The Kingdom You Cannot See

Part 1

The Kingdom is a critical subject in biblical teaching. Our thinking about a kingdom and king may be hard to understand. We do not know what it means to live under an absolute monarchy. Our government was set up with the idea that no one was to have too much power at any time — where no person has absolute right, privilege, power, or authority. But yet, the way God has set up His kingdom is exactly opposite to our own. He does exactly what he wants when he wants with whom he wants for the purpose he wants. We are his subjects and under His authority. Today, we’ll look at the two realms of God’s kingdom.

1. The Realm of Creation

   1. Psalm 103:19: The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

      1. Everything He created is under his sovereign power.

      2. This includes Satan and all who serve him. They are cursed, judged, and will be destroyed.

   2. God has revealed Himself in it. We are without excuse.

      1. Romans 1:20: For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made.

      2. He is the invisible power in the molecules of the universe that holds it all together.

      3. Colossians 1:16-17: For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.

2. The Realm of the Heart

   1. This is the kingdom to which Jesus refers in Luke 17:21: no one will say, ‘See here!’ or ‘There!’ For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst.

      1. This is very personal in nature.

      2. He is sovereign in the universe. He is sovereign in His people.

   2. This is made possible through Jesus who is the true, pure, exact expression of God

      1. Hebrews 1:3: The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

      2. John 14:9: The one who has seen me has seen the Father.

      3. John 10:30: I and the Father are one.

   3. He is not just God — He is King.

      1. Isaiah 9:6: For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

      2. Jesus came — not to establish a universal kingdom — He already had that.

   4. The kingdom is in our hearts. Luke 17:21 ESV: The kingdom of God is in the midst of you.

      1. The kingdom is on the inside - not the outside … it is in our hearts.

      2. Romans 14:17: for the kingdom of God is …righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

3. Like a Mustard Seed

   1. Luke 13:19: It’s like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the sky nested in its branches.

      1. The kingdom starts small — then it grows and makes progress.

      2. It begins in the heart of all who believe — and it grows until it is fully seen in its amazing glory when our Lord comes to take us home.

4. As We Close…

   1. Will you receive your King?

      1. Receive Him as your protector, sustainer, and equipper.

      2. Receive Him as Lord over your life.

   2. He wants to be your King … with absolute rule over your life.