TOPIC: LIVING IN DOMINION

CHANGE OF SUPREMACY

We have been delivered from Satan's dominion (rulership or supremacy). We are now under a whole new authority -that of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As a believer begins growing in his new life in the Lord, he soon discovers that the only way we enjoy living in God's Kingdom is in right

RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS: Ephesians 1:17; Philippians 3:10

At the beginning of our new life with God, the relationship starts in two distinct forms:

SAVIOR: We must accept Jesus Christ as savior before He saves us. This is the very first relationship we can ever have with Jesus Christ. We cannot know God as Father or Friend until we first have this revelation of Jesus as Savior. The One Who died for us and rescued us from Satan's kingdom.

JESUS HAS SAVED US FROM THE FOLLOWINGS:

a) God's Judgment (I Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; Romans 5:9).
b) Satan's Power (Acts 26:18; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8).
c) Our Own Selves (Philippians 3:19; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Titus 3:3 -6; 1 Peter 1: 18).

Although He was a son .. He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him " (Heb 5:8,9). See also Hebrews 2:10; 2 Timothy 1: 1 0.

LORD: We must acknowledge and accept Jesus Christ as Lord, master, controller of our lives starting from the first day He saves us.
Knowing Jesus as Savior brings us into God's Kingdom, but that is not where our relationship with Him ends.
Immediately we are inside the Kingdom, that relationship we takes different new changes. Today we know and understand Him not only as Savior, but as Lord - OUR Lord! He is the KING of kings and Lord of lords (Colossians 2:6).

Therefore, I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, Jesus be cursed'; and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord, 'except by the Holy Spirit " (I Corinthians 12:3; John 13:13; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Corinthians 4:5).

Immediately we enter into the Kingdom of Light, we can enjoy what we were created for a loving relationship with the Lord. Therefore, when Jesus becomes Lord of our lives, we discovered that His dominion in our lives brings us out of the difficulties of sin into divine order and peace ( Colossians 2:9, 10; I Corinthians 8:6).

THE EXAMPLARY CITIZEN

Let your attitude toward life be that of Christ Jesus Christ himself (Philippians 2:5). Jesus, though King of the Kingdom, became a servant. He is the example of what the true citizen of His Kingdom is like.

You call me 'Teacher, and 'Lord, 'an rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you (John 13:13- 15; John 13:5-17; Matthew 20:26-28; Luke 22:27).

SUBJECTS OF THE KING

As members of Christ's Kingdom, we enter into a Master-servant relationship with Him (Matt 6:24).

Jesus Christ was here on earth then to do His Father's will (Heb 10:5-9). In His daily chores, He displayed the lifestyle of the Kingdom: "living to please God" (Ephesians 5:8-10). We should have this servant-hood heart and character, just as Jesus Christ had.

Many Christians do not like the idea of being a servant because it seems to make one person inferior to another. But it is not so.

The Bible Gives Us Four Interesting Paradoxes:

In Slavery, There Is Freedom

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life (Romans 6:22,16-23; 12:1; 1 Corinthians 7:22; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 6:6,7; I Peter 2:16).

Being A Servant, Yet He Is Great

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:11,12; 20:26, 27; Mark 9:35; 10:43; John 12:26).

In Humility, Yet He Is Exalted

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven " (Matt 18:4; Luke 18:14; Proverbs 29:23; James 4: 1 0; I Peter 5:5,6; Matthew 19:30).

In Submission, There Is Authority
A Roman Centurion (a military leader over 100 soldiers) who came to Jesus understood this principle. In fact I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you, said the centurion. Therefore, just say the word, and my servant will be perfected. Because I, myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. if I say this one, 'Go, he must go, - and that one, 'Come, he must come. If I say to my servant, 'Do this, or do that , he.must do so" (Luke 7:7,8).

Because the Centurion was under authority, he was able to exercise authority, and he readily submitted to Jesus' authority (Luke 7:1-10; James 4:7).

The lifestyle of the Kingdom of God is an attitude of
SUBMISSION and OBEDIENCE TO GOD (Matthew 12:50; Ephesians 6:6; Hebrews 13:21; 1 John 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:1). We submit ourselves to God's will - NOT reluctantly - because of fear or duty - but rather:

Because Of All God Has Done For Us (Romans 12: 1; Ephesians 4: 1; Titus 3:4-7).

Because In Doing So We Find Fulfillment (Psalm 40:8).

Because Of Love (John 14:15; l John 5:3).

FRUITFULNESS OF THE KINGDOM

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his children, encouraging, comforting and urging you LIVING TO PLEASE GOD , who calls you into his kingdom and glory" (I Thes 2:11,12; 2 Thessalonians 1:5).
In Matthew 21:43, Jesus said that the Kingdom would belong to those who produce its fruit. The fruit of the Kingdom is explained on some pages of the scriptures:

Love, joy, peace (Gal 5:22, 2 3).
Goodness, righteousness, truth (Ephesians 5:9; James 3:13-17).

Righteousness, peace, joy (Romans 14:17; Hebrews 12:1 1).

The fruitfulness of that Kingdom is simply the natural outworking of the miracle of rebirth that the Holy Spirit has performed in us (see Galatians 5:22).

Our responsibility as citizens of the Kingdom is to live like the people we are now! (I Pet 2:1 1).

We also pray that your outward lives, which men see, may bring credit to your master's name, and that you may bring joy to his heart " (Colossians 1: I 0; 2:6; Ephesians 4: 1; 6:8-1 0).

MY DETERMINATION

I realize , after studying about Kingdom Living, that I am to submit my life to the service of others, just as Jesus did. I determined by myself to be a willing, joyful servant of Christ and others.

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