What does the phrase “kingdom of God” bring to mind when you hear it? Fluffy clouds, baby angels, harps, and singing? Or maybe peace, joy, and eternal happiness in some far-off future afterlife? As someone who has grown up in the Western world full of “democracy” and “the power of the people,” it can be challenging to grasp what it means to be a kingdom citizen fully. It is so contrary to what we are taught that even when you know the literal definition of the words, it doesn’t really click.

A recent conversation with a good friend made this point jump out at me. We were having a conversation shortly after service, as we often do, and he explained how he has been working to redefine the way he classifies himself as a believer. Modern usage has diluted and watered down the term “Christian,” stripping it of its original meaning and introducing a lot of leeway and ambiguity. He explained that he wanted to align himself with a stricter definition, which, to me, made sense.

Redefining Identity: Becoming Kingdom Citizens

To see yourself as a “kingdom citizen” is a much stronger categorization. As a believer, being a citizen of a kingdom—specifically the Kingdom of God—means living under the authority, protection, and guidance of a sovereign King, who is God. Striving for more than just belonging to a community and instead embracing a way of life that reflects the values, priorities, and culture of God’s reign.

Faith in Jesus Christ, rather than nationality, race, or achievements, grants citizenship in God’s kingdom. It involves recognizing God as the ultimate ruler over all creation and aligning your life with His will. It also involves acknowledging Jesus as King, obeying His commands, and participating in His mission to bring heaven’s reality to earth.

Heaven on Earth: The Present Reality of God’s Kingdom

The Kingdom of God is not a distant promise but a present reality intended to transform lives and align our hearts with heaven. It transforms lives here and now. As believers, God calls us to align with Heaven, embrace His will in our daily walk, and reflect His Kingdom through our actions. This alignment brings transformation, purpose, and a sense of mission. It brings us to the heart of spiritual warfare, a battle between the Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness.

In Matthew 3:2, John the Baptist declared, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand. ” This proclamation initiated a divine offensive against the forces of darkness. Jesus expanded this proclamation by preaching the good news of the Kingdom, offering salvation, healing, and deliverance. These acts were signs of His divine mission and invitations to experience the fullness of God’s Kingdom today.

The Battle Within: Spiritual Warfare and the Kingdom of God

A war is taking place for our souls—a battle between light and darkness. The only way out of the kingdom of darkness is Jesus Christ and the truth of the Gospel. Satan is fighting fiercely to keep those he has—to keep them blinded and living with the wrong perspective and to keep believers from interceding and walking in the purpose, privilege, and power granted to them as heirs with Christ and citizens of the kingdom of God.

Spiritual warfare is the struggle between the Kingdom of God and the forces of darkness. This battle was first revealed in Genesis 3:15, where God declared enmity between the seed of the woman (Jesus) and the serpent (Satan). This pronouncement signaled the beginning of a cosmic conflict.

Satan’s strategy in this war is to oppose God’s plans and derail destinies. He blinds the minds of unbelievers, distorts values, and leads people away from the truth of Jesus. He accuses believers in the courts of heaven, seeking to make them feel unworthy of their relationship with God to keep believers from walking authority.

We see this in 2 Corinthians 4:4, where Paul states, “In their case the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” Additionally, we see that Satan accuses believers in Zechariah 3:1, where it is written: “Then the guiding angel showed me Joshua the high priest [representing disobedient, sinful Israel] standing before the [a]Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at Joshua’s right hand to be his adversary and to accuse him.”

Despite these tactics, believers are called to stand firm, knowing there is no neutral ground. Every soul belongs to the Kingdom of Light or the Kingdom of Darkness, and the battlefield is our daily lives. We must engage in spiritual warfare by standing on God’s promises, resisting the enemy, and walking in faith.

Jesus’ Mission: Salvation, Healing, and Deliverance for All

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and restore what sin had broken. Rooted in salvation, healing, and deliverance, His ministry fulfilled God’s promises and offered hope to a fallen world. In Luke 4:18, Jesus declares He is anointed to bring good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and set the oppressed free. The mission embraced all who needed healing and restoration, regardless of their perceived “worthiness.”

Jesus’ ministry also demonstrated that healing is a birthright for believers. Isaiah prophesied that “by His stripes, we are healed,” and this promise was fulfilled through Jesus’ sacrifice. Healing is not something earned; it is a gift received through faith. Believers are called to trust in God’s Word, pray boldly, and stand firm in the promises of healing and deliverance.

