What is God’s kingdom and how do we access it? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally continues our series on the Lord’s Prayer. He shares biblical insights that help us access the kingdom of God now.
Matthew 6:9-13 “Pray along these lines: ‘Our Father in heaven, we honor your holy name. We ask that your kingdom will come now. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven. Give us our food again today, as usual, and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. Don’t bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. Amen.’”
What is the Kingdom of God?
God’s rule and God’s reign displaying God’s will and way.
The kingdom of God is God’s government currently active in heaven, demonstrated on earth by Jesus, offered to humanity, and accessed through obedience to God’s instructions.
Government: rule, reign, method, system, directions, his preferences.
Isaiah 9:6
Active in heaven: Heaven is already under God’s rule. That’s why we pray for heaven to come to earth. Heaven is the ultimate expression of God’s perfect will.
Demonstrated by Jesus: The Kingdom of God was on full display in the life of Jesus.
Teaching: Matthew 13 – parables on the kingdom
Healing: Luke 10:9 “Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’
Deliverance: Matthew 12:28 “But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.”
Offered to humanity:
Matthew 4:17 “The kingdom of God is at hand.” Near, within reach: to have come close with the intention of joining two things together.
Accessed by obeying God’s instructions:
Matthew 7:21
Prov. 14:12
If you do things God’s way, you get God’s results in your life.
3 Characteristics of the Kingdom of God:
1. The kingdom of God is upside-down.
John 18:36
In your weakness He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10)
The first will be last and the last will be first (Matt. 20:16)
Love your enemies (Matthew 5:43-44)
Lend without expecting anything back (Luke 6:34-35)
Whoever wants to be important will have to become a servant (Matt. 20:26).
Give and it will be given (Luke 6:38).
God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise (1 Cor. 1:27).
2. The kingdom of God is inside – out.
Luke 17:21
Phil. 2:12-13
Your goal as a kingdom citizen is to get the good stuff God put inside you on the outside.
3. The kingdom of God is all or nothing.
Matthew 6:24
Phil 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven.”
Home is where the heart is. For the Christian, your heart has changed, so your home as changed, too.
James 4:4
When we say “Your kingdom come,” we are also declaring “all other kingdoms, go.”
When you pray, are you inviting God’s Kingdom to rule in your life?