Controversial for the Kingdom of Christ: You Can't Be Anointed Without It

By Curtis Bracy

So you thought if you said it nicer, they would like you more? You thought if you only said it in certain places, they would accept you on major platforms? You believed that if you were a politically correct Christian, you could still be one of them. Well, there is no such thing as a "politically correct" Christian. The anoint- ing that you have

• Language: English
• Publisher: Curtis Bracy
• Release date: Mar 5, 2024
• ISBN: 9798218366162

Curtis Bracy

Curtis T. Bracy, known as "Kingdom Warfare Preacher," has been given a Kingdom mandate from the King of kings, LORD Jesus Christ, to spread what Jesus called, "This Gospel of the Kingdom" to the World in the 21st Century. Bracy has a passion and a Kingdom mandate to bring the Church away from an Americanized gospel and back to the only Gospel that Jesus Christ our LORD Preached, which is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Bracy believes that the church has deviated from the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, in its original Jewish context.Bracy believes that God is sending Kingdom revival that will bring us back to the Jewish roots of scripture and not a European Christianity that is divided by racism. Bracy is also an apologist for the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ and the Apostles' Doctrine (the Doctrine of Christ), and Semitic Studies. Bracy's academic achievements include a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kean University, a Master of Arts in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage, Family, and Couples Counseling from Pillar College. Bracy is a licensed Counselor in the state of New Jersey. Bracy is also an instructor for the Central Jersey Bible Institute.Bracy is a fiery and spirit-filled preacher who believes in exalting his LORD and Savior, King Jesus Christ, the Almighty. He is a highly sought-after preacher, whose Kingdom Ministry has transcended Denominational barriers. Bracy is married to the love of his life, Lady Shadae Bracy, and a proud Father to his daughter Zion.

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Dedication

This book is dedicated to the Memory of my grandmother, Pastor, Presiding Elder Anna Cooper. You have instilled a confidence in me that hell cannot steal. That confidence is in Christ Jesus.

To my best friend and love of my life and gorgeous wife: the lovely Lady Shadae Bracy. To my amazing daughter, Zion Bracy. Daddy loves you. To my mother, Prophet Loria Bracy, for letting me know to never stop at enough.

To my father in the gospel and Pastor, Bishop Mark E. Parrott, Sr. for being the Truth Teller.

To the Lighthouse Temple Church. I love you all tremendously. Malcolm Smiley, the photographer. You rock bro. To Deacon Asher Carr. Brother, you are the right man for the job. Thank you for helping bring my vision to life.

To Pastor Charles A. Johnson III. Thank you for being a listening ear and always encouraging me to continue to preach the truth of Christ’s present and future reign.

To Apostle Julius Rhinehart. Thank you for not being afraid to be different and challenging me on the text. Last but certainly not least, I count it as an honor to dedicate this book to The Kingdom Voice himself, Apostle, Dr. Dana Carson. God has definitely raised you up to speak life to those whom Satan wants to keep out of the Kingdom of God. Thank you for standing by the word of God unapologetically. Can’t wait to attend the Kingdom Theological Seminary.

Foreword

The Kingdom now or Thy Kingdom come? YES! In Controversial for the Kingdom of Christ, Curtis Bracy tackles the tough questions regarding the Kingdom of Christ. Do we desire to build our own kingdom or are we truly citizens of the Kingdom where Jesus Christ reigns as King? The kingdom of me is very small and insignificant, but the Kingdom of God is glorious, powerful, and infinitely expansive!

In a time when we hear so much about patriotism for our country— Merica!— isn’t it time we, as Apostolic believers, wave the Banner of Truth as patriots for Christ’s Kingdom?! Brother Bracy explains why the Kingdom is so much more than simply Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The Jesus who saves is the Jesus who reigns, and the Jesus who reigns has equipped His people with Kingdom power (Acts 1:8) to carry out the mission of the Kingdom.

Throughout Controversial for the Kingdom, Brother Bracy offers encouraging words pertaining to church hurt, offense, cancel culture, and other pertinent oppositions Kingdom citizens face today. I greatly appreciate the insight, candor, and passion for the Kingdom that Brother Bracy presents throughout this work. As citizens of the Commonwealth, we as Spirit-filled believers must live in harmony and unity together to successfully follow the King of the Kingdom. As Brother Bracy boldly broadcasts, It’s hard to give Jesus Christ our undivided attention while we have divided hearts at the same time. I pray that Brother Bracy’s work greatly blesses your Kingdom life and ministry in God’s Kingdom.

