The Place Where We Live It's the Kingdom of God

By Rev. Harvey Deater

The kingdom of God is not of this world. The definition of faith tells us the same thing. "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Just prior to His ascension, we find that Jesus gave "instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles. He had chosen and spoke about the Kingdom of God" (Acts 1:2""3). Thus, why should we be preaching about worldly problems and situations when we know that God has already overcome the world? If this is true, and it is, there is nothing left for us to overcome. The overcoming factor belongs to the worldly. We, as souls saved, have been "Returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls" (1 Peter 2:25). "Christ Jesus has become for us wisdom from God, that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption" (1 Colossians 1:30).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644167953

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The

Place

Where

We Live

It’s the Kingdom of God

Rev. Harvey Deater

ISBN 978-1-64416-794-6 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64416-795-3 (digital)

Copyright © 2018 by Rev. Harvey Deater

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Iam beginning this study with a conversation between Jesus and His disciples. Although Jesus spent a great deal of time with His disciples, at this point in their relationship, the disciples did not really understand most of what He told them. This conversation is what follows after He spoke to them about His betrayal:

They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. Also a dispute arose among themselves as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them, call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel’ (Luke 22:23–30).

The important part of this conversation for us today is this: I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me. Today, we are an extension of that kingdom. Today, we eat and drink at His table. And He, Jesus, remains as the one who serves. God is not served by human hands as if He needed anything (Acts 17:25).

Over all the years of its existence, the church, as most of us think of our place in the world, has not yet learned that. We think, and wrongly so, that the more we serve the greater we are. And then, of course, what follows that thought is that the greater we are the more deserving we are of God’s attention. This then brings on the false hope of reaching heaven by human effort. Jesus is still the one who serves. And He still serves His Father while we rest from our own labors.

Still to come are the thrones and the judging of the twelve tribes of Israel. Just so you know, It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His authority (Acts 1:7).

The following is another story from the Bible that will again introduce us to the subject matter:

"Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and they were turned to the Lord.

News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Again, just so you know, translators sometimes get it wrong. So with regard to seeing the evidence of the grace of God, Jesus said, The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation . . . because the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:20–21). The kingdom of God is a spiritual entity. The way we live in that kingdom is by faith, so we are sure of things not seen. Evidence of the kingdom’s reality comes by revelation, not by sight.

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:19–26).

Did you know that?

So obviously, there were those observing the work taking place among the people by the disciples and decided to call those doing the work, Christians. Later in this study, you will learn more about this work with regard to the real source, but for now, just understand that God did not provide the name to this religious movement. Rather, the name Christian came by way of a human source. And then think about this: since then, the name Christian has been further divided by denominational names which call into question the exact meaning of the