Manifestation of the Kingdom - Through the life of Jesus

How was the Kingdom manifested through Jesus?

1. Building of Relationships:-

John 17:21-22 “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they
also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.22 “And the glory which
You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: Psalms 133.

2. Love:-
John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." Love for each other.

3. In His Ministry:-
Matthew 4:23-25
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. 25 Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. It was manifested through :-
(a) Teaching
(b) Preaching
(c) Healing
(d) Deliverance

Matthew 12:28
28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Jesus was always commited to do the Father's will, so His ministry was very focused because He knew His assignment, priorities, purpose and mission. Every believer should emulate this lifestyle.

Luk 2:49 And He said to them, Why did you look for Me? Do you not know that I must be about My Father's business?

Joh 4:34 Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.

MANIFESTATION OF THE KINGDOM THROUGH – JOHN THE BAPTIST

Matt 11:12 “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it”
The greatest manifestation of the kingdom of God was seen in the life of Jesus. This of course was preceded by the life of John the Baptist, who came on the scene at a time when the world was considered a spiritual wilderness – after 400 years of silence. During that time there was no prophet or prophetic utterance or revelation, then the responsibility was given to a young man to be that voice; he became a lone voice in the wilderness crying out “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”
There was something identifiably and unmistakably different about John’s Day in comparison to the days or period prior to the beginning of his ministry.
What characterized those days?:-
What was so significant about those days that Jesus had to mention them?
There was 400 years of silence – no prophet voice, vision or revelation then came ‘change’ there were not many men who were so connected to the purpose of God for their lives like John the Baptist – he lived a fulfilled life.
(a) The emergence of a man called by God
(b) The message of those days
(c) His Bold and fearless approach to ministry
(d) He was strange (Matt 3) Noah was also strange ‘Ark

WHAT MADE HIM SUCCESSFUL?

1. John had a proper understanding of himself. John 1:19-23

2. He had a clear sense of mission and purpose. This cause his cofidence to grow. John 3:30

3. John also had a very good testimony. One that radiated. John 5:31-33

4. He had a reputation for righteousness, even in the political arena. Mark 6:20

5. John was a powerdul witness to the truth. John 10:41

A Shift In Advancing God's Kingdom

There is a definite paradigm shift in the way we do church. God is breaking us away from the religiousness and traditions of men and He is causing us to move with greater clarity, revelation of His will and spiritual discernment. God is raising up a people who understands the times and most of all, they know what the church ought to be doing now.

In this season the church is moving from: -

a. Just embracing a local church vision and mentality to a much wider kingdom vision – don’t be narrow minded and confine yourself, be aware of an isolationist spirit. The idea of building your little kingdom and protecting it must go. Having your vision confine to four walls is a thing of the past. Be enlarged, I speak expansion. The Kingdom of God is borderless, vast.


b. The culture of Denominationalism to an apostolic culture of governance – some denominations can be plagued by a spirit of stagnation, dryness, lukewarmness and death. It also can accommodate a spirit of religion- rules, no fellowship, jostling for position, how many members you have?.....


c. A high concentration on church expansion to the much wider transformation of society – a change in the spiritual climate over the nation, reduction in drug trafficking, prostitution, gambling, injustice, racism, cursing etc.


d. Seminary/Theological education to a more all inclusive equipping of the saints – titles but no power, today every member is a minister. We are equipping the saints to impact the nations. Eph 4:12,13.


e. Programmed evangelism – power evangelism addressing issues of lostness. Seeing a restoration of miracles, healings and deliverance.