Matthew 7:24-27"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."
The message of the Kingdom resonates throughout history. Regardless of your age, stage of life, or background, you have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of what it means to live in God’s Kingdom — and how to live more fully within it. While Jesus gives us specific instructions on following Him, we must absorb these profound teachings and become messengers who carry His gospel today.
In the scripture above, we can view life as two houses, both tested by the rains and winds—the hardships and trials of life, the winds of false teachings, and the floods of unrighteousness that mark our world today. But the house founded on the rock stands firm. This rock is Jesus Christ. His message that "He is the King of the Kingdom" strengthens and stabilizes our faith. For our lives to rest on a solid foundation, it must be rooted in the eternal Word of God.
In Luke 12:32, Jesus assures, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” This is not just a comforting word but a claim on our lives. Let’s examine the four key claims in this verse:
Four Claims:
Do not fear — Don’t worry or become anxious.
Little Flock — Though small and vulnerable, we have a Shepherd watching over us.
It is God’s good pleasure to give — Ask, for it is God’s will to bless you with His Kingdom.
There is a King — A reign and rule over His people.
Just as John the Apostle received the revelation of the Kingdom from Jesus in the book of Revelation, we too must come to a place in Christ where we can understand and receive the four claims above. These claims bring us into the fullness of life in God's Kingdom.
This series on Kingdom living is divided into seven parts, symbolizing completeness and wholeness, a recurring theme in both the books of Revelation and Daniel. These parts trace the story from creation to the new creation, spanning the past, present, and future.
Let’s explore the key proclamations of the Kingdom of God:
Seven Key Proclamations of the Kingdom:
Jesus’ first public proclamation — “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17).
Jesus’ mission — He was sent by the Father to “preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 4:43).
Jesus’ instruction on prayer — “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).
Jesus’ directive to seek the Kingdom — “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33).
Jesus promises the kingdom — He assures us that the kingdom is within our reach.
The Kingdom of God is at Hand
This truth is life-changing. The Kingdom of God is centered on the reign of King Jesus, who came to establish God's rule on earth as it is in heaven. Luke 11:2 gives us a glimpse of this when Jesus teaches us to pray, "Your Kingdom come."
Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth was clear:
To free us from the bondage of sin, sickness, self, and Satan.
To restore our relationship with God.
To redeem what humanity lost in the Fall.
To lay the foundation for all other blessings, including the life of the Kingdom.
Through Jesus, our redemption has been fully accomplished. We can live in the power of the Kingdom now, while still awaiting its full realization in the future. We are Kingdom people, called to live accordingly until He returns.
What is the Purpose of Jesus’ Mission?
Matthew 1:21 — Jesus was sent to “save His people from their sins.”Luke 2:11 — His birth affirmed His purpose as Savior.Jesus’ foundational ministry:
Luke 9:10 — He came to bring salvation.
1 Timothy 2:4-6 — His mission was for the salvation of all men.
The foundation of the Kingdom’s ministry is salvation. This includes deliverance, freedom, and liberation from all that hinders God's will. The Kingdom fulfills God’s redemptive purpose for humankind, bringing us into a life that glorifies Him (Eph. 1:12).
Salvation is more than just a ticket to heaven.
In Luke 19:9, salvation is referred to as soteria, meaning deliverance, preservation, well-being, prosperity, and rescue. Salvation affects the total man—spirit, soul, and body.
How to Enter the Kingdom
The message of the gospel always begins with the announcement that the Kingdom of God is near. Jesus' first words in Mark 1:15 were, "The time has come; God’s Kingdom is near! Turn to God from your sins and believe the Good News!" We enter the Kingdom through repentance and belief in Jesus Christ.
Repentance (Metanoeo) involves a change of mind that leads to a change of purpose and action. True repentance brings us closer to God, while false repentance stems from simply feeling sorry for getting caught.
Belief (Pisteuo) is more than intellectual acknowledgment—it is trusting in Jesus with your whole life. To truly believe in Him is to rely on Him fully and obey His Word.
The New Birth
In John 3:1-16, Jesus teaches that to “see the Kingdom of God,” one must be born again. This rebirth is not physical but spiritual, as the Spirit of God awakens our soul. The Ruach (breath of God) gives us life, and through the new birth, we gain spiritual sight.
The new birth signifies three important truths:
Without the new birth, there is no life or relationship with God (John 14:6).
The new birth gives us new perspective, allowing us to "see" the Kingdom of God more clearly (John 3:3).
Through the new birth, we enter into a new realm, God’s Kingdom order, where we can experience the supernatural and the fullness of life (John 3:5, 2 Cor. 5:17).
The new birth qualifies us for the Kingdom, opening up new possibilities and preparing us to live in God’s order.
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