Introduction:
We are entering to a new series on “understanding the kingdom of God”
My goal for today is for us to understand the significance of knowing this kingdom by heart.
Just the other night, I had a weird dream of big bolds of rock rolling down fast from the mountains.
I ask God about it, and He reminded me of a story in Daniel chapter 2, about the dream of Nebuchadnezzar.
Head of Gold: Babylonian Empire 606BC to 539BC
Chest and arms of silver: Medo-Persian Empire 539BC to 331BC
Belly and thighs of bronze
Greek Empire 331BC to 168BC
Legs of iron
Roman Empire 168BC to 476AD
Toes Partly Iron Partly Clay The 10 nations
475AD until today
This is what I want you to see: Daniel 2:35 …But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.
Verse 44: "In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.
This kingdom is already here and you belong to this kingdom.
What is a Kingdom?
A state or government, anything conceived as constituting a realm or sphere of independent action or control.
It is important to be aware that we are part of this kingdom and its protocol.
A broad understanding of God’s kingdom is essential to our faith.
If this world or countries or kingdom of this world have their own precepts or customs so is the Kingdom of God.
Many Christians are not acting or living as part of this kingdom.
Not knowing that we have already been translated from the kingdom of darkness into God’s kingdom.
Colossians 1:13
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.
God’s Word God has provided everything to His children with treasures of information concerning His kingdom and His precepts.
If we can only tap this power we can experience how to reign in every point, in every situation or circumstances in our life.
In the New Testament alone there are roughly one hundred fifty direct references on the kingdom.
With this vast information it is shocking that so little of the precepts of God’s kingdom are being sought after and acted upon by His children.
Luke 8:10
He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables…
_ "The secrets of the kingdom of God”
The Gospel of the Kingdom is an invitation for man to return to the realm of life God originally intended.
God’s intention is for us to move and live in the principles of the kingdom.
These principles govern the realm of the spirit. There is a world that we cannot see.
The kingdom of Heaven is the place from where God rules not only the physical world but also all spiritual realms.
And in this realm God’s goodness reigns, in this realm there is no sickness, no lack, and no curses.
Our role is to implement that kingdom reign and call His will from heaven to manifest here on earth.
Matthew 6:10b KJV
…Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
If you will read the context of Luke 8:10, one of the secrets of the kingdom is the seed of the word of God. Verse 11
Have you not asked yourself? If the word or the seed of the word of God has no power, how come the enemy is so eager to prevent you from receiving it?
This “seed” when planted in the good soil, it could become a seed of greatness to one’s life, a seed that will change a life or a generation.
This seed can bring someone to abundance and victorious living but sad to say there are few who know this secret.
So the result of this is in Luke 8:12…and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts.
The devil knows the secrets to victorious living lie beneath this powerful seed.
According to Luke 8:1, that Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.
This message of the kingdom is liberating many people in our time because they are experiencing what Christ really intended to do for the people of this world.
The message we preach should alleviate the people’s burden, not to aggravate them. That’s why is called “the good news of the kingdom of God”
Luke 9:11
but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
Luke 9:2
and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
There must be something good in this kingdom!!!!
The life in this spiritual kingdom should affect the quality of this natural realm.
Healing, abundance, peace, favor, and power are normal happening in this kingdom.
When you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior you become a part of this kingdom.
Entering in this kingdom can be likened to immigrating to a new country.
You need to learn the culture you need know your privileges.
Listen to this, the Church of Christ is the earthly demonstration of God's Kingdom here on earth.
Luke 17:21 says that the kingdom of God is within us.
Meaning, wherever we are, wherever we go, we can implement the rule of God and His principles.
Conclusion:
(share about the captain’s ship)
I would like to leave you this verse:
Mark 4:26-29
He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.
Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.
All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
This kingdom does not come in a dramatic way. The seed grows quietly.
This suggests that the kingdom is a reality before it comes in a powerful and dramatic way. This kingdom is already operating in our lives.
