Those 7 things are:
1. Granted on God's terms
2. Reflects God's nature
3. Personal but not private
4. Births us into a spiritual family
5. Demonstrated by love
6. Submitted to God's will
7. Seeks first the kingdom
Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." This was towards the end of Jesus teaching on not worrying.
The study says, "Amazingly, many Christians have not been taught about the kingdom of God. They seek to follow Christ's teachings but don't realize that the kingdom was the focus on His teachings. The New Testament does not exhort people to seek the church, but to "seek first the kingdom of God".
Kingdom is king dominion, kingly jurisdiction. The primary idea is kingly authority.
When John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:2, "Repent, the kingdom of Heaven is near." He was referring to Jesus... Jesus was on earth and near their area.
The people in the Bible saw Jesus rule over:
A. Sickness as He healed the lepers
B. Nature as He calmed the storms
C. Evil spirits as He cast them out of those trapped under their control
D. Death as He raised the dead to life
E. All things, for there was nothing that the King could not do.
God desires that His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. We are supposed to be building the kingdom of God.
We are to be loving people into God's kingdom. We should be helping other churches, joining together to do things for God's kingdom and glory. Churches should not be in competition with each other. We all have the same goal. Churches should also not be jealous of other churches.
If we all did the same thing the same way, not everyone would be reached. There are differences so that people can be reached for God.
"When love and cooperation are present, God pours His Holy Spirit on His people, and the gates of hell will come down all around us." ~ study book
People who don't know God are living in the dark and headed for a place that is not good.
It's our responsibility, as Christ followers, to love them, tell them about God's love, and shine our light BEFORE them to lead them to Jesus.
God's Kingdom is at hand! Will you help people find Him?
God bless you today and always.
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