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Living In the Kingdom
March 19, 2017
When the kingdom of God came to the earth and Jesus was made king of all, He taught us how to get into the kingdom, but also how to live as citizens of the kingdom. If we cannot master the citizenship of the kingdom here on earth, we will not be fit for the eternal kingdom of heaven. - Bernie Parsons
Living In The Kingdom
a sermon by Bernie Parsons
Presented to Globe church of Christ on 03-19-2017
Presented to Load church of Christ on 03-26-2017
I am not sure that everyone gets the idea behind Christianity. Many seem
to think that it is okay to believe whatever they want and do whatever
they want, and then waltz into heaven at the end.
Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God, saying that it was at hand. We
learned from our last lesson that the kingdom came in the first century.
We also saw that it was a heavenly kingdom. Thus, it is also called the
kingdom of heaven.
John 18:36 "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my
kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should
not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."
Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
When we turn to God, and obey the gospel, we are translated into the
spiritual kingdom.
Colossians 1:13 "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and
hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of
sins:"
As I explained, the church – that is, the called out – is a part of the
kingdom, but not all of it. The kingdom encompasses the universe,
including earth and heaven. The church is in the kingdom.
Since we are in the kingdom, we must live as citizens of the kingdom
while in this life.
Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
We can’t live as though this world is more important than the world to
come. We baptized believers have moved from the kingdoms of this world
into a spiritual kingdom.
Colossians 2:16 "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or
in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and
worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not
seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands
having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the
increase of God.
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world,
why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and
doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and
humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the
satisfying of the flesh."
As we just read, it is about living and walking in the spirit, not in
the flesh.
1 Peter 2:5 "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,
an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God
by Jesus Christ."
We are spiritual sacrifices, and a spiritual house. If we are spiritual,
we are not fleshly.
Galatians 5:15 "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye
be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust
of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the
flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do
the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the
which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they
which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us
not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one
another."
We should never weary of the righteous walk in this world as we prepare
for life in the next world.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."
We reap what we sow, whether spiritual or carnal.
Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption;
but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life
everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall
reap, if we faint not."
The apostle Paul acknowledged a war between spirit and flesh.
Romans 7:22 "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my
mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my
members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this
death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I
myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."
Romans 8:5 "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the
flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is
life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject
to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the
Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of
Christ, he is none of his."
Jesus said that we cannot serve both God and mammon.
Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single,
thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness.
If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that
darkness!
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and
love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Remember, we are in a spiritual war, not a war against flesh and blood.
2 Corinthians 10:3 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after
the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God
to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought
to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your
obedience is fulfilled."
We must walk as citizens of the spiritual kingdom of God here and now,
for if we will not live the life here, before God, He shall not allow us
to walk there, before Him.
Luke 9:62 "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the
plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
