Are you wondering how to live a life that truly pleases the Lord? In this video, we explore clear biblical principles and practical ways to align your actions and heart with God’s will. Whether you’re new to faith or seeking deeper spiritual growth, these insights will help you discover what it means to please God every day. Watch now to start your journey toward a more fulfilling Christian life!
Kingdom Impact Church – https://kichurch.ca is our church in Edmonton, Alberta. Watch us live at https://KWay.live Sundays at 10:00 AM Mountain time. Watch Video on Demand at https://Kway.tv Connect and learn more at https://MyKWC.ca
Notes on FIND Out What Pleases the Lord
Today I thought it would be good for us to see what Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God. I think it’s the most important thing to understand if we are to align with the Kingdom.
You see there have both historical misunderstandings about the Kingdom and practical misunderstandings of the Kingdom that can still easily crop up today when we don’t have a clear understanding of the Kingdom.
How are we supposed to Align with the Kingdom if we don’t understand what the Kingdom is?
Don’t worry, there is so much Jesus taught about the Kingdom—and I’ll try to touch on it today. I will distill it to a single statement so you know what the Kingdom is and give you a tool to align with the Kingdom of God in the day to day of your everyday.
Let’s start with a portion of scripture that tells you everything I want to tell you today.
Colossians 1:9-14 (NLT) So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.Then the way you live will always honour and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Before we go further, can I pray?
I’m going to start with a story. I wrote this story 26 years ago—at the beginning of this millennium—that is to say—some of the jokes haven’t aged well.
But I wrote story because I was studying about what Jesus taught on the Kingdom and noticed that Jesus mainly taught on the Kingdom through parables and practice. And I thought the best way to explain every parable would have to be in a story. I did up this video about 15 years later.
The Mystery of the Kingdom
The Story
It was a cold winter’s morning. The type of morning you wished it wasn’t winter. The type of morning you were glad it wasn’t summer because it’s awfully depressing shovelling snow in July.
The seventh cup of coffee was beginning to do its job. I was able to hold my eyes open and think about sixteen things at the same time. My fingers had defrosted enough for me to check my email. There was nothing of consequence. Except, perhaps, I learned that Easter has the greatest candy sales of the year. It was interesting, yet potentially useless information.
I was finishing up the remainder of the chocolate cigar a friend had given me at the birth of his son. He said not to try lighting it. I told him I didn’t think that would be a problem.
I heard a door open then the next, then the third. And as I heard the approaching footsteps I wondered who it could be. I wondered how they got in. I wondered where my welcoming wagon was.
In walked an odd little bird. I don’t say that to be derogatory. He was odd. He was little. He was a bird.
He said, shaking the snow of his wings, “I need to speak with a pastor.”
I said, stepping back from the falling snow, “I’m the pastor you can speak with me.”
He said, “You’re the pastor?” with noticeable surprise.
I said, “I’m the pastor” trying not to be insulted by the surprise.
He said, “Really?”
I said, “Really.”
He said, “I guess I could talk with you.”
I said, “ I guess I’ve got time to listen.”
After fixing him a coffee with six sugars and no cream he settled into a chair across from me in my office. He called himself Kilion…or at least that’s what his parent named him. At this point I couldn’t tell what he thought of his parents, but I had an idea.
I could tell something was bothering him. Something important. He shifted uneasily in the chair and found it difficult to make eye contact.
He was buried under his feathers as if he was cold even though the landlord had already, once again, fixed the heat the day before. He looked confused, uneasy, uncertain. I asked him what he wanted to talk about.
“What do you want to talk about?” I said, leaning forward to create a more inviting environment.
He said he had problems with God.
“I have problems with God” he said, straightening up as if a great burden was beginning
to be released from him, as if he had said the unpardonable blasphemy and lived to see the results.
“Anything specific or general philosophical disagreements?” I inquired.
“No, nothing specific.” he replied. “I just can’t understand how a loving God could allow cyclones in Mozambique or flooding in Brazil or a six year old to kill another child. I guess I want you to tell me…” he paused then continued… “how a good God can allow evil to take place in the world?”
