THE KINGDOM OF GOD

There were many in Israel who saw Jesus, a few saw Jesus Christ.

There were many in Israel who saw the power of God upon Him, a few realized that the Kingdom of God had come unto them!

When Nicodemus came to Jesus by night in the 3rd chapter of John, he was aware that the power of God was upon Jesus. But Jesus' 'answer' to his observation was unexpected. Jesus told him that one must be born anew, or from above, in order to 'see' the Kingdom of God. Jesus went on to explain that to be born from above is to be born of the Spirit.
I believe that when we receive Christ as Lord and savior we all receive the Holy Spirit. That means we have the ability to 'see' the Kingdom. But lately I have become aware of a simple conviction; I have not seen the Kingdom at any time, in my 30+ years of being a Christian, as I now see it.

What I mean is this; Jesus invited us to see something more. More then fellowship, church, tradition, ministry, prayer, Bible study, conferences, Sunday school and programs. He invited us to a relationship that can experience the invasion of heaven upon our tangible world. My world has been turned up-side right by this invasion and I am overwhelmed by the wonder of it.

Three Gospels record the event where Jesus heals a blind and dumb man and He is accused of doing so by demonic powers. His answer is astounding; first He makes it clear that it would be stupid of satan to heal the disease he inflicted upon the man, then He challenges them to see what really just happened. "If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons then the Kingdom of God has come upon you!" (Lk.11:20) It was an invasion of heaven. A touch from the Kingdom into the realm of this reality with super-natural power.

It is just here that I want you to see something significant; the Kingdom of God is now! And it has power for us to be able to tap into a realm of glory we have always been meant to access but only a few realize. It is available to everyone who believes!
The Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God was to come, they imagined it to be a earthly restoration of the house of David with a Messiah to rescue them from worldly oppression.
They looked for a prophetic 'sign' of that appearing. Jesus told them that "the Kingdom of God was not coming with (outward) signs that can be observed (in the natural realm); nor could anyone say 'Lo, here it is!' or 'there!' for behold, the Kingdom of God is in the midst of you (or within you)." (Lk.17:2o-21) 'It is like the wind,' as Jesus told Nicodemus.
Like the wind in the sense of the Spirit.
Like the Spirit in the sense of 'wind'.

A Kingdom that becomes 'tangible' for those who are born of the Spirit.
A 'Kingdom of heaven' which is more 'real' than the 'reality' we touch with our five senses.
It is there/here all around us. It is available to everyone who believes.

I believe that Jesus gave an invitation. Mark 1:14-15 records: "Jesus came preaching the gospel of God, and saying, 'the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent (change your mind), and BELIEVE the gospel'."
Many believe the 'good news' of salvation and are saved. Many believe in spiritual gifts and experience the wonderful blessing of tongues. Most Christian love Jesus.
But is there MORE to 'believing' the gospel? Can we experience greater levels of intimacy? Can we experience more of His tangible love?

There were many in Israel who saw Jesus, but only a few saw Jesus Messiah.
A King with a Kingdom.

It is my belief that the Kingdom of God is greater than many of us yet see.
I believe that Jesus is greater than we think.
I believe that there is more to the Christian life than we have experienced.

If you have read any of my previous Blogs you will certainly know what I am alluding to.
I am experiencing astonishing things.

The Kingdom of God is in our midst, it is 'with-in' us.
The King is inviting us to MORE.