We are the Kingdom of God, take Courage Walk by Faith not by Sight

Introduction

Many kingdoms have come and gone from antiquity. Currently according to Wikipedia there are 44 sovereign monarchies in the world, nations ruled by a king or a queen. Queen Elizabeth of England the longest ruling, 66 years, over 16 nations, and the shortest ruling is the king of Malaysia 1 year +. The 44th sovereignty alphabetically listed is Vatican City State ruled by the theocracy of Pope Fancies. I came from a country that for centuries until recently was ruled by countless absolute monarchs, a famous one we read about in the Old Testament king Cyrus of Persia. Most monarchies make their subjects fear and tremble living under their rule.

In our Gospel today and with many other reference to the Kingdom of God in other gospels Jesus is trying to help us understand what it takes to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God and what would life be like in the Kingdom of God.

In our Gospels Jesus is trying to explain what it takes, and what it may be like to be a citizen of that eternal Kingdom of God on earth and its parallel universe, the Kingdom of Heaven, he ushered in 2000 years ago.

Body

He says, I am paraphrasing now, the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that is sown in the ground, takes root underground and grows out of sight mind, and before you know it becomes a full-grown plant, a tree that provides shade, protection and food for everything that fly in to it. He says, the coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, it is among you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above of water and Spirit. He said, the kingdom of God is at hand, Repent, and believe in the gospel.” And.. “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed.” Faith the size of mustard seed and Mustard seed that is sown in the ground planed as a mustard plant. Brother and sister, I hope we are getting to see the picture here! The kingdom of God is among us, is us! each of us a growing plant from seed of faith sown in our hearts born from above, of water and spirit. Baptized, repented believers of the gospel, putting out our branches joining together into a canopy, oasis for all who would fly to Jesus for refuge from the harshness of this world. The Kingdom God is among us, our King is among us, is in us, AMEN?

The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. The kingdom is about faith, believing in the gospel and being baptised, born of water and spirit.

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.

Conclusion

Trees sLuke 17:20–21

Conclusion

“The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, 21 and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the kingdom of God is among you.” ymbolize people,

not rule and be cruel

Not rule and be cruel

Conclusion

In our second reading the apostle Paul twice says we are courageous, because we walk by faith and not by sight. Faith in the risen King give us courage because Jesus promised never to leave us nor forsake us. Faith in the risen Lord gives us courage to do his will because the King is our brother and friend, who rules firmly with pure love, in truth and justice. Let’s become like our King in his Kingdom. The apostle Paul also warns us of certain sinful practices that will prevent inheriting the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is among us, let us take courage to walk by faith and not by sight. Let us pray from our hearts as our King thought us, our Father, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.