It was one of those moments. You know the kind. It was the kind of moment in which you wished you were on national TV. It was the kind of moment you wished you were on national TV and had a choice to make. It was the kind of moment you wished you were on national TV and you had a choice to make to either use your 50/50, poll the audience, or phone a friend.
Luckily for me, I had been blessed (there’s an oxymoron) to be studying a subject that explains some of these types of questions quite beautifully. I told him he had stumbled onto a mystery.
“You’ve come upon a mystery” I said pausing for dramatic effect “It is the mystery of the kingdom.” Da da da daaaaa.
This peaked his interest and the sound effects I included seemed to break the tension remaining in the room. He opened up a little more as he stretched out and got more comfortable.
“What is this mystery?” he asked. “What is this kingdom?” he inquired. “Can you tell me about it?” he queried.
“It is a secret” I responded. “It hasn’t been given to all.” (Mt13:11)
“But can we talk about it?” he asked.
“It” I corrected, “is a pronoun used in place of a noun. But that’s not important right now. You want to talk about the kingdom, don’t you.”
“Huh?” he responded with a bit of a confused look on his face.
“We can talk about the kingdom” I acquiesced, “But..”
“But what?” he inquired.
“But ,” I continued, “the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (1Co 4:20) A find sounding argument is not what it is about. You know the kingdom by experience, not simply by knowledge.”
“Huh?” he muttered at a loss.
“Do you know when Jesus sent out people to tell others about the Kingdom that they were to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons and raise the dead to show the people they told the Kingdom at work?”
“That stuff happens?” he asked opened-mouthed.
“It does in the Kingdom. You can know about the Kingdom by hearing about it or you know about Kingdom by living it. It’s not a matter of talk, but of power.
Do you want to know about the Kingdom by hearing about it or know about Kingdom by living it?”
“I..I’m not sure.” He answered honestly.
“I might be moving too quickly,” I conceded, “We’ll talk about you coming into the Kingdom later.”
I thought I’d better switch the topic to keep him interested in continuing the conversation, so I continued with the first thought in my head.
“Do you want to talk about the kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven?”
“Is there a difference?” he asked
“I don’t think so” I replied, suddenly realizing with my second thought I may not be accomplishing my purpose if I continued in this direction. “Ah…Matthew uses an idiomatic expression which is linguistically common in Judaism that is, to replace the divine name with a symbol for that name.”
“Huh?” he responded.
“Don’t worry” I admitted, “I like to use big words to give people a sense that I know what I’m
talking about. I’m sorry I brought it up.”
“Oh” he said. “I can see this is going to take awhile.”
His hesitancy made me think I had said something wrong, but after a brief pause and before I could fill the gap empty of talk he continued, “Do you mind if I have that donut now?”
He had declined the offer for a donut at the same time I gave him a coffee with 6 sugars and no cream. Having him ask for one now indicated to me that he was getting more comfortable talking with me. So I gladly agreed.
“Not at all.” I said happily, “Glad to share a donut with you. Even though the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, “Ro 14:17
“Huh?” he responded.
“You’ll understand that better later.” I assured.
“So what can you tell me about the Kingdom?” He asked, taking his first bite of the donut.
“It just so happens, I’ve written a poem about it.” I explained.
“Really? You’re a poet? I thought you were a pastor?”
“I dabble with poetry” I said, “I’m more of a writer.”
“I’d like to hear poem.” He encouraged.
“ Ok.” I said, “Here goes…”
The Kingdom Is…
The Kingdom is taught.
The Kingdom is caught.
The Kingdom is near.
The Kingdom’s not fear.
The Kingdom is light.
The Kingdom is grace.
The Kingdom is power – it’s not out of place.
The Kingdom is costly.
It’s valuable too.
The Kingdom’s discoverable,
but needs an invite to do.
The Kingdom starts small.
but it’s coming soon.
The Kingdom changes our living.
So it’s best to repent before noon.
“Wow.” He said.
