By: Justin Benoit
We believe that where Jesus is, His Kingdom goes with Him. For the believer, that places is in your heart. It is important that we know that we have access to The Kingdom now, not just one day when we die. This real time access and influence of The Kingdom in our lives helps us day by day walk in truth and power in the spirit. The Kingdom was central in Jesus’ ministry, we believe it should be ours as well.
Jesus inaugurates the kingdom. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
Jesus is the kingdom. “The kingdom of God is in the midst of you” (Luke 17:21).
Jesus purposes the kingdom. Jesus described his mission saying that he “must preach the good news of the kingdom of God” (Luke 4:43).
Jesus declares the kingdom. Luke summarizes Jesus’ ministry as “proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God” (Luke 8:1).
Jesus demonstrates the kingdom. Through his works, “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20).
Jesus deploys the Kingdom. This deployment happens in Luke 10 as Jesus sends out the 72, instructing them to say, “The kingdom of God has come near to you” (Luke 10:9). In the great commission, king Jesus issues his discipleship battle plan to the church because he possesses “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt 28:18).
Jesus transforms the kingdom. Israel’s messianic hopes focused on the coming of a military conqueror who would rescue them from their geo-political enemies. That is why they sought to make Jesus king (John 6:15). But Jesus reorients their vision by declaring, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). Jesus transforms the kingdom, showing it is holistic in its nature, redemptive in its mission, and cosmic in its scope.
Jesus purchases the kingdom. Through his victorious death and resurrection, Jesus redeems the kingdom. As he satisfies the wrath of God poured out for those who rebel against his rule, Jesus defeats Satan, sin, and death (Col 2:14-15). He overcomes the world, the flesh, and the Devil by destroying the power of the kingdom of darkness. By purchasing a kingdom people at the cross, Jesus proves himself to be the rightful ruler of the restored kingdom.
Jesus concludes with the kingdom. In his final words to his people, Jesus concludes his earthly ministry by clarifying the kingdom. Just before his ascension, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” “He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”” (Acts 1:6).
