2. Where is God?

3. Jeremiah 2:5–6, (NLT) “This is what the L ORD says: “What did your ancestors find wrong with me that led them to stray so far from me? They worshiped worthless idols, only to become worthless themselves. They did not ask, ‘Where is the L ORD who brought us safely out of Egypt…?’”

4. Our First Call “Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the L ORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’” (Matthew 22:37, NLT)

5. Desperate for God’s Kingdom

6. WHY WE NEED A KING

7. Earth’s Evil Prince “Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please.” (Luke 4:5–6, NLT)

8. Bondage of Spiritual Powers “When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They lived in a cemetery and were so violent that no one could go through that area.” (Matthew 8:28, NLT)

9. The Allure of the World “Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”” (Luke 12:15, NLT)

10. Brokenness of Humanity “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”” (Luke 19:10, NLT)

11. The Message of Jesus “From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”” (Matthew 4:17, NLT)

12. Present Reality Future Blessing Inner Blessing Political Peace Present Gift Fulfilled Future “The reign, rule, and sovereignty of God. Kingdom of God = The Rule of God

14. THE RULE OF GOD THEN AND NOW

15. The Kingdom Then… Victory PurityFellowship Matthew 25:41 Matthew 13:41 Luke 13:28-29

16. The Kingdom Now, but Not Yet “One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.”” (Luke 17:20–21, NLT)

17. C R-J This Age Kingdom of God/ The Age to Come R1R2 Millennium Now/Not Yet

18. THE GIFT OF GOD’S RULE

19. Matthew 16:19, (NLT) “And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.”

20. Mark 10:15, (NLT) “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.””

21. WHERE THE SALVATION OF GOD RULES

22. Saved from Death “So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man.” (1 Corinthians 15:21, NLT)

23. Restored to Fellowship “Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”” (Luke 22:15–16, NLT)

24. WHERE FORGIVENESS OF GOD RULES

25. Matthew 18:23, 32–33, (NLT) “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date...Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant?’”

26. WHERE THE CHARACTER OF GOD RULES

27. Matthew 5:6, (NIV84) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

28. “Righteousness” God’s character put in us and His character lived through us.

29. Matthew 6:33, (NIV84) “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

30. “May your Kingdom come soon.” (Matthew 6:10, NLT)

31. “Now seek the L ORD your God with all your heart and soul.” (1 Chronicles 22:19, NLT)