Dr. Kenneth Jones. Copyright 2012 by Practical Living Ministry/

Transcription

1 Dr. Kenneth Jones Copyright 2012 by Practical Living Ministry/

2 } Authority or rule } Sovereignty } Domain by which something is dominant or prevalent } Ideology (i.e. kingdom of heaven) } The presence of a king or ruling authority } Our submission to a king or ruling authority Copyright 2012 by Practical Living Ministry/

3 } Kingdom of Self } Kingdom of Satan } Kingdom of Darkness } Kingdom of God } Every individual will find him/herself under the influence of one or more kingdom(s) Based upon choice and submission

4 } The biggest hindrance to experiencing true kingdom mindset is SELF } Worldly Entanglements choke out the Word of God in our hearts 2 Timothy 2:4: No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. The kingdom of God is about service and walking in God s authority. This is a hard concept for the selfabsorbed, self focused, self serving, Consumer Christian of today

5 } The Greatest Love of All, by Whitney Houston } Although a Great Song, it was a song about the kingdom of Self } There is a belief that Man is the answer to all things and that he has all the tools and intellect to succeed without God } Love Yourself Philosophy

6 Everybody's searching for a hero People need someone to look up to I never found anyone who fulfilled my needs A lonely place to be And so I learned to depend on me I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows If I fail, if I succeed at least I live as I believe No matter what they take from me They can't take away my dignity Because the greatest love of all is happening to me I found the greatest love of all inside of me The greatest love of all is easy to achieve Learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all Lyrics to Greatest Love of All

7 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] selfcentered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. 3 [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. 4 [They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with selfconceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God (2Timothy 3:2-4) Copyright 2012 by Practical Living Ministry/

8 } Self Focus } Self Gratification } Self Glorification } Self Worship } Selfishness } Self Motives

9 2 Corinthians 4:4: 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

10 Matthew 11:12 - "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. People desperately need to hear the kingdom message That is why during that day, they thronged John the Baptist and Jesus However, this message requires that we persevere to receive it and that is an enemy that strives to prevent us from receiving (John 10:10) Satan s primary objective is to prevent people from understanding the gospel message so that they might be saved.

11 } Jesus reference to violence refers to both the intensity of spiritual warfare surrounding the ministry of Jesus and His herald, and also to the intensity required to persevere in following God and taking the kingdom into our hearts. (David Guzik s Commentary) The kingdom will never be received passively. It is always founded on God s work on our behalf, but God s work will always produce a response in us.

12 } It is a high priority of Satan to deceive people spiritually, thereby gaining control over their lives. Those that participate in this kingdom: False Prophets (1 st John 4:1) False Religions (1 Corinthians 10: 19-20) Occultism Anti-Bible Warfare (1 st Timothy 4:1) } Satan s kingdom has structure and levels of power just as the kingdom of God (Ephesians 6:10-12)

13 } Principalities princes and chief rulers of the kingdom of darkness; first in rank } Powers One who possesses authority or influence granted to them by a principality } Rulers of the darkness of this world present world order which includes worldly affairs of mankind; An area where there is a lack of God s Presence (leading to confusion, darkness, false religions, etc.) } Spiritual wickedness in high places - highly refined and sublimed evil; disguised falsehood in the garb of truth; operates in spheres of influence

14 Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 WHO HATH DELIVERED US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS, AND HATH TRANSLATED US INTO THE KINGDOM OF HIS DEAR SON: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. } Refers to a state of darkness, ignorance, and confusion, being without the light of the gospel

15 } Exists in the Kingdom of Satan } These words refer to the sinister forces marshaled against the believer for decisive combat in the spiritual realm. (Bruce) } The characteristic of this empire is darkness - the emblem of: } Sin separates us from God } Error skilled at concealment } Passive it lulls us to sleep } misery and death - afflicts and depresses man

16 Ephesians 4:18 Their moral understanding is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. [They are] alienated (estranged, selfbanished) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the ignorance (the want of knowledge and perception, the willful blindness) that is deep-seated in them, due to their hardness of heart [to the insensitiveness of their moral nature]. (Amplified Version) Copyright 2012 by Practical Living Ministry/

17 } Revelation 12:13-17: The kingdom of evil supernaturalism is a kingdom of intense hatred against the people of God. They make war against those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus } Satan rules over a kingdom of evil angels } The kingdom of evil supernaturalism opposes God and His kingdom Copyright 2012 by Practical Living Ministry/

18 Matthew 12:28 - But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. } } The success of God s kingdom means the destruction of Satan s kingdom Satan has a kingdom The purpose of God s kingdom is to destroy the works of Satan } The reign of Satan over people, and the reign of God are in opposition. If God expels Satan from his dominion over people, then his reign has come. } You Cannot Exist in Two Kingdoms (1 st John 1:8) Jesus came in the flesh to release people from the influence of satan and his kingdom

19 } In the midst of the Pharisees accusation, Jesus makes another profound statement: Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. It was so important that the Early Church remain in unity and even today so that God s kingdom would strive and destroy the works of Satan Most Christians struggle today because they are trying to reside in two kingdoms

20 } Romans 14:17 - for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. } Sustained Peace That passes our understanding and comprehension. We are at peace in all things because we have Peace with the Father } Right Standing to do God s Work Right standing to have the right mind to do the right thing } Joy through the Spirit We are not limited to happiness which is based upon temporal things but a joy that gives us strength (Nehemiah 8:10)

21 } Service Unto God The purpose of service is so God can reach others through our hands. In II Cor. 9:12-13, the Bible says that the service we provide not only meets needs but expresses thanks to God and leads others to praise God. Service through our spirit (Romans 1:9) Convinced, faithful, heartfelt service God hates fleshly service Serve the Lord with gladness (Psalms 110:2) - Let I be joyous service, giving praise and honor to the Lord Must be pure, consecrated, and dedicated Who wants lukewarm service? Service Unto Men We serve God by serving others We can t serve if we are not present

22 Service Preach the Good News of the Kingdom Do the Acts that Jesus did (John 14:12) Love their Wives as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25-28) Mentor, guide, and lead One s family Serve God by Serving Others (Gal 5:13) The Great Commission (Mark 16:15-20) To expose and destroy the works of satan (1 st John 3:8) To deliver those who are oppressed Be a gift to the church through exercise of your God-given talents (Romans 12:5-8) Purpose Convert and Transform Lives To glorify God in the Earth To sanctify his woman and present her spotless To produce and develop godly seed in the earth To reveal the love, character, and nature of God in the earth To build and extend the kingdom of God To sustain a reigning kingdom To recover those snared against their will by the devil (2 Timothy 2:25,26) To be a blessing and to support the body of Christ

23 Are You Unemployed or Undercover When it comes to Serving in the Kingdom of God Does Your Relationship with God and with others exist under the premise of you being served, rather than you extending service to God and to others in His Name?

24 Barely Make it to Fellowship Non-Tither Kingdom of Self Kingdom of God Minister to God s People regularly Give and support ministries It s enough to take care of myself Example of the world Complacent Self-Centered Will not share the gospel with others Understands that strength and maturity is achieved while serving Example of the believer Committed to sharing the gospel God-Centered

25 How you act may reflect how you are influenced Do you understand biblical principles or do you have trouble comprehending spiritual things? Do you feel oppressed, possessed, obsessed, because you are impressed with the world Do you put yourself first in all things and your service to God on the backburner } Is it more about You than Him Come away from satan s kingdom of darkness, confusion and self-centeredness and enjoy life in God s kingdom today