What is the Kingdom of God

Today I want to give you a simple definition of the KOG. Rather then give it to you all at once, we will build the definition together in chunks so I can explain along the way.

My goal is that by the end of the message, you will have a clear understanding of what the KOG is and how to be included in it.

Here is the first part of our definition…

1. God’s Rule
   So the KOG is not a territory.

This is why Jesus said to Pilate in John 18 – my kingdom is not of this world.

Don’t misunderstand – in its ultimate future fulfillment, The KOG will be physical – in the future God will rule in power and glory over the new heavens and the new earth, but for now, the KOG is best understood as God’s rule – His authority to reign as King.
God has always been reigning from heaven as the Creator-King.
But the KOG is different. The KOG describes a specific aspect of God’s rule. So the next part of our definition is…

2. God’s Redemptive Rule
   The KOG describes God’s Redemptive Rule – his authoritative power that delivers from sin and gives eternal life.

But remember, redemption involves not only being set free from sin’s penalty, but also delivered from its ruling power
This leads to the third phrase to help us explicitly describe/define the KOG.

3. over His own people
   God is such a good and gracious King!

Look again at the definition – we are talking about God’s Redemptive Rule over His people. Not God’s tyrannical rule, not God’s harsh rule, but His redemptive rule!
But not our holy and gracious God! He uses His power and position to redeem! He who was rich, for our sakes became poor.
2 Corinthians 8:9