We are continuing to look at various aspects of the kingdom of God (or of heaven). Being part of a kingdom means living by the regulations of that kingdom. In Hebrews 12:28 we read, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace by which we may serve God […]
As we continue our series on the kingdom of heaven, today we are looking at greatness. Greatness in God’s kingdom runs counter to the notion of greatness in our fallen world where it is associated with exaltation; in the kingdom of heaven the way up is down. In Matthew 23:12 Jesus said, “And whoever […]
Jesus having been baptized by John in the Jordan River – thus identifying Himself with humanity, and leaving an example of righteousness for us to follow – the Holy Spirit came upon Him like a dove, and led Him into the wilderness for an extended period of fasting and prayer where He combated the power […]
Today we are looking at the treasure of the kingdom of heaven (or the kingdom of God) as we turn our attention to Matthew 13:44-46, where in the Amplified Bible we read, “The kingdom of heaven is like something precious buried in a field, which a man found and hid again; in his joy he […]
Another asset of the kingdom of God is joy; and like righteousness, peace, and all the other assets of the kingdom, when you truly invite Christ into your heart as Savior the seeds of these kingdom qualities are planted within you. But like a garden must be cultivated, watered, fed, and weeded to produce the […]
“The kingdom of God is at hand” Mark 1:15 (Matthew is the only gospel that uses the alternate “kingdom of heaven”). The reason the kingdom was near or at hand was because the King was near or at hand. Luke 17:21 says “The kingdom of God is within you”, this occurs when the King comes […]
2 Peter 1:11 says, “For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” The kingdom Peter has in view here is the one represented by the stone in king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream which “became a mountain and filled the whole earth” Daniel 2:35. It would […]
Citizenship in the kingdom of God is by birth and naturalization (or adoption), the latter incorporating into it a new birth experience. Jesus said “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above) he cannot ever see – know be acquainted with [and experience] – the […]
This is the first in a series of meditations on the kingdom. A kingdom must have a king that is responsible for governing it, and ancient kings held singlehandedly all the functions of modern governments, executive, legislative, and judicial, with their word being the final authority in their realm. In a democracy government is (supposedly) […]