Kingdom Operations
“Kosmos” denotes the order of the world, the ordered universe, the ordered entirety of God's creation, but considered as separated from God. The abode of humanity. That order of things in which humanity moves, or of which man is the center.
(E.W. Bullinger's A Critical Lexicon and Concordance)
We are Salt and Light – not taken out of the world, but kept from the evil one.
Foundational Worldview Framework
We are born into a closed system
Hebrews 1:3 NKJV
…who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power.
There is a realm of Eternity
Hebrews 1:8 AMP
But as to the Son, He says to Him, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever (to the ages of the ages), and the sceptre of Your kingdom is a sceptre of absolute righteousness.
Man is a 3-part being – a spirit
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts
Overview of the 2 Systems (2 Kingdoms)
Natural System (kosmos)
We are born into this system (kosmos) and given natural senses to interpret and live in a natural system.
This system was given to humans to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth under God’s direction and according to His kingship.
Adam transferred his “king” from God to the devil who has perverted and corrupted the system. Satan (the devil) is now the god of this world.
(Arthur Stace photo - eternity) attached
Kingdom of God
It is an eternal kingdom
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
It is not found in the closed system – it supersedes the “kosmos”
John 18:36
Jesus answered, My kingdom (kingship, royal power) belongs not to this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My followers would have been fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, My kingdom is not from here (this world); [it has no such origin or source].
You must be born into this kingdom also
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
The Kingdom of God is accessed and operated by FAITH
Characteristics of this Eternal Kingdom (Kingdom Physics)
This Kingdom operates in the heart
Luke 17:20-21
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; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
God is the King – not human effort
Psalm 146:3-5
Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish.
Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
This is the realm of miracles
Matthew 16: 17-18
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
What about miracles, signs and wonders?
How can we participate in Kingdom Operations?
It’s an “Upside Down” kingdom – 4 examples
Humble to be great
And He sat down and called the Twelve [apostles], and He said to them, If anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all.
Give and it will be given
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Love your enemies
Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Operates under authority
Luke 7:8-9
For I also am a man [daily] subject to authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my bond servant, Do this, and he does it.
Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and He turned and said to the crowd that followed Him, I tell you, not even in [all] Israel have I found such great faith [as this].
If you want to “inherit” the Kingdom, you must operate kingdom principles
Romans 14:17 NKJV
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking (rules and regulations governing behaviour), but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit