The topic “Sermon On The Kingdom Of God Is Within Us” is a topic that needs to be emphasized to us as Christians.
We live in a generation when demonic forces are gaining unprecedented access to governments, the educational system, the entertainment industry, and the media on a global scale for the sake of power, fame, pleasure, and publicity.
The natural man will do anything- and he has to remain relevant. In the world, this is expected but Jesus came preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. A life of dependence on God for both physical and eternal provision.
Luke 17:20-21 “ And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here or, Lo there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you”
Sermon On The Kingdom Of God Is Within Us
The Pharisees were seen as a Jewish sect who were the custodians of the Law of Moses. They were noted for a strict and formal observance of rites and ceremonies and the traditions of the elders whose pretensions to superior sanctity led them to separate themselves from the other Jews.
After careful study of the scripture, prophesies of the prophet about God’s rulership amid Israel, to end afflictions, difficulties, and wars they faced and for their rule over other nations of the earth according to God’s covenant with Abraham, their forefather.
They came to Jesus for clarification after observing various miracles Jesus did and His boldness when teaching in their synagogues.
He answered them that the kingdom of God was within them, that is to say, what they were looking for was in their midst but they could not understand because their minds were not renewed.
He went further to explain to them that the kingdom of God is not something that demands physical or natural observation of scenes and events ( Luke 17: 20-21), but could only be seen with the spiritual eyes ( the revelation knowledge of God’s word).
From Genesis to Revelation the center of discussion is one person JESUS CHRIST and in Him is every perfect and good thing embedded.
Jesus told the Pharisees the kingdom of God- a life of peace, joy, abundance, fruitfulness, harmony, and victory was in the midst of them but they could not understand or decipher because they were still putting on their religious cap, they were still holding unto their tradition and custom, men philosophy, ideas and the rudiment of the world.
A particularly unwholesome form of pride. It seizes upon some Biblical standard of conduct and takes pride in its ability to outwardly measure up while conveniently overlooking any failure of the inner or thought life to conform. Looking down on anyone who to them does not meet the standard.
The Pharisees understood the system of animal sacrifice as practiced by their forefathers. But God in the person of Jesus Christ will do away with the sacrificial system and tear down the veil that separated man from the Holy of Holies ( 2 Corinthians 3: 6- 14) Jesus represents a final and complete sacrificial lamb that will take away the sins of the whole world.
Jesus standing in their midst was the very sacrifice or ransom needed in the spiritual realm to restore man to his rightful position of priesthood and royalty ( Hebrews 7:14-16, Hebrews 2:9-10) “ But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
For it became him, for whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings”
Jesus’ presence in the midst of man is to bring to fulfillment all that was spoken about God by the prophet. (Hebrews1:1-2) “ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”
When Jesus died on the cross, was buried and resurrected, and ascended into heaven, He broke the wall of partition between man and God, He took the curse of sin and eternal death upon Himself, thereby offering to those who desire to come to Him access into eternal life. (Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 5:9)” And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;”
The gospel of the kingdom ( good news) is the power of God to everyone who believes. Romans 1:16 “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
God’s judgment for sin has been taken care of by Jesus for any man who accepts him and comes to the knowledge of His sacrifice on the cross. John 5:24 says” Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but passed from death unto life”
God is love (1 John 4:8), His love has not given up on man, His arms are wide open unto them that come to repentance of their sin (John 3:16), 2 Peter 3:9 says “ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness; but long suffering to us-ward, not willing any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”
Personally, as God’s image and likeness be committed and fellowship with Jesus to discover your position in God’s kingdom (Romans 10:12-13) says “ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved”
Many people just like the Pharisees desire peace in the world, they pray and observe religious ordinances. They are looking for peace, comfort, and life devoid of challenges and difficulties externally- from outside of them ( 2 Corinthians4:4 ) says “ In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
But 2 Peter 1:2 reveals that all these come through the knowledge of God.
God’s appearance on earth ( the physical realm) as Emmanuel-God with us brought peace, His throne which signifies His kingdom to man. Colossians 2:9 “ For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” KJV. This is a reality.
Jesus’ expression to the Pharisees was that he was the only high priest qualified to make sacrifices and bring man into eternal life. Hebrews 8: 1-2 says “ Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man.” ( Hebrews 7:22-28).
The Pharisees were ambitious to see and enter the kingdom of God but God says in his word that His way is not like man’s way, and His timing is not of man. Like the tabernacle God instructed Moses to build, blood sacrifice was involved, a symbol of God’s presence ( Hebrews 8: 5)
When God created Adam (the first man on earth) from the dust He breathed Himself into the inanimate object and it became a living soul and God saw that he was perfect. Man possesses the body, soul, and spirit. Ephesians 3: 14- 19 says “ For this cause, I bow my knees unto the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the family in heaven and earth is named.
