The Words of my Father: The Kingdom of God

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8.04.2025

The Kingdom of God: Introduction

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

The Kingdom of God: Introduction
In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

No man can present an adequate message about the kingdom of God in one session and not in any number of sessions. This message will be the first of 7 or 8 messages on the kingdom of God. Today we hope to introduce this topic as an overview and to stir you up to seek not only the truth about the kingdom of God but to experience and walk in the reality of God's Kingdom.

Jesus said, "Seek and ye shall find." In what we present in this and all messages, I fully realize that in no way do I have the final word or the fullness of revelation. Rather, my intention in this and all messages is to encourage us, as God's people, to seek the Lord Himself for the true vision of His Kingdom as our purpose in life. Let us look at a few scriptures and a few thoughts that might help us to come to a better understanding of the kingdom of God.

The first mention of the word, "kingdom," is in Genesis 10:10, when Nimrod founded the kingdom of Babel, or Babylon, which means "confusion."

The word "kingdom" in the Greek is basileia, which means "the realm in which a sovereign king rules." A kingdom is the domain of a king. Every kingdom must have a king. Every king must have a domain, an area over which the king has sovereign, absolute dominion. The existence of a kingdom implies that the king has entities in his kingdom which are subject to the power, rule, authority, and headship of the king. That implies that the king must make known his rules or his will to his subjects. Further, every kingdom has principles (or laws) that govern the kingdom. A principle is that which is built within a person that governs his life or behavior or course of action.

If we were to ask 10 people about the kingdom of God we might get 9 different explanations. It is almost impossible for us to understand the things of the Spirit with our natural minds. In essence, the Kingdom of God is where the will of God is always done. Where is God's will always done? only in one place ... only in Christ Jesus. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus said,

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

Jesus said to His disciples, in Matthew 6:33,

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Most likely every true believer can quote that verse. But the question is, what does that really mean? What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? Are those two things or one? Further, what is the kingdom of God that we should be seeking?And is the gospel that we are to preach the same as the kingdom of God?

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:3-4

Verse 4 does not say that all men will be saved; that gets us into the heresy of universal reconciliation; rather it says that God desires that all men be saved, but many will not so choose. That verse says that it is the will of God for all who are saved to become thoroughly acquainted with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. May the Lord continue to bless all who proclaim the good news of salvation. But that is not the end of Verse 4. There is an "and" in that Verse. God desires all who accept salvation to receive a further revelation of His purpose, namely the knowledge of the truth. Pilate looked Truth straight in the eye and asked, "What is truth?" Jesus is the Truth! Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

Christ's kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). One day, however, the Kingdom of God will be manifest on the earth (Isaiah 35:1), and Jesus Christ will rule over the kingdom from David's throne (Isaiah 9:7). The rule and reign of God comprises everything from eternity past through eternity future. That includes all of time and space. When Jesus died and rose again and ascended into heaven the kingdom which had always been real in the unseen realm now became available to all men.

24 Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith, all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
1 Corinthians 15:24-28

There is no explicit definition of the kingdom of God in the gospels. How do you define the infinite, universal, sovereign kingdom of God in one sentence? But the kingdom of God is the domain of God or where God rules and reigns. It would exhaust all of the books in the world to speak of everything pertaining to the kingdom of God. Therefore what we present is simply a brief outline. But please keep in mind that the kingdom of God is much more than something to be talked about, defined, analyzed, and understood. We must experience the kingdom of God.

Jesus rarely talked about the "hereafter" or the "sweet bye-and-bye;" He talked about the "now." Jesus is not the great "I will be." He is the great I AM.

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. John 21:25

The kingdom of God is not a natural-level kingdom. It is in the realm of the Spirit. The closest definition of the kingdom of God is, "The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17). Jesus told us to pray,

"Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).

We must emphasize that, "Thine is the kingdom." It is God's kingdom, not yours or mine and not ours.

The gospel or good news of the kingdom of God is the central message of the New Testament. The words kingdom of God consistently refers to the spiritual rule of Christ in the hearts and lives of those who willingly submit to God's authority. Those who defy God's authority and refuse to submit to Him are not part of the kingdom of God; in contrast, those who acknowledge the lordship of Christ and gladly surrender to God's rule in their hearts are part of the kingdom of God.

However, it is also true that the kingdom of God is the central message of the Old Testament. Over the centuries the fullness of what Jesus proclaimed and the life and vitality expressed by the early church as recorded in the Book of Acts have been buried under a mountain of man-made traditions.

Almost all of the New Testament is dedicated to instructions and qualifications for entrance into the kingdom of God, rather than to salvation. We will look in great detail in later messages about those qualifications for entering the kingdom of God. For now, let us remember what Jesus told Nicodemus, in John, Chapter 3. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God; and unless a man be born of water and born of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

We shared several messages ago that being born again is only the first step in salvation, which is a process that continues until Jesus returns to earth. Initial salvation (or being born again) and the kingdom of God are two different subjects ... separate and distinct from one another. Even the disciples, before Pentecost, had difficulty separating salvation and the Kingdom. Being born again is not the same as walking in the Kingdom of God. That truth is easily seen when we look at the Israelites who were delivered out of Egypt. At least a million Israelites were born again, in type, but only two adults over the age of 20, Joshua and Caleb, actually entered the Promised Land, which speaks of the Kingdom of God. Jesus never preached a "save-me" Gospel. Jesus, as well as Paul and all of the early disciples, preached the Kingdom of God. The first message that Jesus preached was, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God/heaven is at hand."