“Yes,” I said, catching my breath, “there’s a lot to talk about. Where do you want to start?”
“Where is this kingdom?” He asked, quickly taking his final bite of the donut.
“What do you mean?” I responded.
“You know, where is it?” he inquired, “Is it a particular nation like America or Tibet or, yah like Israel?” He reasoned, “Or Is it a city like Jerusalem or Rome or Mecca?” He asked. “Is it a particular religion or maybe a sect of Christianity, like the Catholics or the Orthodox or the Baptists?”
“I hope not” I said ,rolling my eyes “No, There is not yet a literal place for this kingdom and even the when is up for grabs.”
“Huh?” he asked confused.
“Jesus said,” I went on, “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 (NIV)
“It’s within me?” he inquired.
“It can be,” I responded knowing full well that this odd little bird was a metaphor for all those made in the image of God. “We’ll talk about that in a bit.” I continued, “Jesus also talked about the Kingdom another way. He said he wouldn’t eat the bread or drink the cup of His covenant again until the Kingdom came. He was saying the Kingdom is not only here now, but will one day be coming.
“I don’t think I get it.” he said honestly.
“That’s OK” I encouraged. “Smarter people than you and me have been arguing about it for a couple thousand years.” I offered, “We can look at what Jesus said about His Kingdom.”
He thought that would be a good idea. So he said, “I think that will be a good idea.”
So I began.
“A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and the birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel. It sprang up quickly, but didn’t put down roots so when the sun came up, they withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, where it produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.” (Mt 13:3-9 Peterson)
“Huh?” he responded.
“Let me share some of the mystery,” I leaned in and whispered loud enough for him to hear.
He leaned in towards me and responded with a whisper of his own, “Please do.”
“When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn’t take it in, it just remains on the surface and so the evil one comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. This is the seed the farmer scatters on the road.”
“Oh” he said.
“The seed cast on the gravel- this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.”
“That happens sometimes?” he asked.
“More times than is acceptable,” I responded.
“The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.”
“What about the good soil?” he asked.
“I’m glad you asked,” I said, knowing it showed I may be planting in good soil.
“The seed cast on the good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”
“Really?” he asked.
“Really” I responded “There’s one other thing I’d like to mention”
“What’s that?” he probed
“Hearing the news of the kingdom is a reoccurring thing. When people come to church they should hear the news week in and week out.” I paused
“And?” he invited.
“And” I continued “Someone who hears the message and responds one week may have it snatched from them the next. It is an ongoing process of learning and living the kingdom of God.”
“So” he said moving on in his reasoning, “does that mean the church is the kingdom?”
“Let me tell you” I said, “Jesus also said, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn. When the first green shoots appeared and the grain began to form, the thistles showed up too. The farmhand came to the farmer and said ‘Master that was clean seed you planted, wasn’t it? Where did these thistles come from?’ He answered ‘Some enemy did this.’ The farmhands ask ‘Should we weed out the thistles?’ He said ‘No, if you weed the thistles, you’ll pull up the wheat too. Let them grow together until harvest time. Then I’ll instruct the harvesters to pull up the thistles and tie them in bundles for the fire, then gather the wheat and put it into the barn.’
“What is that supposed to mean?” he questioned
“That’s what the kingdom is like” I said “It is made up of everything under the rule of God where He reigns is where His kingdom is. He leaves the mean and the good together until the proper time. So to answer your question, the Church is part of the kingdom but the kingdom is much greater than the church. In one sense God’s kingdom is over all creation. He keeps the stars in their place. In another sense the Church has the responsibility to extend the Kingdom where ever we can.”
He took a long sip of his coffee with six sugars and no cream. He must have been getting to the bottom where the sugary sludge lay. I could tell he was thinking.
“I think I’m beginning to understand a little,” he concluded “but I don’t comprehend everything.”
“That’s OK” I said “The kingdom of God is like a pine nut that a farmer plants. It is quite small as seeds go, but in the course of years it grows into a huge pine tree, and eagles build their nest in it.”
