The Kingdom of God: A Spiritual Reality Within
Summary
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus addresses the Pharisees' question about the coming of the Kingdom of God, emphasizing that it does not arrive with visible signs or external observation. Instead, the Kingdom of God is within or among us. This profound truth challenges the prevailing misconceptions about the Kingdom, which have persisted from the time of Jesus to the present day. Many, including the Pharisees, Roman authorities, and even Jesus' own disciples, misunderstood the nature of the Kingdom, expecting a political or military revolution. However, Jesus clarifies that His Kingdom is not of this world and does not conform to human expectations of power and dominance.
The Kingdom of God manifests in three distinct forms. First, it was present in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who demonstrated God's reign through His miracles and teachings. Second, the Kingdom is present in the Church, not as an institution or organization, but as a community of believers who have submitted to Christ's lordship. Lastly, the Kingdom will come in its fullness when Christ returns in glory, establishing His eternal reign and purging the world of sin and evil.
Entering the Kingdom of God requires a personal recognition of Jesus as the Son of God and a submission to His teachings and authority. It involves acknowledging our own sinfulness and helplessness, repenting, and accepting Jesus' sacrificial death as the means of our salvation. The Kingdom of God is within us when we surrender our lives to Christ, allowing Him to reign in our hearts and transform us from within. This internal transformation is the true essence of the Kingdom, transcending external circumstances and worldly systems.
Key Takeaways:
- The Kingdom of God is not a visible, external entity but a spiritual reality that begins within us. It challenges our preconceived notions of power and dominance, calling us to recognize the reign of God in our hearts through faith in Jesus Christ. [09:32]
- Jesus' miracles and teachings during His earthly ministry were manifestations of the Kingdom of God, demonstrating God's power over nature and evil. These acts were not just signs but the very presence of God's reign among us. [25:15]
- The Church, as the body of believers, is a present form of the Kingdom of God. It is not defined by institutional structures but by the community of those who have submitted to Christ's lordship and live to glorify Him. [29:18]
- The future manifestation of the Kingdom will occur when Christ returns in glory, establishing His eternal reign and purging the world of sin and evil. This hope motivates believers to live in anticipation of His return. [33:13]
- Entering the Kingdom of God requires personal recognition of Jesus as the Son of God, repentance, and submission to His authority. It involves a transformation of the heart, where Christ reigns supreme, guiding our lives and actions. [39:27]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to the Kingdom of God
- [01:06] - The Confusion About Christianity
- [02:39] - The Importance of Clarity
- [04:24] - Returning to the Scriptures
- [05:30] - The Message of Jesus
- [07:42] - Understanding the Kingdom of God
- [09:32] - Misunderstandings of the Kingdom
- [13:21] - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World
- [17:00] - The Fallacy of a Visible Kingdom
- [23:33] - How the Kingdom Comes
- [25:15] - The Kingdom in Jesus' Ministry
- [29:18] - The Church as the Kingdom
- [33:13] - The Future Kingdom
- [36:29] - Entering the Kingdom
- [39:27] - The Kingdom Within You
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 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."
Observation Questions:
1. What did Jesus mean when he said, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation"? How does this challenge the expectations of the Pharisees? [09:32]
2. How did Jesus demonstrate the presence of the Kingdom of God during His earthly ministry according to the sermon? [25:15]
3. In what ways is the Church described as a present form of the Kingdom of God? How does this differ from institutional structures? [29:18]
4. What are the three forms of the Kingdom of God as outlined in the sermon? [24:01]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of the Kingdom of God being "within you" change the way believers should view their relationship with God? [39:27]
2. Why do you think Jesus' own disciples struggled to understand the nature of His Kingdom, even after His resurrection? [16:08]
3. How does the future manifestation of the Kingdom of God provide hope and motivation for believers today? [33:13]
4. What does it mean to submit to Christ's authority and allow Him to reign in our hearts? How is this related to entering the Kingdom of God? [46:42]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own understanding of the Kingdom of God. How has this sermon challenged or changed your perspective? [09:32]
2. Jesus' miracles were manifestations of the Kingdom of God. How can you recognize and participate in the work of God's Kingdom in your daily life? [25:15]
3. The Church is described as a community of believers who have submitted to Christ's lordship. How can you contribute to building such a community in your local church? [29:18]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of internal transformation. What specific areas of your life do you feel need transformation to align with the Kingdom of God? [39:27]
5. How does the hope of Christ's return and the future Kingdom influence your daily decisions and priorities? [33:13]
6. Consider your personal relationship with Jesus. What steps can you take to deepen your submission to His authority and allow Him to reign in your heart? [46:42]
7. Identify one misconception you had about the Kingdom of God before this study. How will you address this misconception in your spiritual journey moving forward? [17:00]
Devotional
Day 1: The Kingdom of God Begins Within Us
The Kingdom of God is not a physical realm that can be observed with the eyes, but a spiritual reality that takes root in the hearts of believers. Jesus emphasized that the Kingdom is not about political power or dominance, but about God's reign in our lives. This challenges us to shift our focus from external circumstances to the internal transformation that comes from faith in Christ. When we allow Jesus to reign in our hearts, we experience the true essence of the Kingdom, which transcends worldly systems and expectations. [09:32]
Luke 17:20-21 (ESV): "Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you invite Jesus to reign more fully in your heart today, allowing His Kingdom to manifest within you?