Salvation is absolutely FREE, with no strings attached. That is our starting point in our relationship with Him. But it is only a starting point. There is much more to follow, and it can become difficult; kingdom stature is very costly. It costs us our self-life. But the good news is that in exchange we get His life, the life of the risen Christ!

The kingdom of God is the strait (difficult) gate and the narrow way that comparatively few souls will find.

Luke 16:16, "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it."

We are not required to press into salvation. It is FREE for the asking, receiving, and accepting.

The Kingdom of God is a theocracy instead of a democracy or a monarchy, and the prospective inhabitants must undergo a rigid scrutiny before they are granted entry. It is set up by Jesus Himself. Democracy may be the best form of government known to natural man, but sooner or later the kingdoms of this world must become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ. It is nothing like any government we see in the world today. It is something that each individual Christian has or does not have, depending entirely upon what the Lord sees in their life. We either meet His requirements, or we don't.

The word "kingdom" is translated from a word that properly means "royalty." Royalty seems to convey the same thought that the overcomers are a people within a people, and that the difference is a difference in the heart condition of those involved. The degree of lordship is a big part of the criteria denoting the difference between Christian and Christian. Every mature man of God that I have ever met will agree that there is a church within a church. Jesus said that He would build His church. Scripturally, historically, and experientially, the Church that Jesus is building has existed within the church that man tries to build. That points out the need, as stated in Revelation 18:4 to "come out of her, My people."

We have no certain way to detect the degree of Lordship Jesus occupies in the heart of our self or our Christian friends. We Christians learn the proper Christian language very quickly. We also learn very quickly how to put on our Christian hats or masks when in the company of other professing Christians. But there are no questions in the mind of God. He knows precisely, at all times, the exact condition of our heart and spirit. No one can hide anything from God.

The word ROYALTY seems to "put a handle" on the subject of the kingdom of GOD, and helps to understand that the kingdom is in our midst today. Some Christians are in it, while other Christians are still looking for it and hoping for it to happen.

The Kingdom of GOD is NOW, presently both in heaven and within those who are making Jesus the LORD of their lives ... the royalty of GOD.

There are two aspects to the kingdom of God. There is a present reality of the kingdom that we are called to walk in and to abide by the principles as set forth by the King (Luke 17:20-21). There is also a future establishing of the kingdom of God on earth. This is the literal reign of Christ on earth (Luke 22:28-30). That future aspect of the kingdom contains a qualified people ... a people who have qualified by their decisions and actions ... that subset of believers who have denied themselves, taken up their cross, and followed Him ... a people who overcome and who follow the Lamb wherever He goes (Revelation 2:26-27 and 20:4-6).

Indeed, the kingdom of God is eternal. It spells destruction for the wicked and joy and endless life for the true followers of Christ. The kingdom would not be inaugurated with spectacle or splendor; there would be no great and magnificent leader who staked out a geographical claim and routed the Romans; rather, the kingdom would come silently and unseen, much as leaven works in a batch of dough (Matthew 13:33). In fact, Jesus said the kingdom had already begun, right under the Pharisees' noses.

Broadly speaking, the kingdom of God is the rule of an eternal, sovereign God over all of the universe. The Lord is the Sovereign of the universe, and so in that sense His kingdom is universal (1 Timothy 6:15). "The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all" (Psalm 103:19). King Nebuchadnezzar declared, "His kingdom is an eternal kingdom" (Daniel 4:3). Every authority that exists has been established by God (Romans 13:1). So in a real sense, the kingdom of God incorporates everything that is.

Isaiah 45:5-7, "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."

When the Lord sovereignly apprehended Saul of Tarsus, we read in Acts 9:3-5, "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."

Likewise it is hard for you and me and any man to kick against the pricks today. The Lord is going to have what He wants, with or without you and with or without me. Two different verses in Acts (Chapter 5 and 23) imply that if we fight against God, we will always lose. Without any doubt, the central, eternal, and ultimate aim or goal of all of history is the Kingdom of God. The very heart of Jesus' ministry was and is preparing a kingdom for His Father.

Most of us are aware that the Gospel according to Matthew speaks primarily of the kingdom of heaven whereas Mark and Luke speak exclusively about the Kingdom of God. Some people have tried to explain that the two phrases mean different things. Scripture seems to indicate that the two phrases are the same. Before proceeding we want to say unequivocally that it is a total waste of time for Christians to argue whether they mean the same or different things. Is it going to make a difference in your life to know whether they are the same or different? Nevertheless we want to present for your consideration a few things concerning these two terms.

Few Christians would doubt that the same King is over both the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven. God's kingdom is ruled by God.

The phrase, "kingdom of heaven," occurs 32 times in the Gospel according to Matthew but nowhere else in the Bible. The phrase, "kingdom of God," occurs 69 times in the Bible, five of which are also in the Book of Matthew. If we compare the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, we will find that Matthew's "kingdom of heaven" almost exactly parallels Mark's and Luke's "kingdom of God." So there is little doubt in my mind that they are different terms describing the same thing. For example,

"the kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17)

"the kingdom of God is at hand" (Mark

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 5:3)

"Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God" (Luke 6:20)

"Among those born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist, notwithstanding he who is least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than him." (Matthew 11:11)

"Among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist, but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than him." (Luke 7:28)

"the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 13:11)

"the mysteries of the kingdom of God" (Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10)

"the kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed" (Matthew 13:31)

"the kingdom of God...is like a grain of mustard seed" (Mark 4:30-31 ; Luke 13:18-19)

"The kingdom of heaven is like leaven" (Matthew 13:33)

"the kingdom of God...is like leaven" (Luke 13:20)

"Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3-4)

"Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein" (Mark 10:15)

"Allow little children, and do not forbid them to come to me, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 19:14)

"Allow the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:14)

"a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 19:23)

"How hardly shall they who have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"

(Luke 18:24)

In other words, those 9 comparisons indicate that the "kingdom of God" = "kingdom of Heaven."