Jason L. Weatherly, PhD (ABD)

Introduction

I once heard someone say, Children didn’t ask to be here. Well, the same can be said about the children of the King. We never asked to be who the King Jesus Christ called us to be. We never asked to be anointed, predestined, or given the call of Christ in our lives. However, when the LORD Jesus Christ calls you, he does so without apologizing to anyone. Even you. The bible made it clear and it came out of Christ’s own mouth that "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you." (John 15:16, ESV).

In a generation where many brag about being anointed, there is some courage lacking. We have become so preoccupied with being exposed, talked about on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and even vilified by the church, that we have twisted the truth of our calling to satisfy the insecurities of many. However, in the word of God, the anointing and boldness are synonymous. In fact, the anointing produces boldness.

The LORD Jesus Christ is not looking for another individual who just wants to use their anointing to show off, be on television to make their name great or take another picture of themselves feeding the poor. Christ is calling for the ones who upset Satan’s agendas, have gotten kicked out of many cliques, and are pushed to the side all because they were bold about the anointing of Jesus Christ in their lives.

We are more than just Christians, baptized believers, saved, or saints. We are citizens of the Kingdom of Christ. That means that we are not of the world, which is why the world will hate us. Jesus Christ, dying on the cross did more than provide a way for me to be saved. Jesus rising from the dead did more than provide a way for me to be filled with the holy spirit. The LORD Jesus Christ saved us to bring us out of the Kingdom of darkness into His Kingdom of light. For that reason, Satan hates us. Since he couldn’t stop Christ from pulling me out of his Kingdom of darkness, he is after every Kingdom believer. It’s like a killer who knows you saw them kill someone. They want you dead because you were an eyewitness. They are afraid you are going to go to the cops. Well, Satan hates the citizens of the Kingdom of God because we used to be citizens of Satan’s kingdom. He is out to make sure we don’t recruit any more of his slaves from the Kingdom of Darkness. Well, devil too late! Christ Jesus is calling us to be more than just believers. We are Kingdom-minded believers who are called to be controversial in a world of status quo and a Cancel Culture society.

Part 1

Christ Already Predestined You To Be Controversial

Chapter

One

You’re a Problem

If no one has not called you high-minded after sharing your vision, your vision isn’t big enough. -Bishop Noel Jones

Some of us have heard this all of our lives. As quiet as it’s kept, we are used to it. The only problem is we don’t understand the spiritual and Biblical reasons why. Culturally, we attribute it to haters and frenemies. Others think because they are cut from a different cloth that is the primary reason. Additionally, we have attributed it to jealousy and insecurities of others. However, I want you to know that while it may include those reasons, they are not the basis for them seeing you as a problem. There is a Kingdom reason why they don’t see you as a solution.

Before we discuss the Kingdom’s reason, let me remind you that there are two kingdoms. One of the two is against you and has been against you all of your life. It’s the reason why they bullied you in school, but it started before that. It’s the reason why they stopped inviting you out, but it started before that. It’s the reason why the relationships you wanted did not last or even start. This started before the foundation of the world. Please understand that I am referring to Satan’s kingdom of darkness. This kingdom is out to steal, kill, and destroy you. Satan’s kingdom hates us because even while we’re in his Kingdom, the ONLY ONE TRUE KING, the LORD Jesus Christ predestined us to be in the Kingdom of God. Let’s compare two passages:

"12 giving thanks[a] to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[c] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him." (Colossians 1:12-16, ESV).

"29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30, ESV).

Now allow me to show you some things in the two passages that are noteworthy to show why Satan’s Kingdom of darkness hates you:

The first passage (Colossians 1:12-16) points out that we have been translated into the Kingdom of Christ. Paul makes it clear that God the Father did it. If the Father had not rescued us from the Kingdom of darkness, Satan would have still had us there.

Did you know that Paul makes it clear that God delivered us from Satan’s Kingdom? That word delivered is the Greek word rhuomai, which means to rush out; or snatch out. God had to rush us out of Satan’s dark kingdom and God’s preferred method of doing it was to snatch us out. God wanted us out of Satan’s kingdom of darkness quickly because we had a Kingdom assignment to complete. However, that Kingdom assignment is a controversial one. Additionally, the Greek word rhuomai means to snatch to oneself. God snatched you out of the Kingdom of darkness to Himself. Yes, God our King wanted us to Himself.

