By Pastora Monique Lopez Ong
The Kingdom of God has a king. His name is Jesus and He rules and He reigns; He is the over-all head. We are under His dominion and authority. And because of that, we should follow Him. It is about His presence. If you want the presence of God, we have to honor Him by what He says in His word. The world cannot really comprehend everything about the kingdom of God. Maybe that is why we are being reminded about His Kingdom. Because what we think of His kingdom is very shallow as compared to what it really is. You know how we know? Because in the little problems that you go through, you fall. But when the presence of the kingdom of God is here, you are victorious. So if the kingdom is at hand and the kingdom is in us, what makes this kingdom unshakeable?
Hebrews 12:25-28 says “See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”
What can be shaken will be shaken. That is why you need the presence of God. He will shake you and see what is in your heart. If not, everything that is not of God will fall out. You can say that you love Him. But He will really test your heart if you love Him. Is He really your God? What is really in your heart? Achievements? Accolades? Career? Relationships? All forms of security that is not rooted in christ will be shaken. He will go back to everything because He wants everything that is not of Him to disappear so that you can stand straight.
The goal is to be made unshakeable for the kingdom. How can you do that? You know that the presence of God is here. God gives us keys to acheive this; that no matter what happens in your life, you will still be left smiling.
If you want to be unshakeable:
We know our Father. - You can come to church but have no personal relationship with the Father.
A. God is a good Father. - When you are in lack, why do you get nervous? It was God’s plan that we would be His children so that we would have first dibs on everything He created. He is not controlling and punishing. Nothing bad ever came from Him. James 1:17-18 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” That is how good God is. He is so generous that we know how to call Him good, good Father. Matthew 7:11 says, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” All of these things are only because of Him.
B. God loves you. - Love is difficult. It is a trial and error process. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Even if all men are sinners, God still made a way for them to have eternal life. He gave His only Son to become sin for all mankind that mankind might live. He is the perfect example of God’s love. God’s love is not a two-way street. He loves us even if we do not love Him.
You need to know the Father. You will not live on God’s word on Sundays alone. You will die the rest of the week. Read His word. If you want to know your Heaven;y Father, the model is Jesus. Do not follow your online preachers because nobody is perfect except Jesus alone. Look to Him only.
C. Look to Jesus to know your Heavenly Father. - John 14:6-7 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” If you have seen Jesus, you have seen the Father.
LET'S SHAKE OFF THE LIE
LIE: When I sin, God will punish me. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 says, “For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.”
TRUTH: When I sin, I can come to God and He will forgive me. 1 John 1:9 says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
God gives the free gift of forgiveness. Do not run away. Those who run away do not truly know the gospel
LET'S SHAKE OFF THE LIE
LIE: Sickness is given to teach us a lesson.
TRUTH: God did not give sickness to teach us a lesson. God sent Jesus to teach sickness a lesson! Matthew 4:23 says, “Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.”
We need to know our identity. - In the world today, the devil continually destroys our beliefs.
A. We are made in His image. - Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Do not allow the enemy to play with your mind. He does not want you to succeed. If you know your identity, you will not be shaken.
B. He adopted us to be His children. - Ephesians 1:4-6 says, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” You were not left behind, nor were you an orphan. You are children of God and He chose you even before the world began. Do not accept the lies of the enemy, even when people say it to your face.
C. We are the righteousness of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”When God looks at each and every one of us, He sees the face of His Son, Jesus Christ. The moment you ask Jesus to be master of your life, you become righteous in God’s eyes. Righteousness cannot be earned. It is about your position in God’s Kingdom. No matter what happens, it is in you.
We must know our purpose.
A. We are to live in Christ. Galatians 2:20 says, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Surrender your whole life to God. You were made for His pleasure; to worship Him.
B. We are to be Christ-like. Romans 8:29 says, “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” The Lord calls us to be like Him. Paul asks us to imitate him as he imitates Christ. Nobody is perfect. But at least try.
C. We are called for Christ. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” You are set apart for the work of the Lord. He has an assignment for all of His children. We are called for Christ. If you run away from your calling, you are running away from the presence of God, says Vlad Savchuk.
D. We are called to be Christ ambassadors. Mark 16:15-18 says, “And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” He already gave you everything. What else do you want and need? Miracles are normal in the kingdom of God. Everybody is called. There is no few chosen. But only a few accept the call.
What is your excuse? We are carriers of His presence. We are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is calling. Will you say yes? Will you come and follow Jesus, live for Him and answer to His call? Do you want to be unshakeable? Know your identity in Christ. You were made for a purpose. You were chosen. The Kingdom of God is yours for the taking.