Prayer as a Weapon: Advancing the Kingdom Through Intercession

Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons in spiritual warfare. It enables believers to partner with God in bringing His will to earth. Intercessory prayer, as seen in Acts 12:5, can lead to miraculous interventions, such as Peter’s release from prison. Through prayer, believers can intercede for those trapped in darkness, sow seeds of the Gospel, and open the door for the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts. We plant the seeds; the Holy Spirit will draw hearts to Jesus.

Prayer requires perseverance and faith. It is not only about presenting requests to God but also about standing firm in spiritual battles. As believers, we must pray for the lost, trust God’s timing, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide our witness. In doing so, we become active participants in the advancement of the Kingdom.

Shining Bright: Reflecting the Kingdom in a Dark World

God calls on believers to reflect the light of His Kingdom in a dark and broken world. Our lives are living testimonies of the Gospel, and through them, we can point others to Jesus. This calling requires boldness and authenticity. We must let our light shine, making the Word of God real to those around us. Sharing the Gospel is not about condemning others but offering hope and pointing to the solution in Jesus Christ.

Faith in Action: Standing Firm on God’s Promises

Resist the enemy by standing on God’s promises. Declare healing, freedom, and victory over every attack. You don’t have to accept it if it’s not from God. Root your faith and perspective in the truth of God’s Word rather than the chaos of the world. Stand firm amid trials, knowing God’s power is working within you. Remember, your external environment doesn’t determine your inner reality.

Victory Assured: Living as Overcomers in the Kingdom of Light

The Kingdom of God guarantees victory over the forces of darkness. Through Jesus, we are transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light (Colossians 1:13). This victory is not just for our benefit but equips us to share the Gospel, stand firm in spiritual battles, and bring others into the light.

Believers are not passive participants in God’s plan. We are soldiers in His Kingdom, called to pray, proclaim the Gospel, and live as testimonies of His grace. Jesus Christ has already won the battle, empowering us to walk in freedom and lead others to the same victory. Let us boldly embrace this calling, knowing we are part of God’s eternal Kingdom and purpose.

The information expressed above is excerpted from the sermon “The Kingdom of God & Spiritual Warfare” preached by Dr. Lee A. Simpson. You can listen to the complete sermon on our YouTube channel.

Jonathan Craddock

Jonathan Craddock is a licensed minister at Faith Clinic Christian Center Church and has been a dedicated Christian and follower of Jesus Christ for over 12 years. He enjoys deep diving into scripture, learning about God, faith, and walking with Jesus. He is a writer for the blog “God & Gospel: Faith for Life,” and his vision is to help people to understand and apply the sermons they hear, the word of God, and their relationship with God.

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The Role of the Holy Spirit

Jesus introduces the Holy Spirit as “another comforter,” showing the continuation of His ministry on earth. This term “another” suggests a comforter of the same kind, just as present and real as Jesus was to His disciples. As the Spirit of truth (John 16:13 NKJV), He embodies the essence of Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. The Holy Spirit leads believers in all truth, reflecting Jesus’ mission and character and helping us to do the same. It is through the Holy Spirit that Jesus can abide in and with us. The Holy Spirit deepens our relationship with Christ by revealing His presence, wisdom, and love in every area of our lives.

A Distinct Person

John 14:16 (KJV) beautifully shows the nature and work of the Holy Spirit, where Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will abide with believers forever. This eternal promise introduces us to the Holy Spirit not as a fleeting presence or feeling but as a distinct person—referred to as “He” and “Him,” not “It.” It highlights the personal nature of the Holy Spirit. He is more than the chills or feelings of energy and excitement we might experience; He is a person and is actively speaking to and guiding us.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” – John 14:16 (KJV)

Equipped & Empowered

Without the Holy Spirit, our human limitations and weaknesses would hinder our attempts to grow closer to God and His calling on our lives. With Him, we are equipped and empowered to overcome our challenges and fulfill God’s will just as Jesus did. Jesus worked through the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit, and just as He worked through Jesus, He is now working through us if we acknowledge Him.

