"He preached the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ." The last verse of Acts is important for us to remember. It teaches the primary message of the first century church.

The twenty-first century church should continue the same message.

We can definitely trace the theme throughout the New Testament.

John the Baptist preached about the Kingdom of God, Jesus preached about the Kingdom of God, Philip preached about the Kingdom of God and Paul continued to preach about the Kingdom of God. Sixty-six times the phrase "Kingdom of God" is found in the New Testament (NIV).

The Kingdom of God is equated with eternal life, the Kingdom of Heaven, and being saved in the story of the rich man (Matt. 19:16-30).

Nicodemus was told he must be born again to see and enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:3-5).

Philip preached the good news of the Kingdom of God to the Samaritans (Acts 8:12) and those who accepted it were baptized.

As we approach the subject of the Kingdom of God we must remember that Jesus is the "Way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father accept through Him." Coming to the Father is gaining entrance into the Kingdom of God.

Jesus came to give entrance into the Kingdom. He preached the Kingdom, was Himself a part of the Kingdom, and died as a sacrifice for sin giving us the opportunity to gain entrance into the Kingdom.

Entrance into the Kingdom is granted by the Lord God if we place faith in His Son.

This is why Philip preached the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12). Here is the reason Paul continued to preach the Kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 28:31).

Kingdom entrance is important. Kingdom living is just as important.

Jesus died so we could be forgiven and be given entrance into the Kingdom. Jesus was raised to give us life. This life is more than the hope of eternal life. It also includes a newness of life (Romans 6:4) presently.

We are to live the reality of a Kingdom person. If you are a Christian you are a Kingdom citizen (Philippians 3:20). You are a part of the Church, God's Kingdom on earth. Being a Christian is being a part of the Church of God. To exclude oneself from the Church is like amputating a limb from your body. Only, you are the limb, not the full body. The Church is the body (Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

The family of God, the Church, is your intimate family. Just as you are related by genetics to a physical relative you are related to each person of God's Church by the Blood of Christ. You are also related to each member of the Body of Christ by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Scripture says it this way, "we are one in Christ" (Galatians 3:26-29; 1st John 1:7).

Kingdom thinking should become a natural process for the Kingdom person. I should be transforming my thinking about Whom I serve, of what I belong, the mission I have been given, and the attitudes I should exhibit (Romans 12).

My life is to be consumed with living as a subject of the Kingdom. My marching orders are from the King, Jesus. My mission is to win as many people as possible to the Kingdom. Also, I am to strengthen the members of the Kingdom by serving their needs (Galatians 5:13).

Generally speaking, we are a patriotic people, Solid Rock Christian Church. We love the U.S.A.. As much we as love and serve our country we should love and serve the Kingdom of God more. The Kingdom is eternal. The Kingdom is built upon the truth that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:15-19).