“I think I understand that” he surmised.
“The kingdom of God is also like yeast that a woman works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread – and waits while the dough rises.”
“Are you mixing your metaphors?” he inquired.
“No” I responded “Hesitation killed the cat is an example of mixing metaphors.”
“Huh?” he muttered.
I continued, “I’m saying that just as Christianity started out in a small, out of the way Roman province with a handful of poorly educated people with little hope of ever changing the system it was under. So to in us a simple spark of truth can appear to mean little in the seemingly great scheme of life. But little is much when God is in it. Christianity became the religion of Rome in 300 years and has affected the world every century afterwards. God finishes what he starts and if you are willing to experience more of his kingdom you will not be disappointed.
“You know” he said, “Since you brought up Christianity, the thing that I don’t like about Christians is that they seem to have a list of rules for everything they can’t do. Is that really part of the kingdom of God?” he asked, “I don’t want to live that way” he announced.
“The kingdom of God is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic – what a find! And proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field.”
“Sounds expensive” he concluded.
“You’ve missed the point” I explained.. “The kingdom of God is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it”
“Still sounds expensive” he deduces.
“You’ve still missed the point” I explained “In God’s Kingdom you loose nothing but gain everything. It is infinitely worth everything you have to give for it, every dream, every comfort, every piece of seeming safety. To have these things in reality you must give up the shadows that you cling to only then do you discover that you gave up everything to received the real in it’s place. It is worth everything in this life. His Kingdom is abundance and beauty and hope and order, it changes our motivation, our community, our love our vocation.”
“All that may be true,” he admitted. “But you have yet to address my original question about how God can allow evil to exist in the world. How does God’s kingdom explain that?” he asked.
“God’s kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea.”
“I guess you’re off the farmer motif” he said with a laugh.
“Certainly” I returned with a smile . “God’s kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea, catching all kinds of fish. When it is full, it is hauled onto the beach. The good fish are picked out and put in a tub; those unfit to eat are thrown away. That’s how it will be when the curtain comes down on history. The angels will come and cull the bad fish and throw them in the garbage. There will be a lot of desperate complaining but it won’t do any good.”
He asked, “Does that mean God just lets evil happen?”
“No” I replied “It means that one day Christ will return to literally establish his kingdom. At that time every wrong will be righted. All evil made up for. Everyone will be judged with justice. The wicked will suffer the condemnation of fire and those part of the kingdom in this life will inherit the literal kingdom when it arrives.” (Matthew 25:31-46)
“I guess that’s good,” he deduced.
I agreed. “It gives us hope to continue the battle.”
“You’re in a battle?” It seemed to catch him off guard.
“Yes, we’re in a battle.” I confirmed, “The enemy has power but no authority. It’s a lot like what ISIS is doing in the world today. They have power, but no authority. When the world decides to use it’s authority, ISIS will be striped of almost all it’s power. Bad things happen because there is evil in the world.”
“So who isn’t using their authority to strip the power of evil in the world?” he asked.
“Huh, huh….You picked up on that?” I asked with hope. “It’s us in the Kingdom. There is the Kingdom of light and the dominion of darkness. There is no third kingdom. We’re either building the Kingdom of light or we’re building the dominion of darkness. Too often we think chasing after stuff is neither good nor bad. But we’re either expanding the Kingdom of light or the dominion on darkness. That’s why Jesus tells us to ‘Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness and then he’ll take care of everything we need.”
“That’s not being done?” he asked.
“It’s being done more and more” I said confidently “Every person who wants to expand His kingdom does everything in their power to work towards seeing God’s kingdom come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” I continued, “People of the kingdom don’t see the world through rose-coloured glasses. We don’t ignore the problems of evil. We work and pray to revert the evil of the day, just as Jesus did while he was on this earth. You see, when you become part of the kingdom something happens inside you. Instead of running away from problems, you run towards them. A miracle takes place. Part of the evidence of that miracle is that you no longer are constantly overwhelmed by the problems found in this world. Instead you do what you can in the natural and supernatural realms to reverse the evil that is so prevalent.”
