What do you know about the Kingdom of God?

Hebrews 12:28 says, "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." How much do you know about that kingdom? If you come from a nation with a monarchy, you might be somewhat familiar with the authority and rule of a king over his domain. But everyone who has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior is part of God’s Kingdom, and it’s important to understand the expectations and rewards it holds for us.

More than a Religious Word

The word "Kingdom" is often associated with religious practice. Many recognize it as part of what they call “The Lord’s Prayer,” which states, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) Later, in that same chapter, Matthew records Jesus’ words that emphasize the importance of the Kingdom of God in our lives on earth. He said, (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:32-34) 

Three Definitions of the Kingdom of God

Scripture offers three definitions of the Kingdom of God. First, it is God Himself. Jesus told the Pharisees in Luke 17:20-21: The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Second, the Kingdom of God is God’s operating system or methods on Earth that, when followed, results in success. That’s why Jesus said seeking the Kingdom would cause all things-everything you need—to be added to you. 

Third, the Kingdom of God (also called the Kingdom of Heaven) is a real place. It is the third heaven, where the Father sits on His throne and Jesus is now seated at His right hand.

The Keys to the Kingdom

In Matthew 16:16-20, when Peter recognized Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God (verse 16), Jesus told him he was blessed because the Father had revealed this to him. Along with that revelation, Jesus also gave him the keys to the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 16:19) 

Faith Leaders should understand these keys and apply them. The first key to the Kingdom of God is the name of Jesus. According to Philippians 2:9-10, His name holds authority in three realms: Heaven, Earth, and hell. 

The second key to the Kingdom is faith, or pistis in Greek, meaning trust, confidence, and belief. The healing of the man at the Gate Beautiful in Acts 3 shows how the first and second keys to the Kingdom work together. Peter said, And his name [Jesus’ name] through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

The third key to the Kingdom of God is humility, as Jesus taught in Matthew 18:1-4: At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

The Key to Every Need Being Met

Prioritizing God's Kingdom and His righteousness above all else is essential for meeting every need in your life and ministry. In His teachings about the Kingdom, Jesus told us not to worry about what we will eat, wear, or how we will be housed. He said, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore, take no thought, saying, What shall we eat or, What shall we drink or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (Matthew 6:25-31)

So, don’t worry about anything; simply seek God’s ways and His righteousness. Use the keys to the Kingdom—Jesus’ name, faith, and humility—and watch everything come together. When you serve the King of Kings according to His Kingdom methods, you cannot and will not lose!