The Kingdom of God (3)

Matthew 12:28 NASB95

28 “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

In this early passage of Matthew, Jesus makes a very bold statement. He declares that His works of driving out devils, was the work of the Kingdom of God. Meaning, He was on an assignment from a ruler above and beyond the demonic forces. He was not controlled by them, or influenced by them, but over them and unaffected by them. This was not a new idea. Israel had lived generations believing there was a greater kingdom. But, they did not want to believe that Jesus was the messiah of this Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God is present thought the whole of Scripture. Even through the exact phrase The Kingdom of God, or Heaven are not found in the Old Testament, the expression “Kingdom of YHWH” does occur (1 Chr 28:5; 2 Chr 13:8)

“Thus, we can know that “although the exact phrase is missing, the idea of the Kingdom of God is present, indeed even widespread, in the Hebrew Scriptures”

So, when Jesus referenced the Kingdom of God in His teachings, He was not introducing a new concept, but rather a way of life that had been passed down from the times of Moses. It was not until Israel asked for a king that the battles began to rage between king and King. After Israel adopted the Easter idea of king abandoning their theistic monarchy, the war between kings began to rage, and this war has not stopped even today.

As a mater of a fact, I believe we are growing more and more distant from the understanding of the Kingdom of God. I recon that we may not understand the idea of a kingdom well at all. Especially for us who live where I do, in the Pacific North West, we are drenched in the rains of individualism and legalized rebellion.

However, for us who call ourselves an apprentice of Christ, I have news for you. To be Christian, is to be a member of a different Kingdom than that of your native city, state, country, province, emirate, or what ever you call it in your land. As one author put it.

“kingdom of God—That domain where God’s rule is acknowledged and submitted to, where his values are those embraced and practiced; in this age, a spiritual domain, in the age to come a geopolitical as well as spiritual one.”

Another author wrote about the Kingdom of God this way.

“kingdom of God—God’s special rule through his Messiah; the chief message of Jesus; established during Jesus’ earthly life; consummated at his Second Coming”

Two Kingdoms As War

At least four times Jesus reminded His listeners how hard it is for the wealthy to enter into His kingdom.

Luke 18:24–25 (NASB95)

24 And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!

25 “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Mark 10:23 (NASB95)

23 And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”

What Jesus is teaching us is possibly the most prominent hurdle to believers truly living under and in the Kingdom of Heaven. It is possible for your to believe in Jesus, even follow Biblical teaching, and yet remain outside of His kingdom.

The word Jesus used in these teachings on wealth and His kingdom is the Greek word chrēma. This same word is translated as money; property; wealth; goods. There is a very similar word, although it is an Aramaic word, that Jesus used in another passage.

Matthew 6:24 (NASB95)

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

This word mamon is also translated as wealth, or money. Jesus borrowed this word from the Aramaic language for a very specific reason. As Easton’s Bible Dictionary reminds us:

“a Chaldee or Syriac word meaning “wealth” or “riches”; also, by personification, the god of riches”

Yes, mamon is more than a word, it is a name. It is literally a spirit. So, Jesus reminds us today, if you are in My kingdom, you can only have one God!

Aspects of the Kingdom

There are three things that define every kingdom, every empire, or country. These three things are laws, languages, and liberties. There are laws that pertain to Gods kingdom that are unique from every other kingdom on earth. For example:

Laws of the Kingdom

Matthew 5:28 (NASB95)

28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Language of the Kingdom

There is language that is unique to the kingdom of God.

Matthew 5:22 (NASB95)

22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

Jesus says, you can get away with calling your brother “good for nothing” anywhere else, but not in my kingdom. And the word “fool”, that will send you to hell. Paul picks this up again in Ephesians 4:29

Ephesians 4:29 (NASB95)

29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 5:3 NASB95

3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;

The residents of Gods kingdom talk a little bit different than everyone else.

Liberty of the Kingdom

I find it ironic how often Christians tie themselves down to strict asceticism. Especially after reading Jesus words in John 8.

John 8:36 NASB95

36 “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

Luke 4:18 NASB95

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed,

Now, you may look at the notes above on the laws and language of the kingdom of God and think that these are ridged rules for strapping down our behavior. But, they are exactly the opposite. Jesus is perfecting our love. As Paul referenced in Galatians 5:13-14

Galatians 5:13–14 NASB95

13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

As we submit ourselves to God kingdom rule, we will find an unprecedented freedom.

Kingdom Relationships

Romans 14:17 says

Romans 14:17 NASB95

17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

I appreciate James - Fausset- Browns commentary on this passage as this commentary explains the comprehensive division of Christian Kingdom living.

“The first—“righteousness”—has respect to God, denoting here “rectitude,” in its widest sense (as in Mt 6:33); the second—“peace”—has respect to our neighbors, denoting “concord” among brethren (as is plain from Ro 14:19; compare Eph 4:3; Col 3:14, 15); the third—“joy in the Holy Ghost”—has respect to ourselves”.

We could compare, or contrast these two ideas side by side.

Righteousness, is the law of the kingdom, denoting our relation to God.

Peace, or the language of love, denoting our relation to each other.

Joy in the Holy Ghost, or the liberties that allow us to live in union with Gods spirit that dwells within us.

Jesus said in Luke 17 :21

Luke 17:21 NASB95

21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

And I would say to you today, the Kingdom of God is not far away, it is here, it is now- but it is your choice to live or not to live in the kingdom. Too many believers want dual citizenship. But the Kingdom of Heaven does not work this way. We either are, or are not in His kingdom.