Discovering the Kingdom of God
Message #1
Pastor Chuck Hill – Trinity Fellowship Church
Sunday, October 08, 2006
I know you like to laugh…and so this morning I thought I would share a few funny episodes that happened with Children.
Listen to these:
A father was at the beach with his children when the four-year-old son ran up to him, grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore where a seagull lay dead in the sand.
"Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked. "He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said, "Did God throw him back down?"
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A wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?"
"I wouldn’t know what to say," the girl replied. “Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said, "Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"
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A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3.
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.
"If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ’Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.’
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be Jesus!"
Aren’t those great? Well, in Matthew 18 there was a discussion which took place between Jesus and His disciples about the just who would be the greatest person in His Kingdom. Listen to how the Bible tells us Jesus responded…Matthew writes:
Matthew 18:2-3 (NLT)
2Jesus called a small child over to him and put the child among them. 3Then he said, “I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
This morning I am beginning a new series of messages entitled:
Discovering the Kingdom of God
I possess a conviction – it’s a belief that at the heart and soul of every man, woman, boy and girl is the desire to search for the ultimate reality of life. It is the driving force to hunt for that which will complete our lives and make our existence worthwhile. It is the search for something…something mystical or maybe divine…it is the search for that purpose for which to spend our lives…that which will be of eternal value.
And if there is this drive – as I believe there is, then by the very nature of man’s soul search would indicate that something we previously possessed is now missing.
Do you follow my way of thinking this morning?
I am convinced that there is something in us that drives us to search for the ultimate purpose or significance with which to live for. And what’s more, I believe that this drive to search is not simply a choice we make…but rather a necessity which drives us.
Just as thirst – implies the need for water.
Our desire for significance – implies the need for our eternal purpose!
It is my belief that according to the Word of God, that which we have been destined to do is the very same thing that the first man was commissioned to do…it is to establish the Kingdom of God within this world just as it is in heaven.
It is to rule and reign over this world and its systems just Adam was expected to do in the Garden of Eden. The only issue is that sin has corrupted this world…and so, before we can reign over nature and this world’s systems, we first have to reestablish the original plan of God. We have to reestablish the Kingdom of God here on earth as it is in Heaven.
And so, at the heart of this new series of messages, is what I believe to be a mistake of the church. In our effort to embrace God’s Kingdom plan and work to establish His Kingdom here, we have gone about it the wrong way. Unfortunately, many believers in Christ have bought into the fallacy that religious practices will make this world right. I believe the problem is that men have replaced God’s original plan of creating His Kingdom on earth with the plan of developing numerous religious practices and basic moralistic living. But the real issue is this:
Religion is man’s attempt to get close to God…but Christianity (as Jesus intended) is God’s plan to get close to man!
His plan is all about redemption, reconciliation and the reestablishment of His kingdom here on planet earth.
You see, I don’t believe that Jesus ever challenged this world – and more importantly, you and me with the idea of just seeking to be good at keeping a set of religious rules.
He never said, “Seek to be moralistic and provide this world with a good example of disciplined living.”
What Jesus did say was this:
Mark 1:15 (NIV)
"The time has come,"…"The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
And He said this in...
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Jesus begins His verbal ministry with these words…Repent! For the Kingdom of God is near. He says, seek the Kingdom of God first and foremost within your lives.
Jesus says, above all else – seek God’s Kingdom.
The Kingdom of God. Let me just mention something that is just basic semantics to you before we go any further. As we go through this series on “Discovering the Kingdom of God,” we will look at a number of verses from various books of the bible. And most use the phrase “Kingdom of God” but some will use the phrase, “Kingdom of Heaven.” Regardless of the phrase used, both convey the very same thing. It is just two different ways to say the same issue.
The Kingdom of God.
One this earth, there are many Kingdoms. In fact, we live during a time of this world’s history when we have seen many kingdoms come and go. Some nations have risen up and come to power, while others have utterly collapsed and even ceased to exist.
But what I want you to notice is that the Bible says that even though there many be mighty nations and strong earthly kingdoms, none will stand against the Kingdom of God.
John writes in Revelation 11:15-17 and says that after the 7th trumpet of the Lord sounds at the beginning of the end times, that there will be a change of power. He writes:
Revelation 11:15-17 (NIV)
15The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." 16And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
The Bible declares that there is coming a time when all of the Kingdom’s of this world will fall in submission to the Kingdom of God.
God’s Kingdom will come and fulfill all of prophesies of the past and in doing so, will one day be the only Kingdom that remains.
There has always been confusion concerning the Kingdom of God. Many theologians have debated just what the Kingdom of God is. As we progress in this series, I hope to help you understand what it is, what it means to you and me in the 21st century and how it will change the way we live our lives for Christ.
This morning, I want to begin this study be clarifying for you – just what the Kingdom of God really is.
The way I want to do this by first telling you what the Kingdom of God is not. So, if you will hang in here with me for a few moments…after telling you what it isn’t…I will end with telling you what it is. Okay?
Alright…first of all:
1. The Kingdom of God is not a Place!
It is not a location. There are many who believe the Kingdom of God to be that which we will go to after this life. But, that is not accurate. The Kingdom of God (or Kingdom of Heaven as Matthew says) is not a place. It is not a location.
