Bible Studies

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What is the kingdom of God?
It is a domain ruled, governed mastered by a King. That King is sovereign in the land. He does not answer to anyone, but everyone answers to him.
It is rare to see kingdoms where kings have such absolute power these days but in the days of King Henry 8th, his word was law hence he could say ‘off with her head’ and it was so.
Today in the United Kingdom the Queen reigns but does not rule. She has a ceremonial role and does not dabble in the affairs of government.
We have a loving heavenly Father who owns the earth in all its fullness. He made the heaven and the earth, the galaxies, the planetary system.
His kingdom is wherever He has established Himself- a place where He not only reigns but rules. Where He reigns and rules, there is order, love, peace, hope, faith, obedience, goodness, mercy, joy, humility, integrity, honour, generosity, excellence, prosperity, boldness, reverential fear of God (awe), forgiveness, kindness, wisdom, healing and health, super-abundant life.
This was why Jesus preached ‘the Kingdom of God is at hand’.
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.

'Repent, and believe in the gospel.”(Mark 1:15)

He was to bring it about. Without Him there can be no kingdom of God. So we can see that the kingdom is not just physical but spiritual. And God is more interested in the spiritual than the physical.
On another occasion we are told, ’the kingdom of God is within you’

"For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)

It can be in your life, your home, your business, your nation- wherever God is allowed to be God, the Kingdom of God is there.
The first stage of the entry of the Kingdom is of course when we repent of our sins and invite Christ to take His rightful place. This reconnects us with God. We are reconciled with Him, old things are past away and all things become new. We are regenerated- given the life of God, translated from the Kingdom of darkness and the devil into the Kingdom of Light, the Kingdom of God.
This was why Nicodemus was told except a man be born again, he cannot see (or enter) the kingdom of God.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
(John3:3)

The kingdom of God does not end here. This is just the beginning. As we grow in grace, God opens our eyes to specific areas of our lives where we need to let Jesus be Lord; because if He is not Lord of all then He is not Lord at all.
This was why Paul tells us:

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Rom12:1-2) .

The Kingdom of God comes with the nature of God, the character of God, so when we pray, ‘your Kingdom come', we also want to exchange our old ways of unrighteousness, rebelliousness, licentiousness, unforgiveness and pride to His ways of righteousness, submission, humility, forgiveness, gentleness etc. etc.

16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. (Rom 14:16-18)
For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.(Eph5:5)
20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.(1Cor4:20)

God’s Kingdom is a Kingdom of power and authority. Jesus told the disciples, 'Behold I give you power over all the power of the enemy'. He also told them 'All power in heaven and on the earth is given to Me therefore go…'

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”(Mark16:17-18).

Your kingdom come invites signs and wonders, healing, the demonstration of the tangible power of God. We would be deceiving ourselves if we prayed, ‘your Kingdom come’ and yet are not open to the miraculous. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power and He went about doing good healing all those who were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38)
Paul said:
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power,..'(1Cor2:1-4)

We must not deny the power of the Holy Spirit and yet pray, 'Your Kingdom come’. The Holy Spirit breathes life into our lives. Without Him we are lifeless and all we have is religion, rituals and no vibrant relationship with God. So, let the river of living water flow in your belly even as you pray, ‘Your kingdom come.’(John7:37)

17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."(Mark16:17-18)

This is the power of the Holy Spirit at work. Many will see and will be convicted that our God reigns. They will see the transformation in our lives and cannot deny our divine encounter. The aroma of God will ooze out of us and draw men and women to Him.

4'...treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.'

The gospel attests to the power of God to save, deliver and keep against that day for the glory of God. And so when we pray, 'your kingdom come' we are inviting the tangible power of God. His power transforms a sinner into a saint, a weakling into a battle -axe in the hands of God. Are you ready for this? Am I ready for this? That is the question.

We are coworker for the Kingdom
'These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me. (Col4:11)

We are God’s hands and feet created for good works. Are we ready to be peace-makers when we pray, ‘your kingdom come’?
The Kingdom is for the poor in heart- those whose do not depend on what they have but whom they have.

'Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. (Luke 6:20)

Whereas God is not against riches, material blessings can be a stumbling block if we rely on them rather than on God- the source. It is evident than in nations where there is preponderant material blessings, many have turned their back on God. He has become irrelevant in their eyes.Pubs replace Churches. This is why we are warned; the prosperity of the fool shall destroy him.

The Kingdom is not for the covetous or high-minded but for the rich in God.
'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.”'(Mark10:25)

The kingdom is for disciples, the committed, dedicated, loyal
'But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'(Luke9:62)

18 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches. ”
(Luke 13:17-19)

The Kingdom of God is mysterious. It starts small as a seed in the heart and becomes a mighty oak tree. It is the work of grace- not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of the Living God.

The Kingdom is handsomely rewarding
'Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.'(Luke18:29-30)

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who takes care of His sheep. ‘Your kingdom come’ acknowledges His providence. He is the source- not our jobs or business or people or the government. These are mere channels.

Summary Questions
Where is the Kingdom of God?
Who rules in the Kingdom of God?
What is the first step to the Kingdom of God?
What are the characteristics or the fruits of the Kingdom of God?
What can the Kingdom of God be compared to?
When we pray, Your Kingdom come, what are we implying?




Song: Yours is the Kingdom



V1 Part1
Lord, you have called us
for such a time as this.
You have chosen us
as your royal priesthood.
You have appointed us
For such a time as this
Lord, You have created us
For works that are good.

V1part2
You have given us the power
for this dark hour
to shine, and together flow
You have called us to show
Your praise and glory
as your hands and feet
until your work is complete.

ch: Yours is the kingdom
And Yours is the power
For Yours is the glory
Yours is the kingdom
And Yours is the power
Yours is the glory Amen.
X2

V1Part1
V2Part2
Rekindle your fire
Increase our desire
To run all the way with your vision
Renewed, with great unction
A fresh anointing
To show the glory
And praise of the Holy.

ch: (Your kingdom come)
Yours is the kingdom
(And the power)
And Your is the power
(And the glory)
Your is the glory X2

(
Prayer:
Without You we can do nothing, O Lord.
Pour a new anointing on us.
'I shall be anointed with fresh oil.'
We go as your hands and feet
in this these end-times
to show forth your glory
and your power and your kingdom
your people shall be willing
in the day of your power

Thank you Lord for the power
and authority
over the power of the enemy
Thank you for the Greater One
that indwells us, able to do exceed abundantly
more than we can ask or think of, far beyond our wildest dreams.

Thank you for working in us both to will and to do according to your good pleasure.
Thank you for making us co-worker with you and for creating us for good works.
Thank for knowing us before we were formed and anointing, setting us apart and ordaining us even in our mothers’ wombs.
Thank You for the good plans You have for us- a future filled with hope, to give us an expected end-an end of peace, joy, goodness and mercy, favour on every side, great exploits for the kingdom of God, dominion and excellence to the glory of the Most High God.

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done.
On this earth as it is in heaven.
Reign in us. Rule amongst us.
Increase in us. Unfold your mind to us.
Energise us. Propel us. Direct us.
Bind us together as one,
flowing in harmony
as a divine symphony,
singing from one hymn sheet,
encouraging one another,
praying for one another,
helping one another,
recognising one another,
working with one another,
standing in the gap for one another,
for the sake of your holy
and matchless name. Amen.

ch: Yours is the kingdom
And Your is the power.
For ever and ever, amen.

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