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be with all the fullness of God” KJV.
Jesus, while on earth had been preaching and teaching the mercy of God, and He wanted to set people free from the bondage of religious tradition, Jesus ate meals with sinners (Matthew 9:11; Mark 2:16; Luke 15:2), He associated with outcasts ( Matthew 10:3; Luke 8:1-2)
God never did anything for man without human agency, When He needed to reveal Himself to the world
He needed a human body. Jesus present on earth demonstrated to us what the will of the Father was.
The Kingdom Of God In Man
God’s intention and divine motive for man is Salvation (saving grace). John 3:16 says “ For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He (even) gave up His only begotten ( unique) Son, so that whoever believes in ( trust in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish ( come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life” Amplified.
Jesus dwelling on earth amid the Jews was the very sacrifice or ransom needed in the spiritual realm to restore man to his rightful position of PRIESTHOOD and ROYALTY ( Revelation 5: 10; Revelation 1: 6) says “ And hath made us Kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen,” Jesus expresses and shows forth His Father’s plan to humanity.
He came to save the soul of man from condemnation and eternal doom (Luke 19:10) says “ For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” KJV.
Paul in 1 Timothy 1:15 says” This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief ”
Jesus was so focused on the Father’s will of bringing all men to the kingdom. Jesus is the WAY, TRUTH, AND THE LIFE – These He brought to humanity. All they have been looking and searching for was right in their midst and before them.
This is the first coming of Jesus. Matthew 24:14 “ And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” KJV.
Jesus Christ was the king waiting to be enthroned in His kingdom alongside his brethren. After His death. Burial, resurrection, and ascension through His Spirit dwelling in those who believe in Him.
His victory over Satan made us qualified to share in His glory. ( Romans 8: 17 ) “ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Psalm 103:19) “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all”
Jesus while on earth as a man established the kingdom of God ( God’s dwelling place ) recruited a set of people called Jesus disciples and taught them the kingdom’s principles, lifestyle, character, and attitude, different from what the Jews and Pharisees understood and designed for themselves.
He taught them to be prepared for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Who will guide them in their victory journey.
( 2 Corinthians 4: 5-7)” For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in the earthen vessels, that the Excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us”
Is the kingdom of God a natural moral code for social saneness? If the message of the kingdom of God is limited to natural possession, affluence, wealth, and a life with no challenge, then its benefits are no more supernatural than a good set of a country’s constitution or organization rules and regulations.
If the teaching of the kingdom of God is spiritual- a metaphysical sphere where men hope for something beyond natural matter? Then its benefits are vague and its operation is undiscovered.
The kingdom of God is the impartation of the supernatural. It is the supernatural life of Christ imparted to the natural man. It is the supernatural operation of God in His natural creation.
Israel had a religious routine and when God manifested himself visibly in the person of Jesus, He disrupted the Jews’ temple ritual. Talking about the Messiah, reading the scriptures about the Messiah was never their problem, but knowing who the Messiah was outside their religious tradition was their conflict.
They constructed walls of man-made rituals around them and were in opposition to anyone who intended to crack it.
Jesus explained to the Pharisees that the kingdom of God is not coming in a way that can be observed like overturning the Roman Empire, but that the mystery of the kingdom of God is His presence on earth and even in their midst without those kinds of observable signs.
A reminder to them that despite their meticulous effort in searching the scripture, their understanding of Messiah’s presence was darkened.
That He is the arrival of the Kingdom of God. ( Mathew 13:17) “ For verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them ”
Humanity feels the pains of its independence from God, he feels his limitation, but God through Jesus Christ put on humanity ( flesh) and came to the earth to reconcile man back to Himself.
Christ, the kingdom of God on earth. ( Hebrews 9:24-26) ( 2 Corinthians 4:10-11) “ Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh”
CONCLUSION
The kingdom of God within you is not abstract but a reality. Man- Adam after he disobeyed God’s instruction not to eat the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, was thrown out of the Garden of Eden (a place of absolute protection, provision, and authority to rule and dominate the earth. Sin began to reign on earth through the satanic direction.
The world became obscure, full of difficulty, and challenges. Man who had enjoyed peace, comfort, joy, and wealth while in the Garden of Eden began to imagine how to gain back such. Through love, Jesus came who paid the penalty of man’s disobedience through His obedience to the death on the cross ( Romans 5: 19). This brought man back to his place of total freedom and dominion especially, those who believe in this sacrificial work.
