THE KINGDOM OF GOD; GOOD NEWS TO HEAR!

What is the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven? When will it come? Where is it? Why is the message of the Kingdom of God called good news?

The Bible says, “Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14). The Greek word euangelion, which is translated “gospel,” means “good news.” In other words, Jesus came preaching good news about the coming Kingdom of God.

Christ’s teaching on this subject was a continuation of what God had previously revealed through many of the Old Testament prophets. The prophet Daniel had given King Nebuchadnezzar an explanation of how the Kingdom of God would eventually be established. This explanation provides clear insight as to where God’s Kingdom will exist, who will be in it and when it will come.

When Jesus preached on this subject, many of the Jews of the first century were looking for the immediate fulfilment of prophecies that spoke of the restoration of their nation. After His resurrection and appearance to His disciples, Jesus’ followers asked: “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). The Kingdom of God, however, is far more encompassing than simply what will happen to Israel.

In this section be sure to read more about what Daniel and Jesus said about this Kingdom. Also, be sure to read why the Kingdom of God is good news, what the Kingdom of God is, why it must come, when it will come, how you can seek first this Kingdom, whether the Kingdom is within you, Jesus’ role as King of Kings and why God is inviting people to be part of this Kingdom.

Seek First the Kingdom of God!

Jesus tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33) and promises blessings if we do. Why should we seek first the Kingdom of God? How should we do it, and how will seeking God’s Kingdom change our lives in the process?

As part of His famous Sermon on the Mount—one of the most extensive documentations of His preaching—Jesus addressed the common questions each of us faces in order to survive (Matthew 6:25-34). How am I going to meet my needs? Will I have food and drink? Will I have clothing?

Addressing these questions, Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (verse 33, King James Version). In essence, Jesus was cautioning us not to worry about these human concerns and to instead place our greatest priority on seeking God’s Kingdom.

Why we must seek the Kingdom of God

The simple, yet profound, reason we must seek God’s Kingdom is that thousands of years of history show that we humans cannot effectively rule ourselves; and in the end, all human governments apart from God will fail.

Solomon wrote in Proverbs 14:12 that “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (emphasis added throughout).

(Jeremiah 10:23 I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course).

Humans have tried every form of government, yet all have eventually come to an end. In addressing events leading to the end of man’s age of self-rule and the beginning of God’s rule on this earth,

(Matthew 24:21-22 For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again.

[22] In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones).

In short, humans need a better government, a government that will be able to produce peace and prosperity forever.

The Bible promises that there will indeed be a better government coming to this earth to replace all human governments. The Bible promises that there will indeed be a better government coming to this earth to replace all human governments. After explaining that there would be three more world-ruling empires following the one headed by King Nebuchadnezzar,

(Daniel 2:44 “During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever.).

How we can seek the Kingdom and God’s righteousness

Jesus’ teaching included instruction on how to seek God’s Kingdom:

(Mark 1:15 “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”).

The reason we must repent is because

(Romans 3:23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

[24] Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.).

(Romans 6:23 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.

 [23] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. )

To repent means we must change our normal way of thinking, which is against God.

(Romans 8:7-8 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.

[8] That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.).

We thus need a change in thinking that will then lead to turning away from sin and keeping God’s commandments. As Jesus said, 

(Matthew 19:17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question-if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”).

Baptism is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God

When we repent of our sins and begin keeping God’s commandments, the next step is baptism. Speaking to people who had been convicted of their sins and who wanted to know what they should do, Peter said,

(Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

[39] This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away-all who have been called by the Lord our God.”).

Baptism—immersion under water as a symbol of the washing away of our sins and the end of our sinful lifestyle—is a covenant we make with God and Christ. It represents our understanding that we have broken God’s law and need to be forgiven of our sins. It also signifies our commitment to obey God’s law.

We are now convicted of our need to live by every word that comes from God and Christ.

(Matthew 4:4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”).

The next step in baptism is the laying on of hands for the receiving of the Holy Spirit

(Acts 19:5-6 As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

[6] Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.).

(Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.).

 (2 Peter 3:18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.).

(1 John 3:3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.).

What we gain by seeking the Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God is currently centred in heaven, so the Bible also calls it the Kingdom of Heaven. It is a real government that God says He is going to establish on this earth—but it’s not here yet.

We believe in the second coming of the Lord Jesus  as King; but when the Loving Father God only knows.

(Matthew 24:36″However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.).

But He wants us to pray always for it to come (Matthew 6:9-10, 12-13 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. [10] May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. [12] and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. [13] And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.).

What if that takes a while? It’s already been almost 2,000 years since Jesus spoke those words. What if we live out our entire lives and die before He returns with the Kingdom He promised to bring?

The good news is that seeking first the Kingdom of God means more than just waiting on Christ’s return. When the coming Kingdom becomes our focus—when we make the decision to live by every word of God—that changes who we are.

No, the Kingdom of God isn’t here yet, but the focus of Christianity is learning to live as if it already were. If we want to be part of the Kingdom of God, that desire should affect the things we say and the things we do in this life. Every day we’re alive between now and the arrival of the Kingdom gives us the opportunity—and the challenge—to make sure we’re living up to the standards God has set for us.

In seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, we also learn to look at the difficulties of this life in a different light. When the congregation in Rome was arguing about whether Christians should eat meat that might have been previously offered to idols, the apostle Paul had to remind them to step back and look at the bigger picture. He wrote, “The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).

As Christians, we can take comfort that the trials and difficult decisions of this life are only part of a much, much bigger picture—a picture that involves a Kingdom that will stand forever.

God doesn’t forget the needs of the moment

Of course, eating and drinking are still important aspects of our day-to-day lives… For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6: 33).

When we make our primary focus seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (repenting of our sins and making a daily effort to live God’s way of life instead of following our own human nature), God promises to provide for our needs. And fulfil our desires according to his riches and Glory (As said “Psalms 37:4 Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord always and will give you desires of your hearts”). He promises that He knows our needs and that He will take care of them.

If we keep His Kingdom at the front of our mind (instead of third or fourth on our to-do list, or just something we’ll get to when we have the time), He’ll bless our efforts to provide for our families and provide us with our needs (Matthew 6:11).

God’s plan for us in the Kingdom

God created man in His image with lesser powers and abilities to prepare man to rule with Him in a government that will last forever. God’s purpose for telling us “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” is to help us develop, through our experiences in this life

(Revelation 5:10).

These are the beginning steps toward seeking the Kingdom of God, which will ultimately result in eternal life in the family of God.

Therefore, seek the Kingdom of the God and its righteousness is all about Praying, going to the Church, Reading the Bible and obedient to the Word of the God. To Preach the unbelievers about Good News and Faith in Lord Jesus Christ, Making our self in the image and character of Lord Jesus Christ, helping widows, orphans, needy and protect our self from the wickedness of this World.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

[16] Always be joyful.

[17] Never stop praying.

[18] Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Let’s pray Oh Loving Father God as we have read the Word of the God from (Mathew 6:33 to seek the Kingdom of the God and its righteousness; and all other things shall be added onto it). Help us Lord so we could be able to do these things in your strength, Grace, Mercy, Love and Compassion!

In Jesus Mighty name we Pray! Amen