Moreover, "heaven" is frequently put for "God," Who dwells there.

"They set their mouth against the heavens" (Psalm73:9);

i.e., against God, Who dwells there. Some other examples are,

And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. 2 Chronicles 32:20

John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. John 3:27

Speaking to the rich young ruler, Jesus used "kingdom of heaven" and "kingdom of God" interchangeably.

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:23).

In the very next verse, Verse 24, Jesus proclaimed,

"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Jesus seems to make no distinction between the two terms.

What is the conclusion of this terminology difference? The conclusion is that we should all be on our faces and praying for His kingdom to come and to be seeking the King of that kingdom above everything else in life and on earth.

God was ruling in the hearts of some people, and the King Himself was standing among them, although the Pharisees were oblivious to that fact. Jesus was telling the Pharisees that He brought the kingdom of God to earth. Jesus' presence in their midst gave them a taste of the kingdom life, as attested by the miracles that Jesus performed.

The successful life of a Christian is NOT a set of rules and regulations ..."do's and don'ts" but a life of following the teaching and leading of the Holy Ghost in His work of defining the will of God to each individual, as the Lord pleases. It is the word of GOD (the seed) that produces the increase in our lives. It performs the miracle of turning dust into fruit.

That is a quick overview of the kingdom of God. But the real issue is ... the most important question is ... have you been born again? If so, are you content to just go to heaven one day?

And along with that decision on your part are you content just to have a nice time on earth, enjoy all of the world's pleasures, believing that you will one day go to heaven? Or do you want to walk with God daily in the kingdom of God here on earth and one day rule and reign with Him for 1000 years? Each person must decide for himself. We have a choice. Many are called but few are chosen. The reason few are chosen is because few choose the Lord's way. We humans like to think that we should use our minds to determine what is best for us. But only God knows what is best for each one of us. And walking with Him in the kingdom of God is the very best possible path.

In our next message we will look at the absolute truth that "Thine is the kingdom." Until next time, grace, mercy, and peace to all those who are looking for Him.

8.03.2025

The Kingdom of God: Part 1

The Gospel Perceived

What do most Christian believers think about when they hear the word gospel? Only the Lord knows, but we suspect the great majority of Christians equate the word gospel with the fact that God loves us and gave His only begotten Son for us. Most Christians, when asked to define the gospel, would probably quote:

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

As such, the gospel includes the conversion of people, repentance, accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, being saved, or being born again, based upon the death, burial, resurrection, and witness of Jesus Christ. It certainly is good news that Jesus came to the earth almost 2000 years ago as a man, born of the virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Ghost, endured every temptation known to man, suffered as a man, was crucified on a cross, shed His blood for us, died, was buried, arose from the dead by the power of the Holy Ghost on the third day, and now sits in glory at the right hand of the Father in heaven.

Jesus died for our sins that, if we accept Him as our Savior, then we will have eternal life and be blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (no spiritual blessings outside of Christ).

Further, if we die physically before Jesus returns then we will go to heaven to be with the Lord. Now all of the above is true and marvelous, but still incomplete. Much more is involved in the gospel that Jesus preached.

Have you ever considered that both John the Baptist and Jesus came preaching the kingdom of God, before Calvary?

Unfortunately far too many modern day preachers turn the above into a me-centered kind of gospel, emphasizing all of the goodies that we get by becoming a Christian. In other words, too many churches today glorify man, not God. Further, Jesus is not returning to earth for millions of baby Christians. He desires to return for a Church which is without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. He will have that which He desires!

The Kingdom of God

The word kingdom (basileia, in the Greek) denotes sovereignty and means the domain of the king. Every kingdom must have a king. A king must have subjects.

Some countries were once kingdoms but are now republics, because they have no king, but are governed by the public, which is sovereign.

That has also been true spiritually for the Jewish nation from the crucifixion of Jesus until the present time. Just before Jesus was rejected by His own people (the Jews), the chief priests said, We have no king but Caesar.

(John 19:15)

To what degree is the Church today likened unto the Jewish nation? It seems that far too many Christian churches or fellowships are characterized by,

Judges 21:25

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Philippians 2:21

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

Common practice of equating the kingdom of God with being saved (individually) and the Church (corporately) gets us into a swamp of misunderstanding very quickly.

All of the parables that Jesus spoke were parables concerning the kingdom, not the Church. The kingdom of Heaven is likened unto ... the wheat and the tares, the ten virgins, the grain of mustard seed, the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, the parable of the talents, the sheep and the goats, the two sons, the householder hiring laborers for his vineyard, the king making a marriage feast for his son, the sower who went forth to sow, and on and on, are all parables of the kingdom of God.

