WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Resources: Preach The Kingdom (pg 6), Hidden treasure (pg 7)
• It is the divine, Sovereign rule or reign of God, whether in heaven or on earth.
• It is the ruler-ship of God in the lives/ hearts of believers.. As Christians we are in the Kingdom of God because Jesus Christ reigns in our hearts, since we accepted Him as Lord and Saviour.
MEANING OF THE WORD ‘KINGDOM’
The word kingdom is made up of two words
a. king- a king who rules
b. dom, domain or dominion –this refers to a sphere of influence, the sphere of ruling, territory of rule, the area which a king has dominion over or subjects who are ruled or
Therefore a kingdom just means a territory under a king. When applied to the kingdom of god it then refers to the territory under the ruler-ship or dominion of God.
3 KINDS OF KINGDOMS (Hidden Treasure pg 19-21)
These are Kingdoms in the world:
• Kingdom of God - which is everlasting. It has no beginning and no ending. This kingdom leads to life.
• Kingdom of the devil - which is temporary. Has a beginning and an end. This kingdom leads to deaths and suffering in hell.
• Kingdom of man – this can be controlled by either God or devil
God has all the power. He is omnipotent. But the devil has some power, but not all the power. Devil is a king with his own subjects, i.e. fallen angels; demons (2 Cor. 4:3; Lk. 4:6) Which Kingdom is controlling your life?
NAMES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Hidden Treasure (pg 9)
a. Kingdom of God
b. Kingdom of heaven
Used interchangeably with kingdom of God
Mt 19:23-24, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle that for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Kingdom of heaven used exclusively in Matthew (33 times)
Matthew written to Jews who thought it disrespectful to use God’s name too often.
c. Kingdom of the Son of Man (Mt 13:41)
d. Kingdom of Christ and of God (Eph 5:5)
e. Kingdom of our Lord and His Christ (Rev. 11:15)
f. My Kingdom (by Jesus in Lk 22:30)
HOW DOES ONE ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM
Hidden treasure pg 22-23
We don’t join the Kingdom but have to enter it only be repentance. Being in the choir, having a position in church or being a member of a church doesn’t necessarily make you a member of the kingdom. Be born again. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom. To enter the Kingdom we need spiritual rebirth. (John 3: 1-20) One needs to confess, believe and accept Jesus and be saved (Jn 1:12; Rom 10:9). Entrance into the Kingdom of God is only through repentance and salvation (Jn 3:3, 5) Spiritual rebirth qualifies us to enter the Kingdom of God. There is need for righteousness for us to enter the Kingdom. (Mt 5:20 Mt 6:33)
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Hidden Treasure (pg 5,11-16)
1. The kingdom is the church and the church is the kingdom
2. The kingdom is only spiritual and doesn’t have physical effects. People will pray for them to get to heaven and don’t worry about life on this earth.
3. The kingdom is only materialistic and we should seek it to get blessed and issue of heaven does not matter.
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE KINGDOM
Hidden Treasure (pg 10,16)
• The kingdom is eternal: Dan 2:34-35, 44: 7:18Ps 145;13,Lk 1:31-33
• The Kingdom is spiritual: God is Spirit - we must worship God in spirit and in truth. (Jn. 18:36; Jn. 4:24;)
• The Kingdom of truth: The Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of truth. (Jn 18:36-38). Jn 14:16 says "Jesus is the truth." Knowledge of the truth sets us free (Jn 8:32). The Spirit of God leads us into all truth.
• The Kingdom of Love: Love is the principle rule of the Kingdom (1 Cor 13). The Kingdom through Jesus Christ reveals God's Love (John 3:16). Members of the Kingdom abide in Love. God is a God of love.
• The Kingdom of Light: We are transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light. Members of the Kingdom are in the Light and they are the light of the world. God is Light and there is no darkness in Him. (I Jn 1:5,7; Jm 1:17; Jn 8:12, 1:4-5,9; Eph 5:8; Rev 21:23; Lk 2:32; Mt 5:14,16; Is. 60:1)
• The Kingdom of Righteousness, Peace and Joy: The Kingdom is a life of true holiness.The Kingdom of God is righteousness. This is God's righteousness, not Man's (Rom. 3:10; Rom 14:17; I Cor. 6:9-10; Mt 6:33)
• The Kingdom of Power and Authority: Jesus taught not only with his words but with His works. We have to believe his works (Jn 10:37-38) His ministry was followed by signs and wonders. 1Co 4:7, cc Ac 1:8
WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL BELIEVER IN THE KINGDOM
Resources: Preach The Kingdom (pg 2-10), Hidden Treasure (pg 30, 33-42)
• To act on the teachings of the King (Mt 7:24-27): We must live a life of love and compassion toward those in need, especially to those of the household of faith (Ga 6:10).
• To seek first the kingdom of God (Mt. 6:33)
• To do the will of the Father (Mt 5:10; 7:21): We must live a life of righteousness and holiness (Mt 5:20 Ro 6:9-10; Ga 5:19-21; Eph 5:5).
• Understand the Kingdom: We must seek to be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God (2Th 1:5).
• Extend the Kingdom: We must faithfully preach the Gospel of the Kingdom to all nations (Mt 24:14).
• We must be willing to sacrifice or deny all (sell all) to attain the Kingdom (Mt 13:44; Mt 13:45). We must not look back (Lk 9:62).
• We must serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Heb 12:28).
• We must seek to make our calling and election sure (2Pe 1:10-11). We must faithfully do the business of the King as we wait for His return (Lk 19:11-15).
• We must be willing forgive as the King has forgiven us (Mt 6:12; 14; 18:12-14).
• We must live lives of humility (Mt 5:3; 18:1-4).
• We must remain constantly prepared for the King’s appearing (Mt 25:1-13; Mk 9:47; 2Ti 4:18).
• We must pray for the manifestation of the kingdom on earth (Mt 5:10; Mk 11:12; Mt 6:19). We must do spiritual warfare against the kingdom of Satan (Mt 12:28; Lk 11:20). We must boldly demonstrate the power of the Kingdom (Lk 9:1-2; 10-11; 10:9-11; 16:17-20).
Prepared and compiled by Pastor John Museredzo +263775127589
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