Kingdom Living Requires a Change of Attitude

Matthew 6:33(KJV) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will added to you.

Christ made it simple for those who desire to follow His instructions to enter the Kingdom of God.

Christ told his followers they needed a change their perspective of life.

Notice Christ did not say unless we know everything possible about the kingdom of God, we will not be able to be a part of it.

In contrast He said if you just make it your first priority to seek the kingdom and His righteousness, then all the blessings of it will be added to us.

Like everything else the Lord taught, He simplified the message so that those who wanted to know His way of living could understand and apply what He taught to their everyday lives.

By simply seeking first by faith the kingdom of God and His righteousness . . . by making this the desire and focus of our lives then all the things the world is fighting over will be added or given to us. We then will experience the sufficiency of our heavenly Father.

What does the Lord mean by the phrase “and His righteousness”?

His righteousness is simply God’s way of living life which is covered on the Gospels, the book of Acts and church epistles.

After all if we believe He created all life, then surely He must be the ultimate authority on life and how to live it properly and for our greatest blessing.

We know the kingdom of God will not be materially established in this world until some future unknown date. However the Lord came to usher in His kingdom as a living reality for those who would accept and believe His words.

In other words the crux of the matter is the kingdom of God Christ is living God’s way and not the Worlds way.

Christ told His followers the kingdom of God is and hand and is within you therefore this kingdom of God or God’s way of living life is available to all those who accept and believe the words of Christ today.

Christ said that we cannot serve god and Mammon. Or we cannot serve the World and the kingdom of God simultaneously.

The choice is up to each and every individual to either go God’s way or the world’s way and the only way a person can make an intelligent decision is if they have all the information they need to do so.

This is where those who follow Christ come into the picture. Christ said we were to go into the entire world and preach the gospel of the kingdom of God to every creature.

Mark 16:15-16 (KJV)
And he said unto them, Go ye into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

By sharing the Good News of the Kingdom of God with others is the best way the followers of Christ can help this troubled word.

When we do this we become the light and salt of the world.
Kingdom Living Takes a Change of Attitude

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Good Morning Kingdom Citizens

Acts 1:1-3 (KJV)
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Some have asked what are the things pertaining to the kingdom of God Jesus spoke of for forty days to His followers?

Briefly off the top of my head here is a short list of what the scriptures teach are the things concerning the kingdom of God:

1. In order to see the kingdom of God a man must be born again from above.
2. In order to enter into the kingdom of God a man must be born of the spirit.
3. Acknowledge the Creator as our Father in heaven.
4. Love God with all of our hearts, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbor as we love ourselves
5. Learn from the various accounts in the Gospels where Christ demonstrated how to live in this world as a kingdom citizen
4. Learn from The Sermon on the Mount from His Manifesto as King what the attitudes of a kingdom citizen are
5. Learn from the Book of Acts how ordinary people you and I became witnesses of the risen glorified king of the Universe. By speaking the Good News they proved by many infallible signs, miracles, and wonders the power of the spoken words of the good news about the kingdom of God
6. Learn from the church epistles how to walk in the spirit via the New Man that was created in you by God in righteousness and true holiness.
7. Learn from the Book of Hebrews how different Jesus The Messiah is from every other creature and what His role is Today in the lives of all who accept Him as Lord.

Acts 8:5-8
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Over the years it has been my experience in learning about the Kingdom of God that many do not really get it. They do not understand that everything in the scriptures relates in one way of the other to the kingdom of God.

This is especially true about the parables and the Gospels.

One could say that the Kingdom of God is the Big Overall Story of the scriptures.

The Book of Acts is filled with examples of the Saints living a Kingdom lifestyle even under physical persecution.

The Kingdom was real to these people.

They understood the transcendent power of the future kingdom was at work in their lives as they went about preaching the good news of the kingdom.

They shared the message of the kingdom with those around them.