We must begin to look at all of the teachings of Jesus (and Paul) as kingdom teachings, for so they are. What is this kingdom of God that John the Baptist, Jesus, the disciples, and Paul came announcing or preaching? It was/is the most wonderful news ever heard on this earth for all those who will accept the gospel and become its citizens, accept its' King and its laws and responsibilities, it would set them free from every fetter: from the rule of the Mosaic law, from the bondage of sin, and take them as fellow-citizens into the kingdom of God, whose King is Jesus, whose law is love, whose flag is the cross, whose provider is God.

Now let us look at another apparent definition of the kingdom of God. We say apparent because it is not possible to define Him Who is not definable. He exceeds our capacity even to think of Him.

Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Thus the kingdom of God is in the realm of the Spirit.

In reality, we define the kingdom of God to be Christ, for the will of God is done only in and through Christ. The kingdom of God is the domain of God.

In the kingdom of God, the will of God is supreme and His will is always done. Is the will of God always done by each born again Christian? No. For proof of that, just consider the Church at Corinth. They had every gift of the Spirit in operation, but Paul called them carnal because they were led by the flesh in a multitude of ways rather than by the Spirit. That is why Paul had to write 1 Corinthians as a letter of correction to them (and to us). Therefore being a born again Christian and a faithful church-goer does not mean that he/she is walking or abiding in the kingdom of God.

A difference between being in the Church, which is His body, and abiding in the kingdom of God - Jesus said,

Matthew 7:21

Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

It is doing the will of God; it is practicing the will of God. Now let us consider two similar sets of verses.

Luke 13:24

Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Matthew 7:13-14

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

There are two ways of looking at and applying these verses. Traditional application refers to salvation, where the narrow way leads to heaven and the broad way leads to hell. However, if we examine these verses from the perspective of the kingdom of God, we get an entirely different sense, and a sense which is much more in line with all of Scripture.

The word strive, which occurs only 7 times in the New Testament, means to struggle or to agonize. We must strive to enter into the kingdom; that requires that we deny our self, take up our cross, and follow Him. But there is no striving associated with being saved, it is a free gift, received by faith through the grace of God. Any one can be saved by simply acknowledging that Jesus is the Son of God and accepting the forgiveness that He has offered to us.

The word strait in Luke 13:24 and Matthew 7:13-14, means hard and difficult because it runs counter to natural inclinations, we always want to follow the path of least resistance. Many will go in at the broad way; few will press through to the fullness. A look at the tabernacle of Moses will take us deeper into the meaning of strait gate to the outer court, known as the wide gate, was twice the width of the door into the Holy Place. The total area of the outer court was significantly greater than the area of the Holy Place.

The further we go into God, the more pressure, the more demanding, and the greater discipline is required. Few there be who find it. But once we pass thru that strait gate we burst forth into an unlimited, infinite place called the kingdom of God.

Isaiah 33:21

But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.

Where is there? From Isaiah 33:20, Zion.
What does Zion represent spiritually? the kingdom of God.

Psalm 76:1-2

1 In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.
2 In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

In the visible church on earth, men (and perhaps good men) steer the ship or galley (the church). In the kingdom of God there are no oars, no oarsmen, no ship motors, no sails; we must depend upon the Holy Spirit to guide the galley.

What does the gallant ship signify? The leaders of the visible church; those who have made a name for themselves through any of a variety of means (such as speakers at big conferences, television evangelists, pastors of mega-churches, authors of Christian books who have made millions of dollars selling their wares, and on and on). None of those will appear in the kingdom of God unless they repent.

Other verses which clearly differentiates between being saved and entering into the kingdom of God are:

Luke 16:16

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Matthew 11:12

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Another translation: kingdom of heaven forces itself on man's attention and the forceful ones lay hold of it. No pressing or violence required to be born again.

We can therefore conclude that there are many true Christians who, at the present time, are saved or born again (and even baptized in the Holy Ghost) but who are not abiding in the kingdom of God. That is confirmed by two sets of verses in the Book of Revelation. Let us compare the two

Revelation 7:9-10

9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

After this! After what?

After the 144,000 servants of the Lord were sealed in their foreheads (from Revelation 7:1-8). Note that a great multitude (of Christians) were crying and that all they knew was salvation.

Revelation 14:1-4

1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Note that the 144,000 were singing a new song (not crying).

We must not interpret the virgins which were not defiled with women (in Verse 4) in the literal, natural sense. If that were true, then Peter & Paul, along with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and a host of others would not qualify, for they all had wives. A virgin, scripturally, is someone who has not compromised their faith with the ways of the world. Have you ever considered the accusations that were brought against Jesus by the chief priests and elders before Pontius Pilate?

Jesus was not accused of being the Savior of the world; that presented no big threat to the devil. He was accused of being a King; and a King must have a kingdom!

Paul spoke often of the kingdom.

1 Corinthians 4:20

For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

Acts 28:30-31

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

The only possible Scripture we are aware of for equating being saved with the kingdom of God is:

Colossians 1:13

Who [God the Father] hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.

The kingdom of His dear Son represents all those whom the Father has given to the Son; i.e., the Church. The Son, through the power of the Holy Ghost, has the responsibility to bring many sons to glory such that when His task is completed:

1 Corinthians 15:24-28

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Do you find it strange, with all of the scriptural emphasis on the kingdom of God in the New Testament, that we hear so little about it today?

We have limited God and His kingdom by our own limited thinking.