Day 2: Jesus' Ministry as a Manifestation of the Kingdom
During His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated the presence of the Kingdom of God through His miracles and teachings. These acts were not merely signs but were the embodiment of God's reign, showcasing His power over nature and evil. Jesus' actions revealed the nature of the Kingdom as one of compassion, healing, and restoration. As followers of Christ, we are called to recognize and participate in this Kingdom by embodying these same values in our daily lives. [25:15]
Matthew 12:28 (ESV): "But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."
Reflection: How can you reflect the values of Jesus' ministry in your interactions with others today, demonstrating the presence of God's Kingdom?
Day 3: The Church as a Present Form of the Kingdom
The Church represents the Kingdom of God on earth, not as a mere institution, but as a community of believers who have submitted to Christ's lordship. This community is defined by its commitment to glorifying God and living out His teachings. The Church is called to be a light in the world, reflecting the love and grace of Christ. As members of this community, we are invited to actively participate in the mission of the Church, contributing to the manifestation of God's Kingdom in the world. [29:18]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: What role can you play in your local church community to help it better reflect the Kingdom of God?
Day 4: The Future Hope of the Kingdom
The Kingdom of God will reach its fullness when Christ returns in glory, establishing His eternal reign and purging the world of sin and evil. This future hope motivates believers to live in anticipation of His return, striving to align their lives with His teachings. The promise of the Kingdom's future manifestation encourages us to persevere in faith, knowing that God's ultimate plan will be fulfilled. As we await this glorious day, we are called to live as citizens of the Kingdom, embodying its values in our daily lives. [33:13]
Revelation 21:1-4 (ESV): "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"
Reflection: How does the promise of Christ's return and the future Kingdom influence the way you live your life today?
Day 5: Entering the Kingdom Through Transformation
Entering the Kingdom of God requires a personal recognition of Jesus as the Son of God, repentance, and submission to His authority. This involves a transformation of the heart, where Christ reigns supreme, guiding our lives and actions. As we surrender to Jesus, we experience the transformative power of His love, which enables us to live according to His will. This internal change is the essence of the Kingdom, calling us to continually seek His guidance and align our lives with His teachings. [39:27]
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to submit more fully to Jesus' authority, allowing His transformative power to guide you?
Quotes
"The kingdom of God cometh not with observation neither shall they say low here or low there, for behold the kingdom of God is within you. Now then here is our first point: the way in which this kingdom of God comes is something that has been misunderstood from the very beginning." [00:09:20]
"The kingdom of God 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. Pilate therefore said unto him, thou a king then? Jesus answered, thou sayest that I am a king." [00:12:49]
"The kingdom of God came when the Son of God was in this world. What is the kingdom of God? Well, it's a manifestation of the power of God. It's a manifestation of God's reign. It's a manifestation of the fact that God is superior to the elements of nature, that he's superior to the devils and everything that is evil." [00:25:34]
"The kingdom of God is present where men and women have subjected themselves to God and to the Lord Jesus Christ, the son of God. That is the church, and the church is a manifestation of the kingdom of God. But let me be perfectly plain and clear about this: when I say the church, I'm not thinking of an external organization." [00:29:15]
"There is a day coming when the kingdom of God will come in a visible manner, in an external manner, in a manner when all shall see it and none shall be able to evade it. Not yet, it hasn't come. This is the third form, this is the end of the church age, this is at the time when Christ comes back again." [00:33:00]
"The kingdom of God is in me when I recognize who he is. That's the first absolute essential step. The kingdom of God is only in me when I suddenly realize who he is. I may have admired him as a great man, I may have admired him as a great teacher, I may have admired him as the greatest political expert." [00:39:31]
"The kingdom of God only enters into me when I realize that he is the Son of God incarnate. When I listen to him saying, the time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand, it's in hand in me. Why? Well, because I've come from Heaven because I am Son of God because I am the one who's come from the glory." [00:40:25]
"The kingdom of God is among you, it's in you. And how does it come? It comes into you when you see this, when you say yes, absolutely right. He says I came to seek and to save that which is lost, and you've got to say yes, it's perfectly true, I'm lost, I've been trying to save myself and I can't." [00:46:04]
"The kingdom of God comes into you and it comes into you when you see that he's Son of God and you humble yourself at his feet and you say my Lord and my God, and you give yourself utterly absolutely to him and you enter the kingdom as you do so, and the kingdom comes into you and he reigns in your heart." [00:50:17]
"The kingdom of God is within you and you are in the kingdom and you are destined for that glory indescribable which is yet to come when he shall appear in the final regeneration and at upon the seat of his glory in the glory everlasting." [00:52:05]
"The kingdom of God is not a visible, external entity but a spiritual reality that begins within us. It challenges our preconceived notions of power and dominance, calling us to recognize the reign of God in our hearts through faith in Jesus Christ." [00:09:32]
"Jesus' miracles and teachings during His earthly ministry were manifestations of the Kingdom of God, demonstrating God's power over nature and evil. These acts were not just signs but the very presence of God's reign among us." [00:25:15]
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