Kingdom Living

This course concerns the Kingdom of God.  It introduces the two spiritual kingdoms, their rulers, and residents.  It provides spiritual keys for gaining access to the Kingdom of God and warns of things that result in being cast out of the Kingdom.  The past, present, and future of this Kingdom are examined, Kingdom parables are explained, and its patterns and principles of living are stressed.

Why is a study of the Kingdom of God important?

Jesus told His followers:

And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.  (Matthew 24:14)

Before Jesus returns to set up His Kingdom in its final form, the Gospel of the Kingdom must be extended throughout the nations of the world.

In order to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, you must understand the Kingdom of God.  Before you can become custodian to the keys to the Kingdom, you must first experience that Kingdom.

In the past, much emphasis has been placed on the life and ministry of the King of the Kingdom, Jesus Christ, and rightly so. But not enough emphasis has been given the Gospel of the Kingdom.  Jesus told the religious leaders of His time:

Ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men: For ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.   (Matthew 23:13)

It was this Gospel of the Kingdom that was the central purpose of Christ's life.  He began His earthly ministry by declaring the arrival of the Kingdom (Matthew 4:17).  He ended His earthly ministry by speaking of things pertaining to the Kingdom (Acts 1:3).  In between the beginning and end of His earthly ministry, the emphasis was on the Kingdom:

And He said unto them, I must preach the Kingdom of God to other cities also;  for therefore am I sent.  (Luke 4:43)

The Kingdom of God was the greatest concern of Jesus.  His teachings and parables focused on the Kingdom.  His miracles were a demonstration of the Kingdom of God in action.

The phrases "Kingdom of God" and "Kingdom of Heaven" are used over 100 times in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  We are told to seek first the Kingdom, to pray for it, and to preach it. We are told how to enter the Kingdom and taught that residency in it requires a new lifestyle.

To enter this Kingdom, to maintain residency, and to fulfill the commission to preach its Gospel to the world it is necessary to understand the principles and patterns of the Kingdom. That is the purpose of this course.