On March 26, 2006, the Holy Spirit quickened that there are many pastors who are genuine believers, love the Lord, and desire more of the Lord in their life and the life of believers in their church; but they are trying to fit more of the Lord into their own programs, doctrines, and organizational structure. Such, of course, will never happen.

We give our allegiance to small and passing things and so miss the wonder of His great kingdom. Our allegiance is to family, business, denomination, entertainment, state, or country, each one confining us to a small divisive role.

Jesus came with a citizenship breathtakingly large and wonderful but we have not dared drop our little loyalties in order to grasp it. We are like little children clutching candy in our sticky fingers, reluctant to relinquish it, as we must, before we can receive the bicycle that our parents hold out to us. Few people have caught the full significance of what Jesus offered to the world when He proclaimed, the kingdom of heaven is at hand!

The kingdom of God is not reserved for some distant time and place when we all get to heaven! Jesus said,

Luke 17:20-21

20 The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here: or, lo there: for behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Some think of the kingdom of God as the beautiful One and they hope to inherit after death. But to Jesus, the kingdom of God is not a place that men must physically or naturally die to attain. He died that they might attain citizenship in that kingdom, here on earth ... here and now!

The kingdom begins on earth but continues throughout eternity in heaven.

Matthew 22:14

For many are called, but few are chosen.

The spiritual sense of that verse is, many are called, but few choose! We have free will both before and after we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It is by our choices that we determine our destination.

But now for the really, really good news!

Luke 12:32-34

32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

But note the condition!

The Gospel Applied

What does the kingdom mean for us personally?

What must its citizens believe and do?

What does the kingdom promise that the average Christian has not yet inherited?

What would the kingdom do for the world that the Church has not done?

Citizens of the kingdom of God must obey God rather than men. They must put allegiance to Jesus and His people above loyalty to denomination, state, or nation. Christ, alone, is King. When He speaks, His subjects must obey, no matter what their lesser loyalties might demand. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that His citizens hear His voice.

The major function of any minister is to help other believers to hear the voice of the Lord for himself. Citizens of the kingdom renders unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, but renders unto God the things that are God's (Matthew 22).

He is in the world but not of the world. His citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Jesus said,

John 8:31-32

31 If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Note the If in Verse 31.

We have heard many ministers misquote Verse 32 as, and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. But we were set free by accepting the atoning work of Christ when he died at Calvary on the cross. We are made free by continuing in His word ... by allowing the cross to work in our life.

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Note that the preaching of the cross working in the lives of those who are already saved or born again is the power of God, which enables us to enter the kingdom of God. From our experience, the kingdom of God seldom has been taught. As long as we reject (knowingly or unknowingly) the kingdom with its absolute and final allegiance to our King, Jesus Christ, we will remain slaves to our lesser loyalties and small conceptions of what it means to be a Christian.

When Christians begin to take the kingdom of God seriously, the world will begin to take Christians seriously, and we, like Paul and the early Church, will begin to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6).

8.02.2025

The Kingdom of God: Part 2

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

To talk adequately about the kingdom of God in one message is not easy. Years ago I knew a good brother who wrote two entire volumes about the kingdom of God. Only the Lord Himself knows our hearts. But after 55 years of observation of lovely Christian folks in a large number of different churches and fellowships across at least 15 states, it appears that the "typical" charismatic believer could be described as having the following mind-set concerning our walk as believers: "I am born again, baptized in the Holy Spirit, go to church regularly, give money to the church, try to live a morally good life, and when I leave this physical earth, I will go to heaven. When I was born again, I became part of the kingdom of God."

Unfortunately, it appears that few believers know the difference between being "saved" and entering the kingdom of God. Few seem to be aware of God's purpose for creating us and then for His sovereign drawing of us to Himself. In reality, after we acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and have been baptized in water and baptized by Jesus in the Holy Ghost, we then enter the race for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. We are then equipped to become that which God desires for us to become. We become candidates for the kingdom of God, provided that we qualify. It is not automatic.

John 1:14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

That scripture, of course, refers to Jesus, but that verse also expresses the will of the Father for us as believers in Christ. The Word must also become flesh within us ... Christ in you the hope of glory!

In this message, we will assume that the listener has been born from above. Being born from above and baptized in or with the Holy Spirit is wonderful, but that only puts us on the "race-track" toward the kingdom of God. Salvation is our starting point in our relationship with Him, but it is only a starting point. There is much more to follow. Acts 14:22 says that we must through much tribulation (or pressure) enter into the kingdom of God.

In every culture there has been an expression of an inborn feeling, "What must we do to be right with God?" That has led to all kinds of rules of behavior, rituals, and the building of temples and churches. After initial salvation the message usually shifts to a strong emphasis on good works. The burden of living the Christian life is then placed squarely on the shoulders of the believer and is based on his performance in the world. That always leads to Romans 7:24, which says, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" If we are allowed to see the Lord high and lifted up, then king self must die. That is what happened with Isaiah and Job. That is why Paul said, "I die daily." None of us can comprehend how far human nature has fallen.

The first thing a new-born baby does when he comes into the world is to try to establish his kingdom, for he believes that he is the king ... he is Number One. He believes that he is always right. As a child grows older, his coping methods and rationalizations change to fit the new needs, but king Self, the great pretender, the counterfeit, is still on the throne of his kingdom. The root cause has never disappeared. I am still right no matter how many people disagree with me.