Romans 8:29-30 points out that we have been predestinated to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. While many of us who felt like a problem all of our lives have been trying to fit in with the boys and girls club- we have overlooked the fact that before we were born, Christ already made up his mind to conform us to the image of Christ. When the Bible tells us not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2), Paul was telling us to be conformed to Christ’s image for us. Furthermore, the Greek word for predestinate is proorizō, which means to limit in advance. WOW! Do you know what that means? That means that Christ placed limits on whose circle you would be in. The cliques He didn’t allow you in. The rejection that we didn’t realize was God’s protection. Now please catch this, Satan is limited on how much he can do to us. However, Christ has placed limits on us because of how much damage we are going to do to Satan’s Kingdom of Darkness. What do I mean? Christ has limited us in advance from going too far without the conviction of the Holy Spirit. That’s why when your circle did it, they slept like a baby, but when you did it, you felt the conviction of God so strong that you might not have left your sin quickly, but over time, you realized you didn’t have peace in it.

Most importantly, the above two passages have one word that is repeated twice and that is image. Christ snatched me quickly out of the Kingdom of darkness so that I would be transformed, by the renewing of my mind, into the image of Christ, that He predestined for my life and your life before we were even considered an embryo. All your life you have been worried about your image to the degree to which, you made sure that you did not offend anyone, watched what you said, and have swollen feet due to walking on eggshells around the people who you thought were your meal ticket to greatness. Please! Christ saved you so you could reflect His image. That is why you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a peculiar people, and a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9).

So, Bracy what are you trying to say? I am saying to you that Christ brought you into his Kingdom, not only to keep you out of the lake of fire. The LORD Jesus Christ brought you into His Kingdom because He wants you to live, breathe, think, move, and behave as a Kingdom of Christ citizen that you are! To be conformed to the image of Christ and seeing yourself the way that Christ sees you will help us to let go of disruptive thoughts of insecurity and feelings of inferiority.

The only caveat is that when you decide to start thinking, believing, and living like you are conformed to the image of Christ, we will upset not just Satan but also countless citizens of Satan’s Kingdom, who hate the image of Christ. To know your Kingdom assignment is to know who you are in the LORD Jesus Christ.

This Gospel of the Kingdom

I have always had a strong hunger for God’s word since I was a child. Trust me, that does not mean that I did everything right that whole time. I was brought up in the holiness movement, where a strong emphasis was placed on sanctification and looking, dressing, and talking holy. Over time, however, my heart began to burn for Apostolic revival. I had the desire to study in depth the teaching of what the first-century church taught and believed according to the Word of God in totality

It wasn’t long until I met my wife at a play that we had both auditioned for, and she shared with me what the Bible calls, the Apostles Doctrine (Acts 2:42). That moment would begin a lifelong study of going into detail about what the early church really taught about holiness, poverty, life, wealth, the church. Additionally, I realized that there was something I was lacking and that was the knowledge of the Kingdom of God. In March of 2023, the LORD Jesus Christ began to ignite a passion and desire to study what the LORD Jesus Christ called This Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 24:14).

I have read that phrase of Jesus many times, This Gospel of the Kingdom, but I never took out time to study what He meant. Often in the church, we have reduced the gospel to the death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). However, if one reads 1 Corinthians 15 in totality, we find out that the chapter closes with Paul writing about the Kingdom of God. Now don’t get it twisted. Christ’s death, burial, and bodily resurrection of Jesus, point to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. His death reminds us that Christ is the Lamb of God, but King Jesus’ resurrection is an eternal reminder that He is the reigning King and Lion of the tribe of Judah.

Yes, the good news of Jesus Christ is not just about an ordinary man dying on the cross for us. It is about a King named Jesus who died, a King who was buried, a King who got up, and a King who wants to get inside the hearts of His people to rule and reign. Listen to what the Bible tells us:

15 "Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15, NASB)

Now when we study the scriptures, we see they accentuate the fact that the message of Jesus Christ was clearly a Kingdom message. When we study the teaching of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ, it is clear that the nucleus of His good news was the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 4:23). If the body of Christ is going to do any damage to Satan and his Kingdom of darkness, we must make sure that we are spreading the ONLY gospel that King Jesus Christ preached and that is the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Yes, all I am trying to say is, It’s Kingdom Time Kingdom Citizens!

This was John the Baptizer’s Message Too

There is a concept in theology that scholars refer to as the Intertestamental Period. This is what theologians refer to as the period of time marked by the end of the Older Testament book of Malachi and the beginning of the Gospels, starting with Matthew. In fact, this section that I am referring to is in most of our Bibles, right between the Old and New Testaments. However, many times we miss its richness due to not thinking that period is vital to our understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Nevertheless, the intertestamental period is the glue that assists us in comprehending the time between the testaments.