They lived the example of Kingdom Citizens before others. (Acts 2:42-47)

They knew that when they spoke about the Kingdom it released the atmosphere of God’s Rule and thus notable miracles were performed and even Devils were cast out.
(Acts 3:1-12) Acts 8:1-12)

Acts 8:12
But when they believed Philip preaching the THINGS CONCERNING The KINGDOM OF GOD and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Today those who have seen, heard and understood the things concerning the Kingdom of God have been given a great responsibility to herald forth the message of the kingdom. Like a trumpet to those around us.

Jesus commanded His disciples to Go Ye into all the world and preach the kingdom of God.

Jesus told His disciples in Luke 12:29-32:

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

It is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the Kingdom!

Therefore as Sons of God it should also be our pleasure to give the kingdom to others.

Freely you have received

Freely give!

The Promised Kingdom is Ours

The following is taken from Clarke’s Commentary:

“Luke 12:31
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

“Fear not, little flock – Or, very little flock, το μικρον ποιμνιον. This is what some term a double diminutive, and, literally translated, is, little little flock. Though this refers solely to the apostles and first believers, of whom it was literally true, yet we may say that the number of genuine believers has been, and is still, small, in comparison of heathens and false Christians.It is your Father’s good pleasure – Ευδοκησεν, It hath pleased, etc., though this tense joined with an infinitive has often the force of the present. Our Lord intimated, God has already given you that kingdom which consists in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, and has undertaken to protect and save you to the uttermost; therefore, fear not; the smallness of your number cannot hurt you, for omnipotence itself has undertaken your cause.”

Luke 12:32 KJV

When this Present Evil Age wears on you be encouraged with the following verse:

Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Oh Lord thy kingdom come.

Kingdom Dynamics “The Power to Change”

Kingdom Dynamics
“The Power to Change”

(Introduction)

The Remedy
By Frank J. Manasseri
There is a remedy for the present global insecurity and unrest the world is now experiencing.

What may be done to eliminate religious intolerance, racism, slavery, human trafficking, sexism, world hunger, disease, crime and the myriad of injustices humans perpetrate upon one another on a daily basis?

Will all the good intentions of building a better world by helping to eliminate wars, famines, pestilences, and natural disasters ever be realized? Or is the human race doomed to repeat the mistakes of history over and over again?

There is a remedy that has been offered to mankind but thus far it has been rejected. What is this remedy? It is the promise of Jesus of Nazareth that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Christ came into the world to make the promise of the Kingdom of God a reality by establishing a government sanctioned by the eternal Creator of our ever expanding universe.
When I speak of the kingdom of God as the remedy, I am not referring to what is known today as “Dominionism Theology”. A definition of Dominonism Theology is:
“The belief that we (mankind) have a mandate to build the “kingdom of God” on earth, restoring paradise, by progressively and supernaturally transforming ourselves and all societal institutions, through subduing and ruling the earth by whatever means possible, including using technology, science and psycho-social engineering; and then and only then will a “Christ” manifest his presence on earth.”
This Remedy is the coming kingdom of God is the Global Kingdom which Jesus the Messiah alone will establish in the age to come here upon the earth.
Why is this kingdom of God the only remedy for the ongoing problems of mankind?
Where may we learn more about this kingdom of God?
Who will reign over and throughout this global Kingdom of God?
What will this Kingdom look like?
Who will be inhabitants of this kingdom?
Where will the capitol of this kingdom be established?
When will it be available to abide in the promises of this kingdom?
These questions and more need to be answered so that we may apply this kingdom living to our everyday life style or what I call “Kingdom Dynamics.”
“Kingdom Dynamics” simply means the power of God’s Kingdom, or the rule of God over the entire earth to provide the means of positive change to this present troubled world.
Jesus of Nazareth claimed that if we seek first this kingdom of God and His righteousness, all the things the world lusts over will freely be given to us. Therefore, seeking this invisible Kingdom of God is the only viable remedy for this present troubled world in which we live. The summation of the entire Gospel of the Kingdom of God is the blessings of kingdom living is at hand or available to mankind now.
A biblical definition of the kingdom of God is simply God’s rule over the earth, or God’s way of living on earth. This kingdom of God, over which Christ will reign as King, is a coming world government that will encompass the entire globe which will finally bring the much needed peace and prosperity.

