times in the book of Matthew alone. It was the key message of John the Baptist, the first thing Jesus said when he emerged from 40 days of fasting in the wilderness, and one of the last things he talked about with his disciples before ascending to the right hand of God the Father.  It is the Kingdom of God.

We are told to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33), to make it our highest priority. Our priorities are self-evident by two simple things: our calendar and our checkbook. The way someone spends their time and money speaks volumes about their priorities, values, and what they’re working to achieve. So, what is God’s priority? Jesus makes it clear in a very familiar passage. In Matthew 6:10 he states, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” God’s purpose and priority is to return to what was created in the Garden. Unhindered, unrestrained relationship with you and me, where his rule, reign, and authority are welcomed. Where His Holy Spirit, the manifest presence of God, is invited into the lives of His children. That is the Kingdom of God.

In 1 Corinthians 4:20, Paul tells the church at Corinth, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” The kingdom of God is never about what we can do for God but all about what God has already done for us, sending his son as the redemptive sacrifice for our lives, and what He will do in us as we fully surrender to him. Understanding our need for a savior (Romans 3:23), accepting His sacrifice as atonement for our sins (John 3:16), and understanding that apart from Him I can do nothing (John 15:5) opens the door to the kingdom of God. John 3:3-4 states, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. Unless you are born of water and the Spirit, you will never enter God’s kingdom.” The kingdom of God begins with spiritual rebirth and Holy Spirit power (Greek: dynamis: strength, power) that comes only from God.

Romans 14:17 tells us, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” The Kingdom of God is about receiving from the Father that which we can never obtain by ourselves. It is embracing the eternal over the temporal. We might be able to provide our own food and drink, but living in a right relationship with God, having peace that passes all understanding, joy that fills our hearts, and contentment that comes only from the Holy Spirit, God the Father’s indwelling presence. Ephesians 2:8 makes it clear, “It is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God.”

Living in the presence of God, fulfilling his purposes and calling, is the kingdom of God in our lives. Jesus described the value of living in the kingdom: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:44-46). Giving up everything to obtain the kingdom of God is a deal you will never have buyer’s remorse over.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 NIV. Being poor in spirit is realizing just how much you need God. That you are unable to achieve righteousness or find peace or joy on your own. It is then you will live freely in the kingdom of God. Where are you living?

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Luke 9:1-2 NIV When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Luke 13:18-21 NIV Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.” Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.

Revelation 11:15 NIV The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

Luke 10:8-9 NIV When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, The kingdom of God has come near to you.

Acts 19:8-9 NIV Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them.

Matthew 6:31-33 NLT So don’t worry about these things, saying, what will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 16:19 NIV I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 25:31-24 NIV When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

Acts 28:31 NIV Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

Matthew 6:9-10 NIV Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

John 3:5-7 NIV Jesus answered, very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying; you must be born again.

Matthew 21:28-32 NLT A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. “Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.