Pastor John preached about Living in the Kingdom of God.
(Matthew 4:17, 6:10, 10:7-8, 12:28, 13:10-15, Luke 4:43, 9:60, 62, John 18:36, Acts 1:3)
Jesus was sent to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. He preached that “the Kingdom of Heaven has come near!” during his Messianic ministry (Matthew 4::17). Jesus was clear and focused about His calling to preach the good news of the kingdom of God (Luke 4:43). Jesus also displayed the Kingdom of God through signs and miracles (Matthew 12:28). True discipleship requires one to be willing to lay down everything and go spread the news of the Kingdom of God, without looking back or turning back (Luke 9:60,62).
The Kingdom of God not just in heaven or an ethereal realm. We can be, here and now, in the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God should be the focus and pursuit of our lives. Our healings and provisions are found in the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is like a man who found a precious pearl. We need the help of the Holy Spirit to know the Kingdom of God. Our spiritual eyes and ears must be opened to see and hear. We can live and thrive in the spiritual realm, the kingdom of God.
Jesus focused and preached on the Kingdom of God - however it is something that we may have lost focus and minimised. This Kingdom includes things that we lose sight of - citizenship, rights, roles and responsibilities, the opposing kingdom.
We have been created to rule and reign – Genesis 1:26, Romans 6:16
Gen 1:26. - “Let them rule” Genesis 1:26 - we were created with authority. God is in the business of restoration. Romans 6:16 - we are slaves to the one who we obey - who are we obeying this day?
Jesus came to restore God's kingdom reign and rule on earth
(Colossians 1:21-22, 2:9-10, 2:15, Luke 10:19, 11:20, Acts 19:13-16, Matthew 16:16, 16:23)
Jesus came and lived as God in the flesh, He lived a perfect life and was crucified on the Cross – He handed the dominion and right to rule to those who will believe in Him. He bought us out of slavery (redemption). We are leansed of all unrighteousness by His blood.
Colossians 1:21-22 - we are faultless and restored by the blood of Jesus. The evil one no longer has control over us. Colossians 2:9-10 - we have been given fullness in Christ and have authority in Christ. The evil one can frighten and intimidate us to the degree of our ignorance of our fullness in Christ.
As we walk closer to the King, we grow in submission to and walk in His authority. Intimacy breeds authority. We operate in His authority to the degree we submit to His authority. We often acknowledge Jesus as Saviour, but not as One who is Sovereign and King! Matt 6:16, 23
We need to be aware of God's realm and where we live. Which kingdom do we serve and which source do we work and tap in? We need to choose whom we will serve, to seek and understand our calling in the Kingdom and walk in it! “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:19). Jesus is what mankind is supposed to be like. He had modeled for us how one can live God’s Kingdom agenda to the fullest and has empowered us to join Him in living the Kingdom agenda. Won’t we begin the journey of walking out God’s Kingdom agenda?
Discussion Questions
1. What is “the Kingdom of God”? Share your thoughts with the cell. [10 min]
2. Pastor John spoke on the following in relation to belonging to the Kingdom of God. What, to you, is being a citizen of the Kingdom of God?
(a) Which Kingdom do we serve?
(b) Which source do we work in and tap into?
(c) Our identity in Christ
(d) Intimacy breeds authority. [15 min]
3. What is one step you will take to growing in knowing, understanding and living the Kingdom of God? [10 min]
