What is “The Kingdom of God”? 24 points
The “Kingdom” is mentioned more than 150x in the New Testament alone, and is at the center of some of the most important commands in scripture. Yet many Christians have a hard time defining and describing what it is. Here’s the definition that I offered up during this past weekend’s sermon:
The Kingdom of God is the reign of Christ realized.
The following is a list of 24 things the Bible teaches us about the Kingdom (in no particular order—with scripture references)—from the two-part sermon series titled The Kingdom.
There is only one way in—faith
(John 3:3) Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
It has already begun
(Matthew 4:17) 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
We are the workers
(Acts 1:8) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
It is always expanding
(Matthew 13:31–33) 31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” 33 He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”
It grows by evangelism
(Matthew 24:14a) 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations…
It grows by sanctification
(Galatians 5:22–23) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
It transforms from the inside out
(Revelation 11:15) 15 …“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
Every job matters
(1 Corinthians 12:7) 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
It is different than the world we see
(John 18:36) 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
It is everywhere
(Luke 13:29) 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.
It is multi-national
(Revelation 7:9) 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…
It is always under attack
(Acts 14:22) 22 [Paul went about] strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
There are real enemies
(Matthew 11:12) 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.
We are on offense
(Matthew 28:19) 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
The opposition is always growing
(Matthew 13:38) 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,
Jesus calls the shots
(Matthew 16:18) 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Progress will not be obvious to all
(Luke 17:20–21) 20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
It cannot fail
(1 Corinthians 15:24–25) 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
It will be proclaimed throughout the world
(Matthew 24:14) 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
We are not alone
(Matthew 28:20) 20 …And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Its value is immeasurable
(Matthew 13:44) 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
It lasts forever
(Luke 1:33) 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
It is our inheritance
(Matthew 25:34) 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
It is our highest priority
(Matthew 6:33) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Come, Lord Jesus!