HOW THE CHURCH SHOWCASES THE KINGDOM OF GOD

The Kingdom of God is what Jesus Christ came to restore back to man and reconciled man with God. He announced this in His maiden speech – Mark 1:15 – “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” He is presently using the Church to fulfill this purpose.

The Kingdom of God is the place where God rules and His sovereignty is in operation. It is presently the ruling power of God in the hearts of citizens and not mere realm or territory. It can be seen in the lives of those people who believe genuinely in Jesus Christ and allow God to rule in their hearts e.g. people (believers) that form the Church.

These people have the mind of Christ and the likeness of God. They live to please God rather than themselves, setting their hearts on heavenly things instead of the fleeting pleasures of this world. Their lives are guided by love, justice, mercy, faith, and fairness in all they do. They show compassion to orphans, widows, the oppressed, and the underprivileged. They delight in constant fellowship with God and with fellow believers, valuing this far above the pursuit of worldly gains. Their foundation and lifestyle are firmly rooted in Scripture.

Through the preaching of the gospel, teachings, prayers, sermons, and various fellowship activities, the Church reshapes the flaws of the Adamic nature inherited from Satan. The gospel draws man closer to God, giving Him room to transform the individual. Prayer deepens man’s dependence on God, aligning him with God’s purpose for his life and granting deliverance from the bondage of Satan. Fellowship, on the other hand, promotes social integration, care, and community-centered support that help believers live independent of worldly influences.

Jesus demonstrated the power of the Kingdom on several occasions during His earthly ministry and He wants the Church to do same. At the close of His earthly ministry He gave power to His disciples to heal the sick, cast out demons, do miracles signs and wonders and preach the good news – Mark 16:17–18 – “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”; Acts 1:8 – “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

The power of the Kingdom surpasses natural laws, science, and human logic, setting the Church apart from the world, even though both exist together on the earth.

1. The Kingdom of God is presently within the hearts of its citizens and they live it out for the people of the world to see – Luke 17:21 – “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

2. The Kingdom of God citizens are Holy Spirit filled and led people – John 3:3 – “…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”; John 3:5 – “..Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”; Romans 8:14 – “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

3. The Kingdom of God is quite distinct from the Kingdom of this world and it is presently not physical but spiritual in nature – John 18:36 – “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

4. The Kingdom of God is not meat and drinks but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit – Romans 14:17 – “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

5. The Kingdom of God is not in word but in power – 1 Corinthians 4:20 – “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”

6. The Kingdom of God is not inherited by flesh and blood nor by the corruptible – 1 Corinthians 15:50 – “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.”

7. The Kingdom of God is where righteousness, justice, mercy, love, fairness and faith dwell and are practiced.

The signs of the Kingdom of God are:

1. Power of miracles, signs and wonders.

2. Power to cure diseases, raise the dead, cast out demons and set the people that are under demonic oppression free.

To be continued.

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