S-12 - HOW TO EMBRACE THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE

HOW TO EMBRACE THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE

 

Luk 18:17 

 

Truly I say to you, whoever does not accept and receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] shall not in any way enter it [at all].

 

THE MASTER AND THE CHILDREN (Lk 18:15-17)

 

Luk 18:15-17

(15)  Now they were also bringing [even] babies to Him that He might touch them, and when the disciples noticed it, they reproved them.

(16)  But Jesus called them [the parents] to Him, saying, Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for to such [as these] belongs the kingdom of God.

(17)  Truly I say to you, whoever does not accept and receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] shall not in any way enter it [at all].

 

CONTEXT:

 

It was the custom for mothers to bring their children to some distinguished Rabbi on their first birthday that he might bless them. That is what the mothers wanted for their children from Jesus. We must not think for a moment that the disciples were hard and cruel towards the children or the mothers. It was kindness and their love for Jesus that made them act as they did. Remember Jesus was on His way to be crucified. He was on the way to Jerusalem to die upon the cross. The disciples could see upon his face the inner tension of his heart; and they did not want Jesus to be further bothered.

 

Often when at home we may say to a little child, "Don't bother your Daddy; he's tired and worried tonight." That is exactly how the disciples felt about Jesus. This piece of scripture needs to be looked at in the frame of mind.

 

It is one of the powerful demonstrations to me in all of the gospel that Jesus had time for the children even when he was on the way to Jerusalem to die.   This really demonstrates to me in a practical way the character and heart of a father that was manifested in and through the life of Jesus

 

When Jesus placed this demand on us to be child-like in the way the kingdom of God was composed and presented, what did he mean? 

 

Let’s take a moment and ponder on the qualities of which he was thinking"?

 

     (i) The child has not lost the sense of wonder. If you are around children and watch them play you will often see them early in the morning "worshipping the sunbeam playing on the bedpost." or on his hands or feet. As we grow older we begin to live in a world which has grown grey and tired. The child lives in a world with brightness in it and in which God is always near.

 

     (ii) The child's whole life is founded on trust. When we are young, we never doubt where the next meal is to come from or where our clothes will be found. We go to school certain that home will be there when we return, and all things ready for our comfort. When we go on a journey we never doubt that the fare will be paid or that our parents know the way and will take us safely there. The child's trust in his parents is absolute, as ours should be in our Father--God.

 

     (iii) The child is naturally obedient. True, he often disobeys and grumbles at his parents' bidding. But his instinct is to obey. He knows very well that he should obey and is not happy when he has been disobedient. In his heart of hearts his parents' word is law. So should it be with us and God.

 

     (iv) The child has an amazing faculty of forgiveness. Almost all parents are unjust to their children. We demand from them a standard of obedience, of good manners, of refined language, of diligence which we seldom satisfy ourselves. Time and again we scold them for doing the very things we do ourselves. If others treated us in the way we treat our children in the matter of plain justice, we probably would never forgive. But the child forgives and forgets, and does not even realize it when he is very young. It would be so much lovelier a world if we would forgive as a child forgives.

 

To keep alive the sense of wonder, to live in unquestioning trust, instinctively to obey, to forgive and to forget--that is the childlike spirit, and that is the passport to the kingdom of God.

 

Let us first again define what is the Kingdom of God:

 

G932

βασιλεία

basileia

Thayer Definition:

1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule

1a) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom

1b) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah

1c) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom

2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king

3) used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah

Part of Speech: noun feminine

A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G935

Citing in TDNT: 1:579, 97

 

 

Before we can even look at the Kingdom of God we need to have a clear understanding of what a kingdom is.

 

There are specific concepts within a Kingdom that we need to understand in order to understand what the Kingdom of God is

 

Concepts of a Kingdom:

 

1. A King and Lord – a sovereign

2. A Territory – a domain

3. A Constitution – a royal covenant

4. A Citizenry – community of subjects

5. Law – Acceptable principles

6. Privileges – Rights and benefits

7. A Code of Ethics – acceptable lifestyle and conduct

8. An army – security

9. A commonwealth – Economic security

10. A Social Culture – Protocol and Procedures

 

The Concepts Explained:

 

1. The King:

Is the embodiment of the Kingdom.  He represents the glory and nature of the Kingdom. Authority flows from the king and the word of the King is supreme.

 

1. The Territory:

The domain over which the King exercises total authority.  The territory, resources and people are the personal property of the King. 

 

Psalm 24:1 AMP

A Psalm of David. THE EARTH is the Lord's, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it. [I Cor. 10:26.]

 

1Cor 10:26 AMP

For the [whole] earth is the Lord's and everything that is in it. [Ps. 50:12.]

 

God is the sovereign owner of all.

 

1. The Constitution:

This is the covenant of the King with his citizens.  It expresses the mind and will of the King to the citizens and the Kingdom.  It constitutes the intent of the King as well as the benefits and privileges of the Kingdom.  It can also be described as the documented words of the King.  In the Kingdom of God the Bible is the constitution as it contains the words of the King as well as give the details of the will and mind of God for his people.

