What is the Kingdom of God?

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a large net thrown into the sea. It collected every kind of fish, and when it was full, they dragged it ashore, sat down, and gathered the good fish into containers, but threw out the worthless ones. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out, separate the evil people from the righteous, and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

(Matthew 13:44-50, CSB)

You probably noticed that the Matthew scriptures above used the term “kingdom of heaven” instead of “kingdom of God.” The two terms are synonymous. Scholarly consensus is that Matthew uses the “kingdom of heaven” term in conjunction with Jewish sensibilities, avoiding using the divine name. Mark, on the other hand, is written to a more Gentile audience, perhaps living in Rome. He uses the "kingdom of God" terminology. 

With that in mind, we see Jesus asking the disciples if they understood the kingdom concepts he was laying out in the parable of the treasure, the pearl and the net. They said they did. Jesus concluded the lesson this way: “‘Therefore,’ he said to them, “every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom treasures new and old.”” (Matthew 13:52, CSB)

I’m going to share with you three central truths about the kingdom of God as we move into more detail later on the Gospel of the kingdom of God.  

First, we need a fresh understanding of kingdom of God concepts. 

I’ll give you four important kingdom concepts for our purposes in this blog. 

One, everyone has a kingdom. It's a realm that is uniquely our own, where our choice determines what happens. It is true that we are made to "have dominion" within an appropriate domain of reality. This is the core of the likeness or image of God in us  and is the basis of the purpose for which we were formed.  “We are”, as Dallas Willard said, "all of us, never-ceasing spiritual beings with a unique eternal calling to count for good in God's great universe." We should never forget this. 

Two, our kingdom is the range of our effective will. In short, our kingdom is only what we have say over. That is our kingdom. When you think about what you really “have say over”, our kingdom is not as big or as impressive as we want it to be. 

Three, every kingdom has these elements: A ruler, a realm of subjects and the exercise of that rulership. When we go back in the Scriptures and read of the creation of humans, when God made mankind he not only made humans in the image of God but also created them as a ruler. Adam’s realm was the earth and all its creatures were his subjects (Genesis 1:26-31). 

Four, God has a kingdom. So applying the definition of a kingdom, God’s kingdom is the range of his effective will. It is where he wants done is done. Everything that obeys those principles of his kingdom, whether by nature or by choice, is within his kingdom. 

Just a couple of more things about God’s kingdom. First, it is not made by anyone but God. Nobody has helped him and no one could help him. In Daniel's vision of the four kingdoms (Daniel 2:44-45), he sees the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman kingdoms come and go in succession. It is the kingdom made without hands (God’s kingdom) that will destroy any of the ones made with hands. 

One other thing about God’s kingdom that is different from any human kingdom. God’s kingdom has always existed (Daniel 7:14; Psalm 145:13). Daniel was seeing a vision of the clash of kingdoms and how the kingdom of God has not always existed but will outlast and out shine all other kingdoms and the Ancient of Days will sit on its throne. When Jesus directs us to pray, "Thy kingdom come," he does not mean we should pray for it to come into existence. Rather, we pray for it to take over at all points in the personal, social, and political order where it is now excluded: "On earth as it is in heaven."

Second, The kingdom of God was central to the mission of Jesus. 

“From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near.”” (Matthew 4:17, CSB)

Jesus came to ultimately usher in a new age, a new era. He was the culmination of all the promises of God and what God is going to do in this realm. There are three things I want you to see in this passage of Matthew 4:17. 

First, In Jesus the kingdom of God is made available. I wrote about this in a previous blog, but will mention it again here because it is so important. Jesus was preaching that people should change their minds and realize that now, the kingdom of God is within their reach. It is not something far away, or something that only a few could earn entrance into. It is now available and now available in relation to Jesus the Messiah. 

Second, the kingdom of God is a reality in which to live. We live in the kingdom of God as long as we submit to the range of God's effective will. That means we cooperate with God in doing what he wants done. When we are doing that, then the kingdom is a reality in which we live. As you submit to Jesus the Messiah, to that degree you live in the Kingdom of the heavens (God). Jesus always lived in the kingdom of the heavens. He never walked outside of it. Never. Jesus was careful to only do what he was the Father doing and only say what he heard the Father say. 

Third, the kingdom of God is present and now working in this world. There is a divine co-action. Jesus sent his apprentices (the disciples) out to do what he did. As they went they were to heal the sick and announce that "the Kingdom of God has come upon you" (Luke 10:9). Though this kingdom of God is "at hand", there are other kingdoms currently present. They too are "at hand." Sometimes the places where God's effective or actual rule is not yet carried out, and his will is not yet done, lie within the lives and little kingdoms of those who truly have been invaded by the eternal kind of life itself. 

We call this the “clash of kingdoms.” When a child says, “no” to a mom who has just told her to pick up her toys, there is a clash of kingdoms. The kingdom or “effective rule” of the child comes into conflict with the “effective rule” of the mom. Of course, mom wins for now. But not always and not forever. 

