I was rereading my last entry, and in it I was looking at the basics of the Kingdom of God, and some of the foundational principles concerning the kingdom. Today I wanted to look at some of the things Jesus said about the Kingdom He established.
1. Matthew 4:17, 23 NIV: [17] "From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” [23] "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people."
The Kingdom reality was the core of Jesus message. It is Good News, and its reality is demonstrable. Jesus didn't just preach about it coming soon, like John the Baptist did, but He demonstrated it.
2. Matthew 6:9-10 NIV: “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
The Kingdom on earth is an extension of the Kingdom in Heaven, and the same basic rules apply here as there in Heaven. Jesus is teaching us to pray for this unity of domains, that what happens in Heaven is what happens here in earth. For example, if there is no sickness in Heaven, then we can expect God to deal with sickness here, and as He extends His dominion here, people, when they come in contact with it, are healed - which is exactly what Jesus demonstrated.
3. Matthew 6:33 NIV: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Our participation in the Kingdom of God is more important than anything, and should be the primary goal of our lives. If we come into His Kingdom, then God, as our King will provide everything we need.
4. Matthew 7:21-23 NIV: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ [23] Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
There is an obedience required in the Kingdom of God, and it is related to the will of the Father. We are supposed to be in active relationship with the Lord, that we might understand His will, and do it. This is not some religious requirement, it is rather an obedience that comes out of a loving relationship. I has to do with knowing and being known - in other words - relationship.
5. Matthew 10:1, 7-8 NIV: [1] "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. [7] As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."
We are called to both proclaim the Kingdom, but to demonstrate the Kingdom realities as well. These are the same works that Jesus did, so He is calling us to continue His ministry. The Kingdom of God is in expansion mode, and it expanded by our witness and representation.
6. Matthew 12:28 NIV: "But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."
When the Kingdom of God is proclaimed and demonstrated and established, it drives out the present kingdom of the enemy, or Satan. Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy (1 John 3:8), and He did this by establishing His new Kingdom.
7. Matthew 13:11-12 NIV: "He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. [12] Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them."
These verses followed the parable of the sower and the seed and Jesus is talking about listening and understanding. The Kingdom of God is established in our lives and entered into through our choices, and our decisions. If we reject the Kingdom, when it is demonstrated in our midst, it is not established in our life. The Kingdom of God will not be forced upon us, as in all things with God, we have a free-will to choose what to listen to, and want to follow. If we choose to follow Him, and enter the Kingdom, there will be blessing and provision and we will expand the Kingdom.
8. Matthew 13:31-33 NIV: "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.” [33] He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
The Kingdom of God, is expanding, is growing, and though unseen, or given significant notice by world, it is fulfilling its purpose. Both yeast and the mustard seed are very small, almost unnoticed, yet both can expand greatly. Its not through grand pomp and circumstance that the Kingdom is expanded, but rather through individual conversion and transformation, as shown by the yeast example. Although each person may seem to have little effect in the Kingdom, our actions and obedience can cause our effect to be great.
9. Matthew 16:19 NIV: "I 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.”
There is some disagreement about this passage, as Jesus appeared to be addressing Peter specifically, but many commentators believe the original Greek indicates a broader audience than just Peter. Regardless, the earlier verses where Jesus sent out the apostles to preach the good news of the Kingdom, and demonstrate the Kingdom realities includes the command to cast out demons, etc. and the passing of authority, which is what this verse makes very clear. We are commissioned to do the same works as Jesus, and here says that we can extend Heaven's reality here on earth, and we have real authority!
10. Matthew 24:14 NIV:..."And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
The proclamation of the Kingdom is one of the cores expectations of the Lord, and the timeline of the last days is interwoven with the proclamation of the Kingdom. The Gospel, or good news of the Kingdom, is simply that there is new King, who is all powerful, all knowing, compassionate, merciful, faithful and good, and He wants to demonstrate His love and reality to us all, and we all have access through Jesus Christ.
Amen Lord, such fundamental and helpful truths. Help me to live as a representative of Your enduring love, and Kingdom.
No comments:
Post a Comment