Due to Israel’s lack of fidelity and allegiance to Yahweh, their ONLY true King, their disobedience caused the Kingdom of Israel to be divided into two kingdoms: the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom (Judah). After this, the divided kingdoms went into exile. The northern kingdom went into Assyrian exile in 722 BC, and the southern kingdom went into Babylonian exile in 586 BC. Now living under oppression, they could not practice and live out their faith due to being enslaved by their enemies.

Over time, before they knew it, Israel was under Greco-Roman exile, which meant, they were being ruled by Alexander the Great. He made sure Israel was a by-product of Greek culture, language, and spirituality. Subsequently, they were so heartbroken by the choices of the impulses of their insecurities, oppression by their oppressors that caused depression, and the persecution of other cultures that they wanted God to be their King again. They wanted a Messiah to come. (Carson, 2018).

It was during this Intertestamental period that they wanted a Messiah that would bring a political kingdom to earth. However, the Old Testament prophecies did not promise a Messiah that would bring a political kingdom. God’s Kingdom was about an eternal Kingdom that would have no end.

Therefore, between Malachi and Matthew, there were 400 years of silence. The real question was is God really silent or was Israel so consumed by their idol worship that they did not want to listen?

Dr. Larry R. Helyer remarks about the importance of understanding this period:

The term intertestamental period refers to the years intervening between the closing of the OT canon (ca. 400-165 BC) and the composition of the NT (ca. AD 48-95). Many scholars prefer to designate this era as the Second Temple period, spanning the years from the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70 and its aftermath in the Bar Kokhba Revolt of AD 132-35. The importance of this era can scarcely be overemphasized from an in-depth study of the NT, because the roots of Christianity reach back into this formative period, which significantly impacted its development. Since Second Temple Judaism itself is rooted in the ancestral faith of Israel as enshrined in the Hebrew Bible. Hebraic thought is the matrix out of which the message of the NT emerges. Rather than using an expression such as the silent years to designate this period, one must be aware that Jews were not silent; on the contrary, they continued to reflect on God and His dealings with the world, especially His chosen people, Israel. (The Baker Illustrated Bible Background Commentary, 2020). Nevertheless, when God decides to speak through the next prophet in the gospels, after four hundred years of silence, He chose John the Baptizer.

John the Baptizer was called to Preach Against Tradition

Let’s have a Bible class for a few minutes. To understand the Bible, we have to comprehend it in its Semitic context (Two Bible versions I highly recommend are the Complete Jewish Study Bible and the Hebrew Heritage Bible by Dr. Brad Young). As Carson stated, The Word of God is only the Word of God in context. That being said, the first five books of the Old Testament are known as the Torah. The Torah was given to Moses by God (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), which is referred to as the Pentateuch (meaning, five books) by Christians. The oral Torah is the expansion of the divine law given in the written Torah through ancient tradition, textual interpretation, and supplementary legislation.

Now fasten your seat belts! Jesus Christ made a statement to the Pharisees in Mark 7:15 that their tradition makes the Word of God of no effect. Wow! Not even Satan can make God’s Word ineffective. Jesus fought the temptations of Satan in the wilderness with the Word of God. In fact, the LORD Jesus Christ is the WORD of God. The only thing the Bible says can make God’s Word ineffective is tradition! Many would rather commit suicide before they neglect their traditions.

Now wait a minute! The Pharisees studied the Torah, right? Weren’t they big advocates of The Older Testament? Let’s do some digging. Their traditions did not come from the Torah. They had what is called in Jewish culture as the Mishnah. The Mishnah was the oral tradition of the Rabbis. They also had the Talmud, which was the commentary of the Mishnah. While this may not seem like a big deal to us. Hold on! Then you had the Midrash, which was a multiplicity of opinions of the Torah. These were the traditions that Jesus Christ spoke against. The Pharisees were adding to the Torah and inserting their opinions making themselves seem above the people and these added traditions were placing what Jesus called heavy burdens (Matthew 23:4, ESV) on the people who didn’t understand the Torah, but looked up to the Pharisees for guidance. It is no coincidence that Jesus Christ says, Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28, NIV). Keep in mind that the LORD Jesus Christ is the Word. The Word of God was asking the people to leave tradition and come to the Word. This angered the religious leaders. They wanted Jesus dead. Furthermore, they had beef with the forerunner of Jesus Christ: John the Baptizer.

