KINGDOM OF GOD

-our Christian hope anchors on the kingdom of God

-one day, everyone will see Jesus

-at that time, there will be no more sickness, sadness, no sin and death (wages of sin)

future reality = the age to come.. and we can have a taste of it now

we have a taste of it.. power/life/glory

every time a demon is cast out, sickness healed.. the kingdom is here

as a believer, we can see and enter the kingdom of God

-this is what the commission is all about

-this message will never grow old

sovereign rule of God's kingship

kingdom of God is not the church, place, blessings.. its the rule of God in our life

-seek God's kingdom rule and His righteousness

   -the kingdom rule is God's righteousness

-the more we seek God's kingdom, there more God can rule in us, the more powerful we are

righteousness of Pharisees is external, outward.. Jesus' is in the heart

4 laws of the kingdom

1. the law of anger

we may not physically murder, but internally angry.. subject to judgement

dont be angry.. the moment we are angry, theres a risk of not entering the kingdom of God

-raca (aramaic) = word of deep anger of resentment and bitterness, word of hatred and contempt

-every murder is anger fully grown

anger gives the devil the chance

2. the law of purity

-only the pure in heart will see God

lust is not in the eye or hand cos lust is in the heart and mind

do what we must to get rid of sin

in Jesus' day, divorce is a very common thing

-marriage is a promise not to be broken

-when we sin, we are unattractive to God

   -unless we renounce God, God will never leave us..

-love unconditionally

divorce is rooted in lust

3. the law of honesty

to the Pharisees, we can make promises whenever but swear if we are serious about it

-to Jesus, when we make a promise, just do

   -a honest person doesnt need to swear

-perfect honesty is how the kingdom of God works

4. the law of love

in the kingdom of God, theres no room for personal revenge.. dont have a spirit of revenge and "prove to you"

- love = forgiveness

-bless = speak well

-is there zero anger (thoughts, emotions), perfect purity (bodily emotional cravings), perfect honest (words and promises) and perfect love (relationship)

-we cant do it, we can desire it..

   -only by the grace of God then we can.. we need to seek for them

VISION 2021

-God must grant it to us..

   -God permit it

-we got to have hunger and thirst

   -in the kingdom of God, the more we eat, the more hungry.. the more we drink, the more thirsty

-in this covid19 pandemic season, God gave us the natural reason to stay at home.. more time to eat and drink of the spirit

-righteousness is the character of kingdom of God

1. be intentional in cultivating christlikeness

-be very purposeful.. grow more and more like Jesus

-real purpose in life is not riches and wealth... but to glorify God and enjoy Him forever

-images.. to point, display, glorify the original

   -God made us in His image..

there got to be a yielding to be more and more like Jesus

-during the covid19 pandemic lock down..

-our love for God and each other were tested.. has it grown cold

-our gentleness, kindness, self-control were tested.. being tgt in the same house for the longest period of time

-learn to be patient..

   -it has to be intentional

-learn not to be anxious..

   -learn to trust God for the outcome

-learn to be loyal..

2. be international in unconditional love

-learn to love unconditionally

a happy marriage requires 100% commitment

-we made a vow during marriage... we cant quit if we dont like it

-marriage is a life-time commitment

-we are to love our husband/wife just like Jesus loved us

-love and forgiveness goes hand-in-hand.. its unconditional

   -theres no limit and condition

      -dont set a limit on how long the wait will be

   -as long as theres condition, its not true love

-even if we stay unfaithful to God, God remains faithful unless we renounce Him

-nv be the one to initiate a divorce

   -dont cut anyone out unless the other party cuts

-if the love is gone, treat each other as friends.. do what friends do...

   -friends talk, hang-out, civil, being kind

-romance, affection is only temporary

   -its a different type of love in heaven

-its this kind of love that drove Jesus to the cross to die for us

-even in pain, depressed.. there will be a unspeakable joy when we hang-on and try to love unconditionally

-even the greatest romance on earth can nv be compared to the joy in heaven

-through pain and hardship, God is teaching us to love

-loving alone is enough even without any reward

-the act of love is satisfying.. any response is a bonus

3. be intentional in marketplace discipleship

-our mission is to be in the world and not of the world

-our values have to be different if we want to make a difference

-our goal is not for riches, promotions..

   -our focus to be on righteousness, disciples of Jesus

   -our focus have to be right and such will be added to us

-success can come from God or Satan..

   -the devil can give wealth and fame too!

-the difference is God can give us wealth and fame without sorrows

   -sorrows.. tiredness, having trouble

mortification - kill every rebellious habit as it surface in our life

   -pride, greed, anger, envy, jealousy

vivification - develop, strengthen the virtues of Christ

-we need both!

-the kingdom of God is where Jesus can rule and reign..

-dont make wealth and fame our goal... it will lead us astray

   its not easy.. it requires the love of Jesus