B2
Why it is
C1
What we live in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds reflects what we
really believe.
C2
We may say we believe something, but how we act, talk, do business,
etc. reveals our true motivations and beliefs.
C3
We need a renewed mind, then study, fellowship, and application.
C4
Christians are in the Kingdom of God. This is where Jesus reigns. It
is not on earth, yet. Today the enemy’s kingdom prevails. God is
King of the Universe (and beyond). Believers are those who believe
and are loyal to The King.
D1
King Jesus and His kingdom
E1
This was offered to Israel during Jesus’s 3+ years of ministry, but
Israel rejected it. They only wanted a physical kingdom, if He did
what they wanted—overthrow the Romans, give them plenty of food,
let them define religion, and be the powers behind the throne. Jesus
did not do this. His kingdom is a kingdom based on spiritual
relationship to Him.
F1
John 6:15 MKJV Therefore
when Jesus perceived that they would come and take Him by force, that
they might make Him a king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain
alone by Himself.
F2
Luke 19:14 MKJV But
his citizens hated him. And they sent a message after him, saying, We
will not have this one to reign over us.
F3
John 19:15 MKJV But
they cried out, Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him! Pilate
said to them, Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered,
We have no king but Caesar.
E2
The heart of Christians: Colossians 1:13-14 MKJV For
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us
into the kingdom of His dear Son; 14 in whom we have redemption
through His blood, the remission of sins.
E3
Some characteristics: Galatians 5:22-26 WEL But,
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, and self-control. There is
no law against such things. 24 Those who are Christ’s have
crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live in the
Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be longing for
empty praise, irritating one another, and envying one another.
E4
A Kingdom of peace:
F1
Between nations: Isaiah 2:2-4 NIV In
the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple
of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk
in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the
LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will
settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into
plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take
up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
F2
Between animals, etc.: Isaiah 11:6-9 NIV The
wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the
goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little
child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young
will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The
infant will play near the cobra's den, and the young child will put
its hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on
all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge
of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
E5
The leadership style is different: Matthew 11:28-30 NIV Come
to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble
in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy
and my burden is light.
D2
The devil’s
E1
1 John 5:19 WEL We
know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.
E2
The characteristics of satan’s kingdom: 1 John 2:15-17 NKJV Do
not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the
world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the
world—the lust
of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is
not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away,
and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
E3
satan blinds instead of gives sight: 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NKJV But
even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are
perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not
believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is
the image of God, should shine on them.
E4
More characteristics of
his kingdom: Galatians
5:16-21 WEL I
say, “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the
flesh.” 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh, and these are contrary to one another, so that you
cannot do the things that you want to. 18 But if you are led by the
Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are
obvious. They are adultery, sexual sin, moral corruption,
unrestrained lust, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, provoking
jealousy, hot anger, pushing to be first, selfish scheming,
dissensions, heresy, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, wild
partying, and so on, about which I have told you before, and as I
have also told you in the past that those who practice such things
will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
E4
The Bible foretells the last days attitude: 1 Timothy 4:1-3 NIV The
Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith
and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such
teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have
been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order
them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received
with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
E5
His leadership style is control: 3 John 1:9-11 GW I
wrote a letter to the congregation. But Diotrephes, who
loves to be in charge,
won't accept us. 10 For this reason, when I come I will bring up what
he's doing. He's not satisfied with saying malicious things about us.
He also refuses to accept the believers we send as guests. He even
tries to stop others who want to accept them and attempts to throw
those people out of the congregation. 11 Dear friend, never imitate
evil, but imitate good. The person who does good is from God. The
person who does evil has never seen God.
D3
The contrast between God’s kingdom and satan’s
F1
Ephesians 2:1-3 NKJV And
you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you
once walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons
of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in
the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of
the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others
F2
Matthew 12:26-28 NKJV If
Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will
his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom
do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28
But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of
God has come upon you.
F3
Acts 26:17-18 NIV I
will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am
sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive
forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by
faith in me.'
F4
Romans 14:17 NIV For
the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of
righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
B3
Are you living a Christian life, the Kingdom of God??
C1
In thoughts, desires, words, and deeds
C2
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 WEL Do
not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what does righteousness
have in common with unrighteousness? What fellowship is there between
light and darkness? 15 What harmony does Christ have with Satan? What
does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What does the Temple of
God have in agreement with idols? For you are the Temple of the
Living God, just as God has said, “I will live in them and walk in
them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 “So then
come out from among them. Be separate,” says the Lord, “and do
not touch [what is] unclean, then I will accept you, 18 “And I will
be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says
the Lord Almighty.
C3
Psalms 111:10 GW The
fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Good sense is shown by
everyone who follows God's guiding principles. His praise continues
forever.