All of us, both the obedient and disobedient, operate within the scope of God’s kingdom. His reign and rule is so great that it can include our decisions, whatever they may be. While our decisions may not affect the outcome of God’s rule and reign, they do determine our fate. 

This brings me to my third and last point on God’s kingdom. 

Third, the kingdom of God is meant to be personally and individually sought and received. 

Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”” (Mark 10:15, CSB)

We enter into the kingdom of God through a new spiritual birth, one that takes place when a person comes to a saving faith in the person and work of Jesus the Messiah. While we still live in the kingdoms of this world, we are, through faith in Christ, citizens of another eternal kingdom. 

I’ll just say two things about life in this new heavenly kingdom. First, we should each personally pray for God's kingdom to become a reality in our personal kingdom, that is, in our lives. Jesus taught us that in what we call “The Lord’s Prayer.” We pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” 

Second, we should personally seek God’s kingdom every day. Jesus told us that in the midst of our anxious life, to first seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all the other things we are concerned about will be added to us. 

What is the kingdom of God for you? It is God’s rule and reign in your life. Or as James, the half brother of Jesus wrote: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10, CSB)

WHY THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

Isn’t the Gospel of Jesus Christ the same as the Gospel of the Kingdom of God? That is a good leading question. An answer that is correct, but not that helpful would be, “yes” and “no.” Yes it is, and no, it is not. 

I’ll explain.

But first, allow me to explain why I bring this up in the first place. It involves a bit of two and a half years of history. (If you don’t want to read this bit of history and just get to the Gospel of the Kingdom, jump down to the call out box of Mark 1:14-15.)

The churches and leaders of Fairburn Baptist Association have been on an almost three year refocus journey. When I became the associational missionary, I believe the Lord Jesus gave me a three part theme, with one part to be emphasized each year.

The three year theme is this: As an association of churches, we are moving forward together through open doors with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. 

Thus, the focus of 2022 was to partner together so that we may move forward together. I spent most of that year getting to know our pastors, leaders and churches. We became aware of how we could partner with other organizations in our associational area. It was a time of awareness and evaluation. We had seminars and Lunch & Learns featuring other organizations that our churches could partner with - those that would make an impact in their church family and also in the wider community. 

The focus of 2023 for our association was “Open Doors.” Specifically, to go through open doors. When I write about “open doors” I’m using a metaphor. One that the Bible uses. One that both Jesus and the Apostle Paul used for an opportunity to fulfill God's will and ministry. An open door is an opportunity provided by God for you, or me, and our churches to do something that will make a positive difference in people’s lives and bring glory to God. Even our logo is an abstract image of a door that is opened by the cross!

There were a lot of open doors in 2023. There may be even more in 2024. Mental Health is a huge issue and this crisis has still not peaked. I believe that the Gospel of the Kingdom is the best news for anyone who is struggling with mental health. The Bible is full of examples of people who struggled in life and by trusting in God and leaning on the resources that God provides in His Word and through His people, they were helped. They are over-comers. Your association offered multiple training and information opportunities and resources for providing spiritual mental health. We have a resource page for it. You can find it by clicking the button below.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

There are open doors in our local schools. Your association has encouraged every church in our association to adopt a school. Some of our churches have adopted multiple schools. The READ Georgia initiative by our Georgia Baptist Mission Board through Mission Georgia has been an invaluable resource for helping churches minister to the needs of the schools in their community. For more about READ Georgia or other open door opportunities, check our Open Door page by clicking the button below:

OPEN DOOR OPPORTUNITIES

There are open doors with our first responders. When I was a pastor in Stillwater Oklahoma (home of Oklahoma State “Go pokes!”) I became the chaplain for the Stillwater Fire Department. The chief would have me come to every third shift meeting to bring a devotional and to just visit with the firefighters. I’d drop in the different fire houses with snacks and just visit for a few minutes as time allowed. Often I’d meet up with a firefighter in my church office or grab a drink at a coffee shop to hear what was on his heart. That became an open door of ministry for me. 

Frank Mercer has done this very thing in Fayette County. However, he’s taking it further and organized it into a chaplain ministry to all first responders. This ministry is 4Heroes. Our association promotes this ministry. I serve on his Board of Directors. I believe in what 4Heroes stands for and does. I suggest your church leadership look into connecting with 4Heroes to see what you can do to enhance the life and ministry of our police, firefighters, EMT’s, and 911/Dispatch. It would be a great ministry for your missions committee or team to sponsor. Find out more about 4Heroes by clicking the button below.

4HEROES

So, if you’ve read all this you see what has been happening, at least at some level with your association. I just believe we can do more and do better and move forward if we work together. I believe God is providing open doors for us to minister. But I also believe that we are on mission, working as ambassadors for Christ and His kingdom. We are to bring with us through these open doors the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. 

