Hello Church, a very warm welcome to this service today, in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let me take this opportunity to share with us a quick thought about being in the Kingdom of God.
Mark 1:14-15 (NSV) 14 Now after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the [j]gospel of God, 15 and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe in the [k]gospel.
The phrase "the kingdom of God is at hand" means that the presence and rule of God are near and accessible to those who are willing to receive it. People have the opportunity to experience God's love, mercy, and salvation. People are encouraged to turn towards God and live in a deeper relationship with Him. This message encourages us as believers to align ourselves with God's will, to seek righteousness, justice, and love in our lives, and to spread the message of God's kingdom to others. It emphasizes the transformative power of God's presence and invites us to participate in building a community of faith and compassion based on the principles of the kingdom of God.
Being in the kingdom of God means living under the reign and rule of God in our hearts, minds, and actions. It involves acknowledging God as our sovereign Lord and surrendering our lives to His will and guidance. Here are some key aspects of what it means to be in the kingdom of God :
Salvation; Being in the kingdom of God starts with accepting Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord, experiencing forgiveness of sins, and being reconciled to God through faith.
Transformation: As members of the kingdom of God, we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) and to grow in holiness and conformity to the image of Christ.
Relationship with God: Living in the kingdom of God involves developing a deep, personal relationship with God through prayer, worship, reading the Bible, and fellowship with other believers.
Living out God's Values: Being in the kingdom of God means aligning our lives with the values, principles, and teachings of Jesus Christ, such as love, compassion, humility, justice, and righteousness.
Mission and Service: Members of the kingdom of God are called to participate in God's mission of spreading the Good News, making disciples, and serving others in Jesus' name.
Hope and Eternal Life: Being in the kingdom of God gives us hope for the future, knowing that we have eternal life with God and will one day experience the fullness of His kingdom in Heaven.
Fruit of the Spirit: Manifesting the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) - in our lives demonstrates that we are being transformed by the kingdom of God.
Living in Community: Being part of a community of believers who support, encourage, and hold each other accountable in their faith journey can be a sign that we are experiencing the kingdom of God together.
Overall, being in the kingdom of God is a transformative and ongoing journey of faith, characterized by submission to God's will, growth in relationship with Him, and living out our faith in love and service to others.
Amen !!
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