3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

"A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.’" [a]

4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance(Matthew 3:1-8, NIV).

John the Baptizer wasn’t just telling the sinners they needed to be baptized! He was telling the Pharisees they needed to repent and get wet themselves. That may not sound like a big deal to us, but he is telling the Pharisees, who are skilled in the law, to add to the Torah with their Mishnah, Talmud, and Midrash that they need to be baptized was an insult to their Jewish beliefs.

The Jewish Pharisees were waiting for the arrival of the Messiah to set up a political kingdom. However, John the Baptizer came preaching the Kingdom of heaven. They wanted to hear about kingdom RESTORATION- but John the Baptizer is preaching KINGDOM REPENTANCE! The Jews thought the rest of the world needed to repent- not them. John the Baptizer was letting them know that although the Kingdom of God would be arriving shortly, embodied in the presence of the King of glory, they were not ready to be recipients of the power of the Kingdom.

John the Baptizer had become a problem.

Can’t the Church Just Get Along?

Now allow me to give you another Kingdom nugget. In this bitterness, as it relates to church hurt, the devil wants to feed lies to many who have been wounded by the church and make them believe that they don’t need the church. That’s not the Bible. Contrary to popular belief, the church and the Kingdom of God work together. Remember, Satan’s prerogative causes division and breaks the connection between the Kingdom of God and the church of Christ. So, let’s have some more bible study, part II:

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:11-12, ESV).

The apostle Paul is enlightening the church that when they were living it up, in the pleasures of their sinful states, they were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel (which means they were not Kingdom citizens of Christ’s Kingdom). They were strangers to the new covenant promise that came from the blood of King Jesus Christ. Furthermore, he tells them they were afar off, which means the Gentiles were not allowed to go past their temples into the Jewish Temples. However, the promise of the Holy Spirit that was fulfilled in Acts 2, made it possible for not only Jews to be saved but also for the Gentiles to be saved:

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brothers, what shall we do? 38 And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation" (Acts 2:37-40, ESV).

Christ provided a way, through His shed blood, to give us VIP access into the Kingdom of God, and His vehicle was the church. The Bible makes it clear that Christ purchased the Church with His blood, according to Acts 20:28. Yes, Christ’s Church is blood-bought! Hold up! No one can go downtown and purchase a church with blood. So, what is the Bible saying? The Word of God was not referring to the building. Paul was referring to the body of Christ. This is what Satan does not want! He does not want us under the blood! Now many of us who are battling church hurt may say, I don’t have to be in the church to be under the blood.

Remember we stated earlier that the Pharisees created the Mishnah so they could add their opinions to the Word of God. Let’s see what the Bible has to say about the church, In the Old Testament, two words describe the gathering of God’s people. First is the Hebrew word edah, which means congregation. Secondly, is the Hebrew word qahal, which means assembly. The New Testament brings up this same word. The Greek translation of the Older Testament was called the Septuagint, The Hebrew word qahal into ekklesia. Ekklesia means church or Messianic Community. In the Older Testament, Israel was only considered the assembly when they came together. As Dr. Carson states in his book, Why We Gather, Israel could not be defined as an individual, only as a gathered community. Yet, the individual was defined by the corporate, not the corporate by the individual...We are a community of individuals, not an individual community (p.31) God was so concerned about us staying together that He said through the prophet Ezekiel, Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep (Ezekiel 34:2)?

God was upset with the Pastors because they had scattered the sheep. God did not want his people scattered; He wanted them gathered:

For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look, I myself will search for my sheep and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will seek out my flock. I will rescue them from all the places where they have been scattered on a cloudy, dark day.[a] 13 I will bring them out from among the peoples and gather them from foreign countries; I will bring them to their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the streams, and all the inhabited places of the land. 14 In a good pasture I will feed them; the mountain heights of Israel will be their pasture. There they will lie down in a lush[b] pasture, and they will feed on rich grass on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will feed my sheep and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will seek the lost and bring back the strays; I will bandage the injured and strengthen the sick, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them—with judgment (Ezekiel 34:11-16, NET)!

Notice God promised to gather the flock and feed them corporately. Talk to any good psychiatrist or therapist, and they will confirm that one of the biggest signs a woman is dating an abuser is that he isolates her from her family. That’s what Satan does. He can’t really do his dirty work until he isolates us. The Kingdom has become a catchy phrase in many churches today and by those who left the church due to church hurt. The devil wants us to think they we can leave the body of Christ and still be in the Kingdom of God. Don’t close this book! Keep reading.