The Kingdom of God transcends all boundaries – all borders – all boxes…that we would try to place it in. It is more than a destination. It is more than a place.
Secondly,
2. The Kingdom of God is not just something in the Future!
The Bible is clear that there is coming a time when the glory of the Lord will come and cover the entire world.
In Revelation 21, John provides us with a glimpse of the changes coming to our world in the future. This entire chapter describes a completely new Heavens and Earth. The earth will be redeemed and recreated. And in a sense, the Kingdom of God will be a future fulfillment…but that it not the extent of the Kingdom of God.
It is a future event…but it is also a part of the plan that God has for you and me while we inhabit the earth today! The here and now!
Jesus even discussed the Kingdom of God as being a current expression of the heart of God when He speaks and says:
Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand! – in Mark 1:15, He is saying that it is has arrived…He is saying it is here! It is close! It is now! Things have changed!
Through the person of Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God got personal…it got real close to humanity. Understand this, the Kingdom of God which was present in the person of Jesus Christ, is also present in you and me.
It is not just something that is going to come in the future. In one sense, it has already come through Jesus Christ – and if you have chosen to believe in him and live for Him, then He is in you.
And with His presence in you comes the establishment of His Kingdom operating within and through you.
And remember, the Kingdom of God reconnects us with God. It has reconciled us through Christ with Him. But it also connects us with each other. It is Christ in us which resonates with other believers. You and I are not only connected with one another because of the Kingdom of God alive in us…but we are also connected with every other Kingdom Person on the face of the earth. That is why we call one another “brother and sister”. Because we are now connected!
So, the Kingdom of God is not a place. It is not only a future event. And thirdly,
3. The Kingdom of God is not synonymous with the Church.
I know, this may mess with some of your theology. But stick with me and I will explain.
The Kingdom of God…is the comprehensive rule and reign of God. It is God’s plan being carried out. His Kingdom is a principle of living in relationship with Him and others.
The Kingdom of God is His mode of operation and all under His care.
But the Church, is he representative of the Kingdom!
We are the reconciled people, the redeemed core of humanity who carry out His plan within the world. We are His workmanship fulfilling His divine purposes within this fallen world. We are not the Kingdom…we are partakers of this Kingdom.
Matthew 16 contains one of the most exciting passages in the entire Bible. It is where Jesus talks about the Church. Listen to what He says:
Matthew 16:13-20 (NIV)
13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ,[a] the Son of the living God." 17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
Jesus declares that He would build His church and the gates of Hell would not overcome it.
It is common knowledge that in this world there are two basic forces. There is the power of God (righteousness) and there is the power of darkness (Satan and his demonic following).
According to the Bible, the darkness fights against the Church. It opposes all that the Kingdom of God stands for. But not even the gates of hell will be able to stand against the Church.
Now, to really understand this passage you have to have an understanding about the times of Christ. You see, in each city during ancient times, the gates of the city was where the leaders, the elders of that city would meet.
It was at the city gates that the business of the city was done. The gates represented leadership, power, authority and influence. And so, when Jesus says that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church, He was saying that the “Authority” of hell cannot stop the forward movement of the church! When we promote and advance the Kingdom of God – not even the powers or hell stand against us.
We will march on…right through the gates. How, because God has given us the “keys” to do so.
Have you ever seen someone with a lot of keys…well, keys represent access and authority. People with a lot of keys possess much authority.
Now, people with a lot of key-chains, just wish they had authority.
Jesus has given us – the Church – the keys to the Kingdom of God. We have access to everywhere we need to go in God. And nothing can stop us…certainly not the powers of hell.
So, you see…the Kingdom of God is not the church…the church is the representative of the Kingdom. We are the carriers of the Kingdom.
We are the way God gets the Kingdom delivered to this world. We are to take the Kingdom of God out into the streets and deliver it into the hearts and lives of all we meet. This helps us (as the church) to stay externally focused.
So let’s review. The Kingdom of God is not:
1. A place
2. Just something in the future
3. The Church
So what is the Kingdom of God?
4. The Kingdom of God is His Purpose and Plan Being Carried Out through His People!
• The Kingdom of God is the workings of God in this earth.
• The Kingdom of God is His activity.
• The Kingdom of God is the Government of Heaven carried out here on Earth.
So what does this mean to you and me?
It means that we need to make sure we are standing with Christ and working to represent His Kingdom here on Earth until the time He comes again and permanently establishes His Kingdom on Earth just as it is in Heaven.
How do we do that?
1. Change your way of thinking.
Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and follow His lead. Repent for walking your own way…and not for living your life for Christ and the Kingdom.
2. Believe Christ to be the Son of God.
Trust Him to be your Savior. This is the move of faith. This is where you choose to let go of your agenda for life and embrace the openness to God’s complete control. This is all about surrender…total surrender of your heart and life.
3. Stay receptive to the leadings of Christ.
Continue to walk in faith and obey the leading of the Holy Spirit within.
4. Take the Kingdom of God public.
Share with your world what God is doing in you and through you. Tell others about the change and about the good news of hope and life.
Closing:
Rethinking, believing, receiving and going public are the basic elements to following Jesus’ words to seek first His Kingdom. And as you do this, as you put God first, He will put you first!
Let’s discover the Kingdom and Kingdom living! There is nothing like it!