“I know I don’t like being overwhelmed with the world’s problems” he admitted.
“In the kingdom” I assured him, “there is freedom and fullness of life that those outside the kingdom could never dream possible. It doesn’t mean problems disappear, but it means we live life to the full.”
“How could I, I mean” he said cautiously “hypothetically speaking, how could one become part of this kingdom?”
“God’s kingdom” I replied “is where ever he reigns. If you want God to reign in your life you need to ask him to forgive everything you’ve done counter to his reign – the Bible calls that sin. When you agree with him it’s wrong – that’s called confession – and do what you can to make it right – that’s repentance. The Bible says he will forgive you and you will begin a relationship with him through which he will show you the full extend of his love. You’ll respond to his love by naturally doing those things which help others and honour God. Admittedly” I admitted “some of these things may take time.”
“It sounds difficult to achieve” he said, “I probably have a number of things in my life may take time to get right.”
“Actually it’s easy.” I assured “There’s something God gives us called grace. It’s something we don’t deserve, but it is something he freely gives. It means once we confess and repent and ask for forgiveness, the rest is up to God. Grace means that he’s patient with us and allows us to get up every time we fall, and also that He empowers us to do everything He asks us to do. There is no way to loose in the kingdom life.”
“Sometimes those in the kingdom may not feel as close to the ruler as they once did. Only if they have allowed sin in their lives can that be true but that still doesn’t change the fact that once that miracle takes place in our life we are new creatures.”
“How does this miracle take place?” he asked.
“Best way to get anything from God” I replied, “is to ask for it. We in the business call that prayer. Agree with God with what He calls sin and stop doing it. Make things right with God and with people you’ve offended and expect the miracle to take place.”
“But when does that miracle take place?” he said trying to justify his previous statement.
“How can I explain a miracle?” I jokingly ranted. “A miracle is a miracle. I can’t say you’ve had that miracle take place except by the resulting changes in your life. But even those can be faked for a time. The miracle takes place when you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead. Explaining a miracle is like explaining a joke – either you get it or you don’t. But when you get it, you know it.”
He sat there looking at the bottom of his empty cup. I offered to refill it with coffee and sugar, but he declined. After a time he said thoughtfully, “I think I understand about the kingdom of God.”
“Good” I responded “Jesus said ‘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.’” Mt 13:52
“Can you explain that?” he said pleadingly
“Happily” I said with a grin, “Kingdom people need to share the kingdom with others through the ancient treasure of scripture and the daily treasure of life. Once you’re part of the kingdom you need to live a life that shows that truth. But don’t worry, it becomes a natural part of the kingdom lifestyle when you let God reign in every area of your life. And your Father looks after the sparrow, so He also looks after you.” I said with an even bigger grin to my new feather friend.
“I thought you said the kingdom was a secret?” he said smiling ear to ear.
“You’re quick” I returned. “It is a secret to those who are spiritually blind. But Christ came to give the blind sight and so we are obedient to his desires, such as telling his secrets to others.”
“You’ve certainly given me a lot to think about” He said contemplatively.
I asked if I could pray for him. He said he thought that would be good.
“I think that would be good” he said.
I thanked the Father for drawing Kilion to Himself and asked God to reveal more of His Kingdom to him, to show him the kingdom of power, the kingdom of righteousness and peace and joy. The kingdom of heaven here on earth. I asked God to surround him with kingdom people and I willingly offered myself as one of those to walk along side Kilion on his journey in and through the kingdom of God. I knew in my spirit God was ready and willing to answer every prayer.
I felt he still had questions. That’s OK, I still had prayers to pray and a life to share. I had the assurance in my soul that God’s kingdom would come and his will would be done in Kilion’s life. And I was filled with the joy that only comes from being obedient to God’s rule in my life. Despite the cold and despite the snow despite the office work I needed to catch up on, despite the problems I was going to be facing later that day, I knew that life was good because God was good.
It is a mystery how that happens. It is part of the Mystery of the Kingdom.
