The Kingdom of God is
within you...
Once, having been asked by the
Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom
of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here
it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within
you." Luke 17:20-21
After reading the above scripture about the “Kingdom
of God” I thought to myself, “Hmmm… that is interesting! The
Kingdom of God is within ME!!?” How cool is that!? But, how does that work?? I
have heard this before of course but this time it sparked a new interest. I know
there are many scriptures in the Bible about the Kingdom of God (Matthew uses
the term Kingdom of “heaven” for the Jews sake) so I decided to pull them all
out and see what I could find out about this topic. I wanted to look primarily
at what JESUS said because, in my book, HE is the ultimate authority! There are
a couple others but I wanted to focus mostly on the words of God, made flesh. So,
here is what I found:
The Kingdom of God starts small and
grows big…
Then Jesus asked, "What is the
kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed,
which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the
birds of the air perched in its branches." Again he asked, "What
shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and
mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough." Luke 13:18-21
“He told them another parable: "The
kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his
field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is
the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air
come and perch in its branches." Matthew 13:31-32
There is feasting in the Kingdom of
God…
People will come from east and west and
north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Luke 13:29
I say to you
that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at
the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 8:11
When one of those at the table with him
heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the
feast in the kingdom of God." Luke 14:15
And he said to them, "I have eagerly
desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will
not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." Luke 22:15-16
I tell you the truth, I will not drink
again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the
kingdom of God. Mark 14:25
The Kingdom of God is POWER…
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of
talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20
But if I drive out demons by the Spirit
of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matthew 12:28
“…and he sent them out to preach the
kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” Luke 9:2
“…but the crowds learned about it and
followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and
healed those who needed healing.” Luke 9:11
It is hard for the RICH to enter into
the Kingdom…
Again I tell you, it is easier for a
camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of God." Matthew 19:24
Jesus looked around and said to his
disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
Mark 10:23
Looking at his disciples, he said:
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 6:20
Blessed are the
poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew
5:3
The Kingdom can be taken away…
Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of
God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its
fruit. Matthew 21:43
Again, it will
be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his
property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents,
and to another one talent, each according to his ability… (Truncated
for space) For everyone who
has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have,
even what he has will be taken from him. Matthew 25:14-29
The Kingdom of God is Organic…
He
also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed
on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts
and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces
grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As
soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has
come." Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like,
or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which
is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and
becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds
of the air can perch in its shade." Mark 4:26-32
The Kingdom is not only in the
afterlife…
And he said to them, "I tell you the
truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the
kingdom of God come with power." Mark 9:1
I tell you the truth, some who are
standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." Luke 9:27
The Kingdom should be received like a little child…
I tell you the truth, anyone who will not
receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Mark 10:15
But Jesus called the children to him and
said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the
kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will
not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:16-17
And he said: "I tell you the truth,
unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the
kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3-4
Jesus said,
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the
kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew
19:14
The Kingdom of God is the “Good news”…
After this, Jesus traveled about from one
town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Luke 8:1
The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed
until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being
preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. Luke 16:16
The time has come, he said. "The
kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" Mark 1:15
The Kingdom of God is relational…
Jesus answered him, the first of all the
commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all
your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the
second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no
other commandment greater than these. So the scribe said to Him, Well said,
Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other
besides Him. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding,
with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as
oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. When Jesus
saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the
kingdom of God…" Mark 12:29-34
The Kingdom of God is secret and hidden from some…
He said, "The knowledge of the
secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in
parables, so that,” 'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may
not understand.' Luke 8:10
He told them, "The secret of the
kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is
said in parables. Mark 4:11
He replied,
"The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to
you, but not to them. Matthew 13:11
We are in “service” in the Kingdom of
God…
Jesus replied, "No one who puts his
hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
Luke 9:62
The kingdom of God is near…
“…and saying,
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Matthew
3:2
From that time
on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is
near." Matthew 4:17
'Even the dust of your town that sticks
to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is
near.' Luke 10:11
Even so, when you see these things
happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Luke 21:31
The time has come, he said. "The
kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" Mark 1:15
Heal the sick who are there and tell
them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.' Luke 10:9
You must be born again to see the
Kingdom of God…
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you
the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” John 3:3
Jesus answered, "I tell you the
truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the
Spirit. John 3:5
The Kingdom of God is not easily
entered…
They preached the good news in that city
and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and
Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the
faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of
God," they said. Acts 14:21-22
The Kingdom is NOT for “YES” men…
What do you think? There was a man who
had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the
vineyard.' 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I
will, sir,' but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?
