Citizens of the Kingdom of God 1

The kingdom of God

Citizens of the Kingdom

I would like to begin a new series on the kingdom of God, what means to be a citizen of the kingdom of God.

The only way our children and those who we influence and love, will be able to grasp this powerful truth, is if we teach them by living in the reality of the kingdom of God.

I was 21 years old when I moved from Brazil to Hawaii, much of the Hawaiian culture is like Brazil, but I had to learn some important things, quickly.

The way I drove had to change, my priorities, how fast, and how much more patient I needed to be.

Growing up, driving was a adrenaline rush, from the time you left the house till you got back, anything could happen just be ready, be always first or others will take your place, take advantage of every opportunity, the speed limit is not important, and only stop on red lights if in a busy intercession. The not stop on the red lights, were non written laws but encouraged by the county, so you would not be robed or kidnaped.

Coming to Hawaii was different so I had to learn how to drive in the US and Hawaii

I remember back in the early 80’s traffic here on the big island specially out of Kona it was nonexistent, sometimes you wouldn’t pass one car, driving from Kona to Kohala. Wouldn’t be unusual to come upon 2 friends talking in the middle of the road, they parked and decided to talk sitting on the hood of their cars. Complaining was not the remedy, just hang loose bro.

We were formerly citizens of this world, but now we are citizens of heaven we must learn how to live in the Kingdom of God

Citizens of the Kingdom

Php 3:20 But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

Our citizenship shapes who we are, what we value, and what is important to us, how we live our lives. As believers we are citizens of God’s kingdom, this reality will change our lives.

Let’s pray

The Kingdom of God

1 What is the kingdom of God ?

A kingdom Is a territory or realm ruled by a king, the kingdom of God or Heaven is the realm ruled by God.

Is an invisible Kingdom we cannot see it but is among us.

Luk 17:20 Now having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He replied, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed or with a visible display;

We can’t see it with our physical eyes, we need to see it with our spiritual eyes, they must be open

Jesus did only what He saw His Father doing, Just like Jesus we need our eyes open so we can see what our Heavenly Father is doing.

Joh 5:19 So Jesus answered them by saying, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself [of His own accord], unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever things the Father does, the Son [in His turn] also does in the same way.

Joh 5:20 For the Father dearly loves the Son and shows Him everything that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will be filled with wonder.

Joh 5:21 Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life [and allows them to live on], even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.

The kingdom of God Is a kingdom of power and authority

1Co 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not based on talk but on power.

There is not impossible in the kingdom, Jesus has all power and authority is the realm where the Holy Spirit of God dwells, where we find God .

Is not filled with empty promises, whatever is prophesied in the kingdom becomes reality in the seeing world.

Rom 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

2 To see and enter the kingdom we have to be born again.

Nicodemus was one of the Jewish leaders a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, of their supreme court. He came to see Jesus at night because he was afraid to be seen by other Jewish leaders.

Joh 3:1 Now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (member of the Sanhedrin) among the Jews,

Joh 3:2 who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, "Rabbi (Teacher), we know [without any doubt] that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs [these wonders, these attesting miracles] that You do unless God is with him."

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered him, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above--spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God."

Joh 3:4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother's womb a second time and be born, can he?"

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. [Eze_36:25-27]

To be born again we need to agree with God about our sin, repent from all of our sins, embrace the word of God as the absolute truth, renewing our minds, and being transformed.

I love to hear the testimony of new converts or of prodigals who return to Jesus, is all about the amazing love of God for us, from the beginning of creation His desire is to be close to us, and even when we sin,

He was not the one who left, He still came to see Adam and Eve, after they sinned, our Heavenly Father never rejects us, He always comes after us.

That’s why He sent Jesus into the world

Luk 19:10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

We need to welcome Him

Like Paul we need to die to self, by surrendering our life to Jesus and the life we live we live for Him.

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

3 to enter the kingdom we need to need to be transformed.

Mat 18:3 and said, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self--your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

By the power of God, the Holy Spirit, we will be transformed so our hearts are changed,

I love to watch my granddaughters they are both little children, very trusting, forgiving, humble with a pure heart.

Family is their entire world, totally dependent on them, is the relationship our Heavenly Father desires for us to have with Him, the prayer Jesus prayed for us in John 17

Couple weeks ago I met this young man and I was listening to his testimony, sharing how he came to Christ.

He and his friends went over to a Benny Hinn conference to make fun of them to mock them, but on his way into the parking lot this lady knocked on his window and said she had a word for him.

She said God loved him and He was going to make of him a missionary a man of God.

This guy was a drug addict since he was a Youngman, wanted nothing to do with God, so he told the lady, you could say this to anyone in this parking lot. The lady ok in six months you will attend a school in Ywam Hawaii.

His old girl friend had become a Christian and now she was in Hawaii praying for him, inviting him to come to Hawaii, she called different times but he was angry he told her to not call him again,

But our God, reveal himself to him, and in six months he was here in Hawaii attending a school.

All this is possible by

making Jesus the lord of our lives

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Joh 3:16

To receive Him we need to accept Him as God’s son, repent from our sins and a life of selfishness, asking Him to be your Lord and savior, not that you deserve it, but is a gift from God.

If this is your desire today, please repeat this prayer after me?

Heavenly Father I’m sinner, I’m sorry for my sins, I’m willing to turn away from my sins.

I receive Christ as my savior,

I confess him as Lord

from this moment on I want to follow and serve him,

in the fellowship of his church,

In Jesus name. Amen!