Today we continue our new series entitled, “Heaven on Earth,” by teaching on God’s Kingdom.
God did not have to create the earth, but He did. The earth is part of His overall Kingdom. Therefore, He wants to see His Kingdom culture manifested on this planet. He sent Adam to rule it. He deposited Himself IN Adam. Adam was equipped with everything he needed to demonstrate heaven in the earth. But Adam was also given a free will. Without a free will, Adam would not bring glory or pleasure to God. If God had to force Adam to do everything, then He would get no glory, because obedience that is forced is not obedience. Worship that is manipulated is not worship. God wanted Adam to glorify Him in the earth by representing, or RE-presenting heaven in this world. Adam failed. Jesus came to restore the assignment. We now must fulfill what Adam was originally charged to do. We are supposed to operate as kings (or rulers/leaders) in the earth. Knowing that God is the King (big “K”) of all the kings (little “k”s). God is the King of the entire Kingdom. We are supposed to operate as lords (or owners) in the earth. Knowing that God is the Lord (big “L”) of all the lords (little “l”s) in the earth.
If you understand this, you will better understand Jesus’ teachings. Today we will look at Luke 17:20,21. Look at how Jesus responded to a key question about God’s Kingdom:
(Luke 17:20,21 Passion Bible)
Jesus was once asked by the Jewish religious leaders, “When will God’s kingdom realm come?” Jesus responded, “God’s kingdom realm does not come simply by obeying principles or by waiting for signs. The kingdom is not discovered in one place or another, for God’s kingdom realm is already expanding within some of you.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. God placed His Kingdom INSIDE of us.
a) In Genesis God deposited Himself down INSIDE of Adam and Eve. The Holy Spirit was their connection to the Father. God is a Spirit and by being filled with the Holy Spirit, Adam and Eve were able to receive downloads from heaven.
b) When Adam sinned, his eyes and the eyes of Eve were opened. They realized they were naked. They fell from being naturally connected to God, through His Spirit, to being simply natural to this world. They were resigned to living the rest of their lives as mere humans. They had no direct connection to the divine.
c) Jesus came to repair the breach between God and man. Jesus paid the penalty for sin and death, and 50 days after His death the Holy Spirit was restored to man. When we are Born-Again we are filled with God’s Spirit and we are able to communicate with Him directly, Spirit-to-Spirit. What Adam had in the Garden is what we now have in the present day.
d) The Holy Spirit begins to reveal God’s way of doing things. He teaches us, from the inside out, how to live like God in this world. The more we do it, the more we put God’s Kingdom on display for all the world to see.
2. The reality of God’s Kingdom must EXPAND IN us before it can be fully manifested THROUGH us.
a) In our text for this morning (Luke 17:21 TPT), Jesus talks about a Kingdom reality that was INSIDE of some of His followers and how this Kingdom reality was EXPANDING. I love thinking about this type of EXPANSION, especially on the inside. Because nothing will happen THROUGH you until it happens IN you.
b) Developing, changing and growing IN God all happen on the inside first. While God does want to use you to EXPAND His Kingdom influence on this planet, His influence must EXPAND inside of your first. Once God and the reality of His Kingdom EXPAND in you to the point where He is literally the LORD of your life, you can’t help but become a conduit of KINGDOM EXPANSION in this world.
c) This year I will teach messages focused on God’s desire for us to experience heaven on earth. Series after series, you will receive God’s truth in this area over and over again. If you stick with me, the reality of God’s Kingdom will EXPAND in you to the point where it will have to EXPAND through you. You will RE-present God, His Kingdom, His culture, His values, His ways and His power, everywhere you go. As Jesus is, right now, in heaven, you will be, down here, in the earth!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for teaching me the reality of Your Kingdom. Your Kingdom is within me NOW. It is EXPANDING in me day-by-day. The more I learn about You, Your culture, and Your ways, the more the reality of Your Kingdom EXPANDS in me. I am learning to see myself the way You see me. There is nothing I can’t do, because You are IN me. I am connected to You, Spirit-to-Spirit. I receive downloads from heaven daily. I go where You lead me to go. I say what You tell me to say. I do what You want me to do. I am Your representative on this planet. I put heaven on display everyday through my life and living. And the best part is that it will continue to EXPAND. As good as it is now, the best is yet to come! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
