February 2nd, 2010
…Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come, He said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:14-15
“The kingdom of God is near.” - how near?
…Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21
Jesus came to earth to usher in the kingdom of God. Think dominion, not territory for His first coming. His place of rule - our hearts. Jesus came to become a living sacrifice, that those who call upon His name receive abundant kingdom life here and eternal kingdom life in the world to come.
Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God in both present and future terms. It is one and the same kingdom, ushered in with Jesus’ first coming and culminated after His second coming. Today, we will focus on God’s kingdom here on earth.
How does this kingdom of God come to dwell in you and me? We seek. We ask. Jesus calmed the anxious minds of the people who came to listen to His teachings. It is a definitely a Word for us today.
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31-33
Minutes later, Jesus said,
”Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8
And so we ask, in a simple prayer, such as this one -
Jesus, I believe that You died for me. You rose from the dead for me and You will come back again for me, that I may be with You in Your kingdom forever.
Father God, I have sinned against You. Forgive me, heal me, restore and renew me.
Jesus, I confess with my mouth that You are Lord - Lord of my life, Lord of my heart, my soul - Lord of all. You are the Son of God, my Savior.
Holy Spirit, dwell in me, that I may be this day, a new creation. Amen
The Word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, The Word of faith we are proclaiming: that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:8-10
The Word is near - the kingdom is near - God is near! He is right here, all around us, but never forced upon us. God desires a relationship with each and every child He knit together in a mother’s womb. And so Jesus knocks, and then He waits. He waits for you and me to invite Him in. He waits for us to step into the kingdom of God.
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9
This Scripture begs the question in my mind - What if every knee would bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord today? What if Jesus had not one repentant soul to wait upon? Would He come today?
Jesus ushered in the kingdom of God. He calls us do the same. It is the Great Commission.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus said to Peter, to me, to you, to the church -
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven… Matthew 16:19
Jesus was delegating His authority to us, the church - authority to take those kingdom keys out to the ends of the earth and unlock the chains that bind God’s sweet children. In His name and to His glory, unlock the hearts and the souls of the least, the lost and forgotten. That is what we were born to do - the very purpose for which we live and breathe and have our being.
We’ve got the keys! Let’s go!
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