1999-03-21 - The Kingdom of God

Sometimes with all that is going on around us, we forget that we Christians are citizens of the Kingdom that matters the most, the Kingdom of God, where " … the sphere in which at any time His rule is acknowledged." Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. That Kingdom is to be our top priority.

Mat 6:33 (NNAS) ""But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Description of the Kingdom

Mat 13:45-46 (NNAS) ""Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it."

1 Cor 4:20 (NNAS) "For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power."

Luke 10:8 (NNAS) ""Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'"

Rom 14:17 (NNAS) "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

About Citizenship Requirements of the Kingdom

John 3:3 (NNAS) "Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.""

Mat 18:3 (NNAS) "and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Luke 9:62 (NNAS) "But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

1 Cor 6:9-10 (NNAS) "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God."

Rules of the Kingdom

Mat 5:19 (NNAS) ""Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Mark 12:32-34 (NNAS) "The scribe said to Him, "Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that HE IS ONE, AND THERE IS NO ONE ELSE BESIDES HIM;AND TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL THE HEART AND WITH ALL THE UNDERSTANDING AND WITH ALL THE STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE ONE'S NEIGHBOR AS HIMSELF, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions."

Luke 13:29-30 (NNAS) ""And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God.And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last."

Jan

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