Understanding the Kingdom Concept Part 1
It is imperative that we understand the concept of a kingdom and its King and how they function. In modern times, there has been opposition to monarchies. That creates a lack of understanding of the original intent of a king and his kingdom. What is a monarch? The word itself means: 1. The single or sole ruler of a region. 2. The hereditary (often constitutional) head of state such as a king or queen, etc. Many have even suggested the eradication of the concept of monarchies from the modern world. This comes about through the popular uprisings against the remaining monarchies in pursuit of a democracy in the name of freedom. I must say that in some cases, it is justifiable. Some earthly kings have been cruel and evil rulers! But it is the king and not the concept of kingdom that is in error.
Focus Point: This is a fallen world, full of evil and with that, bad behavior and bad information. In many instances, these kingdoms are filled with contradictions—the abuse and mistreatment of its citizens, neglecting the poor while catering to the rich, social classes, and dictatorial administrations. There certainly are evil kingdoms.
Focus Point: It is the concept of the structure of a kingdom and its king that we should understand to embrace the Kingdom of God. It is the concept that we have a benevolent King who is responsible for the well being of His citizens. He is responsible for all our needs, our shelter, our protection, and our health. “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:25-33
Focus Point: It must also be noted that many of the democracies in our world today are also plagued with corrupt and ungodly laws and behaviors. Any government or kingdom that is of this fallen world, will reflect the character and values of that world. So there will be sin, greed, envy, pride, and every sin known to man. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Focus Point: The Kingdom concept is the only thing presented that was taught and established by our Lord and King Jesus Christ throughout His ministry. From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17NKJV
“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s Word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s Word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s Word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Matthew 13:18-23
Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.” Mark 4:30-32
He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” Luke 13:20-21
The Lord Jesus’ cousin, John, was on the same page with the same message. In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Matthew 3:1-2
After the fall of man the re-establishment of the Kingdom here on earth was necessary. In fact, the message of the Lord God’s constitution and focus of the King was not on a religion named after Him, or any of the many other subjects we have magnified and preached under the heading of the “gospel” or “good news” to the world. The gospel about His Kingdom is King Jesus’ one message to the world.
Focus Point: The Lord Jesus never focused on preaching about faith, prosperity, giving, deliverance or even His death on the cross and His resurrection as “the gospel”. He repeatedly promoted and declared “the Kingdom of God and Heaven”. It was His principle message. He instructed those who were to follow Him to make that a priority. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 This was His instructions to His disciples when He sent them out: One day Jesus called together His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then He sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:1-2 Tell everyone about the Kingdom of God (their words) and cast out ALL demons and heal the sick (their actions). He didn’t tell them to talk about healing or casting out demons, but to DO it. By doing those things, they were showing God’s Kingdom in action! Remember that! Speak about the Kingdom of God but show the Kingdom through your actions.
Remember, your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
These articles may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are sited at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
Continue to Part 2
Focus Point: This is a fallen world, full of evil and with that, bad behavior and bad information. In many instances, these kingdoms are filled with contradictions—the abuse and mistreatment of its citizens, neglecting the poor while catering to the rich, social classes, and dictatorial administrations. There certainly are evil kingdoms.
Focus Point: It is the concept of the structure of a kingdom and its king that we should understand to embrace the Kingdom of God. It is the concept that we have a benevolent King who is responsible for the well being of His citizens. He is responsible for all our needs, our shelter, our protection, and our health. “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:25-33
Focus Point: It must also be noted that many of the democracies in our world today are also plagued with corrupt and ungodly laws and behaviors. Any government or kingdom that is of this fallen world, will reflect the character and values of that world. So there will be sin, greed, envy, pride, and every sin known to man. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Focus Point: The Kingdom concept is the only thing presented that was taught and established by our Lord and King Jesus Christ throughout His ministry. From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17NKJV
“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s Word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s Word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s Word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Matthew 13:18-23
Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.” Mark 4:30-32
He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” Luke 13:20-21
The Lord Jesus’ cousin, John, was on the same page with the same message. In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Matthew 3:1-2
After the fall of man the re-establishment of the Kingdom here on earth was necessary. In fact, the message of the Lord God’s constitution and focus of the King was not on a religion named after Him, or any of the many other subjects we have magnified and preached under the heading of the “gospel” or “good news” to the world. The gospel about His Kingdom is King Jesus’ one message to the world.
Focus Point: The Lord Jesus never focused on preaching about faith, prosperity, giving, deliverance or even His death on the cross and His resurrection as “the gospel”. He repeatedly promoted and declared “the Kingdom of God and Heaven”. It was His principle message. He instructed those who were to follow Him to make that a priority. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 This was His instructions to His disciples when He sent them out: One day Jesus called together His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then He sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:1-2 Tell everyone about the Kingdom of God (their words) and cast out ALL demons and heal the sick (their actions). He didn’t tell them to talk about healing or casting out demons, but to DO it. By doing those things, they were showing God’s Kingdom in action! Remember that! Speak about the Kingdom of God but show the Kingdom through your actions.
Remember, your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
These articles may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are sited at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
Continue to Part 2
