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WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD? Matthew 12:28 – CHRIS KHOURY – 15 Jan 2017
What is the Kingdom of God?
Where is the K of G?
Who is the King of the Kingdom?
Who are the citizens?
Is the K of God existing today?
Is it only future?
DEFINITION: THE K OF G IS THE REALM WHERE GOD’S WILL IS DONE.
Many of us think the K of G as a New Testament concept or idea. That is not true. The Garden of Eden was suppose to be the realm where God’s will would be done. It was in the garden that man was given dominion over the whole earth. Man sinned. In so doing God banished him from the garden.
Genesis 1:26-28 The Voice (VOICE)
God: 26 Now let Us conceive a new creation—humanity—made in Our image, fashioned according to Our likeness. And let Us grant them authority over all the earth—the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, the domesticated animals and the small creeping creatures on the earth.
27 So God did just that. He created humanity in His image, created them male and female. 28 Then God blessed them and gave them this directive: “Be fruitful and multiply. Populate the earth. I make you trustees of My estate, so care for My creation and rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that roams across the earth.”
CONSEQUENCES OF THE FALL
The Garden of Eden was meant to be the Kingdom of God on earth, the place where God’s will would be done. Where God gave man dominion over the whole earth. The garden was the testing ground. God gave mankind the opportunity to live life in the Kingdom, to rule the earth under God’s guidance, with the influence of the Holy Spirit. The Kingdom was to grow and fill the whole earth. Adam and Eve failed.
Genesis 3:23-24 The Voice (VOICE)
23 So the Eternal God banished Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden and exiled humanity from paradise, sentencing humans to laborious lives working the very ground man came from. 24 After driving them out, He stationed winged guardians[a] at the east end of the garden of Eden and set up a sword of flames which alertly turned back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
THE END RESULT Instead of living in Kingdom of God under the rulership of God - we (mankind) choose to do it without him. We gave our authority over to the Devil.
REDEMPTION From that time on God’s plan was to bring us back that we might enter the Kingdom of God again and live as citizens of the Kingdom. Entering the Kingdom is the whole purpose of salvation. It is the redemption of the whole world.
SUMMARY The creation of humans, the story of Israel in the Old Testament, the birth of Jesus, his life, his death, his resurrection, his ascension into heaven, the mission of the church and Jesus’ return from heaven are all about the coming of the Kingdom of God on Earth.
Col 1:12
Thank You, Father, as You have made us eligible to receive our portion of the inheritance given to all those set apart by the light. 13 You have rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us safely into the kingdom of Your Son, whom You love 14 and in whom we are redeemed and forgiven of our sins [through His blood].
WHEN IS THE KINGDOM GOING TO APPEAR?
There are many scriptures we could look at but I want to focus in on just one.
Matthew 12:28 (NIV) 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
When Jesus performed this miracle, it was Kingdom work. All the miracles, his teaching, preaching, ministry was all Kingdom work.
When we see or experience God’s will being done in our lives or on the earth, in our community, the K of G has come upon you!
Every day in little ways I can see the K of G in my life. When we experience healing, God’s grace, acts of mercy, courage to cope with a trial, these are all expressions of Kingdom work. I am sure every one of you can stand up and relate a story of how God has intervened in your life. How God has blessed you, opened doors, healed, delivered! (Matt 13:31-32) The seeds of the Kingdom have been planted. Even while we sleep, the seed is growing. Eventually it will grow to fill the whole earth. Every act of service is an advancement of the Kingdom. It is not just mankind that needs redemption. It is the whole earth. All its creatures, and the earth itself groans in pain waiting for the complete restoration of the Kingdom.
Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)
31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
LIVE AS CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM
What sort of things would we be doing? Just a few suggestions.
- HUSBANDS - LOVE YOUR WIVES! (1 Peter 3:7 )
1 Peter 3:7
7 In the same way, you husbands should live with your wives in an understanding way, since they are weaker than you. You should show them respect, because God gives them the same blessing he gives you—the grace of true life. Do this so that nothing will stop your prayers from being heard.
- CHILDREN OBEY YOUR PARENTS (Eph 6:1-3)
Ephesians 6:1-3 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
6 Children, obey your parents the way the Lord wants, because this is the right thing to do. 2 The command says, “You must respect your father and mother.” This is the first command that has a promise with it. 3 And this is the promise: “Then all will go well with you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
- GIVE GENEROUSLY (Luke 6:38)
Luke 6:38 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
38 Give to others, and you will receive. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands—more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.”
Ultimately, when Christ, the King of the Kingdom returns, it will grow and expand to fill the whole earth. At that time their will be no more pain, dying, tears. At that time the fullness of the Kingdom will be here. Together with Christ we will be a part of that Kingdom as we are a part of the Kingdom now.
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