Understanding the Kingdom of God

By Ian Wilkinson

EVERY CHRISTIAN should read this book. It sets out clearly and simply what the kingdom of God is, exactly. You dont need to have a masters degree in theology to understand it, either. The Bible says, Get wisdom and get understanding. This book will build your comprehension in the vital and basic areas of the new birth, discipleship, daily devotions, and the Gospel of the kingdom. Jesus instructed us to seek first the kingdom of God. This book will help anyone who is intent on doing just that.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 24, 2009
• ISBN: 9781453501610

Ian Wilkinson

Ian Wilkinson was born and raised in Sunderland in the north-east of England. Following many adventures after studying at the University of Sussex, he eventually became a further education lecturer working and residing in London. Having travelled extensively in his youth, he now explores the world of his imagination while living in South London.

Book preview

Copyright © 2009 by Ian Wilkinson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible New International

Version copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society.

Used with permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

51041

Contents

~ FOREWORD ~

~ PREFACE ~

~ THE KINGDOM PARADOX ~

~ THE KINGDOM DEFINED ~

~ THE NEW BIRTH REDEFINED ~

~ PATTERN FOR CHANGE ~

~ REIGNING IN LIFE ~

~ DISCIPLES OF THE KINGDOM ~

~ THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM ~

~ GLOSSARY ~

~ SUGGESTED READING ~

 ~

FOREWORD ~

I first came to know Ian Wilkinson when my church was hosting unity meetings with three other churches in our area. Through those meetings, a mentorship began as I attended Ian’s classes on the kingdom of God. I found his teaching style dynamic and his message inspired.

I believe God has called and anointed Ian to be a teacher in the biblical standard of Ephesians 4:11. His understanding of the kingdom of God and how it affects a Christian life has brought freedom to many areas of my life. My first revelation was how water baptism, in a kingdom context, has to do with entering the kingdom of God. It is the first outward sign of obedience or evidence of faith. It is one thing to be told you have been saved from the consequences of sin in your life. It is quite another to understand how you have been set free from sinning and know how to apply that knowledge to remain free.

This book deals with the authority of the kingdom of God in our lives. Whether you are a new Christian or a seasoned warrior, there is fresh revelation for you in this book.

I believe this book is of paramount importance for all new Christians to read and understand. It is a foundational teaching that is necessary in building a strong Christian life.

—Kevin J. Taylor

 ~

PREFACE ~

If you want to understand the kingdom of God and be fruitful, then this book is for you. I have been a Christian for more than twenty-seven years and didn’t really understand the kingdom for most of that time. I sense I am not alone in this, for I have shared this teaching in churches in North America, Europe, and Asia and rarely found anyone who can clearly define the kingdom of God.

The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. (Mark 4:11)

Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path . . . . But the one who received the seed [the message about the kingdom] that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

(Matt. 13:18; 13:23, NIV)

Understanding the kingdom will revitalize your Christianity and replace any weak footings with a solid foundation. Jesus asked if you don’t understand the parable of the sower then how will you understand any parable (Mark 4:13)? Since the parable of the sower centers on the message of the kingdom, it follows that if you don’t grasp the meaning of the kingdom you won’t understand the parable either. This book is about understanding.

Though it cost all you have, get understanding. (Prov. 4:7, NIV)

I discovered the meaning of the kingdom a number of years ago when I decided to take Matthew 6:33 seriously: Seek ye first the kingdom of God (KJV). As I set out to seek the kingdom one morning, I realized that I didn’t know what it was I was seeking. I had to ask the Lord what it was I was supposed to be seeking.

For six months, I researched the meaning of the kingdom and for the most part, found out that authors and scholars wrote about the kingdom as if everyone knew what it was already. I did eventually find out what the kingdom is and began to make notes, thinking I would write a book. I didn’t tell anyone about this at the time. A visiting man of God prophesied to me that God wanted me to write a book, and that I had already started it. He said it would be on a subject others had written about, but that it would have a clarity of understanding to it. It has taken seven years and a few rewrites but here it is.

May the Lord impart to you understanding as you read this book.

1

 ~ THE KINGDOM PARADOX ~

Seeking First the Kingdom of God

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt. 6:33, KJV)

Define a paradox. (Please circle the letter corresponding to the best response.)

A. Mallard mates.

B. A couple of surgeons.

C. A statement seemingly self-contradictory or absurd but, in reality, expressing a truth.

D. Two piers.

The kingdom of God was central to the ministry of Jesus. He began his ministry by preaching, The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news. (Mark 1:15, NIV) The Beatitudes start and finish with reference to the kingdom. The Lord’s Prayer says, Your kingdom come. Eighty percent of the parables teach the kingdom. When he cast out demons, Jesus explained that it displayed the power of the kingdom. Jesus talked privately with both Nicodemus in John 3:3 and Pilate in John 19:14 about the kingdom. The disciples argued about who would be greatest in the kingdom. The thief on the cross asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Jesus told the disciples to preach the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 24:14) in all the world and then the end would come. He said that we would go through much tribulation to enter the kingdom. After his resurrection, Jesus spoke for forty days with his followers about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Paul continued in the pattern.

Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 28:31, NIV)

The Gospels are full of references to the kingdom of God. It is clearly the central theme. Unfortunately, there is a problem.

Those of us who are to represent the kingdom of God on earth don’t know what it is. We are king-dumb. Somehow, this priority message in the Gospels has been obscured and lost to us.

The kingdom paradox is that the people called

to represent the kingdom, and to preach the

kingdom, don’t know what it is.

2

 ~ THE KINGDOM DEFINED ~

Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. (Rom. 14:17-18, NIV)

The kingdom of God (synonymous with the kingdom of heaven in Matthew’s Gospel) is not a place. It is not heaven. It is not the church. A kingdom is realm ruled by a monarch. Ern Baxter defined the kingdom of God as the government of God. This makes sense. Matthew 6:33