• About Us
• Church Family
• Pathfinders
• Online Magazine
• Church Location
• Site Map

The Kingdom of God in Good Measure

by Erica Green

1. What is the Kingdom of God?
2. The Kingdom of Earth Lost and The Kingdom of God Restored
3. The Future Kingdom Guarantee
4. The Kingdom is Here
5. Impact of the Kingdom Within
6. The Boomerang Kingdom
7. Summary
8. My Cup Has Overflowed
9. Prayer

1 - What is the Kingdom of God?

Even though the exact wording in the Bible sometimes differs, the term the Kingdom of heaven and the Kingdom of God can be used interchangeably.

The Kingdom of God is a place where God rules or reigns.  In the beginning, the whole universe constituted the kingdom of God, governed by the law of love, based on the values of Gods character. 

• Psalm 103:19 (NIV) The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
• Romans 13:10 (NIV) Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law

2 - The Kingdom of Earth Lost and Restored

In the book of Genesis, we see that God established the Kingdom of earth and put Adam and Eve in control.  However, since their deception and fall, Satan now claims rulership of this kingdom. 

• 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (KJV) 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
• Matthew 4:8-9 (NIV) 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

Whilst the first Adam lost his kingdom, the second Adam (Jesus) will re-claim it.  Following the second coming of Jesus, the earth will be restored, God will re-establish his authority and Satan's authority over the earth will come to an end. The kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of earth will become as one under God's rulership.

• Zechariah 14:9 (NIV) The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

The re-establishment of God's rule is the culmination of the Christin hope.  In the Lord's prayer we can see the expression of this yearning.  This world is not the way that we want it to be.  All around us, we hear news of war, injustice, corruption, and poverty, and we long for the restoration of Gods control

• Matthew 6:10 (NIV) your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

3 - The Future Kingdom Guarantee

In advance of the re-establishment of God's kingdom, for those who claim allegiance to God's rulership, we are given a little something to keep us going. 

We are given a gift of the Holy Spirit in our hearts as a deposit or guarantee of our place in this new kingdom.

• Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV) 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory.
• 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NIV) 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come

4 - The Kingdom is Here

How can the kingdom of God be both not yet present and already present? When God gives us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee, he takes a portion of what we will experience in heaven and gives it to us now as a first instalment.  The holy Spirit pours into our hearts God's love.  The love that is at the foundation of the kingdom of God.  Heaven is where we will feel God's love most fully, but we are given a little taste of it in the here and now.  There can be no Kingdom of God in the world without the Kingdom of God in our hearts. - Albert Schweitzer [1]

• Luke 17:20-21 (KJV) 20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
• Romans 5:5 (NIV) And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

5 - Impact of the Kingdom Within

It is one thing to personally experience the love of God in our own hearts, but once received, it cannot be contained.  It is impossible not to express this love to others. 

• (Galatians 5:22, NIV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

It is then that we become active participants in the extension of the kingdom of God.  This is not to say that we are ever perfect examples of the kingdom principles, but through our behaviour we are giving others a small taste of God's love and a peek into His kingdom.  I find that to be a scary thought that someone's only view of the Kingdom might be through me.  

6 - The Boomerang Kingdom

The dynamics of a boomerang is that, when thrown properly, it will return to the thrower.   The Bible tells us that this applies to the way that we treat others. 

Like a boomerang, love is not much good until you give it away.  As we start to extend a taste of the Kingdom of God to others, we will in turn be blessed with a multiple helping of that Kingdom love in return.

1. Good Measure Pressed Down

As we show an attitude of mercy, extend a non-judgemental nature and forgiveness to others, we too will be blessed to receive these same things, in greater measure, in return.  

• Luke 6:36-38 (NIV) 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

2. Replenishing the Pocket of the giver

Sometimes, we are the means by which others needs are fulfilled. God has given us blessings, in order to be a blessing to others and for those who are thus faithful with their money, they will have their pockets replenished, as their needs require.

• Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

The Apostle Paul received financial aid from the Philippian church more than once when he was in need, not that he requested their financial support.  He wrote to the church wanting them to know that he was amply supplied and that their gifts were an acceptable offering pleasing to God.  He then goes on to assure them that because of their generosity, God would in turn ensure that their needs would be met. 

• Philippians 4:19 (NIV) And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

This replenishment is not just for our personal benefit.  It is to equip us for further acts of generosity through which God is glorified.

• 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV) You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

3. Bread upon the Water

In the Bible, Solomon admonishes us to cast our bread openhandedly and plentifully upon the water and that some benefit will return to us in the future.  In other words, be generous, almost reckless.  Such generosity can take many forms Eg: finances, experience, time etc.  This type of generosity has no strings attached and has no expectation of control.  You do not know the result of your actions in the same way that you would not know where the waters might take your bread. Such open generosity will come back to you, someday in the future, perhaps when you least expect it and conceivably not even in a way that you could have imagined. 

• Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 (KJV) 1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth

7 - The Kingdom in Good Measure

God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit as a seal/guarantee/deposit on our right to eternal life and of our citizenship of the kingdom of God to come.

When, as an expression of that love, we are the means of extending the kingdom of God to others, we are even more blessed in return.

8 - My Cup Has Overflowed 

I've never made a fortune, and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much, I'm happy anyhow
And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
Cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven't got a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough
But I've got loving ones all around me,
and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
Cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.
So Lord, help me not to gripe,
about the tough rows I have hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage,
When the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
Cause my cup has overflowed.

Author: John Paul Moore  [2]

9 - Prayer

Lord, we claim allegiance to you, as the rightful ruler of this earth and we long for the final restoration of your Kingdom and the destruction of the Kingdom of the devil.  May it be soon.

While we wait for the culmination of your rescue plan, we pray for the presence of your holy spirit, pouring an abundance of your love into our hearts every day.  May this presence be so overwhelming that your love cannot help but overflow to soak whoever is around, whenever and wherever it finds expression. 

We claim the promise of a taste of your Kingdom in the here and now, and for your glory, may we be the vessel through which other see a glimpses of your will on earth.

Amen

References

[1] https://www.azquotes.com/quote/837792
[2] https://www.scrapbook.com/poems/doc/17105.html

Copyright © 2024 Thornleigh Seventh-day Adventist Church