1. T he K ingdom, C ommon A nd U ncommon B eliefs The Kingdom is a Bible subject. The noun baseleia is found 162 times in the Greek New Testament. “An abstract noun, denoting sovereignty, royal power, dominion…by metonymy, a concrete noun, denoting the territory or people over whom a king rules…(Vine).

2. The Kingdom, Common and Uncommon Beliefs Definition continued: “…references to the kingdom fall into two classes, the first, in which it is viewed as present and involving suffering for those who enter it (2 Thes. 1: 5), the second, in which it is viewed as future and is associated with reward (Matt. 25: 34) and glory (Matt. 13: 43).

3. The Kingdom, Common and Uncommon Beliefs  Kingdom stands for the blessings of God – Mark 10: 25, 26.  The kingdom was an often mentioned apostolic subject – Acts 28: 31.  We are to “seek first” the kingdom – Matt. 6: 33.

4. The Kingdom, Common and Uncommon Beliefs The kingdom is not meat and drink. 1. Romans 14: 17. “17: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

5. The Kingdom, Common and Uncommon Beliefs The child-like make up the kingdom. 1. Matt. 19: 14, 13, 18: 1-4. “13: Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 14: But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

6. The Kingdom, Common and Uncommon Beliefs The kingdom comes not with observation. 1. Luke 17: 20, 21. “20: And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, 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.”

7. The Kingdom, Common and Uncommon Beliefs The immoral have no part. 1. Eph. 5: 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. 6: Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”

8. The Kingdom, Common and Uncommon Beliefs The church and kingdom the same. 1. Matt. 16: 18, 19. “19: And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

9. The Kingdom, Common and Uncommon Beliefs The poor are heirs of the kingdom. 1. Jas. 2: 5, 6. “5: Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6: But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?.”

10. The Kingdom, Common and Uncommon Beliefs The tares shall be burned. 1. Matt. 13: 38-42. “40: As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41: The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity….”

11. The Kingdom, Common and Uncommon Beliefs Conclusion: “8: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9: For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55).