I began by saying there have been both historical misunderstandings about the Kingdom and practical misunderstandings of the Kingdom that can still easily crop up today when we don’t have a clear understanding of the Kingdom. Let’s look at the historical misunderstandings first.
Historical Misunderstandings
1. Historically Misunderstood – Political/Military Expectations
Ancient Jews: Many expected the Messiah to establish a political kingdom, overthrowing Roman rule and restoring Israel’s national glory.
Result: When Jesus spoke of the Kingdom, some disciples imagined earthly power and conquest (see Acts 1:6).
Acts 1:3-8 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Kingdom of God is not politically or militarily established.
2. Historically Misunderstood – Geographic/Physical Location
Early Christians & Later Movements: Some believed the Kingdom of God was a specific place on earth, such as Jerusalem, or would be established through physical territory.
But Jesus specifically said, “You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already within you.” Luke 17:21
The Kingdom of God is not a physical or geographical location.
3. Historically Misunderstood – Institutional Church as the Kingdom
– Medieval Christianity: The Catholic Church, especially during the Middle Ages, sometimes equated itself directly with the Kingdom of God, implying membership in the institution = citizenship in the Kingdom.
But Jesus said, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18
This is a poor translation. Gates are not something that come against us. Gates are what we come against and tear down. The gates of hell cannot stand against the church advancing the kingdom.
The Kingdom of God is not the church. The church is not the Kingdom.
4. Historically Misunderstood – End Times Only
Apocalyptic Movements: Some groups have taught that the Kingdom is entirely future—something that arrives only with the Second Coming, ignoring its present reality.
Jesus sent out his twelve and told them “As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Matthew 10:7-8
The Kingdom of God is not only for the future. It’s for the here and now.
And it’s not just historical misunderstandings. There are practical misunderstandings of the kingdom today…
Practical Misunderstandings Today
1. Practical Misunderstandings The Kingdom = Moral or Social Program
Many view the Kingdom of God as simply living a good life, helping others, or supporting social justice causes—reducing it to ethical behaviour, not divine reign.
Is the Kingdom just doing good works?
No. We do good works so that people will see those good works and glorify our Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
2. Practical Misunderstandings The Kingdom = Personal Success/Prosperity
Some interpret the Kingdom as personal blessing or prosperity—assuming that following God guarantees material wealth or health.
Does the Kingdom assure personal success or prosperity?
No! Jesus has promised that in this world you will have trouble. But take heart because He’s overcome the world. Name that and claim that.
3. Practical Misunderstandings The Kingdom = Church Activities
People often think attending church or participating in religious rituals equates to advancing or entering the Kingdom.
Aren’t church activities automatically kingdom activities?
No! The church and its activities is NOT the Kingdom…the church should extend the Kingdom of God, but never replace the Kingdom of God.
4. Practical Misunderstandings The Kingdom = Private Spiritual Experience
Others see it only as an inward, private spiritual feeling rather than something with public, communal, and transformative aspects.
Is the Kingdom my personal experience?
No! Your personal experience should be part of the Kingdom, but please don’t think the kingdom is the sum of your experience.
What Does Scripture Actually Teach?
The Kingdom is God’s active reign—present wherever God’s will is done (Luke 17:21).
You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already within you. Luke 17:21
The Kingdom is wherever the King’s will is done.
Isn’t God’s will always done?
IF God’s will is always done, why did Jesus teach us to pray your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10?
In Heaven His will is done perfectly. On Earth He works through His people, empowered by His Spirit.
The Kingdom is wherever the King’s will is done.
What to know how I know The Kingdom is NOT the Church…The Kingdom is wherever the King’s will is done.
Look at how Jesus sums up the Sermon on the mount…
Matthew 7:21-23 21 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” 23 Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
We need to know his will and do his will to align with His Kingdom. The Kingdom is wherever the King’s will is done.
What is His will?
That’s a great question, I’m so glad you asked.
I’ve found three places in the new testament that tell us explicitly what God’s will is for us.
