The Kingdom

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

What is “the Kingdom of God?” This is an important question. Because if you don’t know what it is, then how will you know when you have found it? You won’t and therefore you’ll keep seeking for something else not realizing that it has already been given to you.

Matthew 16:19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (NKJ)

Today’s culture doesn’t understand what it is like to live in a kingdom. We live in a democracy where everything is of the people, by the people, and for the people. The word “kingdom” literally means the king’s dominion. Dominion means to dominate – a place of ownership of the king, by the king, and for the king.

Colossians 1:15-18 He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (NKJ)

John 1:1-3,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (NKJ)

To find the kingdom, we must realize it is not all about us.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (NKJ)

We were created to serve something bigger than ourselves. We make a very small god. When we become self-serving, self-centered, and self-promoting, our world becomes very little and very limited. In contrast, God’s kingdom is vast and powerful, and limitless. 

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ (through the kingdom) who strengthens me. (NKJ)

Jesus began His ministry proclaiming the kingdom of God has arrived.

Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (NKJ)

Jesus continued to try and get people to understand what the kingdom of God looks like. The people of Jesus’ day understood what a kingdom was. However, they were looking for a physical kingdom instead of a spiritual kingdom.

Luke 17:20-21 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (NKJ)

It is no different today as it was then. People look to the outside circumstances to change rather than seeking the change that comes from within.

Matthew 13:24,31,33,44,45,47,51-52 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, 33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, 44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 

51 Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” 52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” (NKJ)

What was the first parable that started Jesus’s teaching on the kingdom? The parable of the sower.

Matthew 13:18-23 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”