 

1. The Citizenry:

These are the people who live under the rule of the King.  It is not a right but a privilege. It is the result of the choice of the King.  The benefits and privileges are only accessible to the citizens.  The favor of the King is therefore always a privilege.  It is important to realize that once we become a citizen all the rights of being a citizen is ours to enjoy.  It is the obligation of the King to care and protect his citizens.  The welfare of the citizens is a direct reflection on the King himself.  The most important goal of a citizen in a kingdom is to submit to the King. To seek to stay in right standing with the King.  This is to walk in righteousness. It is our priority to first seek the Kingdom of God.

 

Mat 6:33 AMP

But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

 

1. The Law:

This constitutes the standards and principles established by the King himself.  This is the way in which the Kingdom will function and be administered.  The law of the kingdom must be obeyed, even by foreigners.  Non-compliance places you at odds with the King and you have to face his judgment.  You as a citizen can not change the laws of the Kingdom.  To rebel against the law is to rebel against the King.  King David understood this principle clearly:

 

Psalm 138:2-3 AMP

(2)  I will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your loving-kindness and for Your truth and faithfulness; for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name!

(3)  In the day when I called, You answered me; and You strengthened me with strength (might and inflexibility to temptation) in my inner self.

 

1. The Privileges:

These are the benefits that the King bestows on his faithfull citizens.   In a Kingdom citizenship is highly sought after for as a citizen the King becomes personally responsible for you and all your needs.  As the King owns everything He can give any or all of his wealth to whom he so desires.

 

1. The Code of Ethics:

This is the acceptable conduct of the citizens in the Kingdom as well as their representation of the Kingdom.  This code would include the following:

·        Moral Standards - giving guidance on how to behave decently and honorably

·        Social Relationships - allowing people to meet and interact with others in a friendly and loving way

·        Personal Conduct - having the character or nature of a conscious and individual entity

·        Attitude – an assertive manner or stance assumed as a challenge or for effect

·        Attire - to dress yourself or somebody else, especially in clothes of a particular type

·        Manner of Life - the characteristic way in which somebody behaves

 

1. The Army:

This is the system uses in the Kingdom to secure its territory and protect the citizens.  Looking at the biblical concept of the church as Jesus established it we see a citizenship consisting of a family of fathers, sons and a nation.  Israel as a nation can also be presented as a foreshadow of the Church.  Keeping this in mind we need to understand that Israel was foremost focused on being a family and only became the army as kingdoms needed to be cast down and destroyed.  Most of the time we will see God using the angels as his army.

 

Psalm 78:49-50 AMP

(49)  He let loose upon them the fierceness of His anger, His wrath and indignation and distress, by sending [a mission of] angels of calamity and woe among them.

(50)  He leveled and made a straight path for His anger [to give it free course]; He did not spare [the Egyptian families] from death but gave their beasts over to the pestilence and the life [of their eldest] over to the plague.

 

Mat 13:40-42 AMP

(40)  …..  so it will be at the close of the age.

(41)  The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of offense [persons by whom others are drawn into error or sin] and all who do iniquity and act wickedly,

(42)  And will cast them into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and wailing and grinding of teeth.

 

                        See also Ps 103:20-21

 

1. The Commonwealth:

This is the economic system of the Kingdom which guarantees every citizen equal access to financial security.  It is the desire of the King that all citizens share and benefit from the wealth of the Kingdom.  The glory of the Kingdom resides in the happiness and health of the citizens.

 

Luke 12:22-24 AMP

(22)  And [Jesus] said to His disciples, Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious and troubled [with cares] about your life, as to what you will [have to] eat; or about your body, as to what you will [have to] wear.

(23)  For life is more than food, and the body [more] than clothes.

(24)  Observe and consider the ravens; for they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn; and [yet] God feeds them. Of how much more worth are you than the birds!

 

Luke 12:31-32 AMP

(31)  Only aim at and strive for and seek His kingdom, and all these things shall be supplied to you also.

(32)  Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom!

 

1. The Social Culture:

The environment created by the King and citizens through their life and manners.  This is the culture that separates it from other kingdoms.  Jesus presented this culture to us in:

 

Mat 5:21-22 AMP

(21)  You have heard that it was said to the men of old, You shall not kill, and whoever kills shall be liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court. [Exod. 20:13; Deut. 5:17; 16:18.]

(22)  But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice (enmity of heart) against him shall be liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court; and whoever speaks contemptuously and insultingly to his brother shall be liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, You cursed fool! [You empty-headed idiot!] shall be liable to and unable to escape the hell (Gehenna) of fire.

 

 

Mat 20:26 AMP

(26)  Not so shall it be among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant,

 

The Kingdom social culture are to be evident in our daily activities and encounters with others.

 

The Kingdom of God refers to the complete reign of Christ in:

 

Your Life

The World

The Heavenlies

 

It also refers to Royal power, the Kingship of Jesus over us and the dominion and rule of God.

 

It also refers to a territory or area that is subject to the rule of the King.

 

What is significant in this scripture that we are studying this morning is the fact that there is prerequisite that is locked into this scripture that places a very specific demand upon you and me in our response to Jesus and also the character of a child that is being referred to in this scripture.

