The kingdom is big.

The kingdom is believers.

The kingdom is being built.

The kingdom is alive and active.

The kingdom is full of opportunity.

The kingdom is exclusive in God’s glory.

The kingdom is filled with consistent prayer.

The kingdom needs personal participation.

The kingdom needs sacrificial service.

The kingdom is led by God’s glory and authority.

The kingdom is upside down from the world.

How then can we be involved in the building, advancement and expansion of this glorious, Christ-centered kingdom?

1. Preach and Teach Repentance; Not "feel good" Christianity.

Matthew 3:1-2 — “In those days, John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

  1. What does it mean to repent?

  2. Why is it important that we model repentance as we seek to expand the kingdom? How are you modeling this in your life?

2. Make the Kingdom your highest priority.

Matthew 13:44 — “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

  1. What are some examples of making the kingdom your highest priority?

3. Press into the Kingdom; Don't be passive.

Luke 16:16 — “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”

  1. How are you pressing into the kingdom of God?

  2. What does a passive citizen of God’s kingdom look like?

4. Develop a Worldwide vision of the Kingdom.

Matthew 13:31-32 — He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

  1. How does this parable help us keep a worldwide vision of God’s kingdom?

5. Be a Fisher of Men.

Matthew 13:47 — “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.”

Matthew 4:19 — “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

  1. Who is someone (at work, at school, in your family, at home) that you can cast your net to?

6. Keep Looking Forward.

Luke 9:61-62— “ Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

  1. How do we apply Jesus’s words to keep looking to the present and future?