Understanding “The Kingdom”

From the time of John the Baptizer until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful people have been seizing it.

-Matthew 11:12

Remember when you first wanted to play guitar, or baseball, or when you got excited about a new hobby, exercise routine, course of study, etc? Once you get “turned on” to something new then you pursue it with great enthusiasm; so much more when you discover the “kingdom life” with Jesus. When we want something, when we are desperate for it, then we pursue it hard.

Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” – Luke 17:20-21

We’ve tried to “bring the kingdom” in many ways on our own. The Crusades tried to bring the kingdom by their own might and by their own power; but the anger of man doesn’t work the righteousness of God.

Even in our own day people look with “careful observation” and say Jesus will return on cinco de mayo 2020… possible, but not likely that we can accurately say “Here it is or There it is…”

Jesus clarifies “the kingdom of God is within you”

One thing we must remember when it comes to seeing God’s Kingdom;It’s His power, not ours:

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

– Zechariah 4:6

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

-2 Peter 1:21

To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

– Col 1:29 
These three scriptures reiterate a similar truth over and over:

It’s by God’s Spirit that we do:
we don’t do of our own power but by the Holy Spirit, it is God’s Spirit that works within us.
My friend Joshua Stump says “We are like kids in a ballet, and no matter how awkward we are, God is in the front row with a camera smiling & proud…”

So it has nothing to do with our power and has everything to do with God’s power, God’s anointing, and our being carried along by Him. He takes joy and pleasure in us. He has a purpose for everyone. He cheers us on as we follow Christ!