Everything we do in the kingdom of self is partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Everything we do that is motivated by self is sin, which is acting independently of God, not just committing obvious evil deeds like murder, adultery, and stealing. The primary activity of the self-life is selfishness. Our biggest enemy is the kingdom of "self." The question is, who initiates what we, you and I, are doing? If we call the shots in our life, then we (not Christ) are the lord and master of our life, always taking on an external appearance of godliness, but spurning the power of God that brings true holiness.

John the Baptist preached, "repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," but he did not enter in. John was born of a woman; we Christians are born of a woman and born again of the Spirit.

Jesus said, in Matthew 11:11,

"Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Jesus came preaching, "repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand." Therefore, John the Baptist and Jesus both introduced the church age with a call to repentance in view of the arrival of the kingdom of God. Jesus later said, in Matthew 24:14, that the end of this age would be characterized by a preaching of the gospel of the kingdom in all the world as a witness to all nations. Therefore, both the beginning and the ending of this dispensation of the church age focus on the vital subject of the kingdom of God. In between that beginning and end, man has tried to help God out by our good works. Our efforts, at best, have produced a mixture.

Jesus said to Nicodemus, in John 3:3,

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Then in John 3:5, Jesus said,

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Those are necessary, but not sufficient conditions to enter the kingdom of God.

Let us turn now to Matthew 6:25-34.

"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

The price of character refinement seems unreasonable to some of us. We cannot comprehend the need for such a stringent heart condition and life style. Indeed, those requirements are NOT laid on folks who aspire ONLY to the salvation of their souls. We have failed to understand the need for character refinement, and therefore have either failed or refused to submit ourselves to the searing heat required to separate ourselves from ourselves.

Although believers have trusted God for initial salvation, the sinful tendencies of the flesh still remain in us, so we continue to vacillate between the desires of the flesh and those of the Spirit. Within this battle we need to understand that we will never be satisfied until the Lord is satisfied with us!

If we were to ask 10 Christians about the kingdom of God, we might get 7 different answers. Some might respond with a blank look, revealing a lack of understanding. Others equate it with being born again or being "saved." Others might equate the kingdom to be the free and full blessings of God - peace, joy, healings, deliverances, and so forth. Then a few might see it as a means to obtain power and authority for themselves. Perhaps the majority think of a wonderful state free from sin, sickness, and death that will one day somehow arrive. Hopefully we all can come to a true, full knowledge of the kingdom of God and what that requires of us.

The word "kingdom" is translated from a word that properly means "royalty." Royalty seems to convey the same thought that the overcomers are a church within a church, and that the difference is a difference in the heart condition of those involved. The word royalty seems to "put a handle" on the subject of the kingdom of God, and helps to understand that the kingdom is in our midst today. Some Christians are in it, while hopefully other Christians are moving toward it.

The Greek word for kingdom is "basileia," which means the dominion or the domain of a king - that place where the king has dominion. The kingdom of God is where God rules. "Kingdom" speaks of sovereignty rather than a territory.

The ruler of a kingdom is a king. If there is no king then there is no kingdom. The existence of a kingdom implies that the king has entities in his kingdom which are subject to the authority, power, rule, and headship of the king. That implies that the king must make known his rules or his will to his subjects. In the Old Testament, we read of many different kings, not only of Israel and Judah, but of a multitude of other nations. The first mention of the word, "kingdom," is in Genesis 10:10, when Nimrod founded the kingdom of Babel, or Babylon, which means "confusion." Today the title of "king" has diminished greatly although there are still a few people in the world who hold the title of king, queen or the equivalent. These rulers are called "monarchs," but there are still many who function in the same manner as a king. Some have been called emperors, presidents, or some other title. However, we are concerned with only three kingdoms ... the kingdom of God, the kingdom of Satan, and the kingdom of self. The Bible records the true story of those three kingdoms and the struggle among the three until time is no more.

The phrase, "kingdom of heaven," occurs 32 times in the Gospel according to Matthew but nowhere else in the Bible. The phrase, "kingdom of God," occurs 69 times in the Bible, five of which are also in the Book of Matthew. Some people have tried to explain that the two phrases mean different things. I believe they are one and the same. "Heaven" is frequently put for "God," Who dwells there.

"They set their mouth against the heavens" (Psalm73:9);

i.e., against God, Who dwells there. A few other examples are,

2 Chronicles 32:20. And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.

John 3:27. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

There is no explicit definition of the kingdom of God in the Gospels. Perhaps the closest definition is found in Romans 14:17.

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

A true understanding of righteousness and peace and joy cannot be found in worldly definitions. Righteousness is an essential attribute of the character of God. We are not righteous because of our doing righteousness; we are righteous because of the life of Christ within us. When Adam and Eve sinned, they lost the reality of a righteousness that comes from the life of God, and they immediately turned to their own works hoping to salvage righteousness by their actions.

Our righteousness is totally dependent upon what God has already done! To the best of my knowledge Christianity is the only religion that proclaims the truth of a righteousness that comes from God and does not depend on a man's actions or what we do. The outward expression of that inner righteousness is still a work in progress, but our inner righteousness is complete in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

The issue of who is in control is vital to kingdom peace. Complete peace of mind is not something that we have to strive after but something we appropriate by faith. From the time that Jesus came into the world the vision of that kingdom prepared for the Father was the source of His joy, by which He pressed through every circumstance, including the cross, until the vision was fulfilled.

