THE CHURCH—THE KINGDOM The term “Kingdom” is used in   several different senses in the Bible.  The kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God is the place where God as a king has authority and rules.  Both John the Baptist and Jesus taught their disciples some 2000 years ago that the kingdom of (from) heaven is at hand (Mt. 3:2, 4:17).  Now, we need to understand that either John and Jesus knew what they were talking about; or they missed it.  The other option is that you have to make a big stretch regarding the meaning of “at hand.”   To help us determine if we want to make such a stretch, let us look further at the words of Jesus.  He assures those of the first century that some of them will not die till they observe the kingdom of God present among them with power (Mk. 9:1).  Again, we must conclude either Jesus made a mistake; or He knew what He was talking about.   Did this kingdom come in the first century or didn’t it?  Did it have power or didn’t it?   What shall we look for in this    kingdom?  Will it be like other worldly kingdoms regarding the subject of power?   Jesus speaks of the coming of the kingdom in Luke 17:20-21.  Jesus says the kingdom of God does not come with observation.  The kingdom apparently will be different from worldly kingdoms as it appears to be invisible being in no specific location.  This kingdom from God is to be within God’s people.  You see, God exercises spiritual authority only in the hearts where He reigns as king.  Where the king does not reign, He does not have authority.   Is the kingdom of God within you?  It all depends!  Are you letting Him reign over you and have authority in your life; or are you number one, and is your will being done the primary guiding factor in your life?  You can’t have it both ways.   Some who read this are thinking to themselves that they can’t see this kingdom.  I believe you.  I could not see this very well myself until after I was born again.  Jesus in speaking to Nicodemus in John 3:3-8 makes it clear that all must do something to enter the kingdom of God.  The “something” is specifically to be “born again.”  Two ingredients are necessary for the new birth to take place—water and the Spirit.  Water gives our fleshly bodies life and is of this world.  Water is used religiously for ceremonial cleansings in the Old Testament and for baptism (immersion) in the New Testament.  The Holy Spirit is God giving us part of Himself to help us to be what we want and need to be.  God does this for us as we give heed to his counsel in the Bible.  In expressing a loving obedient cooperative faith, God blesses us in allowing us to participate in his spiritual kingdom where He reigns.  We should not, therefore, be surprised that Jesus says to us that we, if we are serious about being His people, MUST be born again.  It is not that Jesus is asking us to earn anything.  He is asking us to      express a loving, trusting, and obedient faith!  He is not asking us to understand it all.  He wants us to show that we are serious and will do whatever He says. Without faith, one will not be born again.  Without being born again, one will not see (appreciate) the kingdom of God.  Christians obey Jesus and seek first the kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33).  The kingdom is where the king reigns and exercises authority.  Presently that means His church that He built.  Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 that He,    Jesus, would build His own church.  Understand that the church is where King Jesus reigns and exercises His authority.  This is not through some hierarchy clergy/political structure.  It is simply through His blood-bought people (Ac. 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:15).  Jesus alone is glorified in His church.  He did not commission Peter to build a church for Him (1 Cor. 3:11).  What Jesus does do for Peter in Matthew 16 is pronounce a blessing upon him.  Peter needs this blessing (encouragement) for remember it will be this same Peter who will on one occasion deny three times any relationship with Jesus at all.  Jesus knows Peter will ultimately be a faithful leader in the church- kingdom.  Knowing all this Peter some three months after his denial will be honored by Christ to preach the sermon on the day the church will be born (Ac. 2:14-39).  It will be in this sermon that Peter will give to the audience the keys that will admit them into the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 16:19).  Peter will teach that people need to believe (have faith) that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Mt. 16:16; Ac. 2:36).  He will tell them another key to be used to enter the kingdom will be repentance.  Finally, he will tell them to be baptized (in water – new birth) and receive three gifts.  The faithful obedient are promised by Peter at this point remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit; and, thirdly, it is to be observed at this same time the Lord Himself will do something by adding to His church-kingdom all the saved people (Ac. 2:47).   Sadly today, by far the majority of the religious do not see or understand or     appreciate the mind of Christ regarding the kingdom.  Multitudes believe the kingdom has not come yet; and these believe that when it does come, it will only last for 1,000  literal years.   The kingdom of God in the first century was not something physical.  The kingdom of God is then and today righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Ro. 14:17). Now, the church-kingdom is where God’s people are to be today; however, all in this kingdom know that this is temporary.  Our clay frames limit us in this kingdom;   however, the church-kingdom is the beginning of our entrance into the everlasting    kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ called heaven (2 Pet. 1:11).  I pray you are part of Christ’s kingdom now.