"My Kingdom Is Not Of This World" (Part II)

by Glendol McClure

6. The mission of this Kingdom is not a fleshly mission. It has a spiritual mission – to accomplish the purpose for which God designed it (I Timothy 3:15; cf. Ephesians 3:11). An examination of the work and worship of the first-century church reveals that the church: (1) Preached the gospel to all the world - Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15, 16; Colossians 1:23-28, Ephesians 3:10. (2) Edified its members in the faith (Ephesians 4:11-12; II Timothy 2:14; I Peter 2:5-10). (3) Cared for its needy saints (I Corinthians 16:1-2; Acts 4:31-37; 6:1-7). (4) Disciplined its members who walked out of order (II Thessalonians 3:6, 14; I Corinthians 5:9-13).

Its mission is not intended to satisfy man’s whims, wants and wishes, but only to accomplish the eternal purpose of God (Ephesians 3:11; Matthew 7:21-23). It is not an organization to provide fun, food, and frolic (recreation).It is not a social or recreation club. It does not engage in business ventures or entertainment. Its mission is not to provide for ANY of man’s fleshly lusts. Paul said, "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17).

7. This kingdom’s organization is not of earthly design. The design’s simplicity is evidenced in Paul’s statement, "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons" (Philippians 1:1).

-This Kingdom has servants or evangelists (preachers), as were Paul and Timothy.

-It has bishops (overseers) or elders (I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-11; I Peter 5:1-4; Acts 20:28).

All of whom were men, not women, who met the divinely given qualifications and watch over the flock among them in a certain locality (I Peter 5:1-2).

-It has deacons or servants (I Timothy 3:8-13).

-And it has saints (faithful members).

It is interesting to note that there was no man-made order. There are no dioceses or district bishops, no wards, no one-pastor systems (Titus 1:5-7, Acts 20:17, 28; I Timothy 3:1; I Peter 5:1-2). There are no men who were called "Reverend" (Psalms 111:9); there are no "Fathers" (Matthew 23:8-11), and no “Priests” who wear special collars or special garb (I Peter 2:5-10). No "clergy-laity" distinctions are found, or ever implied, anywhere in the New Testament.

The Lord’s church is a divine organization. It was designed by God’s wisdom (Colossians 1:9-2:4; 3:16; 4:5; James 1:5; 3:17). It was built to fulfill God’s eternal purpose and promise (Ephesians 3:10-11). It was built on a divine foundation (Matthew 16:16-18; Ephesians 2:20). The church includes all those redeemed by the blood of Christ and added to it by the Lord (Acts 2:47; Acts 20:28; I Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 5:25-27; I Peter 1:18; I Corinthians 12:13-31). Its members’ hearts have been pricked with the gospel message. They have been baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38; I Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27), and they live their lives "faithful unto death" to the glory of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

8. This kingdom has no man-made doctrines or creeds. Its rule and authority are the words of Christ and His apostles, found in the New Testament, of which Christ is “the mediator” (Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). The Bible is its ONLY rule of faith and practice. Its "platform" and "creed," if you will, are the Holy Scriptures (Hebrews 9:15-17; 10:9-10, 19-22; II Timothy 3:15-17; II Peter 1:3, 4); the faith “once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).

The word "once" found in Jude 3, is from the Greek word hapax. W. E. Vine in his Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words, defines this significant word: "(b) ‘once for all,’ of what is of perpetual validity, not requiring repetition, Hebrews 6:4; 9:28; 10:2; I Peter 3:18; Jude 1:3." Hence, there is no need, nor any authority, for any latter-day revelations or man-made traditions.

Christ condemned denominations established by men, as well as their religious error. Jesus warned, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up" (Matt 15:13; cf. verses 1-9). Jesus’ warning was not a lesson on horticulture; rather, it was a stern warning to the religious scribes and Pharisees of His day, and that warning still applies. Catholics, Mormons and any other religious people who are steeped in traditions of men and so-called "latter-day revelations" should take note! There will be a rooting day during which the Father will “root up” all religious error.

9. This kingdom’s battle is not a fleshly battle. Reconsider our text, John 18:36 - "… My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."

The weapons of this battle are not carnal or fleshly (II Corinthians 10:3-6). The armor is spiritual in nature, because the war is a spiritual war (Ephesians 6:10-19). Even though the weapons are not carnal, the armor is not physical, and the battle is not a fleshly battle, it is, nonetheless a fight. It is a fight to obtain the crown, as Paul wrote Timothy (II Timothy 4:7). It is a fight for one’s own spiritual survival (I Corinthians 9:25-27). It is a fight with the devil and his angels for the souls of men (Acts 20:27-32, I Corinthians 15:32). It is a defense of "the faith once delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). The great battle of this kingdom is "the good fight of faith" (I Timothy 6:12; II Timothy 4:7).

10. Men or their doctrines do not govern entrance into this kingdom. Entrance is not accomplished by “accepting Jesus as one’s personal savior,” reciting the “sinner’s prayer,” being voted in by a religious organization, or by conforming to doctrines and creeds established by men.

To enter this kingdom, one must comply with a divine formula. Alien sinners must be “born again.” Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). How does one go about being “born again”? Jesus said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5-6). We are “born of water and of the Spirit” when we obey the gospel of Christ and are baptized (immersed in water) into Christ “for the remission of sins,” as instructed by the Holy Spirit through the pens of inspired Scripture writers (Galatians 3:27; Acts 22:16).

Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). Jesus’ words clearly state, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16; cf. Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; I Corinthians 12:13; I Peter 3:21).

That settles it. Man cannot alter or circumvent the divine requirements for salvation. When he hears and obeys the gospel of Christ, repents of his past sins, confesses before men his faith in Christ, and is baptized in the watery grave of baptism, the Lord, and only the Lord, adds his saved soul to the church (Acts 2:37-47). There is no earthly formula for becoming part of this kingdom.

11. No earthly rewards are associated with membership in this kingdom. The reward is not silver, gold or any earthly wealth (I Peter 1:4; I Peter 5:4). Jesus warned against putting confidence in earthly riches; therefore the riches of this Kingdom are spiritual in nature (Matthew 6:19-21).

The reward is likened to a crown. Peter referred to it as a "crown of glory that fadeth not away" (I Peter 5:4). Paul calls it "an incorruptible crown" (I Corinthians 9:25) and "the crown of righteousness" (II Timothy 4:8). James calls it "the crown of life" (James 1:12). John called it a "crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). This crown is unlike any earthly crown, for it “fadeth not away.”

The final reward (the crown) is eternal in Heaven with God and His Son Jesus Christ, which, as Paul told the Philippians, “is far better" (Philippians1:23). The faithful can expect to be with the saved of all ages, in the company of the "great cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1). It will be a place of indescribable bliss (Revelation 21:1-7).

In conclusion, this Kingdom is solely spiritual in nature. It has, a divine builder – Christ. It has a spiritual and divine purpose – to spread the gospel of Christ so the souls of men might be saved (Luke 19:10). To make it anything else goes beyond the doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 9) and disgraces this blood bought institution (Hebrews 10:26-31; Acts 20:28). Today, while you have time and opportunity, obey the gospel and become a subject in this divine Kingdom. Truly, this kingdom is OUT of this world!