A Kingdom of Righteousness

Citizens of the Kingdom Part 2

We began a new series on citizens of 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.

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.

The kingdom is where the presence of God is where the Holy Spirit dwells

Is

A Kingdom of righteousness

Romans 14:17

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

Let’s Pray

1 How do we live in the kingdom?

When God guided the people of Israel into the promise land, He taught them, how men, women and children, could live in His presence. The people of Israel were called by God to have an intimate relationship Him, where He would provide for all their needs, defend them from their enemies, and guide them. The same invitation He has passed on to us.

Righteousness

King David prophetically wrote this Psalm

Psa 15:1 A Psalm of David. O LORD, who may lodge [as a guest] in Your tent? Who may dwell [continually] on Your holy hill?

Psa 15:2 He who walks with integrity and strength of character, and works righteousness, And speaks and holds truth in his heart.

Psa 15:3 He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

Psa 15:4 In his eyes an evil person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD [and obediently worship Him with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder]. He keeps his word even to his own disadvantage and does not change it [for his own benefit];

Psa 15:5 He does not put out his money at interest [to a fellow Israelite], And does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. [Exo_22:25-26]

To dwell in God’s presence, we must embrace His values and principles, He is Holy.

The 10 commandments, was given so we could welcome the presence of God in our midst.

Ex 20:1-18

Ten Commandments

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.

2. You shall make no idols.

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

4. Keep the Sabbath day holy.

5. Honor your father and your mother.

6. You shall not murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

10. You shall not covet.

They are not suggestions, they are laws from Heaven, that if broken there are some serious consequences.

Just like Newton’s law of universal gravitation, we don’t break it we illustrate it, always work, when you jump of a window, you don’t fly or go up, you go down and there are consequences.

The law was given so we know what is right, when we disregard it doesn’t go way, it will continue to point you to righteousness and truth.

It is truth that the Old covenant is obsolete for those who have enter the new Covenant, where God would right His laws in our hearts and by His Holy Spirit empower us to fulfill it.

Obedience still the key for either one.

Hebrews 8:7-13

Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one or an attempt to institute another one [the new covenant].

Heb 8:8 However, God finds fault with them [showing its inadequacy] when He says, "BEHOLD, THE DAYS WILL COME, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL MAKE and RATIFY A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;

Heb 8:9 NOT LIKE THE COVENANT THAT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; FOR THEY DID NOT ABIDE IN MY COVENANT, AND SO I WITHDREW MY FAVOR and DISREGARDED THEM, SAYS THE LORD.

Heb 8:10 "FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL IMPRINT MY LAWS UPON THEIR MINDS [even upon their innermost thoughts and understanding], AND ENGRAVE THEM UPON THEIR HEARTS [effecting their regeneration]. AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

Heb 8:11 "AND IT WILL NOT BE [necessary] FOR EACH ONE TO TEACH HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, OR EACH ONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, 'KNOW [by experience, have knowledge of] THE LORD,' FOR ALL WILL KNOW [Me by experience and have knowledge of] ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.

Heb 8:12 "FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL and GRACIOUS TOWARD THEIR WICKEDNESS, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE." [Jer_31:31-34]

Heb 8:13 When God speaks of "A new covenant," He makes the first one obsolete. And whatever is becoming obsolete (out of use, annulled) and growing old is ready to disappear.

The first was dependent on our ability to follow and obey, the second is on Him.

2 Poor in spirit.

Mat 5:3 "Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

Be humble not arrogant,

We need to Acknowledge our need of God, how needy we are without Him, confessing our mistakes, and sins.

God knew that would be impossible for us to fulfill the law without the Spirit of God dwelling in us, The Holy Spirit will bring the conviction we need.

1John 2:1-2

1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Turn to Jesus, He is listening.

Mat 5:10 "Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God's love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

To do what is right is not always welcomed by the world, you will be persecuted, when you do the right thing, do it to honor your Heavenly Father, not to please men or you will be disappointed.

before a situation presents it self, in your heart chose to do what is morally right, even if that will cause persecution.

3 The Kingdom Is for those who choose to live on the presence God presence.

Among the people of Israel, not everyone desired to have a relationship with God like Moses did.

They told Moses, for him to talk to God and share His word with us or we may die. God spoke face to face with Moses.

today, we have the same offer from our Heavenly Father, but very few want to pay the price, I will follow God if I can do it my way.

Moses had the opportunity to enter the promised land guided by an angel.

Exo 33:1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Depart, go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought from the land of Egypt, to the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel), saying, 'To your descendants I will give it.'

Exo 33:2 I will send an Angel before you and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. [Exo_23:23; Exo_34:11]

Exo 33:3 Go up to a land [of abundance] flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are a stiff-necked (stubborn, rebellious) people, and I might destroy you on the way."

Moses would fulfill his goal for the people, everyone would be happy, but God his friend would not be in their midst anymore.

I believe we all have the same opportunity, we can go through life blessed without having God’s presence, or we can choose Jesus, and the presence of God.

In Exodus 33 Moses made his choice

Exo 33:15 And Moses said to Him, "If Your presence does not go [with me], do not lead us up from here.

Exo 33:16 For how then can it be known that Your people and I have found favor in Your sight? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we are distinguished, Your people and I, from all the [other] people on the face of the earth?"

Exo 33:17 The LORD said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have asked; for you have found favor (lovingkindness, mercy) in My sight and I have known you [personally] by name."

Our choices, our behaviors, our words bring us closer to God or will keep us away from Him.

today If your desire is to live in the presence of God, this verse is for you

Just put your name where Moses name is

Exo 33:17 The LORD said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have asked; for you have found favor (lovingkindness, mercy) in My sight and I have known you [personally] by name."

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!