Characteristics of the kingdom of God

The kingdom of God does not conform to the standards of this world

John 18:36 ESV

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.”

Romans 14:17 ESV

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Why do we give so much importance of the things of this world? Why do we get so anxious about what to eat, drink, clothing…

What are the standards of this world? just turn on the TV or look at the ads of the internet. It all have to do with appearance, beauty, status,

In the kingdom you have to be the last to become the first; give and you shell receive; die and you will live;

These are the standards of the kingdom.

Those who inherit the kingdom of God are to bear its fruit

1 Thessalonians 2:12 NRSV

12 urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

What does it mean to bear fruit? Bear in Hebrew is na-sa . It means to produce, to bring forth, to carry.

John 12:24 ESV

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

When we kill our will, our ego! Then we can bear much fruit. But the fruits are not for our self.

Matthew 25:34–36 ESV

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. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

when we speak of fruits you have to go to

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The kingdom of God is and will be a kingdom of peace

Peace between people

James 3:18 ESV

18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

In Isaiah 32:16 says that the effect of righteousness will be peace and the result is quietness and trust forever.

Romans 12:18–21 ESV

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 5:9 The Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:1-7:29) is often thought of as a description of life in the kingdom.

The peace and prosperity of all creation

Isaiah 11:6–9 ESV

6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. 9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

The kingdom of God is a kingdom of forgiveness

Matthew 6:12 ESV

12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Matthew 18:21–35 ESV

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Luke 17:3–4 ESV

3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Conclusion

How do you know if your bringing the kingdom of God?

When you see these characteristics in you and through you!

| We do not conform to the standards of this world, this world has nothing for us that we need more than Jesus.

| Bear fruit - our will needs to die to produce fruit

| Peace - do you bring peace to the places you go?

| forgiveness - who do you need to forgive and release forgiveness?