In Matthew 6 when Jesus of Nazareth was asked by his followers to teach them how to pray he said:
After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Jesus when He taught the disciples “How” to pray said, “Our Father.”
We pray, communicate; talk with Him, acknowledging Our Father who is in Heaven. This is powerful, personal and intimate communications with the Creator!
“Hallowed be thy name.” We acknowledge Him giving Him all glory honor and praise.
“Thy Kingdom come!”
We are to first seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, expecting the day to come when He sets up the Kingdom of God physically upon Earth.”
“On Earth as it is in Heaven.”
We are to look with anticipation for The Lord’s government for solutions, and not man’s government. When God’s government is established by Christ, He will rule over the entire Earth in righteousness.
I believe part of our responsibilities is to follow the example of Jesus of Nazareth and going about “Our Fathers Business”, which begins with preaching (sharing) the “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God” which includes the “Gospel of Salvation.”
“Give us this day our daily bread” The Father knows we have needs even before we ask Him. He provides for the birds that do not sow, reap nor do they store up. This is a beautiful picture The Lord painted with words to illustrate “How” Our Father will provide for those who “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness”.
“And forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
This is the part of the Kingdom attitude we are to have as “Kingdom Citizens.” Jesus taught the Eight Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. Notice these are “Be” Attitudes and not “Do” Attitudes. We do not have to keep these attitudes as a law in order to get into the kingdom but these are the attitudes a Kingdom Citizens should endeavor to live by in the way we treat others.

Remembering that part of loving God is loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.
The first beatitude is one of being “Poor in Spirit” or the attitude of true humility.
How can we expect forgiveness if we will not forgive?
“Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
Matthew 6:13 (King James Version)
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
James 1:13 (King James Version)
13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
God does not tempt us with evil; however He does deliver us from evil.
Our Father does not lead us into temptation in order to test us to see if we will resist temptation or not. (To think this is actually blasphemy because it attributes to God something He does not do.)
“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
The Lord Jesus closes His instruction of “How” to pray by teaching His disciples to again to submit by acknowledging the Fathers Kingdom, Power and Glory!
The message of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is what I have come to believe was the focus of the Lord’s mission on earth. To preach that the Kingdom of God is at hand and then to teach those who responded to this message “How” to become a Kingdom Citizen and live as a Kingdom Citizen in the attitude of the Kingdom of God.
If we can learn to live as Jesus lived and taught others to live we can again be blessed by God with His Kingdom Blessing and at the same time prepare to be with the Lord during His Millennium Kingdom someday in the future.

The more of this Kingdom of God we can learn and know, the clearer we will be able to envision this kingdom as the viable alternative to living according to the failing systems of this present world.

Taking the Kingdom by Force

Taking the Kingdom by Force

The scripture clearly indicates in Matthew 11:13 that in order to inhabit the kingdom we must be willing to take it with violence.

This violence may be describing both an earthly violence and violence in the spiritual realm. However since the Lord said in John 18:36 KJV, “My kingdom 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.”

So then our (Christian) focus both individually and collectively must be one of deliberate intentional focus with the specific goal of obtaining and possessing what is rightfully ours in the kingdom. I believe this is stated in Acts chapter two as being of one accord.

New Testament speaks of being sober and not slumbering.

Walking in the kingdom takes effort, discipline and focus with the assistance of the power of the holy spirit.

We cannot be distracted by earthly lusts and desires such as:

The lust of the eyes.
The lust of the flesh.
The pride of life.

We must purposefully lay aside every weight and the sin that does so easily beset us.

Hebrews 12:1-4

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Our individual and collective determined focus must be on the Kingdom of God. We must focus on Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. This must be our greatest treasure that will last for eternity.

Matthew 6:19-20 KJV
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Paul wrote by divine revelation how we can make through this Present Evil Age as Kingdom Citizens.

Colossians 3:1-4
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Our heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ has translated us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son.

We have been planted in Holy Ground.

Let us be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might and take the Kingdom..