The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God Romans 14.13-28 I Corinthians 4.20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. Acts 1. 3 After His suffering, he presented Himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Romans 14.17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit Jesus said, Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness... What is the Kingdom of God? What it is not... not a matter of talk, not a matter or eating or drinking, not of this world. * It is a matter of power Look at the context of Acts 1 v.3 v.6-8 Power= dü'-nä-mes strength, ability, power to do miracles, from reliance on forces or armies We need to be baptized anew into the Holy Spirit and power today. That is the singular greatest need in the church, our church It is not a matter of speeches, words embodying a concept or idea. It is a matter of power. It is a matter of planting seeds and watching God work in amazing ways... * It was a group of people gathering in the mid 1940’s from the Patchogue and Bellmore Churches of the Nazarene and holding services in Bay Shore. It was Pastor Rapalje coming in the 1970’s and leading the buildings where we sit today and never borrowing any money to do so. * It is this same building which will host 2 other congregations today. * It is work in Haiti and now Columbia that came out of these churches. * It is these congregations giving to our denomination’s missions in a time of challenge for all churches. * It is what Jesus is doing in your life today... what He is about to do. * It is what Jesus is doing by His Spirit all over the world. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,     and Your dominion endures through all generations. Psalm 145.13 * It is a matter of righteousness Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness Matthew 6.33a Righteousness= being acceptable to God. integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting God setting up His rule in my life and me joining Him is setting up His rule on this earth. Obedience to the law is crucial in these days. Obedience to Christ is supreme. It is not some hard rigid relationship. It is one of fellowship, love and adventure. Seek= seek in order to find The kingdom of God is among you. His Kingdom is already active on the earth today! It is attainable. It is possible to live in Kingdom come. The Kingdom of God ... * It is a matter of peace National Tranquility Harmony between individuals Condition after death of the devout Romans 12. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. People you cannot have peace with: Those with haughty eyes,         a lying tongue,         hands that shed innocent blood,         a heart that devises wicked schemes,         feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies         and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Proverbs 6.17-19 Titus 3:10, “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them." I Timothy 6.2b These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. Blessed are the peace makers. James 3.18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. Peacemakers don’t argue seek to bring people together forgive enjoy the fellowship of Him Who is our peace. Ephesians 2.14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, A matter of power, righteousness, peace and... * It is a matter of joy in the Holy Spirit We are not talking about happiness, which is dependent on circumstances. Joy is Knowing my name is written down in heaven. Knowing God Strength, of the LORD The Kingdom of God is a party! Here and all over the world. * It is an Everlasting Kingdom Psalm 145.10-13 Zechariah 14.9 Revelation 22. 12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Living in Kingdom Come: His power His righteousness His peace His joy His return, longing for it, loving it