In John 14:17 (AMP), we learn that the Holy Spirit’s role is to help believers, reveal truth, and aid us in our walk with Christ and everyday lives. The world cannot receive and take to heart the work and identity of the Holy Spirit. They cannot see Him or know Him as we can. He is a gift and abides in us, but if we do not acknowledge Him, we can miss out on what He wants to do in us, for us, and through us.

“the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.” – John 14:17 (AMP)

The Active Choice to be Led

The Holy Spirit desires to help us walk and grow in fellowship with Jesus, but He will not force himself into our lives. By not acknowledging the Holy Spirit, we risk missing out on His work within us and through us. What could you be missing out on if you don’t acknowledge Him? What challenges are you facing that the Holy Spirit has the answer to?

The Holy Spirit wants to uplift and enrich us, intercede for us and our loved ones, and strengthen us through life’s challenges and difficulties, but we must allow Him to lead us. To be led by the Holy Spirit is an active choice to be alert and pay attention, surrendering pride and self-will for God’s will in our lives.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” – Revelation 2:7 (NKJV)

Hearing & Obeying the Spirit

In a world filled with distractions, hearing and obeying the Holy Spirit’s voice is something we must strive not to neglect. The abundance of noise and distractions in our modern lives can make it difficult to hear Him, but He is speaking in our lives, thoughts, and hearts. He is speaking to both believers and unbelievers.

Work in Believers and Unbelievers

For believers, He serves as a helper, comforter, intercessor, counselor, strengthener, and standby—ready to assist, console, intervene, counsel, strengthen, and support us in our journey. As our comforter, consoling and encouraging us through our trials, as an intercessor, He intervenes on our behalf, guiding us away from sin and towards a path of holiness and righteousness. He serves as our counselor, providing wisdom and advice to navigate life’s complexities. Further, He strengthens us, supplying the power and endurance we need to persevere. All things are possible if you are willing to believe and trust with faith in God.

For unbelievers, He is convicting them of sin and leading them towards salvation through Jesus Christ. This act of salvation demonstrates God’s immense love for all of humanity, which is expressed in John 3:16 (NKJV). God’s love for us is the reason salvation is made available. If you are not a believer, it is not too late to receive the free gift of salvation.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16 (NKJV)

Guiding Us Toward Holiness and Purpose

The Holy Spirit is critical to our success and relationship with Jesus. He offers guidance, comfort, and support to believers while also reaching out to unbelievers to draw them to Jesus. By keeping our eyes fixed on the Lord and trusting in the Holy Spirit, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God’s love and fulfill His purpose in our lives. Let us embrace the presence and person of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide us toward a life of holiness, righteousness, and divine purpose.

Writing this article has helped me reflect on how far I have come in my relationship with myself and God. I pray that it also helped to encourage you. Watch for my next article, where I cover “The Power of the Holy Spirit.”

The information expressed above is excerpted from the sermon “Holy Spirit : His Purpose | His Person & Power Part 3” preached by Dr. Lee A. Simpson. You can listen to the complete sermon on our YouTube channel.

Jonathan Craddock

Jonathan Craddock is a licensed minister at Faith Clinic Christian Center Church and has been a dedicated Christian and follower of Jesus Christ for over 12 years. He enjoys deep diving into scripture, learning about God, faith, and walking with Jesus. He is a writer for the blog “God & Gospel: Faith for Life,” and his vision is to help people to understand and apply the sermons they hear, the word of God, and their relationship with God.

godandgospel.com

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Words have the potential to bless, curse, heal, or destroy every time you speak them. Your words are full of power and set outcomes into motion. You can change your life by changing what you say, and you change what you say by changing what you think. As scripture says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21) and “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7).

You determine your future by the thoughts you think, the words you speak, and the choices you make. Your words frame your life, and your thoughts frame your words. They are either creating a path to success or a way to failure. What you believe and say about yourself will determine what you do with yourself. When you change your thoughts, you change your words, which changes your life.

The invisible creates the visible

“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” – Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV)

This scripture teaches us that the invisible Word of God, which is unseen, created the things you can see. Everything God created existed in His mind first. God used His Word as tools and building materials to make the universe. Being built in His image and after His likeness, we are capable of the same. God has created you and me, and like He formed and equipped the universe with a purpose, He equips us to do what He has purposed for us. We must learn to use the invisible (our thoughts) to bring about the visible.