In essence, the kingdom of God is where the will of God is always done. That has been done and can be done in only one place ... in Christ Jesus. Since the 1,000-year kingdom on earth (millennium) is initially given to Jesus, it is also called the kingdom of Christ.

Ephesians 5:5. "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

Few professing Christians would dispute the fact that the kingdom of God is the central message of the New Testament. However, it is also true that the kingdom of God is the central message of the Old Testament. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Over the centuries the fullness of what Jesus proclaimed and the life and vitality expressed by the early church as recorded in the Book of Acts have been buried under a mountain of man-made doctrines and traditions.

The parables of Jesus pertain to the kingdom of God and NOT to salvation. Those are two different subjects - separate and distinct from one another. Salvation is free; kingdom stature is very costly ... it costs us our self-life. Jesus many times said that the kingdom of God (or the kingdom of heaven) is like a ... grain of mustard seed or a treasure hidden in a field, or like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Like leaven, this character refinement will not stop until it has touched, and changed, every aspect of our lives. Jesus also said,

"My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36).

Luke 16:16. The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

We are not required to press into salvation. It is free for the accepting.

The kingdom of God is NOT the same as the Church. We inherit the kingdom, but not the Church. We receive the kingdom, but not the Church. The kingdom, not the Church, is the one great subject of prophecy. Salvation is absolutely free, with no strings attached. It requires ONLY that we call on the name of the LORD, asking Him to save our soul from what awaits after physical death.

Acts 2:21. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The kingdom of God has God for the Ruler; is in the heavens, over the earth; is universal; is eternal in duration; and is the special subject of Old Testament prophecy. The kingdom is a theocracy instead of a democracy or a monarchy, and we qualify according to His standards. The kingdom of God that Jesus taught about is a nurtured condition of our heart in its relationship to the Word and Spirit of God. It is the strait (difficult) gate and the narrow way that comparatively few souls will find.

Mark 9:1 And He said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

What did they see? Jesus had taken three of them to the top of a mountain, where He was transfigured before them. They experienced His Glory. The humanity of Peter expressed a desire to always be in the presence of the Glory, but he had too much baggage in his soul yet for that to be realized. "Baggage" blocks our vision of the glory of God.

We are NOT dealing with rules and regulations. We are dealing with the Holy Spirit of God. He, not our neighbor and not our pastor or elder, is the refiner and the purifier. Even the disciples before Pentecost had difficulty separating salvation and the Kingdom.

Matthew 19:23-25. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Earthly possessions are of no value to help us enter into Kingdom stature. In fact, they CAN be a hindrance.

Mark 10:23-24. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

1 Corinthians 15:50. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Galatians 5:19-21 tells us that they who continue in the works of the flesh shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The early disciples had forsaken (or made secondary) their earthly ways to follow Jesus in His ministry. If our mind is cluttered up with the affairs of this earthly life, we are not very apt to hear the secrets of the Lord.

Luke 18:29-30, "And He said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting."

Sophistication CAN be a detriment to spiritual understanding.

Luke 18:16-17, "But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein."

Acts 1:3. To whom also He showed himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

The word "speaking" denotes a systematic laying out of instructions, rather than a simple, casual statement. Jesus gave some specific instructions about the conduct of the Apostles after He would be taken back into the heavens. Certain things must be done, whether they were understood or not.

The degree of lordship is part of the criteria denoting the difference between Christian and Christian. We have no certain way to detect the degree of lordship Jesus occupies in the heart of our Christian friends, but there are no questions in the mind of God. He knows precisely, at all times, the exact condition of our heart and spirit.

There are two aspects to the kingdom of God. There is the present reality of the kingdom that we need to walk in and exercise. This kingdom is spiritual and is within and among us (Luke 17:20-21). The kingdom of God is presently within those who are making Jesus the LORD of their lives - the royalty of God. There is also the establishing of the literal kingdom of God on earth when Christ returns (Luke 22:28-30). It consists of a qualified people who have continued with Him.

The Jewish religion was "works-based," which made it very difficult for a person to relate to a new method of approach to God and salvation. Jesus introduced a new relationship to God, whether the people were ready for it or not.

Several names are put on the process, such as "sonship," "maturity," and "overcoming." It takes place within the inmost part of the heart of the individual believer and is observable only by the positive change of the life. It is worth striving for. It is available only to believers after they have established a relationship with Jesus. We can be a Christian without progressing on to attain to the kingdom of God stature, but "WHY?" It will be worth it all, in the end!

The kingdom of God is a condition entirely within the heart of every individual believer. We must forget about anything that resembles our earthly governments. It is nothing like any government we see in the world today. It is something that each individual Christian has or does not have, depending entirely upon what the Lord sees in our life. We either meet His requirements, or we don't. It has nothing to do with obtaining or maintaining salvation. That is free!

Let's look at a few of the requirements for attaining to kingdom stature.

Almost all of the New Testament is dedicated to instructions and qualifications for entrance into the Kingdom of God, rather than to salvation.

The Sermon on the Mount could be called "the constitution of the kingdom," because it is primarily instructions about how to conduct our lives AFTER we are saved.

The successful life of a Christian is NOT a set of rules and regulations - "do's and don'ts," but a life of following the teaching of the Holy Ghost in His work of defining the will of God to each individual. The kingdom requires effort on our part - a decision; no one just slides into the kingdom. But it is the Word of God (the Seed) that produces the increase in our lives. He performs the miracle of turning dust into fruit.

