The Unshakable Kingdom
by Jeffrey P. Johnson, superintendent, Mid-America Conference

The kingdom of God is eternal, irrevocable, unshakable. We are a part of this kingdom. It is within us, advancing around us, coming through us. When a person commits his or her life to following Jesus Christ and is born of water and the Spirit, the person receives this kingdom. It cannot be bought and it cannot be conquered — it conquers all.

The kingdom of God birthed the church and creates a fellowship within the Spirit. It has one Founder, one Savior, one King. It is the kingdom that comes by faith and lives in every movement of justice, mercy and love. That is why this kingdom is unshakable.

Jesus Christ spoke the kingdom of God into existence when He gave the Sermon on the Mount. He said we receive the kingdom when we realize how spiritually desperate we are. The moment we turn to God and by faith trust in His goodness and grace, we enter the kingdom.

We are blessed when we …
· are mournful of our past
· are humble
· desire God above all things
· share grace
· live in holiness
· proclaim peace
· suffer for the sake of righteousness.
That is why this kingdom is unshakable.

The kingdom of God starts like a seed inside our soul and grows from the inside out into this mighty fortress of truth and grace. When we are insulted, persecuted, falsely accused … it means nothing to us. We are dead to this world but alive to the kingdom, strangers to the darkness around us but at home in the light of His truth. We are already living in the next dimension: one step into the eternal; one glance into glory; one breath away from the splendor and majesty of seeing the King of this kingdom face-to-face. That is why this kingdom is unshakable.

So when we look around and find ourselves in situations where it seems the enemy is winning — we should always remember the kingdom. When we feel discouraged, frightened or alone, and everyone else has gone away — we should always remember the kingdom. And when all hell is breaking loose, persecutions rise against us, trouble comes to us, darkness never leaves us and we are on the edge — the very edge of our faith existence — we should always remember the kingdom. It is not of this world. It is not made by the hands of men. It is not for sale to the highest bidder. And it is not going away. The world cannot destroy it and evil cannot prevail against it. The kingdom belongs to God as we belong to God, and no person or thing can take it away from the Lord Almighty. The kingdom, the power and the glory of God are now and forever. Always remember the kingdom. Remember why it is unshakable.