1. God’s will is for you to be Holy…
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 “Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. Never harm or cheat a fellow believer in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.”
Your role: Be holy. 1 Thessalonians 4:3
God’s role: For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13
2. God’s will is for you to live honourable lives…
1 Peter 2:13-17 “For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honour those who do right. It is God’s will that your honourable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.”
Your role: Live honourable lives
God’s role: His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3
3. God’s will is for you to always be joyful, never stop praying and be thankful in all circumstances….
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Your role: always be joyful, never stop praying and always be thankful
God’s role: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
How do you trust in God? You never stop praying. You never stop thanking.
Now. These are big picture keys to how we live our lives in the will of God.
Be Holy.
Live Honourable.
Always be joyful, never stop praying and always be thankful.
When we do these things we are in the will of God.
Remember the Kingdom is wherever God’s will is done.
He helps us live in His will. He empowers us to live in His Kingdom.
But you were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. You were designed for intimate relationship with Him. It’s not that you have this list of things to check off that allows you to live in His Kingdom. It’s the result of you being the Kingdom that allows you to live this way.
We can find out what pleases the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
FIND Out What Pleases the Lord Tool
F – Follow Holy Spirit’s Leading
I – Imitate what Jesus did
N – Never forget to walk in wisdom
D – Don’t assume you’ve fully grasped the Kingdom
F- Follow Holy Spirt’s Leading
It seemed good to us and Holy Spirit Acts 15:28
I’ve given you the three places in Scripture we’re explicitly told what God’s will is. The rest you need Holy Spirit’s leading. This verse in Acts is from a letter the Elders of the Church in Jerusalem wrote to gentile converts. And it’s significant that James wrote “to us and Holy Spirit” and not “me and Holy Spirit”. We need to get back to communal discernment of what Holy Spirit is saying to us.
Remember: The Kingdom is within you.
Luke 17:20-21 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Does it seem good to us and Holy Spirit?
I – Imitate What Jesus Did
Jesus only said what He heard the Father say (John 12:49-50; John 14:10). Jesus only did what He saw the Father do (John 5:19).
Do you have that intimacy with the Father?
The Father’s purpose is to make you more and more like the Son. Romans 8:29
Remember: The Kingdom is not a matter of talk but of power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 — For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
Do I want that intimate relationship with the Father?
N – Never Forget to walk in wisdom
What wisdom looks like….
James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere.
Remember: The Kingdom is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17 — “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Am I walking in wisdom as God defines it?
D – Don’t assume you’ve fully grasped the Kingdom
Every Kingdom Practice is counterintutive to this life.
What do I mean?
In this life, I eat and get filled. Makes sense right?
In the Kingdom more I eat this word, the more hungry I become for his word. The more I pray, the easier it is to always pray. The more I get encouraged by others, the more I can encourage others. The more I feel joy, the more joyful I become. The more I obey, the more I want to obey.
But the reverse is also true.
The less I practice the Kingdom, the less I feel like practicing the Kingdom. The less I read my Bible, the less I want to read my Bible. The less I pray, the harder it is to pray. The less I time I spent in real relationship, the less I want to work on real relationship. The less real joy I feel, the less I naturally feel happy. The less I obey, the less I want to obey.
If you think you’ve fully grasped the Kingdom you need to know you’ve missed it.
Remember: The Kingdom is like a mustard seed that grows a large tree or a little yeast that permeates the entire dough. (Matthew 13:31-33)
Am I am growing more hungry for God or less hungry for Him?
FIND out what pleases the Lord.
F – Follow Holy Spirit’s Leading
I – Imitate what Jesus did
N – Never forget to walk in wisdom
D – Don’t assume you’ve fully grasped the Kingdom
Conclusion
Jesus told another parable about entering His Kingdom.
Matthew 25:34-46 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
We’re part of the Kingdom when we obey the king.
You know God’s will by doing God’s will. The Kingdom is wherever God’s will is done.
I want you leave you with a blessing, with my most recent “most favourite
Closing prayer…
Colossians 1:9-14 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask
{May} God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
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