The Kingdom of God Mrs. Blake

The Kingdom of God The Kingdom of God is NOT a place, political regime, program of philosophy The Kingdom of God IS the rule, reign, presence, sovereignty and authority of God

Old Testament vs. New Testament The Old Testament time period had kings, kingdoms and rulers (Kingdom of Israel, Judah etc) like a monarchy In the New Testament, The Kingdom of God refers to how God has authority over all creation, he deserves our allegiance, and he is sovereign (The Sovereignty of God is the biblical teaching that all things are under God's rule and control, and that nothing happens without His direction or permission)

The Kingdom of God The Kingdom of God is the living, breathing presence and purpose and reign of Jesus Christ on this planet through His Holy Spirit who dwells inside of Christians who believe in Him “He preached the good news of the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” Acts 8:12 It is an inner spiritual blessing and a gift from God

It is both a present reality and a future blessing The Kingdom of God is a present reality, you can experience it right now/today if you believe in Jesus through the Holy Spirit in your soul. Matthew 12:28- “But if it is by the Spirit of God...then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Luke 17:20-21 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”

Present and Future The Kingdom of God is now/in the present but it is also simultaneously a future blessing. For example, God says that one day once everyone has had the opportunity to hear the gospel (good news of salvation) that Jesus will come back and establish a new earth and Kingdom. “I say to you that many WILL COME (future) from the east and the west,and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 8:11

How do we join and advance the Kingdom of God? Matthew 28:18-20 Spread the Gospel Baptize others Live out your Faith We are called to join in God’s relational, redemptive, reconciling purpose and mission by developing our own relationship with God and then being in community with other believers. “Being in community” means going to church, worshipping God with other believers, fellowship, praying for each other and learning from the instruction of God’s word.

God’s Authority Extends to All God’s authority extends to all people, all creatures and every nation whether or not they recognize him as the authority because HE created everything. God’s hope is for all people to one day bow before him in heaven and that people from every tribe and every nation would worship him together. This is what believers have to look forward to someday in the heavenly kingdom of God.