When you speak words, you are speaking from the invisible world. You think about it first, then speak. The words that come out of your mouth become seeds in your life, and you will reap the harvest of your words. We see this principle in action everywhere we look. Everything we use and see around us began in the invisible world of thought and imagination. Something cannot come into existence without first being thought or imagined.

Shaping your words begins with your thoughts

Everything that we see starts from what is unseen. Your life is shaped not by the clothes you wear or the items you have but by the thoughts you embrace and hold onto. It does not reflect what you wear but what you care for and carry with you, what you think, and your mindset.

Success begins in the mind. Your mind dictates your words, so you cannot afford to have wrong thoughts. You seed your success from the invisible world of thought, so you must change your thoughts to be successful. If your thinking is bent out of shape, God cannot help you get what He has for you. That is why God calls on us to transform our thoughts and mindset.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

If you don’t change your thinking, you cannot change your living. Your thinking determines the quality or lack in your life. Transforming our thoughts enables believers to prove, discern, and align with God’s will. Without a changed mind, the words that come from it can impede and stop God’s will for our lives.

God will never violate our will, so without transformation, our words can stop God’s blessings for our lives. You have to frame your mind and move from the old thoughts to the new ones. You have control of your mind and must intentionally take control of your thoughts.

Shaping your thoughts begins with the Word of God

We must get our minds in order and develop a new mindset or way of thinking—our thinking patterns must change. Your life is the fruit of your most consistent thought patterns. A pattern of thought is a mindset. You build your life upon it; it is your framework and the lens through which you see the world. What are you framing your mind around right now? Your feelings and experiences, or the Word of God?

You must develop a faith worldview built on the Word and let it be the lens through which we view everything. You will always see yourself from your fallen state if you do not align your thoughts with God’s. We are a new creation in Christ Jesus and must think like it. You cannot afford to hold on to old thoughts and beliefs because they will always take you back to old outcomes.

Root your mind in God’s word

Root your mind and thoughts in God’s Word and let go of the belief systems limiting you. Your thoughts and words shape your life. God used the Word to create the world; your thoughts and words shape and create your world. When you learn to frame your life with God’s Word, your life will align with God’s order. The decisions you make and the results you see will fall under that order. You will get what the Word says, and as the word proclaims in Joshua 1:8, you will make your way prosperous and succeed.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” –Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)

Meditating on the Word is the key to developing the faith worldview you need. When you meditate on His Word, you will let it direct you and stand on it when faced with life’s challenges. The Word of God in you will transform you. It will shape and change your thoughts, words, and understanding. It is the path to success and prosperity, but it requires participation.

Know and follow the Word of God

Knowing the Word of God is not enough—it must be followed and pursued. He is looking for our participation and patience. The instructions you follow determine the future you create. When God gives you instructions, don’t act according to your desires; act according to your instructions.

You can miss what God wants to do for you when you get in your feelings. When you let the thoughts, opinions, and feelings of others influence you, their words in you can separate you from the destiny God has for you. Do not let yourself care more about what others think, feel, or say about you than what the Word of God says. Choose the Word of God over anything and any person. Do not allow people or difficult situations to influence your relationship with God.

Speak in Faith

You are here for a purpose, and it is what you say it will be. God’s Word has to be in your mouth. If you aren’t saying what God says, you will speak what your feelings, experiences, and others say. Through faith, you open yourself to receive everything God says to and about you. Your faith will produce the visible thing you want from the invisible. Faith is proof that the invisible exists. There must be an alignment of your mind, heart, and the words you release with your mouth. You must believe it in your heart first and speak what you believe by faith.

Every problem is pregnant with opportunity. The seeds of opportunity are in your mind, and you must release them with your mouth. You must speak life to a dead situation, have hope in the face of hopelessness, and believe that you are in God’s hands no matter how difficult the situation may appear.

The information expressed above is excerpted from the sermon “ Framed For Success: Word Activation” preached by Dr. Lee A. Simpson. You can listen to the complete sermon on our YouTube channel.

Jonathan Craddock

Jonathan Craddock is a licensed minister at Faith Clinic Christian Center Church and has been a dedicated Christian and follower of Jesus Christ for over 12 years. He enjoys deep diving into scripture, learning about God, faith, and walking with Jesus. He is a writer for the blog “God & Gospel: Faith for Life,” and his vision is to help people to understand and apply the sermons they hear, the word of God, and their relationship with God.

godandgospel.com

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