kingdom advancement

Key Scripture: “And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” - Luke 13:20 

Purpose: Most people when asked don’t know what the Kingdom of God truly is, but Jesus Christ came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. While He mentioned the word church three times, He mentioned the word Kingdom over 100 times. That is not to say the church isn’t important to Him, but certainly one could conclude that the church wasn’t His primary focus. That distinction belongs to the Kingdom of God. He announced, proclaimed, and demonstrated that His Father’s Kingdom was not only good news but was accessible to every yielded believer humble enough to receive God’s Spirit in the realm of their heart.  As His Kingdom advances in our hearts, it brings not only transformation and sanctification, but also total Lordship! 

Phase of Discipling Best to Introduce: D1

Discipling Tips: (Coming Soon)

Tool Specifics: (More to Come)

  1. When we say the Kingdom we mean the rule and reign of the Lordship of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit in people’s lives. 

  2. Kingdom is Accessible

    • Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” - Mark 1:14-15

    • From that time on Jesus began to proclaim his message with these words: “Keep turning away from your sins and come back to God, for heaven’s Kingdom realm is now accessible.” - Matthew 4:17 TPT

  3. Realm where God rules is in the heart 

    • When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. - Matthew 13:19 NKJV

    • And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. - Galatians 4:6-7 NKJV

  4. God rules by the Spirit

    • But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the Kingdom of God has come upon you. - Matthew 12:28 NKJV

    • For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. - 2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT

    • For the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. - Romans 14:17 NKJV

  5. In Who? A Yielded Believer

    • Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:3 NKJV

    • But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. - John 1:12 NKJV

    • For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. - Romans 8:14 NASB

    • Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. - Hebrews 12:28 NKJV 

  6. God’s will becomes our will = Lordship

    • “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. “But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.” - Luke 6:46-49 NASB

    • “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” - Matthew 7:24-27 NASB

    • And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. - Colossians 3:17 NKJV

  7. What is the byproduct of Lordship? Spiritual Formation 

    Which is composed of? Transformation, Sanctification, Conformity

    • My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you - Galatians 4:19 NKJV

    • For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. - 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NLT

    • 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

  8. Kingdom advancement occurs one heart at a time 

    • For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. - 2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT

Tool Diagram:

 

Tool Resources:

Additional Tool Resources:

Originated/Adapted From:

  • Gretchen Cannon and Steve Eden

 Updated 3-8-2024