Kingdom of God

[KingdomCitizenship]

Why is it that modern church, in virtually any form or creed, has so little to say about Jesus spent the vast majority of His ministry articulating?

In 38 years of warming pews and throwing money, I don't think I heard one sermon on the subject of the kingdom of God. Yet when I read the New Testament, its hard not to run into this subject.

I wonder why that is?

 

[TRWord]

Why is it that modern church, in virtually any form or creed, has so little to say about Jesus spent the vast majority of His ministry articulating?

In 38 years of warming pews and throwing money, I don't think I heard one sermon on the subject of the kingdom of God. Yet when I read the New Testament, its hard not to run into this subject.

I wonder why that is?

Careful brother you are treading on very thin ice here. Your observation is a valid one, but be careful.

 

[Tigger45]

As for me and my experiences the churches I considered home dealt with it regularly.

 

[krugerpark]

You couldn't be more right, very few churches want to touch on it, its unknown territory to them.

 

[Shane R]

It may be time to step outside of your movement, because the kingdom is a common theme in the preaching of many denominations. You could be surprised by what you hear in a different church.

 

[TRWord]

I wonder why that is?

Rev. 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

This tells us that there is a false prophet in our midst.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Cor. 4:3&4)

And this tells us that the gospel is hidden from many and by whom.

And please notice the statement: “narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

 

[KingdomCitizenship]

Thanks all... I wrote more than 50 ministries you can hear on almost any "Christian Station" in the country asking about what the kingdom of God is, when it exists... And only 2 or 3 had substantial answers. I found this amazing since Jesus spent TONS of time talking about the kingdom of God, sharing about it, and divulging it in parables...

If Jesus spoke of it SO often, yet a guy like me could seek answers from 50+ ministries and only come up with minimal content, what does this say?

And yes Shane, I am aware that there is some denominations or teachings available on the subject of the kingdom of God. Yet, after reading everything from Myles Monroe to Brian McLaren to Eldon Ladd to Raymond Zorn to John Bright and about 20 other authors on this subject, I find precious little that equates to the teaching of Christ. Plus I find a common thread through the five different version of "the kingdom of God" I've detected in teaching available today, which is missing from Christ's teaching...

All said, I find the topic troubling and epically missing in modern concerns; all while I find Christ's message replete on a subject we seem to know little about.

 

[Ken N]

The reason churches don't talk about it is because they don't understand the subject. The KOG is synonymous with the first resurrection. Read my article on this subject on my Associates Online site. Just Google it. Or go to Ernest L Martin dot com.

 

[Winepress777]

Why is it that modern church, in virtually any form or creed, has so little to say about Jesus spent the vast majority of His ministry articulating?

In 38 years of warming pews and throwing money, I don't think I heard one sermon on the subject of the kingdom of God. Yet when I read the New Testament, its hard not to run into this subject.

I wonder why that is?

(Rom 14:17) For the kingdom of God is ...righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

(Luk 17:20) ...The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
(Luk 17:21) Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

 

[joshuanazar]

Why is it that the churches that do talk about it all have descriptions of it that contradict each other?

 

[ken777]

Why is it that the churches that do talk about it all have descriptions of it that contradict each other?

Such as?
Could it be that the Kingdom of God encompasses so much that isolating different aspects of it may cause us to think there are contradictions.

 

[joshuanazar]

Such as?
Could it be that the Kingdom of God encompasses so much that isolating different aspects of it may cause us to think there are contradictions.

I guess, but if so then they are not aware that they are talking about the same kingdom. Some say that the kingdom is in you, some say that the kingdom is in heaven, some say that the kingdom can only be achieved by people that make themselves as little children, some say that it can only be achieved by people who obey God and live holy. I have heard some say that those that are in the kingdom cannot be friends with those that are outside the kingdom (though I think that is more Jehovah Witness doctrine). I have heard that the kingdom of God is different from the kingdom of heaven. I know what the Bible says, but it really seems as if a lot of churches have trouble understanding what the kingdom is. That they just describe it as what they feel most comfortable with because they do not know much about it. The Kingdom of God does encompasses a whole lot and it is impossible to cover it all. When we talk about grace and truth, we talk about the kingdom of God. The entire Bible is in the kingdom of God. I guess what I am saying is that people need to be more open to instruction and not think that they know it all.

