The Kingdom of God - Part 2

Introduction

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

In the BEGINNING GOD – created a physical universe

• The invisible created the visible

His intent was to establish his kingdom in this physical world

• To experience ‘HEAVEN ON EARTH’
• To have heaven without having to go to heaven

To experience Heaven before you die

• No sickness – poverty – lying – etc.

People talk a lot about life after death - I believe in life before death

Not just pie in the sky when you die – but steak on the plate while I wait

This is where the plan and purpose of mankind comes in

• The purposes of the invisible God would be served by a visible creation

Gen 1:26-27 NIV Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." (27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

God’s original plan

a) Most important discovery in life is to know and understand the original purpose of the creator – God

b) God the creator is only motivated and dedicated to his original plan

• Not interested in your plans
• Only motivated by own original plans

c) Everything God does is to fulfil his original word

Isa 55:11 NIV so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

• To fulfil his intent

If you want God to work for your work with him

• Don’t ask God to join you – join him
• God not obligated to pay for your projects

1. Establish relationship with man (not a religion)

• It was never Gods plan to establish a religion

Christianity is a relationship – not a religion

Sons not servants

• A family of sons not a household of servants

Rom 8:14-15 NIV ...those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (15) For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

• Sons are members of the family – slaves are NOT
• Chose the 12 that He might – BE WITH THEM

We are heirs, not subjects

Rom 8:17-18 NIV Now if we are children, then we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (18) I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

• Subjects are – subject to the kings command and never considered the same class
• He doesn’t want to rule us but have a family that share His rulership

There are NO peasants in the kingdom of God only sons

Gal 3:28-29 NIV There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

• E.g. Tony who pastors Victory (not PASTOR TONY)

2. Extend his heavenly kingdom to earth through mankind

Let THEM rule – not ‘US’

Gen 1:26 NIV Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air

• Man was created to exercise power and designed to manage it

God Made earth to be inhabited

Isa 45:18 NIV For this is what the LORD says he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited he says: "I am the LORD, and there is no other.

God’s passion is not to get me to heaven but heaven to earth

• Religion focuses on leaving earth and going to heaven
• People want to be leave what God wants inhabited

To colonize earth with heaven

• Same way great Great Briton colonized Australia
• Full of British influence – drive on left hand side of road

God wants earth to Look just like heaven

• Nature culture and morals of heaven on the planet

Mans original sin

Gen 3:1-10 NIV Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'? (2) The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, (3) but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" (4) "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. (5) "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (6) When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Adam declared independence from his kingdom government

• Severed his relationship with the king of heaven
• Abandoned his position of ambassador
• Lost his dominion over the earth
• His lost his kingdom and his king

Received the ‘DEATH PENALTY’

Gen 2:17 NIV but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

• Not natural death – lived 930 years
• Death in his relationship with God and his rule on earth

Earth spinning ever since

• We need help
• Men beating women
• Having sex with their own children

Not capable of governing ourselves

• More wars since United Nations formed

We need another government....

Promise of a new king – A Messiah King

Man did not lose a religion or heaven – but a kingdom

• Hence the promise of a new king

Gen 3:15 NIV And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

His primary goal focus was...

• Redemption – restoration – re-establishment of His kingdom

Jesus mission – colonize earth with heaven

Mat 6:9-11 NIV "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, (10) your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (11) Give us today our daily bread.

a) Kingdom come (not souls saved)

b) King first – your name – your kingdom – your will

• After that – give us (v11)

A Kingdom of Kings

Note: Man was created rule but not be ruled

• E.g. Ceasar – when in Rome

Result the earth filled with his glory

• Glory – kabod = heavy full weigh manifested

God wants LORDSHIP relationship

Gen 3:1 NIV Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

• “Lord God” – 11 times before
• Did not say – LORD GOD.. Because God is not the devil's Lord
• Eves response – GOD said (no longer Lord God)

God doesn’t just want to be a supreme being – but Lord

• E.g. Shane Warne acknowledge that he is a supreme cricketer
• But not make him lord (don’t even have to like him)

Victory needs people that make God there LORD

• God wants LORDSHIP relationship