John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

Matthew 10: 7-8 7 “As you go, preach this message: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

Acts 1:3 “After his suffering, [Jesus] showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the Kingdom of God.”

Keys to The Kingdom: 1. ) Kingdom-Centered Prayer 2 Keys to The Kingdom: 1.) Kingdom-Centered Prayer 2.) Proclaiming The Gospel of Jesus 3.) Celebrating Communion 4.) Baptism into a New Humanity 5.) Peacemaking & Reconciliation 6.) Being With “The Least of These” 7.) Welcoming Children in Jesus’ Name 8.) Identifying & Using our Spiritual Gifts

If these practices were so important to the growth of the early church, how did we get off track and drift away from them?

took place in the Church -------------------------- “Constantinian Shift” took place in the Church -------------------------- The Edict of Milan in 313 A.D. allowed the open practice of all religions.

---------------------------- Despite claiming to be a Christian, Constantine still embraced pagan imagery & values. ---------------------------- Coin of Constantine with Sol Invictus “the Unconquerable Sun god”

The Official Religion of the Roman Empire in 380 A.D. Emperor Theodosius Made Christianity The Official Religion of the Roman Empire in 380 A.D.

Once the Church aligned itself with governmental power and influence, the urgency to see God’s Kingdom grow on Earth slowly faded.

These “Kingdom Practices” slowly turned into maintenance functions… A form of spiritual ‘life support’ that kept the church members functional from week-to-week.

“Lost Keys” 1. ) Kingdom-Centered Prayer 2 “Lost Keys” 1.) Kingdom-Centered Prayer 2.) Proclaiming The Gospel of Jesus 3.) Celebrating Communion 4.) Baptism into a New Humanity 5.) Peacemaking & Reconciliation 6.) Being With “The Least of These” 7.) Welcoming Children in Jesus’ Name 8.) Identifying & Using our Spiritual Gifts

After leaning on the power and influence of “Christendom” to help keep Christianity relevant in our world, what do we do now? Can we re-learn how to grow the Kingdom and impact the world again as “outsiders?”

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.”

“A New World is yet to Come” Thoughts from Henri Nouwen