• Ever feel like you’re doing everything you’re supposed to do but still not getting the results you want? There may be a reason.

• Life works according to principles most people never learn.There are different rules that govern relationships, purpose, success and happiness then what the world has taught us. You have to live differently to live differently!

• In this series, we’ll uncover how life was designed to work and help you experience the peace, purpose, and progress God intended.

Jesus' main message was that the Kingdom of God was at hand >> He not only preached it everywhere that He went, but He also tasked the Apostles to teach it

Jesus talked about:
- Seeking the Kingdom (Luke 12:31)
- Entering the Kingdom (Matt. 7:21, 18:3, John 3:3-5)
- Receiving the Kingdom (Mark 10:15, Luke 12:32)
- Kingdom Values (Matt. 5:3, 10) and,
- Kingdom Authority (Matt. 16:19, Luke 10:9)

- So what is He talking about when He says "the Kingdom of God?"

- The word kingdom means the kingdom or realm over which a king rules. (reign, government)

- Every kingdom has 4 things:
1. A king
2. A realm (where his authority extends)
3. Citizens
4. A culture, or way of life
- Daniel prophesied about 5 kingdoms that would dominate the world in the future (and did). The last one was the Kingdom that Jesus was preaching about!

- Although these were physical kingdoms with borders, they were also spiritual kingdoms ruled over by demon spirits (Eph. 2:2, 6:12)

- Jesus came to set up a spiritual kingdom.

His Kingdom has the same 4 attributes:
1. A King (Jesus)
2. A Realm (wherever his authority is recognized)
3. Citizens (Phil. 3:20, Col. 1:13)
4. A Culture or way of life (His values, principles, rules)

- The Kingdom is NOT within you, but it is all around you.

- When Jesus came, He wasn't announcing a new religion, He was announcing a new government, Heaven's administration had arrived >> The government of God has come to earth in the person of Jesus. (Isa. 9:6 - the government shall be upon his shoulder)

- God's world is breaking in! Heaven is invading earth!

- You can now choose which government you'll live under >> Jesus says come live under my government (Matt. 11:28-30, Col. 1:13).

God's government has arrived and you are invited to come live under it!

- Repentance is changing your allegiance >> It's saying I'm no longer living under my rule, the world's rule or Satan's rule. I'm submitting to the King! (I'm bending the knee! Rom. 10:9)

- Why would you do that? Because when you follow the King, you enter His Kingdom, you become His citizen and when you follow His ways, you get His results (things work!)!

- The Kingdom of God is where God's will is done in people's lives! It's where God gets His way! His Way produces the life He intended!

- The Kingdom of God kicks Satan out of your life and welcomes Heaven in!

- Jesus didn’t just announce the Kingdom—He spent His ministry teaching people how it works.

- The Kingdom isn’t just something to believe in. It’s a way to live.

- The Kingdom isn’t just where you’re going someday—it’s how life works today.

- It's when you are following the Kingdom's rules or ways (operating system, blueprint, design) that life works!

- If things aren't working, it's time to look at if you're doing things his way or yours!

- Life gets harder when you fight the One who knows the way!

- When you’re out of alignment with the Kingdom, life gets harder than it has to be.

- When you’re aligned with the Kingdom, you begin to experience life the way God designed it.

- If life isn't working for you in any of these areas it's time to wave the white flag and bend the knee to the King of Kings!

Homework:

- Identify one area of your life where you’re doing things your way instead of God’s way.

- This week, don’t pray, “God, fix my life.” Pray, “God, show me where I’m living by my rules instead of Yours.”

- Whatever God shows you, act on! Make the change this week to begin living His way instead of yours!