Kingdom When there is a change of leader, there is a dramatic impact on how things are dealt with and the people under them. We are right now in this transition period as a nation, as a new President will be coming into office with many extreme adjustments that are planned. All those living within our borders will be directly affected, while the whole world will also feel the effects of many policies. All those under his realm of influence will experience the direction he chooses to lead. Though this isn’t a kingdom, the principles of a kingdom are in place as a central executive figure is set to implement ways that will touch all those within his influence. Those who will effectively participate in implementing these changes will know the leader, his ways/laws, his realm of influence/territory, and the people. The focus of Jesus and the early church was the kingdom of God, something that His death, burial, and resurrection would establish. While the Jewish people were expecting a Messiah who would be an earthly ruler, Jesus indicated that His kingdom was not of this earth. Eventually, He would rule and reign on the earth with His people, but the kingdom He said was near would have Him as its King, the realm beyond the veil as His territory, love as His law, and those reborn into new life as His people. Many of His parables and much of His teaching dealt with the Kingdom of God, and He stressed seeking it above anything else, that things we require will be included with it. As we prepare for a period of prayer and fasting, having the kingdom as our pursuit is essential. Going into the realm of the Spirit by the blood of Jesus to seek the heart of the Father and His way of love will result in help and provision for all of His body. Notes What to pursue? Matthew 6:31-33 (NLT) 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:31-33 (TPT) 31 “So then, forsake your worries! Why would you say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn’t your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require? 33 “So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. How important is the Kingdom? Mark 1:14-15 (NKJV) 14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Luke 4:43 (NLT) 43 But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” The Lord’s prayer Acts 1:3 (NLT) 3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Acts 19:8 (NLT) 8 Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. Acts 20:25 (NLT) 25 “And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. Acts 28:30-31 (NLT) 30 For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, 31 boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him. What is the Kingdom/how to seek? Not of this world. John 18:36 (NLT) 36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” Kingdom: King/ruler Territory/realm Laws/ways Subjects/people The King Philippians 2:9-11 (NKJV) 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Revelation 17:14 (NKJV) 14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." The King/Realm Hebrews 10:19-22 (NLT) 19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. When He is pursued – He writes His laws on the heart. Hebrews 8:10 (NLT) 10 But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Kingdom law - love James 2:8-9 (NLT) 8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. His law – seeing everyone in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:15-17 (NLT) 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! It’s people Matthew 5:20 (NKJV) 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 (NKJV) 3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Colossians 2:9-10 (NKJV) 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Empowered for life/godliness 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NKJV) 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.