Theme: CHURCH
Lesson:THE CHURCH, A KINGDOM
Scripture Reference:
Matt. 3:1,2
If the Christian Church is a kingdom and are the Christians on earth, it then means that the kingdom (government) of God is in the world already. If the Christian Church has a King (head) over them, it also means that the Church is a Kingdom. Furthermore, if the Christian Church is a Kingdom, it equally means there is power since there can be no Kingdom without power with which to run its affairs. But, indeed, the Church (God’s people) is the Kingdom of God on earth because of the following:
The word for ‘kingdom’ is ‘rule’, ‘government’, ‘dominion’, ‘reign’, etc. Since after the Genesis’ account of the disobedience of the head of God’s Kingdom in the flesh (Adam the first), there has been no reference to the phrase, “Kingdom of God or heaven” in Scripture until its reintroduction by John Baptist. (See lead text) God withdrew His Kingdom from being destroyed by sin pending the eternal cleansing which will be done by the Lamb of God (Jesus, His Christ). (See John 1:29)
Although many predicted about this regime under Christ, there had been no use of the phrase, “Kingdom of God/Heaven” – cf. 1Pet.1:10-12. God, in His original intent, was to base His Kingdom on a spiritual foundation as warranted by His nature. That, He illustrated with the first Adam in the physical to pave way in His appointed time for the perfect Kingdom (rule, government) in the spirit through Christ. In ‘John 18:36’, Jesus confirms by saying that His Kingdom does not belong to this world.
So, where is the seat of power of Jesus’ Kingdom? There is no question, I guess, whether or not Jesus is King. Instead, the question should be whether or not He has a Kingdom over which He is King or rules. (For that, see the Scripture already cited where Jesus makes reference to _His_ Kingdom and also ‘Col. 1:13’).
There is a response Jesus gave to the Pharisees about the Kingdom of God in ‘Luke 17:20,21′ where He said His Kingdom is resident in His believers. That highlights that it is the reign of God in peoples’ hearts by His word. It cannot be materialized except its fruits.
Illustratively, it could be said that the head of Nigeria, as other nations, is God indirectly through humans; whereas, the head of the Kingdom (government) of God – the Christian Church – is God directly through Christ or, Christ in God.
The Scripture in ‘Rom. 14:17’ says that God’s Kingdom is not made real in eating and drinking to refresh the body, (an earthly welfare state) but that, far beyond that, is about righteousness, joy and peace that God’s Spirit gives; it is for receiving inheritance that we are drafted to be members of God’s Kingdom as in ‘Eph. 5:5’. But no one receives an inheritance from a parent not willed to him, or if he does, can stand the trial of Intruders if not under oath or an Act. This is the reason we are under the ‘will of God in Christ’, so that it becomes possible for us to access our inheritance from God unhindered. (See Rom. 12:2) God willed everything He had to Jesus, and, because Jesus is as generous as the Father, He re-willed same to us. Thank you, Jesus!
But, we cannot also take possession if Jesus, the Testator or writer of the will is not confirmed to be dead as shown in ‘Heb. 9:15-18’. The Kingdom’s door, therefore, was not opened for anybody to inherit anything except until after Jesus died, resurrected and ascended into Heaven.
God was pleased with Jesus’ multi-purpose self sacrifice on the tree and so authorized His resurrection and re-enthronment as King of kings, Lord of lords, Master of masters, Commander-in-chief and head of His Kingdom (Church). The prayer point, ‘Let Thy Kingdom come’ had its answer when Jesus died and resurrected as head over God’s Kingdom. This same event has condemned His enemy, the Devil, awaiting his execution when he will never be around in the reign of Christ to any longer trick His subjects due to ignorance.
In a Kingdom such as Christ reigns over, there must be a constitution to regulate the business of those involved which we have had in the ‘New Will’ (covenant) of God in Christ, and, of course, those to obey who are the subjects (we, who have believed in Christ). Christians are, therefore, those who are under the reign (Kingdom) of Christ on earth since they live not as people of the world driven by fleshly passions, but who live in the spirit of their King, Jesus, the Christ. (See Gal. 5:25,26; John 17:11-15; Rom. 8:9)
EVALUATION:
1. What are words synonymous with ‘Kingdom’?
2a. What is the characteristics of Jesus’ Kingdom (reign) now according to ‘John 18:36’?
b. What does that imply?
3. In a Kingdom such as Jesus claims He has had, there must be subjects and law to regulate the activities of those involved. Who are the subjects and where is the constitution?
4. In ‘power play’ or ‘service delivery’, which one enjoys Jesus’ endorsement in the Kingdom of God/Christ as in ‘Matt. 20:20-28’?
5. To go to become a citizen in the Kingdom of God/Christ is to receive inheritance (see Eph. 5:5). Who enlists intended citizens to enhance same?