"The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the
truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God
ahead of you. Matthew 21:28-31
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord,
Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my
Father who is in heaven. Matthew
7:21
We need to keep watch for the
Kingdom…
At that time
the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went
out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise… (Truncated
for space) Therefore keep
watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Matthew 25:1-13
We will be sorted and sifted in the
Kingdom of God…
Jesus told them
another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed
in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds
among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then
the weeds also appeared. The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir,
didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'
‘An enemy did this,' he replied. The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go
and pull them up?' 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds,
you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest.
At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them
in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'
Matthew 13:24-30
Once again, the
kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all
kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then
they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.
This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate
the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where
there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:47-50
The Kingdom of God is a “treasure” of great value...
The kingdom of
heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it
again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When
he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought
it.
Matthew 13:44-46
He said to
them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about
the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his
storeroom new treasures as well as old." Matthew 13:52
There are “keys” to the Kingdom of
God…
I will give you
the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in
heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Matthew 16:19
The Kingdom of God is not logical or
predictable…
Blessed are
those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. Matthew
5:10
For the kingdom
of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to
work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent
them into his vineyard… (Truncated for space)
'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a
denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the
same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money?
Or are you envious because I am generous?' So the last will be first, and the
first will be last. Mat 20:1-16
We can be “least” or “Great” in the
Kingdom of God…
Anyone who breaks one of the least of
these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in
the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be
called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your
righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you
will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew
5:19-20
I tell you the truth: Among those born of
women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is
least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:11
Many are invited into the Kingdom but few are chosen…
The kingdom of heaven is like a king who
prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had
been invited to the banquet to tell them to come,
but they refused to come… (Truncated for space) But when the king came in to see the guests, he
noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 'Friend,' he asked,
'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. Then
the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside,
into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many
are invited, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:2-14
There is Mercy, justice and
forgiveness in the Kingdom…
Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like
a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants… (Truncated for
space) 'You wicked servant,'
he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't
you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his
master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back
all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you
forgive your brother from your heart. Matthew 18:23-35
So, to capsulize all of the above headers and scriptures, here
is the Kingdom of God in a nutshell: The Kingdom of God is
within you... it starts small and
grows… is the Good news…Should be received like a little child… is not only in
the afterlife… is Organic… can be taken away… is POWER… There is feasting in
the Kingdom… It is relational… It is hard for the RICH to enter… It is secret
and hidden from some people… You must be born again to see the Kingdom… it is
near… We “serve” in the Kingdom… The Kingdom is NOT for “YES” men… is not
easily entered… We need to keep watch for the Kingdom… We will be sorted and
sifted… It is a “treasure” of great value…. There are “keys” to the Kingdom… It
is not logical or predictable… We can be “least” or “great”… Many are invited
but few are chosen… There is Mercy, justice and forgiveness in the Kingdom…
This
was an interesting study which has clarified for me what the Kingdom of God is…
Yet it is STILL a mystery! :p But going through this exercise has helped me see it
a bit clearer than I did before. It has also given me a desire to look at the
scriptures regarding “Eternal Life” and “Heaven” for more clarity on those
topics as well so stay tuned for those blogs!
Thank
you Father that we can’t “figure” You out! Your word and truth can only be
revealed to those who truly desire You and want to know You. Holy Spirit,
please give me the insight and wisdom to see the Kingdom more and more each day
as I press into YOU!
Now a man came up to Jesus and
asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Why
do you ask me about what is good? Jesus replied. "There is only One who is
good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments... And
everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or
children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will
inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:16-21, Mark 10:17-31 and Luke
18:18-30
