Uplook - September 6, 2025
Dear Saints,
I've been contemplating the topic of God's kingdom. I heard someone once say that a kingdom is wherever the effective rule of the king is extended. I suppose in one sense we all try to carve out a little kingdom. Growing up, my father's workshop was his "kingdom"...with specific instructions on who could enter, how tools were to be used and put away properly, I can remember his unhappiness when my mother took a wood chisel from his shop and used it as a screwdriver. It didn't seem like a big deal to her but to my dad it was a big deal. He was the "ruler" of the workshop.
Jesus instructed his disciples to pray in Matthew 6 saying, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." So apparently in one sense we are to pray for the rule of God and His will here on this planet as it is in the rest of the cosmos. And yet in another sense, the kingdom of God has already made an entrance to this planet when Jesus came into the world, fulfilling the Jewish law as the Messiah. He declared that the law and prophets were until John the Baptist but after that "the kingdom of God is preached" (Luke 16:16) and yet it sometimes seems paradoxical. He instructed the disciples to go two by two to those around them offering peace, fellowship, and healing declaring "The kingdom of God is come nigh to you." So, while the kingdom was to come it somehow was also nearby.
Mark 10:25 declares the kingdom of God is not easy for rich people to receive and Luke 18:17 states that it must be received "as a little child". In Luke 17:20-21 when confronted by the religious leaders of his day about when "the kingdom of God should come" he replied it could not easily be seen or observed but instead it "is within you" suggesting it is not always seen or measured by human measure.
We may delve into this topic more deeply at some point this fall but for now remember a few key points.
May the effective rule of the King of Glory extend not only to our hearts and to the hearts of those we love, but to all of those to whom we have contact and influence. In reality, His rule is already in effect (the already) but may it be brought to completion by the yielding of all creation to His rule (the not yet).
Many have entered into a "new" year at school or work or this season of their lives. May that entrance be governed and guided by the king and may His rule guide and uphold us all.
Blessings,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
I've been contemplating the topic of God's kingdom. I heard someone once say that a kingdom is wherever the effective rule of the king is extended. I suppose in one sense we all try to carve out a little kingdom. Growing up, my father's workshop was his "kingdom"...with specific instructions on who could enter, how tools were to be used and put away properly, I can remember his unhappiness when my mother took a wood chisel from his shop and used it as a screwdriver. It didn't seem like a big deal to her but to my dad it was a big deal. He was the "ruler" of the workshop.
Jesus instructed his disciples to pray in Matthew 6 saying, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." So apparently in one sense we are to pray for the rule of God and His will here on this planet as it is in the rest of the cosmos. And yet in another sense, the kingdom of God has already made an entrance to this planet when Jesus came into the world, fulfilling the Jewish law as the Messiah. He declared that the law and prophets were until John the Baptist but after that "the kingdom of God is preached" (Luke 16:16) and yet it sometimes seems paradoxical. He instructed the disciples to go two by two to those around them offering peace, fellowship, and healing declaring "The kingdom of God is come nigh to you." So, while the kingdom was to come it somehow was also nearby.
Mark 10:25 declares the kingdom of God is not easy for rich people to receive and Luke 18:17 states that it must be received "as a little child". In Luke 17:20-21 when confronted by the religious leaders of his day about when "the kingdom of God should come" he replied it could not easily be seen or observed but instead it "is within you" suggesting it is not always seen or measured by human measure.
We may delve into this topic more deeply at some point this fall but for now remember a few key points.
- Unless we repent and are born again (spiritual rebirth) we cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3)
- If we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness ...God will take care of the rest (Matthew 6:33)
- Whatever is left (consecrated) for the kingdom of God's sake will be repaid even more here and everlasting life will follow. (Luke 18:29-30)
May the effective rule of the King of Glory extend not only to our hearts and to the hearts of those we love, but to all of those to whom we have contact and influence. In reality, His rule is already in effect (the already) but may it be brought to completion by the yielding of all creation to His rule (the not yet).
Many have entered into a "new" year at school or work or this season of their lives. May that entrance be governed and guided by the king and may His rule guide and uphold us all.
Blessings,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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