The central theme of Jesus' teaching is the Kingdom of God. This concept encompasses God’s rule and authority over all creation and His purpose to restore humanity's role in extending His dominion on Earth.

Creation and Dominion
Humanity was created to reflect God's image and extend His dominion on Earth:

Genesis 1:26-28: "Let Us make mankind in Our image, in Our likeness, so that they may rule... over all the Earth." This reflects God's intent to work through humanity for His divine purposes.

Jesus as the King and Restorer

Humanity failed to fulfill God's purpose, resulting in separation from Him and the loss of the dominion originally entrusted to us. However, Jesus, as the King and Restorer, came to redeem what was lost and to reestablish God’s Kingdom on Earth.

John 18:36: "My kingdom is not of this world... My kingdom is from another place."
Isaiah 53:10-11: Yet it pleased the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

The Old and New Covenant
The Old Covenant was broken by humanity, leading to the establishment of a New Covenant through Jesus:

Jeremiah 31:31-34: The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah
Hebrews 8:13: By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

4. The Gospel Focuses on the Kingdom of God
Jesus mission emphasized the Kingdom of God as central to His message:

Acts 1:3: "After His suffering, He showed Himself to them and spoke about the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."

Jesus focus on the Kingdom shows that salvation is not only about saving individuals but about bringing back God’s rule over everything He created. Through His sacrifice, Jesus overcame sin and death, making it possible for people to be reconnected with God and live under His good and perfect leadership.

The Kingdom is Here and Now
The Kingdom is not just about life after death; it begins here and now as we align ourselves with God's will:

Matthew 4:17: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
Luke 17:21: "The kingdom of God is within you."

Roles
As followers of Christ, we are active participants in His mission. We are called to partner with God in restoring His dominion on Earth by reflecting His love, carrying out His will, and advancing His purpose.

2 Corinthians 5:20: "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us."

Submission Before Subduing

Before we can take authority or bring things under control, we must first submit to God. Submission is the foundation for any effective action. It doesn’t work the other way around—we cannot attempt to subdue and then decide to submit afterward. God has given us free will, and He desires our voluntary obedience.
Adam and Eve lost their dominion over creation when they failed to submit to God’s command in the garden (Genesis 3:17-19). God placed the fruit in the garden as for humanity to demonstrate their submission to Him willingly.
James 4:7 reinforces this truth: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This verse reveals a twofold strategy: submission to God empowers us to resist the enemy effectively. Without submission, our efforts to overcome resistance will lack the spiritual backing and authority needed for victory.
The Bible calls us to "subdue the earth," emphasizing that it will not naturally submit but must be actively brought under authority despite resistance. This principle also applies spiritually, as the devil resists but must be overcome by forceful faith. Jesus, who holds the name above all names, grants us authority to claim what is rightfully His and theirs through Him.

The Journey of Obedience

Obedience to God’s will often involves enduring challenges and embracing the journey of growth (Hebrews 5:8 says, "Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered). Jesus though the Son, learned obedience through suffering, providing an example for us. [Matthew 26:39, Matthew 26:42]
Decisions that align with God’s will often involve sacrifice, as seen in Jesus prayer in Gethsemane (Luke 22:42: Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done). Trusting God’s plan, even in pain, leads to ultimate victory.

Practical Application for Believers

Approach life with intentionality, understanding that every task is an opportunity to glorify God (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
Let go of control and surrender fully to God’s will to experience His peace and purpose. Jesus quick death on the cross symbolizes the freedom and protection that comes from surrender (Exodus 12:46).
Those who didn’t die on the cross had their bones broken to hasten their death, but Jesus died quickly, fulfilling the prophecy that none of His bones would be broken. In the same way, when we surrender and let go of resistance, we avoid unnecessary hardship. Trusting in God’s plan and yielding to His will allows us to move forward in His grace and purpose.

Discussion Question:

1. What signs or evidence show you are truly living in the Kingdom of God?

2. Is the kingdom of God here or yet to come? What do we mean when we pray, “Your Kingdom Come?” (The Lord’s Prayer Matthew 6:7-15)

3. What is the goal or objective or purpose of God’s Kingdom?

PART 2: - Living the Kingdom Life