Living Waters Christian Fellowship - Lake Nacimiento - California

20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.

Introduction The religious leaders thought the Kingdom of God would be an earthly king and kingdom, a government, something
they could observe or see, external to themselves. It will be that eventually. But Jesus is pointing out where the Kingdom
was starting at the time - in people’s hearts. That is the primary place to look for it, experience it, and let it launch out from from to conquer the whole world with God’s love.

Have you ever been looking for your sunglasses, and found them on your head?

1. What is a kingdom?

A king, a leader with authority over common people in a certain area.

2. What is the purpose of a righteous kingdom?

Why do people need good leadership? Why not let each one live unto himself, do what is right in his own eyes? People don’t do what’s right, treat each other right. The evil human nature comes out.

So a king, leaders, government is necessary to ensure peace and the opportunity for prosperity for all under their reign.

3. What are the kingdoms of this world like?

A mixed bag - some good, some excellent, some bad, some horrible. In every case, leaders must deal with the evil desires of their people.

Galatians 5:19-21

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time
past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

4. Why do people look forward to the Kingdom of God? v20

20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, The kingdom of God does not come with observation;

Why do we pray, Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

God is a good King. His Kingdom is blessed. There is peace and prosperity. People love and try to be a blessing to each other.

5. How does the Kingdom of God come?

When people declare that God is in authority - not people, not demons. That we are going to do things His way.

6. What effect does the Kingdom of God have on the World?

Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control.

What if everyone in the world felt this way, acted this way?

7. Where does the Kingdom of God start? v21 Beachhead

21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.

8. How is the Kingdom of God established in our hearts?

Romans 10:9-10

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

King of my heart - what is the interaction?

What is the heart, what is the King? A controlling influence over my ideas, desires, decisions, world view.

9. What does it mean for the Kingdom of God to be established in our hearts?

Ezekiel 36:24-28

24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.

25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

28 Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.

It’s no longer needed to be controlled by an external king and kingdom or government to do the right thing, the Kingdom of God is within you.

10. What are the results of the Kingdom of God reigning in our hearts?

Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control.

11. How does the Kingdom of God spread to others?

It’s a decision of their will, just as it was for ours. When they become aware of the goodness of the reign of God in our lives, they will desire it for themselves.

12. How does it take over the world in this age?

What happens when more and more people decide to bow the knee to Christ, and go God’s way?

From individuals, to families, to communities, to nations, to the world.

We have seen many principles of the Kingdom of God in America. Old Methodist Bishop The reason nobody broke into your house last night is because almost nobody wanted to.

13. How will it take over everything in the age to come?

Revelation 5

5:1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?

3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.

4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.

5 But one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.

6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

9 And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,

12 saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!

13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!

14 Then the four living creatures said, Amen! And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

Conclusions But where does it all begin?

20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, The kingdom of God does not come with observation;

21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.

Jesus is pointing out the place where the Kingdom of God begins - in people’s hearts. That is the primary place to look for it, experience it, and let it launch out from from, to conquer the whole world with God’s love.

And where will it all be consummated?

Revelation 11:15-17

15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!

16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God,

17 saying: We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.