The Kingdom part 4

God's kingdom thinks, speaks and acts different than the world around us.

John 18:36 [NIV], “My kingdom is not of this world.”

God's kingdom is different because He is different.

God's nature & character can be described as...

Love                  Righteousness       Life                   Insight                          Justice

Joy                   Boldness                    Sacrifice           Discernment               Healer

Peace               Courage                    Service              Knowledge                 Freedom

Patience           Humility            Understanding       Honor Restore

Kindness          Holiness                   Generosity        Partnership                 Consistency

Goodness         Purity                        Truth                Grace                           Steadfastness

Faithfulness      Integrity                   Faith                 Mercy                           Authority

Gentleness       Confidence             Power               Unity                            Redeemer

Self-control       Encouragement      Wisdom            Acceptance                  

1.  He advances His kingdom according to His nature.

2.  He has deposited the kingdom in us.

3.  He has given us access. 

4.  He desires for us to grow in every aspect.

5.  He wants us to demonstrate the kingdom.

UNITY

“My kingdom isn’t divided.”

Mark 3:24 [BSB], “If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand.”

1 John 5:7 [NKJV], “For there are three that bear witness in heaven:  the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” 

John 17:20-26 [NLT], “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. 22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

Why are so many of God's people divided?

1 Corinthians 11:18 NASB], I hear that divisions exist among you…

Confront our tendency to live with an "independent spirit."

“Don’t confuse a spirit of leadership with an independent spirit."

"A spirit of leadership gathers people around a common vision which cultivates unity."

"An independent spirit separates itself from others through isolation which causes division.”   

Philippians 2:1-7 [NASB], Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant…

Ephesians 4:1-6 [NASB], Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Cultivate a heart of unity.

1.  Humility

2.  Gentleness

3.  Patience

4.  Love