Today we continue our new series entitled, “Heaven on Earth,” by teaching on God’s Kingdom.
We have been looking at Luke 17:20&21 for a few days. Today we will go back to it and also look at Matthew 4:17. The Bible says:
(Mat 4:17 KJV)
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
(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. When many of us think of the word “repent” we often think of falling down on our knees or going to the altar to express to God how sorry we are for what we did. However, in context, in Biblical times this word meant: change the way you think. When Jesus preached, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” He was saying, “Change the way you think. You are thinking about God’s Kingdom the wrong way. It is a reality NOW!” I would venture to say that most people think of God’s Kingdom as something that will come after Jesus returns, but that is not the message He preached. The Kingdom of God HAS COME! It’s time for God’s will to be done. Where? On earth! How? As it is in heaven!
2. I was raised in a church that never taught me the Bible. The general thinking of that church was that we had to strive to be a good people every day and if we were good enough, then maybe God would allow us into heaven. There was no teaching about individual purpose, the Holy Spirit, power or Kingdom. It was just, “Hey, be good and keep being good so you can go to heaven someday.” When I lived with that mindset I would have never thought about bringing heaven to the earth everyday. This is why we must change the way we think. Now I know I’m going to heaven. That not my focus anymore. My focus is bringing heaven to the earth in every meeting, conversation and activity I engage in on a daily basis.
3. Person A sees heaven or God’s Kingdom as something that will manifest someday. Person B sees heaven and God’s Kingdom as something that is already IN them and something they are charged with letting OUT! These two people live completely different lives. It’s not because God is different. It’s because their perspective is different. Person A is probably a genuinely good person with a good heart. They just don’t know what the Bible actually teaches. Person B has been taught the Word, they are learning to be led of the Holy Spirit, and now they are an asset in God’s Kingdom, becoming a conduit of Kingdom EXPANSION and ADVANCEMENT in this world. Which one are you: Person A or Person B?
4. The Bible says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Prov 23:7). You are the way you think you are and you will never live beyond your thinking. Once you understand this, you live your life with an open heart and open mind. The Kingdom of God is IN you and it is always EXPANDING. If you live in synch with the Holy Spirit, He will help you to learn, grow and develop day-by-day. You should never stop learning and never stop growing. Which is why you have to keep an open mind. There are areas of your life right now that are not being impacted by God’s Kingdom reality. God wants to get to those areas, but you must give Him access. You must open every door to every room in your heart. Don’t close anything off to God. If you live this way consistently, you will look back one day and see how far the Lord has brought you. You will think different, talk different and live different. As Jesus is in heaven, so you will live in the earth! That’s the goal. But you will never get there is you are close-minded. So please, open your heart and mind to ALL God has deposited IN you and all He wants to accomplish THROUGH you!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I open my heart and mind to You and the Kingdom reality You have placed IN me. Your Kingdom is IN me and it is ever EXPANDING. You have the capacity to EXPAND in me day-by-day. But I have to cooperate with the process. I declare that I do. My eyes are open to see the invisible. My heart is open to believe the impossible. My mind is open to understand the supernatural. I am ready to live AS YOU ARE IN HEAVEN, down here IN THIS WORLD, because I am ready to think different! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
