Kingdom 2
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
He must be 1st this is his plan and when we are under his authority we are also under his protection and under his blessing
Satan entered into the affairs of mankind by enticing human beings to rebel by mere words
Jesus said I can do even better I am going to enter and be the living word of almighty god
So by the word of the serpent man fell
But by the word of god man lives
Mat 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Here jesus is establishing his rule and reign is powerful than sickness and disease.
27The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching-and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him."
There is power when we are in the kingdom of god to tell harassing terrorist spirits to leave.
Power to tread on serpents and scorpiojns
In 1 john 3:8 it itells us that jesus came to destroy the works of satan
Another reason why we must be praisers and worshippers is because he attacks this
Jesus even said the father si looking for those who will worship the father in spirit and in truth
And satan has worked against this forever if he can weaken our praise and our worship if he can get us thinking that this is silly and crazy if he can get us embarrassed enough to sit down and not respond to the goodness of god then he knows that god cannot respond to lazy flesh
He came to destroy these works
if you remember in the creation story, of each thing God creates, He says, “and God saw that it was good”.
c. But the word for create that is used when God creates Adam is different. The word here is “yatsar”, which means to form or to fashion.
i. Unlike God creating from His throne in Heaven, we now see Him intimately engaged, like a potter forming a beautiful jar of clay… He is breathing life into Adam.
ii. And only now does the text say, “and God saw it was very good”.
d. To Adam and Eve, God gave authority to rule over the rest of His creation… He loved them and walk in intimacy with them each and every day.
e. This is what we were created for, to walk in His love and friendship.
2. Then, Satan shows up. Once a glorious angel but then cast out of heaven because he purposed, as Isaiah 14 says, to raise up a throne above the stars of God… he purposed to make himself like the most high God.
a. So that is what Satan did. He set up a counterfeit kingdom here on earth… the very antithesis of God’s K.
b. We saw a picture of God’s K in Gn 1-3… God as loving King over his treasured creation. We see beauty, order, intimacy, health.
c. Almost immediately after Adam and Eve fell to Satan’s temptation, we see death, sin, murder, and sickness.
Immediately, they b/c subject to Satan’s rule… with Satan usurping the authority God gave them to rule as His ambassadors over the earth.
d. Like if I were to raise up an army to attack a neighboring country. Once I defeat them, everything that is theirs becomes mine.
i. And all the inhabitants and everything they own become subject to me.
e. That’s what happen to Adam and Eve, and all their descendents after them
i. Because of the fall, man’s authority is removed
ii. They became the subjects of a new ruler, of a new kingdom… the Kingdom of Darkness.
The fact is, everyone whose come after them has been hurt by its power, we’ve all been sold a bill of goods, lied to be it, told all kinds of terrible things about ourselves by it, used and abused by it.
a. Everything got messed up b/c of this counterfeit K… incest, brokenness, abuse, shame, depression, fear, and disease.
b. THIS isn’t the world God created for us. We’ve all been raised in a world system that is in complete Rebellion against God… and willingly or unwillingly, we’ve all be caught up in this rebellion.
- But history didn’t stop there. No sooner did Adam and Eve fall to Satan did God declare in Gen 3 that He would one day send someone who would deal a fatal blow to Satan and His Kingdom…
- that He would not stop until, as John wrote in Rev 11:15, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever."
So, when Jesus came into this world, He came as God’s Anointed One to deal that death blow.
- When Jesus spoke those words from Isaiah that the “Spirit of the Lord is on me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,” He was letting the kingdom of this world know that the time had come for God to take back what was His… you and me.
Jesus is emphasising in Matt 11:12 is that we cannot sleep our way into the Kingdom. On the contrary, entrance into the Kingdom requires earnest endeavour, untiring energy, utmost exertion:
Luke 13:24 "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."
Acts 14:21-22 ’ ... Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, ?22? strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.’
FIVE PRINCIPLES IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
1.PRINCIPLE OF PROMISE
Psalm 127:1 Genesis 11:1-9
The principle of promise is the fundamental principle in the Kingdom of God. We should not attempt anything in our own strength without receiving a promise from the Lord. We read how the attempt to build the tower of Babel failed because the Lord was against it.
2.PRINCIPLE OF PATIENCE
Hebrews 6:12 Psalm 105:19
The second principle is the principle of patience. After receiving a promise we should not give up at the first hint of trouble. In the New testament we read how Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem according to the will of God. But there was no place for them at the inn. Finally they had to stay in a manger. Being in the center of God’s will does not mean that life will be a bed of roses. In the Old Testament Joseph had a dream in which he was exalted above his brothers. But before it could be fulfilled he had to go through severe trials he was thrown into a pit , sold as a slave , thrown into prison on false accusations. It looked as though he was humiliated more than all his brothers. But the day came when God fulfilled that dream.
3.PRINCIPLE OF PRAISE
Psalm 22:3 Joshua 6:20 Acts 16:25-26 Numbers 32:13
The third principle is the principle of praise. God inhabits the praises of His people. The principle of praise is a powerful principle in the Kingdom of God. The walls of Jericho fell when the people praised God . The earth shook and prison doors opened when Paul and Silas praised God. Where there is no praise there is bound to be grumbling and murmuring whch destroyed the people of Israel and prevented them from entering the promised land. We should beware of this spirit of grumbling and murmuring for it will destroy our lives.
4.PRINCIPLE OF PROVISION
Matthew 6:33 Luke 5:1-11 II Corinthians 9:7 Luke 6:38
The fourth principle is the principle of provision. When we put God first in our lives He is faithful to meet all our needs. We read about Peter and his boat. All night long he fished and caught nothing . In the midst of his disappointment Jesus came and asked Peter to let him use his boat. In spite of his misery Peter gladly allowed Jesus to use his boat. After using the boat Jesus told Peter to cast the net on the right side. Immediately they caught so much fish that there was not enough room in the boat.When we willingly allow God to use whatever we have for His kingdom, He will bless us until we have not enough room to hold the blessing.The principle of provision is giving before we receive.
5. PRINCIPLE OF PROMOTION
Luke 14:11 Matthew 18:1-4
The fifth principle is the principle of promotion. In the Kingdom of God promotion comes by humility. The disciples of Jesus wanted to know who was the greatest in the Kingdom of God. Jesus set a little child in front of them. He did not call the wealthiest , or the wisest , or the most experienced present person as an example. Jesus taught clearly that whoever humbles himself like a little child shall be greatest in the Kingdom of God.
Thus we see five basic principles in the Kingdom of God. Understanding these principles will prevent a lot of confusion. By applying these principles we can be most effective in the Kingdom of God.