The Church and the Kingdom are Connected

Please understand that the church and the Kingdom of God are not twins. The church represents the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God gives life to the church. Christ never had to build the Kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven is eternal. Christ built the church. Remember the Bible is clear that the body of Christ is God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9). The LORD Jesus Christ stated that upon this rock, I will build my church (Matthew 16:18-19). Additionally, while many sincere preachers have stated that Peter opened up the doors of the church on the day of Pentecost, let’s take our time and read our Bible correctly. Jesus Christ NEVER gave Peter keys to open up the doors of the Church (Remember Christ said He is the door of the church, according to John 10:9). Christ gave Peter the keys to the KINGDOM of heaven.

Therefore, Peter opened up the doors of the Kingdom to the church. Don’t believe me: read below:

"18 I also say to you that you are [a]Peter, and upon this [b]rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth [c]shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth [d]shall have been loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:18-19, NASB).

Christ is coming back for the CHURCH (Ephesians 5:27) to take us into the Kingdom of Heaven. The Church is not the final destination. The Kingdom of Heaven is. However, the devil wants the church to fight each other with jealousy, using our gifts to dominate each other; using church hurt to keep us out of the Kingdom of heaven. God is talking to you right now: You may not want to go back to church but Christ wants you back. Let’s make this clear. The building is not the church, but the building is where you learn about the Kingdom of God and your Kingdom assignment. As my friend Apostle Julius Rhinehart stated, There is no such thing as not being in church but being in the Kingdom. If you are in the church, you are a part of the Kingdom. You may not have a full understanding of it, but you are a part of the Kingdom. You can’t be all about the Kingdom and hate the church.

The church is called to reflect the Kingdom of God in our attitude, daily conduct, and behavior. The world should be able to count on the church to hear the message of Christ’s Kingdom. I often say that I don’t go to church to have church; I go to church to have the Kingdom! When we go to church with that mindset, it will be hard to allow church-hurt to keep us away from assembling ourselves together as the body of Christ.

They Loved the Kingdom- but not the King’s Requirements

Not only was John a problem for his preaching. They viewed John the Baptizer as a problem because he told them that God required repentance for Kingdom admission. John the Baptizer told the people that one needed to Repent in order to get access into God’s Kingdom. This repentance was not a one-time event of something we do to get into the Kingdom and then go back to our old ways once we get in. That’s what got the nation of Israel into so much trouble with God.

God’s main desire for the nation of Israel was to be their one True King. However, they were so easily seduced by the false gods of other nations that they kept leaving the one true King. On other occasions, they did not want to abandon God their King totally, so they would incorporate their pagan practices with God’s commands. This is what theologians refer to as syncretism.

One minute they were building God an altar and the next minute they were worshiping false gods on pagan altars. It angered God to the degree to which Elijah the true prophet asked the nation of Israel:

20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." (1 Kings 18:20-21, NIV).

Vacillating between the One true God and false gods will eventually take its toll on our faith. Remember the Bible is clear that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). In our moments of thoughts and feelings of inferiority, we want a quick response from God. When God does not answer as fast as we would like Him to, the human impulse is easily influenced by other faiths around them who don’t believe that the LORD Jesus is the ONLY true and living God. Yes, Jesus Christ is the living God.

John’s message of repentance was not new. In the Older Testament, God put it this way, when His people would leave Him to worship false gods.

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV).

Notice a few things. One, God still considered Israel as His people despite their wicked ways. However, God was fed up and wanted them to turn from their wicked ways. Like anyone who is trying to have a conversation with us, wanting our undivided attention, God wanted them to seek His face. To turn away from sin was the Old Testament way of saying repent. Seeking the King’s face could only be clearly and successfully carried out after repentance. It’s hard to give Jesus Christ our undivided attention while we have divided hearts at the same time.

John the Baptizer’s message, recorded in the four gospels, was a message to prepare the hearts of the people to get ready for the arrival of the King. John’s message of repentance was not a new message. However, John’s message was a controversial one. Why? He was letting the people who came to his baptisms know that although the King was on His way, repentance was still a mandate for Kingdom access.

"The Greek term for repent is metanoia, which means to change one’s mind. It is derived from the word parts meta, which means change, and nous, which means mind. Therefore, repentance means to change one’s mind about something" (John the Baptizer, p. 44) It also means to turn away from it. Often, when the LORD Jesus wants us to turn away from sin, it triggers our childhood wounds and ignites old fears. You see if we were to be honest, sin at its core is also a coping mechanism to numb pain.