Fruitful Living
Kingdom of God (Part 2)
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
INTRODUCTION
In the Old Testament, the idea of God’s kingdom is often expressed through the concept of the reign of Yahweh, the God of Israel, over His people. The Israelites believed that God was their true king and that He would establish His kingdom on earth.
We bring you this week, the concluding part of the “KINGDOM OF GOD” as presented in the New Testament. Please enjoy and share with others!
NEW TESTAMENT
In the New Testament the fullest revelation of God’s divine rule is in the person of Jesus Christ. His birth was heralded as the birth of a king. “He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. And He will reign over Israel forever; His Kingdom will never end!” – Luke 1:32-33.
The ministry of John the Baptist prepare for the coming of God’s kingdom. “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near – Matthew 3:2”
The crucifixion was perceived as the death of a king. “A sign announced the charge against Him. It read, “The King of the Jews.” Two revolutionaries were crucified with Him, one on His right and one on His left. The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at Him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!” The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but He can’t save Himself! Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe Him!” Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed Him.” – Mark 15:26-32.
Jesus preached that God’s Kingdom was at hand (“And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.” – Matthew 11:12) His miracles, preaching, forgiving sins, and resurrecting are an in-breaking of God’s sovereign rule in this dark, evil age.
God’s Kingdom was manifested in the church. Jesus commissioned the making of disciples on the basis of His kingly authority. Peter’s sermon at Pentecost underscored that a descendant of David would occupy David’s throne forever, a promise fulfilled in the resurrection of Christ. Believers are transferred from the dominion of darkness into the Kingdom of the Son of God.
God’s Kingdom may be understood in terms of “reign” or “realm”. Reign conveys the fact that God exerts His divine authority over His subjects/ kingdom. Realm suggests location, and God’s realm is universal. God’s reign extends over all things. He is universally sovereign over the nations, humankind, the angels, the dominion of darkness and its inhabitants, and even the cosmos, individual believers, and the church.
In the Old Testament the Kingdom of God encompasses the past, present, and future. The Kingdom of God had implications in the theocratic state. The kingdom of God is “already” present but “not yet” fully completed, both a present and future reality. The kingdom was inaugurated in the incarnation, life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. God’s Kingdom blessings are in some measure possessed now. People presently find and enter God’s Kingdom. God is now manifesting His authoritative rule in the lives of His people. God’s Kingdom, however, awaits its complete realisation. His people still endure sufferings and tribulations. When fully consummated, hardships will cease. Kingdom citizens currently dwell alongside inhabitants of the Kingdom of darkness. God will eventually dispel all darkness. The final inheritance of the citizens of God’s Kingdom is yet to be fully realised. The resurrection body for life in the eschatological Kingdom is a blessing awaiting culmination.
God’s kingdom is soteriological in nature, expressed in the redemption of fallen persons. The reign of Christ instituted the destruction of all evil powers hostile to the will of God. Satan, the “god of this age”, along with his demonic horde, seeks to hold the hearts of individuals captive in darkness. Christ has defeated Satan and the powers of darkness and delivers believers. Although Satan still is active in this present darkness, his ultimate conquest and destruction are assured through Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection. Sinners enter Christ’s kingdom through regeneration.
Many of Jesus’ parables emphasise the mysterious nature of God’s kingdom. For example, an insignificant mustard seed will grow a tree, as God’s kingdom will grow far beyond its inception, “He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches” – Matthew 13:31-32. The kingdom of God is like seed scattered on the ground. Some seed will fall on good soil, take root, and grow. Other seed, however, will fall on hard, rocky ground and will not grow. Likewise, the kingdom will take root in the hearts of some but will be rejected and unfruitful in others (Matthew 13:3-8). As wheat and tares grow side by side, indistinguishable from each other, so also the sons of the kingdom of God and the sons of the kingdom of darkness grow together in the world until ultimately separated by God.
Although closely related, the kingdom and the church are distinct. George Eldon Ladd identified four elements in the relationship of the kingdom of God to the church. The kingdom of God creates the church. God’s redemptive rule is manifested over and through the church. The church is a “custodian” of the kingdom. The church again witnesses to God’s divine rule.
