Wednesday, October 12, 2022

          The Kingdom of God is a prominent concept in the New Testament and especially in the teachings of Jesus.  You may recall that Jesus said that His Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36).  He ushered in a very different kind of Kingdom because He was and is a very different kind of King.  Rather than gathering prestige and fame, He chose a cross.  Jesus is the King of kings.  In Romans 14, Paul addressed the idea of the Kingdom of God.  The apostle wrote, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval” (Romans 14:17-18).  In just two verses, Paul told us what the Kingdom of God is and what it is not. 
            We are not to think of God’s Kingdom in normal ways and terms.  It is not a kingdom where accumulation of power and possessions is paramount.  It is not a kingdom where one is consumed by pleasure and living as one pleases.  It is not a place or kingdom that lacks boundaries and borders where we can engage in any kind of conduct or behavior that we might wish.  Those who possess earthly means and power may see the idea of kingdom in those terms.  But we are not to see it that way.  Paul said that God’s Kingdom is primarily understood as a matter of righteousness, peace and joy.  We are to see this Kingdom as the way we serve God and extend His goodness and holiness into a dark and fallen world. 
            God’s Kingdom is about changing us and changing our perspective.  We are to see His Kingdom from His perspective.  We are changed from the inside out.  When the Lord has come to change our hearts, minds and lives, we then in turn change how we engage the world around us.  We look for ways to serve and not be served.  We look for ways to live righteously and refrain from sinful patterns and habits.  In Luke 17:21, Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God is within His people.  It is Jesus sitting on the throne of the human heart and life more than occupying a palatial throne in some far off and distant place.  Christ came to change hearts and lives and through those changed hearts and lives to extend the good news of His righteousness, peace and joy. 
            Paul’s passage in Romans calls us to examine whose kingdom we serve today.  Do we serve ourselves and embrace power and possessions as the world teaches?  Do we embrace the Kingdom that is within—gained and enjoyed by a personal relationship with Christ and our walk with Him?  The best way to answer is to examine how and where you spend your time, money, thoughts, energy and pursuits.  Are you Kingdom-minded and Kingdom-living or have you settled for the lesser kingdoms of this world?  Perhaps you are ready for a new King to sit on your heart’s throne.  Jesus stands at the door and knocks.  All we have to do is invite Him to come in and change the things that belong to the kingdoms of this world into things that belong to His Kingdom.  Have a great Wednesday and join us tonight for magician and illusionist Glenn Yost.  Remember you can worship anytime at youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.