WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

The kingdom of God is not a political movement
or a social establishment. It is not a geographic
territory. Though many believe it refers to a future
government at the second coming of Christ, the most
accurate answer is the last one "My kingdom is not of
this world" (John 18;36). Jesus is announced to the
world that the kingdom of God was "at hand" (Mark 1:15).
What good news! The kingdom of God is here. It's
happening now! The kingdom of God is the sovereign
rule of God in the hearts of His people!
We experience God's kingdom when we live in
submission to the will of Almighty God! God is sovereign,
whether or not we acknowledge Him as our Lord and King.
He is at work in our lives, even though we may have rejected
His sovereignity, ignored His presence, or attempted to work
apart from Him.

Think about it:

~ God created a beautiful world and put us in charge of its care.
~ We sinned and struggled against God, wanting our own way.
~ God sent His Son to reconcile the world to Himself.
~ We killed His Son by hanging Him on a cross.
~ God raised Him from the dead and redeemed the souls of
millions who repented of their sins, accepted His forgiveness,
and acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord!

In spite of our rebellion, God still accomplishes His sovereign
purposes. He continues to bring a wayward world into conformity
with His purposes because He remains the Lord of all!

THE KINGDOM MOTIVATIONAL VIEW

The kingdom's motivator is very simple: our love relationship with Jesus Christ.
"We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19)

Jesus demonstrated His love for us when he willingly left the priviledge and
riches of heaven to become a lowly servant. On the cross Jesus was humiliated,
beaten, pierced, mocked, tortured and killed! It was His work, assigned by His
Father. He received no earthly rewards or bonuses.
Why did Jesus die? He certainly had the power to stop the whole proceeding.
But He chose to submit to His Father's will because of the greatest motivation
ever LOVE! His love for His Father and for us motivated Jesus Christ. In turn
we the workers in His kingdom are motivated by our love for Him.

The four characteristics of the world's motivators stand in stark contrast to the
kingdom motivation of love.

The kingdom motivation is strong and dependable. When we are motivated by
love, circumstances don't defeat us. We are not deterred by fickle human nature.
We build on the solid rock of faith (Matt. 16:18).
The kingdom motivation is focused on God. Jesus said if we want to save our lives,
we must lose our lives in service to Him (Matt.16:25). Self-love may lead us to obtain
much of the world's goods, but we will lose our souls.
The kingdom motivation is empowered by our divine nature. Human nature desires
to be in control; however, through Christ we can overcome temptation. We are free
from sin's domination and empowered to live lives pleasing to God (Col. 1:13-14).
The kingdom motivation draws us closer to God. We are more aware of God's
presence and power as we reorient our lives to his authority. We work hard and become competent in our work in order to glorify God (Col. 3:17)

Balance

They say: "Why is not
An angel sent down to him?"
If We did send down
An angel, the matter
Would be settled at once,
An no respite
Would be granted them.

And angel is a heavenly being, a manifestation
of God's glory invisible to men who live gross material
lives. Such men are given plenty of respite in which to
turn in repentance to God and make themselves worty
of His light. But if their prayer to see an angel were
granted, it would do them no good, for they would be
destroyed as darkness is destroyed by light.

If We had made it
An angel, We should
Have sent him as a man.
And We should certainly
Have caused them confusion
In a matter which they have
Already covered with confusion.

Supposing an angel should appear to their grosser senses,
he could only do it in human form. In that case their present
confused notions about spiritual life would be still
more confounded. They would say: "We wanted to see an
angel, and we have only seen a man!"


Wonderful Originator
Of the heavens and the earth:
How can He have a son
Whe He hath no consort?
He created all things,
And He hath full knowledge
Of all things.

Sermon on the mount

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall
be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit
the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thrist
after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain
mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall
see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall
be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you,
and persecute you, and shall say all manner
of evil against you falsely: for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is
your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they
the prophets which were before you.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt
have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?
it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast
out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is
set on a hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle and put it
under a bushell, but on a candlestick; and it
giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they
may see your works, and glory works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Think not that I am come to destroy the
law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy,
but to fulfil.

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and
earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in
no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.