The kingdom of God is the work of God, not produced by human ingenuity. God brought it into the world through Christ, and it presently works through the church. The church preaches of the kingdom of God and anticipates the eventual consummation.
STAY BLESSED!
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By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author
Preparing for Ramadan through the month of Sha‘ban
THE month of Sha‘ban, which precedes Ramadan, serves as a spiritual training ground. The Prophet (s.a.w.) devoted significant attention to this month, fasting frequently and encouraging heightened acts of worship. ‘Aishah (r.a.) narrated:
“I did not see the Messenger of Allah complete fasting in any month except Ramadan, and I did not see him fast more in any month than in Sha‘ban.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
During Sha‘ban, Muslims are encouraged to:
• Observe optional fasts,
• Increase Qur’anic recitation,
• Engage in charitable deeds (ṣadaqah),
• Strengthen community bonds and service.
These acts gradually condition both the body and soul for the rigours and blessings of Ramadan.
Scholarly guidance and community sensitisation
Across Muslim communities, scholars and religious leaders organise lectures, workshops, sermons, and media engagements to educate the Ummah about Ramadan. These initiatives address:
• The jurisprudence (fiqh) of fasting,
• The obligation to make up missed fasts from previous years,
• The ethical conduct expected during Ramadan,
• The spiritual, social, and health benefits of fasting.
Modern studies have also affirmed that fasting, when properly observed, contributes to improved self-discipline, metabolic balance, and emotional regulation—findings that align with Islamic teachings on moderation and self-control.
The role of parents and families in Ramadan preparation
Preparation begins at home. Parents play a vital role in nurturing a Ramadan-conscious environment by:
• Encouraging children and young adults to try voluntary fasts,
• Training family members to wake up for Tahajjud (night prayers),
• Establishing regular family supplications and Qur’an reading sessions.
Such practices help instill lifelong spiritual habits and strengthen family unity through shared worship.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
JESUS, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. – Luke 4:1-2a
Introduction
Lent is a period when the Holy Spirit strengthens us to face the day to day testing and temptations. Just like Jesus overcame the temptations of the devil, we also have power and will to overcome any temptation that comes our way. I invite you to give your whole heart to Jesus Christ and enjoy the power to overcome the devil’s schemes.
Tempted by the devil
One aspect of Jesus’ temptation resolved around what kind of Messiah, or Saviour, He would be and how He would use His anointing (His authority and empowerment) from God. (Many Jews would reject Him because He did not fulfill their expectations of a political “Saviour” who would step forward with military might and free them from Roman rule.)
• Satan tempted Jesus to use His power to serve His own self-interest to gain glory and power over the nations instead of accepting the humility and suffering that was ahead for Him. This was an opportunity for Him to satisfy the people’s expectation for a charismatic Messiah.
• Satan still tempts Christian leaders to use their spiritual authority, position and ability for their own self-interest, to establish their own reputation and power and to please people rather than God. Those who selfishly compromise with Satan have actually surrendered to His control.
• Jesus turned away every one of Satan’s temptations by properly referring to God’s Word (“It is written”). If this was the effective strategy for Jesus, we certainly must know and rely on His Word as revealed to us in the Bible.
LUKE 4:4 – MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.
• Satan tempts Jesus’ “flesh”, or physical desires, of which hunger is perhaps the strongest – particularly after such an extended time without food. While it may have seemed reasonable to perform a miracle to eat, Jesus would not be tempted to use His power for selfish reasons. Jesus meets and resists Satan’s temptation by declaring that He will live by God’s Word above all else.
Jesus is saying that everything truly important in life depends on God and His plans and purposes. To strive for success, happiness or material things apart from God’s way and purpose will lead to disappointment and end in failure.
Jesus emphasized this truth when He taught that we must seek God’s kingdom (God’s authority, activity, purposes and power in our lives) above anything and everything else. If we do, God promises to take care of all our needs and give us all other necessary things just the way He intends.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
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