Msg #1422 The Kingdom is Within You

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

Although it is an often repeated phrase in the New Testament of the Holy Bible, "The kingdom of heaven is like..." is an undervalued commodity in post modern Christendom. Even Fundamental Christians are so busy trying to persuade men to go to heaven that we forget we are to compel them into the kingdom of God, and that is what secures them a home in heaven. Except ye be "born-again" ye cannot "see" the kingdom of God, ye cannot "enter" the kingdom of God.(John 3) Except ye be converted... ye shall not "enter: the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18) I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, so I still remember the day I realized that I was not "saved" into heaven, I was not "saved" into the Church, I was not "saved" into the family of God, I was "saved" and placed into the "Kingdom of God." I now had a membership in the kingdom of heaven! I frantically looked up all the verses dealing with my salvation, the couple just mentioned in particular, and found, sure enough, I was presently a member of his kingdom, and no longer a member of the kingdom of this world. I am simple, but suddenly, with this realization, a flood of things made better sense to me. This world is not my home, I am only passing through. I'm asked to walk "circumspectly" in this world, because the prince and power of the air here is like a roaring lion, seeking whom, of God's kingdom, he may devour. Wow that was thirty years ago for me, but when I revisit that discovery, it still sets my soul on fire. Right now the kingdom is within you. (Lu 17:21) I am now a child in his kingdom. That's a life changing truth.

An Essay for week #22 06/01/2014

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Missionary msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs140601.mp3