Experiencing the Kingdom of God: Kingdom (Monarchy) VS. Democracy
Last week we learned about the Big Picture, God’s purpose and intent for mankind!
Reign: to rule, to influence, to keep in order under kingly rule! (steward)
We answered the question: “why am I here on this earth?”: To be an ambassador, to represent God and to bring healing and order to this chaotic world!
The Kingdom of God was Christ's number one Mission
Luke 4:42-44 42 Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. 43 But he replied, "I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent." 44 So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea. NLT
Acts 28:30-31 30 For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, 31 boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him. NLT
It is interesting to note that the word “Kingdom” is used over 300 times in the Bible
The Kingdom of God: The sovereign (self-determining) governing and reign of God over all creation, instituted on earth through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It is both a “present spiritual reality” in the hearts of believers and a “future” physical kingdom that will be fully established when Jesus returns to bring justice, peace, and new creation (Saved and being saved)
Difference between Human governments: a Kingdom and a Democracy
Source of Power: Democracy is "people power" (we the people), while the Kingdom is "King power" (I the King).
Kingdom citizens live by rights, not emotions, experiences, or opinions, as with a democracy!
Luke 12:29-32 29 "And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. 32 "So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. NLT
Jesus did not come to start a religion called "Christianity" but to re-establish the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.
He viewed the church as a "training center" or "embassy" to teach citizens how to live according to the King's culture and values
Example of Kingdom Rights under Human control
Acts 16:37-40 37 But Paul replied, "They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!" 38 When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. NLT
Was Rome a Kingdom, Dynasty, or Democracy?
Acts 22:24-29 24 The commander brought Paul inside and ordered him lashed with whips to make him confess his crime. He wanted to find out why the crowd had become so furious. 25 When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, "Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn't even been tried?" 26 When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked, "What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!" 27 So the commander went over and asked Paul, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes, I certainly am," Paul replied. 28 "I am, too," the commander muttered, "and it cost me plenty!" Paul answered, "But I am a citizen by birth!" 29 The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and whipped. NLT
In all these things Paul knew he was a citizen by birth, and had rights afforded for him by the King (how about you)
Can we trust God our King?
In a democracy, people make and change laws. In a kingdom, the King writes the constitution (testament), and laws are based on “His will”.
Acts 10:34-35 34 Then Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. NLT
The Word of God is God’s Constitution (testament) for the Kingdom! (His Will)
It is God's testament to His children, legal proof of the Father's will for his heirs.
1. If you do not know His “Will”, “Testament”, and/or His “Covenant”, you will not know what’s rightfully yours!
Heb 9:16-17 16 Now when someone leaves a will, it is necessary to prove that the person who made it is dead. 17 The will goes into effect only after the person's death. While the person who made it is still alive, the will cannot be put into effect. NLT
In a legal sense, a "Will" or "Testament" only becomes active upon the death of the one who wrote it. Because Jesus died and rose again, the "benefits" of His “Will” are now legally available to the citizens of His Kingdom.
1 Cor 11:23-26 23 For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it." 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again. NLT (Celebrating His Will)
30 different times Jesus said I will or I am willing
Matt 11:28-30 28 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." NLT
Matt 8:2-4 2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. "Lord," the man said, "if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean." 3 Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," he said. "Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy disappeared. NLT
In this encounter, the man did not doubt Jesus' ability to heal, but rather His willingness, saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean". Jesus' response serves as a definitive confirmation of His heart toward those in need.
Phil 4:18-19 18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. NLT
When you look at the "I will" and "I would" distinction through the lens of a Kingdom Constitution, it changes how you read the fine print:
2. The phrase "I would or wanted" often expresses God's desire or intention that may be hindered by human choice.
Matt 23:37-39 37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me. 38 And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. NLT
Rev 3:15-17 15 "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! NLT
1 Cor 14:4-5 4 The one who prays using a private "prayer language" certainly gets a lot out of it, but proclaiming God's truth to the church in its common language brings the whole church into growth and strength. 5 I want all of you to develop intimacies with God in prayer, but please don't stop with that. Go on and proclaim his clear truth to others. (THE MESSAGE)
"I would" tells you about His Character, but "I will" tells you about your Contract.
Conclusion: As a Citizen of the Kingdom The difference between "I would" and "I will" is the difference between a wish and a warranty, while "I would" reflects God’s heart and desire for your well-being, the "I will" of the New Covenant is a binding legal decree.
If you are not careful, you “will” talk yourself into the “would not.”
We restrict God by allowing past failures, traumas, or successes to dictate our present faith, often by dwelling on, fearing a repeat of, or fixating on old outcomes rather than trusting in new divine possibilities. This limits Him by creating a "box" based on limited human perspectives rather than divine potential
Charles Spurgene Faith fosters every virtue; unbelief murders everyone. Thousands of prayers have been strangled in their infancy by unbelief. Unbelief has been guilty of infanticide; it has murdered many an infant petition; many a song of praise that would have swelled the chorus of the skies, has been stifled by an unbelieving murmur; many a noble enterprise conceived in the heart has been blighted ere it could come forth, by unbelief.
