The Kingdom of God is like…
Part 1
January 21, 2007 AM
Pastor Brad Dyrness
Sparks Nazarene Church
I thought you must have stolen the car.
In
We have a difficult time understanding what Jesus means when He said: The Kingdom of God is here.
We don't think in Kingdom terms.
God is present - NOT absent, disengaged or uninvolved.
Kings are not, strictly speaking in absolute control.
Kings have power and authority but that power is used among citizens who have wills of their own.
Kings can give orders - but citizens can disobey,
1. This Kingdom is an interactive relationship with God – a community.
The first words from Jesus that we have recorded after the temptation are the very same as John the Baptist…
The Kingdom of Heaven (or as The Message says it: God's Kingdom) is at hand!
Jesus says this to anyone who will listen.
In the book “The Lost Message of Jesus” Steve Chalke tells this story…
“I am so glad you have returned,” "I hope you can forgive me."
To those hearing Jesus - one of the most controversial aspects of His message was that it moved all the fences.
2. ANYONE could be a part of the
Kingdom
… in Galilee where so many Gentiles live—
A Kingdom of inclusion, acceptance, forgiveness with a NEW AGENDA.
The other Kingdom aspect we are going to look at this morning is:
3. The
Kingdom
is here – at hand.
Not coming, not ready but HERE NOW.
The Kingdom isn’t a status – it is a mission.
The rule of Heaven! Look
at how Jesus taught his followers to pray.
Charles Spurgeon
: A little faith will take you to heaven, but I pray for the kind of faith that will bring heaven to earth.
¯ The Kingdom is an interactive relationship with God
¯ The Kingdom of God is for everyone…
¯ The Kingdom is here NOW, not as an achievement but rather a assignment to bring God’s rule to our hearts and the world we live in.