 

[TRWord]

If we get rid of all the religious misconceptions and begin with “ what a kingdom is,” then the kingdom of God explains itself.

Literally a kingdom is a monarch’s domain, the area or territory he owns or control.

In this case though it not a physical place. It’s “the revelation of the supremacy of spirit.”

Whosoever consciously holds God as supreme above all else has entered His kingdom.

If Jesus didn’t say it, then it’s not His word and if you hold to His word then there are no contradictions.

He Said:

Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

 

[BryanW92]

Why is it that the churches that do talk about it all have descriptions of it that contradict each other?

That is the better question than that of the OP. I don't know why the OP never hears about it. I do quite often, but everyone has a different view of what it is.

Is it:

1. Heaven?
2. The regenerated soul?
3. The earth after Jesus returns?
4. The earth after we perfect it?
5. The New Jerusalem?
6. The One-World Church?
7. The Socialist Workers' Utopia?

Jesus talks about the KOG a lot and seems to hint that it is many things. Perhaps it is all 7 and more. Perhaps he is trying to explain an elephant to a bunch of blind men who are each touching a different part.

 

[TRWord]

Most of us dwell in a divided kingdom where the devil rules over evil. Until we consciously enter a kingdom where God reign supreme over all, we remain outside His kingdom.

Again His word:

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Matt. 12:24-28

 

[Job8]

Why is it that modern church, in virtually any form or creed, has so little to say about Jesus spent the vast majority of His ministry articulating?

There is no question that the focus of the entire Bible is on the ultimate establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth and throughout the universe.

There could be a multitude of reasons as to why the Kingdom of God is not a theme that is frequently taught or preached. Augustine's influence permeated both the Catholic Church as well as the Reformed Churches. He believed that the Millennium had already been established in his time, therefore a large swath of Christians are Amillennialists. Therefore the Kingdom of God (in their minds) has either come and gone, or is to be found in the present mess on earth.

Those who do believe in a future Millennium and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth during that time do not generally remind their audiences that during the Church Age "the Kingdom of God is within you" and that all those who are born again enter and see "the Kingdom of God". But when you see the words of Paul, he never forgot that the Gospel is also the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (without denying that it is the Gospel of God and the Gospel of Christ).

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. (Acts 28:30,31).

 

[1watchman]

It might help seekers to see that the Kingdom of Heaven, as shown in Matthew, speaks of Christian profession, and the Kingdom of God refers to those who are saved --"born again" and a real "child of God". One can study this out to see how they are used in Scripture. The K. of Heaven came with Jesus (note Matt. 3:2), but Jesus was rejected so the K. of H. is only in profession today. When Jesus returns to earth the K. of H. will dwell and rule on earth. True believers are presently in the K. of God. Write me if you wish to talk more about it.

 

[1watchman]

It should be also noted that the Kingdom of God is entered through the Gospel message, and much is said of that in the New Testament. The preaching of the K. of God is the truth of salvation of a soul.

 

[Chicken Little]

Why is it that modern church, in virtually any form or creed, has so little to say about Jesus spent the vast majority of His ministry articulating?

In 38 years of warming pews and throwing money, I don't think I heard one sermon on the subject of the kingdom of God. Yet when I read the New Testament, its hard not to run into this subject.

I wonder why that is?

I have wondered that too, I suspect most people don't really believe in it. They just don't want to go to hell... but they ain't to excited about heaven ( now or later ) either.. that is about the only conclusion I could come too.

 

[TRWord]

I have wondered that too, I suspect most people don't really believe in it. They just don't want to go to hell... but they ain't to excited about heaven ( now or later ) either.. that is about the only conclusion I could come too.

We describe God as “the Almighty” but we haven’t accepted it consciously.

“The Almighty” is words to most of us, but until the word become flesh or a conscious reality we cannot enter the kingdom.

Rev. 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.