DownshoreDrift

On Sunday I preached a message on the Kingdom of God and how it was the major emphasis of Jesus' teachings. Most of his parables were about the Kingdom, his ministry highlighted the inbreaking and works of the Kingdom (Matthew 4:23-25), and he wanted the gospel of the Kingdom to go to all the nations of the earth (Matthew 24:14).  In addition, when teaching his disciples how to pray, he taught them to pray that God's Kingdom would come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10).  All of this necessarily begs the question, What is the Kingdom of God? Why is it so important?

Basically, the Kingdom of God is everywhere that God rules.  The word "Kingdom" in the Greek is basileia, which means to rule, or a realm.  So, everywhere that God is in charge and His will is being followed is a part of His Kingdom.  Does God rule in your heart? In Romans 8:9, the Bible says, "You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you."  Therefore, if the Spirit of God lives in us, we are in the Kingdom of God. The interesting thing is that we are to be a part of extending God's rule and reign through the ministry of the Word and the Spirit in and through our lives.  We are to help advance God's Kingdom just as Jesus did (Matthew 11:12; 12:28).  We are to pray that His Kingdom come (see Lord's Prayer).  What an exciting thought!  Not only are we to become a part of God's Kingdom, but we are enlisted to help advance God's Kingdom to every area of this sin scarred planet.  We are to bring all of creation under His benevolent authority (Ephesians 1:19-23). 

Is God reigning and ruling in your family? In your community? In our land? What about at your job? If not, then this is a matter of prayer and godly influence. Jesus wants to redeem all that is lost. Have you ever thought about the fact that God placed you exactly where you are (in your city, your job, your place in life), to influence the world and bring His Kingdom? You can bring the Kingdom of God with you everywhere you go by your own obedience and also by influencing others.  Do you make decisions at work? Make godly decisions.  Seek to bring biblical principles into your communities and workplace.  Seek to live your life from a Christian perspective so that you can be salt and light.  Because the Kingdom has come in Jesus Christ, we are to shape our world through His power and bring redemption to the world through Him.

One final note:  lest we think erroneously that this is about power, remember that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3).  God's ways are not our ways.  Jesus was born in a manger and died on a cross before rising to glory.  It is most often through service and suffering that God's Kingdom comes because His Kingdom is not of this world.  Many have mistakenly believed through the centuries that God's Kingdom can come through coercion and worldly means. It comes through love and light and the lifting of sin weary heads.