This brings us finally to the Gospel of the Kingdom. Why do I use those terms? Why not just say, “the Gospel?” 

I think you would agree that we are called to do more than work together and to help our world become a better place. We are called to share the good news of the Kingdom of God. We are called to make disciples of all peoples. We are called to immerse them in the reality of the triune God. We are called to lead others to live as citizens in our country but also as citizens of heaven, meaning to live as we are, children of the King in His kingdom. 

Yes! We are to live as children of royalty, fellow heirs in the Kingdom of God right now. That is the good news. That is what Jesus came preaching after his baptism. “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”” (Mark 1:14–15, NKJV)

Jesus was teaching more than getting people saved, he was after total transformation. Of course, salvation is hugely important. I don’t want to minimize this at all. But still, getting people saved is not all that Jesus is talking about when he speaks of the gospel of the kingdom of God. 

For me, when I think about a person getting saved, I think about a person getting to go to heaven when they die. I believe that heaven is now their home. They are going to one day get into heaven and be with God and all of the wonders and all of the saints for eternity and whatever else that may entail. But when I think about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, I think about heaven getting into me. 

Notice what Jesus said. He basically said, “The wait is over!” All that God has been promising since the sin of Adam and Even is now coming to pass. That is huge! That deserves two exclamation points!! 

Look at what else he said. “The kingdom of God is at hand.” Again, he is basically saying that while for a long time God’s kingdom has been closed to you or has been out of your reach, today it is available to you. You can now step into it and it can step into you. No more distance. No more prohibition. 

As a result of this Kingdom of God being available, Jesus then says, you need to change your mind about it and believe the good news that I, the messiah, am telling you. 

Do you get the idea that what Jesus is doing here is more than about “getting people saved”? Does it sound like more than sharing a simple plan of salvation? The Gospel of the Kingdom certainly includes all these things, but it is more than these things. It is certainly not less. 

The good news of the Kingdom of God is that Jesus came to put heaven in the hearts of people, not to just put people into heaven. If home is where the heart is, then when your heart is heaven-ready, heaven is truly your home. 

The good news of the kingdom is that Jesus did come to save us, but he saves us by changing us. The very next words of Jesus in Mark are about him changing his people. “Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”” (Mark 1:17, NKJV)

Jesus said that if we would follow him, he would make us different. He would make us like him and seek to spread the good news of the Kingdom’s availability to any who would change their minds and believe the message. 

This isn’t a complete answer to “Why the Gospel of the Kingdom of God?” but it is a start. In the next blog I will begin to outline nine essential aspects of the Gospel of the Kingdom. 

In a day when there are a lot of “gospels” out there, I think it would be good for us to know what it really was that Jesus preached and what the Apostles believed was this good news which was worth laying down their earthly lives. If it was worth dying for, then it will be worth living for. It will give hope to a world that is in desperate need as well as courage to a church that feels powerless. 

Let’s learn what it is we are taking together through these open doors. 

The Apostle Paul’s Thanksgiving List

In the Fall of 1621, about 150 English settlers and Wampanoag natives in Plymouth, Massachusetts celebrated what we call Thanksgiving. The English settlers were thankful for surviving the winter with the help of God and the Wampanoag people. 

Thanksgiving is a traditional American holiday, and the purpose is to give thanks and to be thankful. But long before our American tradition of Thanksgiving, the Apostle Paul expressed his thanksgiving in Scripture. I believe it is a good model for us to follow.

In Paul’s list, I’ve found at least 13 different things for which he was thankful. All the Scripture references are from the Christian Standard Bible. Enjoy.

The Apostle Paul expressed thanksgiving for:

1. The goodness and mercy of God.

“12 I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry—13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:12-14, CSB)

2. Appointment and enablement in ministry. 

“12 I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry—13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:12-14, CSB)

3. The reception and effectual working of the Word of God in others.

“This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13, CSB)

4. Deliverance through Christ from indwelling sin.

“22 For in my inner self I delight in God’s law, 23 but I see a different law in the parts of my body,, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am serving the law of God, but with my flesh, the law of sin. 

1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 7:23-8:1, CSB)

5. The gift of the Gospel of Christ.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15, CSB)

6. The triumph of the Gospel.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place.” (2 Corinthians 2:14, CSB)

7. The faith of others.

“3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints.” (Colossians 1:3-4, CSB)

8. The faith shown by others.

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the news of your faith is being reported in all the world.” (Romans 1:8, CSB)

9. The faith, love, and patience shown for one other.

“We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, since your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3, CSB)

10. The supply of our physical needs.

“Whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; and whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat it, and he gives thanks to God.” (Romans 14:6b, CSB). 

“ 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4-5, CSB)

11. The victory over death and the grave.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

(1 Corinthians 15:57, CSB)

12. All people.

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,” (1 Timothy 2:1, CSB)

13. God’s working in all things.

“Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

(1 Thessalonians 5:18, CSB)