Jesus died so that we could leave the kingdom of self and live in the kingdom of life. The "self-life" will cry out for, and insist on having, the things that satisfy it, thus robbing the individual of the blessings of God's kingdom. The question is: Do we really want to follow Jesus? If so, we must be willing to "deny our self" - we must "surrender our self-life." Our old self-life must be put off, denied, rejected, crucified. It must die because it cannot be reformed and will not die of its own accord.

The goodness and grace of God is the source of every spiritual blessing that is bestowed upon sinners. Because God is infinitely good, why do we continue to embrace the "self-life"? Jesus said

"It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:23-24

He said, "No man can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24) - one will inevitably take precedence in his loyalty and obedience. Ultimately, a choice must be made as to whom we will serve; either we will put God first and reject the rule of materialism or we will live for temporal things and refuse God's claim on our lives. It is impossible to love the world and love God at the same time, so a man of the world cannot be a truly spiritual man. Our supreme affections can be fixed on only one object - God or self - and we only serve that which we love the most.

Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21). Whether we are conscious of it or not, our words and actions are always an attempt to get what we value - what controls our heart will control our behavior. The treasures, or things that have risen to levels of importance in our hearts that rule the thoughts and desires of our heart will ultimately control the things we do. The war between the kingdom of self and the kingdom of God is not just a war of behavior, but a war for the heart. If we lose this deeper war, we will never gain ground in the arena of our thoughts, words and actions. Either we have attached our inner life and sense of well-being to the earth-bound treasures of the kingdom of self, or to the heavenly treasures of the kingdom of God.

We are strengthened with power through God's Spirit in the inner man. The Holy Spirit has been given to us for the purpose of providing us with the power to do what God calls us to do. The God-life is not the result of human ability and power, but of God's supernatural power working in and through us (Ephesians 1:18-19). It is all done by the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit that has been released into our lives.

Although we may do the planting and the watering, God causes the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). As believers, we have the responsibility to walk by faith, obey God's directives, deny ourselves, and follow Him. When we do our part, God does His part. In order to live a God-centered life, the number one priority in our life must be that of cultivating an intimate walk with Christ.

John 1:12-13. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Colossians 1:12-14. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

When Jesus died and rose again and ascended into heaven the kingdom which had always been real in the unseen realm now became available to all men.

You cannot have a kingdom without principles. These are laws that govern the kingdom. Without laws there would be anarchy and chaos. God's principles are designed both to make us free and to bring us to the place of spiritual usefulness and abundant life. A principle is that which is built within a person that governs his life, conduct, behavior, and course of action.

There are many kingdom principles, such as humility, meekness, purity of heart, faithfulness, obedience, fruit-bearing, dependence on God and His ability and provision, denying self, holy and godly living. All of God's principles must be worked within us as we cooperate with the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 2:5-10 says, "Let this mind be in you ..."

He humbled Himself. Humility is a quality of the mind and of our will. "Humble in the Greek means "low-lying, base, low in situation.: Jesus said, in Matthew 11:29,

"I am meek and lowly in heart."

"Lowly in heart" means humble. Peter, in 1 Peter 5:6-7, said,

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you."

Many different verses emphasize the need for us to humble ourselves. For example, 2 Chronicles 7:14,

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Humility is also the first quality mentioned in the Beatitudes, in Matthew, chapter 5. That is a decision that we must make daily.

The third quality or principle mentioned in the Beatitudes is meekness.

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

Some think that humility and meekness are synonymous, but they are different in quality. Meekness is a quality of our spirit. As a good brother and very close friend of ours once said, "Meekness is the spirit in which all the fight has been taken out - no more retaliation, self-defensiveness or revenge. We are not born meek. We have to be divinely processed."

The second Beatitude is "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." David wrote seven psalms called Pentecostal Psalms or psalms of repentance. Repentance is not a one-and-done event. We must walk in a spirit of repentance. The word "mourn" in Greek means "mourning for the dead" where for us it means mourning for those who are physically alive but spiritually dead. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the mourning" (Psalm 30:5).

One more of the principles or Beatitudes is the sixth one, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Psalm 24:3-5 asks the question,

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."

Of course, we could amplify on all of God's principles for a long time, but suffice it to say that by the power of the Holy Spirit working within us, we can all attain to kingdom stature. I still have quite a number of books written by a good brother who lives in Australia. They are free for the asking. His book is titled "The Keys to Living in the Kingdom."

There is a difference between principle and law. Law is outward or external demands; principles motivate, inform, and restrain from within. The principles Jesus taught in Matthew 5-7 are the measuring rod by which we judge our spiritual growth in Christ. These principles can only be implemented by the Holy Spirit in response to our obedience. Guided by the principles of the sermon on the mount and enabled by the Holy Spirit, we are to become sons of the kingdom of God. We are to be a kingdom people, prepared and qualified to live and walk in His kingdom.

Our burden must be the appropriation of kingdom substance and reality into our lives. It is to see the church rise up out of its carnality and earth-bound condition and to fulfill its call to kingdom status, so that a proper impact can be made on the nations and on the powers that rule them. God is preparing to do something fresh and we must be ready. We cannot overemphasize the importance of preparation.

The Lord's desire is that we might be consumed with a passion to perceive and to participate in His kingdom. The vision of a kingdom prepared for Jesus to deliver to the Father must become the central reality in our lives. Lord, work within us that which is well-pleasing in your sight.

Amen.