 

 

G1209 – Strongs Definition

Δέχομαι – dechomai - dekh'-om-ahee

 

Middle voice of a primary verb; to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively): - accept, receive, take. Compare G2983.

 

G2983

Λαμβάνω - lambanō - lam-ban'-o

 

A prolonged form of a primary verb, which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively [probably objective or active, to get hold of; whereas G1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while G138 is more violent, to seize or remove]): - accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).

 

 

Looking at the root meaning of this word in the Greek language it becomes clear that it is active and progressive in its meaning.

 

 

G1209

δέχομαι

dechomai

Thayer Definition:

1) to take with the hand

1a) to take hold of, take up

2) to take up, receive

2a) used of a place receiving one

2b) to receive or grant access to, a visitor, not to refuse intercourse or friendship

2b1) to receive hospitality

2b2) to receive into one’s family to bring up or educate

2c) of the thing offered in speaking, teaching, instructing

2c1) to receive favourably, give ear to, embrace, make one’s own, approve, not to reject

2d) to receive. i.e. to take upon one’s self, sustain, bear, endure

3) to receive, get

3a) to learn

 

I want to take a moment today to challenge you with regards to where you stand in your relationship to the King and with regards to your understanding and acceptance of the Kingdom of God in your day to day walk with God.

 

ACCEPT:

Other meanings – believe, recognize, agree to, admit acknowledge, understand allow

 

• to take something that is offered

• to reply in the affirmative to an invitation or offer

• to acknowledge a fact or truth and come to terms with it

• to tolerate something without protesting or attempting to change it

 

RECEIVE:

Take delivery of, be given, get, obtain, collect

 

• to take or accept something given

• to learn of something such as news or information

• to come to have something, e.g. through effort

• to hear and acknowledge something formally

• to allow a person entry

 

 

WELCOME / EMBRACE:

Appreciate, accept, embrace, approve of, jump at OR  to take on.

 

• to welcome and take advantage of something eagerly or willingly

• to adopt or take up something, especially a belief or way of life

• to include something as part of a whole

 

As I was waiting on God to really speak to me as to what He is trying to tell me He revealed to me the progressive nature of these three words.

 

Accept

Receive

Welcome

Embrace

STEP 1:  Accept

Most of us accept that Jesus is King.  We accept that He is Lord and God. We accept that He is the Creator.  It is more of an acknowledgement or recognition of the Kingdom, the existence of the Kingdom and of the fact that Jesus is the King.  It has not yet impacted us or changed us in any way.  It has not impacted us to the core of our being.

 

What are these things we believe and accept?

 

Jesus is King

Jesus is Lord

God has a Kingdom

I am in that Kingdom

 

We believe, recognize, agree to, admit, acknowledge, understand and allow Him to be all of the above.  Have we allowed Jesus of the Kingdom to touch us yet?  No not really.  It is still very much outside of us.

All of this is still very much outside of us and are more of a mental effect than a life changing effect.

 

STEP 2:  Receive

Once we have gained a better understanding of what a King and a Kingdom is we come to a place where we start to understand that we need to yield to Jesus as King and not only as a priest.

 

This is where we start to allow Him to impact our lives.  A yielding to the kingship of Jesus and an awareness of us having to obey the King is being birthed within us.  We start to understand the implications of being a kingdom citizen.  We start to embrace the Kingdom Culture.  We start to allow this reality of present day truth to impact our lives and lifestyles.

 

STEP 3:  Welcome / Take / Embrace

 

This is the place where we start to appreciate the fact that Jesus is King.  We truly accept this reality in all aspects of our lives.  We embrace His supreme rulership and die to all that we think and desire.  Our lives changes from gimme gimme to Yes Lord, Yes Lord.

 

We jump at every chance and opportunity to embrace and obey the voice of the Master.  We are active citizens in the Kingdom and not only club members.  We will be actively involved in the building of the church.

 

We will jump at every opportunity to obey the Master.

 

Looking at all of the above it is clear that we process this all from our soul dimension as this process is taking place from the outside through our soul to our spirit.

 

Having come a long way over the past months in establishing how we need to move from our spirits this places the challenge before us now to come to that place where we embrace by the Spirit what God is speaking to us.

 

EPHESIANS 4:23 (AMP)

24 “And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],”

 

The change is not in mind psychologically, either in its essence or in its operation;

 

It is neither in the mind as if it were a superficial change of opinion whether it be on points of doctrine or practice: but it is in the spirit of the mind; It is in  that which gives mind both its strong natural inclination and the relating of the mind to the substance of reasoning rather than submitting to the very life and essence of Christ in you.

 

This is where we need to come to the place where we embrace that what God is teaching us through our spirit and not through our mind and intellect. 

 

1Pe 3:8

(8)  Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble).

 

There is a demand then that is being placed upon you and me in our relationship with God;

 

To come to a place of embracing God in every aspect of our lifes

 

AND 

 

1. Not to lose your sense of wonder in God and creation.
2. Live a life that is founded on trust on you heavenly Father.
3. To be naturally obedient in our relationship with the Father.
4. To have an amazing faculty of forgiveness towards all.