{"id":1364,"date":"2021-03-25T21:13:03","date_gmt":"2021-03-25T21:13:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=1364"},"modified":"2021-04-04T14:17:06","modified_gmt":"2021-04-04T14:17:06","slug":"28-march-2021-the-kingdom-of-god","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=1364","title":{"rendered":"28 March 2021: &#8220;The Kingdom of God&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"615\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/20210328.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1366 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/20210328.png 615w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/20210328-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/20210328-24x13.png 24w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/20210328-36x20.png 36w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/20210328-48x27.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-f3d62e28-f3f0-4c12-91cb-c3baad3e3641\"><strong><strong><strong>Bethel Baptist Church<\/strong><br><strong>Worship Service @ Home<\/strong><br><\/strong>28 March 2021<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=1338\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"15\" height=\"10\" class=\"wp-image-1006\" style=\"width: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow.png 120w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow-24x16.png 24w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow-36x24.png 36w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow-48x32.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 15px) 100vw, 15px\" \/> <strong>Previous Service<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=1397\"><strong>Next Service<\/strong> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"15\" height=\"10\" class=\"wp-image-1007\" style=\"width: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow.png 120w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow-24x16.png 24w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow-36x24.png 36w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow-48x32.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 15px) 100vw, 15px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Service available on Youtube, or as text (below), or for audio see the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=72\">Podcasts<\/a>&nbsp;page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"28 March 2021: &quot;The Kingdom of God&quot;\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4mfFNKdEHHs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Welcome<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Testimony<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\"><em>\u201cLast Monday (22 March) I was in the Church praying and suddenly I felt a strong impression to go to the piano and play some songs. I haven\u2019t had this desire to play the piano for a year, during all of lockdown<strong>! <\/strong>After about half an hour or so of worshipping and practising songs, (my fingers were rusty!), I went back to my office and on the way checked my emails on my phone only to see one that had just come through from Premier with the heading: \u2018Church singing set for Easter return\u2019 &#8211; \u201cThere are reports the government is considering relaxing rules around congregational singing as lockdown measures start to ease in England and Wales \u2026 they may allow small singing groups indoors and congregational singing outdoors from 29 March although the final date is subject to confirmation.\u201d&nbsp; <br><\/em><br>Let\u2019s keep praying! Harry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Worship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Jesus at the Center by DARLENE ZSCHECH\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/D8HOOfTXmlg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption><sup>Jesus At The Center (Live) &#8211; Artist: Darlene Zschech &#8211; Album: Revealing Jesus<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Word<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Reading: <\/strong>Mark 1:1-15<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cThe time has come,&#8221; He said. &#8220;The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!\u201d<\/p><cite>Mark 1:15<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This phrase: <em>\u201cThe kingdom of God\u201d<\/em> or as in Matthew\u2019s Gospel, <em>\u201cThe kingdom of heaven\u201d<\/em>, was a vitally important term in the teaching of Jesus. It appears some 75 times in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke); but is infrequent in the Gospel of John 3:3, 5; 18:36-37, which:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\"><em>\u201cconstitute over three quarters of the occurrences of the phrase in the whole New Testament\u201d <br><\/em><br>R. T. France<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If we were to ask a roomful of people what the term meant, we would probably get as many answers as there are people present. However, the question that needs answering is, <em>\u201cWhat did Jesus mean by the phrase?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>(1) The Good News of Jesus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Mark begins his Gospel:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah,&nbsp;the Son of God<\/p><cite>Mark 1:1<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>and this is a heading to the whole book \u2013 it\u2019s all about the Good News concerning Jesus the Christ, the Son of God. In our text that Good News is defined as <em>\u2018The kingdom of God\u2019<\/em>:&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cThe time has come,\u2019 He said. \u2018<strong>The kingdom of God has come near<\/strong>. Repent and believe <strong>the good news<\/strong>!\u201d<\/p><cite>Mark 1:15<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>So the whole of Mark is about the Good News of Jesus and His mission, which is concerning the Kingdom of God&nbsp; the main focus, the central theme! God is very thorough in His plans and purposes, and prepares the way in all situations e.g. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have <strong>prepared<\/strong>.<\/p><cite>Exodus 23:20<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8220;I will send my messenger, who will <strong>prepare<\/strong> the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will <strong>come<\/strong> to His temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will <strong>come<\/strong>,&#8221; says the&nbsp;Lord&nbsp;Almighty.<\/p><cite>Malachi 3:1<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>A voice of one calling: &#8220;In the wilderness <strong>prepare<\/strong> the way for the&nbsp;Lord;<sup> <\/sup>make straight in the desert a highway for our God.\u201d <\/p><cite>Isaiah 40:3<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Such Old Testament texts prepared the Jewish people to expect <em>\u201ca day of the Lord\u201d<\/em> when the Deliverer would come, even Immanuel, God with us, the Messianic King. Mark makes it clear by using such texts that John the Baptist is the herald of the Messiah\u2019s coming, of the One more powerful than he:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>And this was his message: &#8220;After me <strong>comes<\/strong> the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie\u201d.<\/p><cite>Mark 1:7<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Mark also makes it clear that the One who is to come, is Jesus of Nazareth: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>At that time Jesus <strong>came<\/strong> from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan.<\/p><cite>Mark 1:9<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus didn\u2019t come in great splendour with an earthly king\u2019s entrance, but in lowliness and meekness. Such is the paradox that underlies the Good News of the Kingdom, the secrets of which are revealed not to the wise and learned but to little children (cf. Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21). Such \u2018secrets\u2019 are visible only to those with eyes of faith. John\u2019s baptism was an outward \u2018washing with water\u2019 symbolic of repentance. But Jesus\u2019 much more thorough and powerful baptism was one of an inner rebirth, by which a man, woman, or child, may enter the kingdom of heaven, signifying the <strong>coming <\/strong>also of the Holy Spirit. This baptism in the Holy Spirit was also the good news of the kingdom of God. For sure God does things to test people, to \u2018hide\u2019 things from people to find out what is in a person\u2019s heart and to make sure those whose hearts are not right won\u2019t see it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>He told them, &#8220;The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, <em>\u2018they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!&#8217;<\/em>\u201d <\/p><cite>Mark 4:11-12<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>(2) <\/strong><strong>The lowly Jesus, the Son of God, the Kingdom of God.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Well do we remember the words of Nathanael, the Israelite in whom there was no guile, upon being informed that the Messiah (God\u2019s chosen King) was among them and from Nazareth: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cNazareth! Can anything good come from there?\u201d<\/p><cite>John 1:46<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>To us, Jesus is a very special name, the name of the One we worship as King of Kings, but in the first century it was a very common name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\"><em>&#8220;Jesus\u2019 human credentials were nil\u201d <\/em><br><br>R T France<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And He was very relaxed in this unknown, unrecognised, and uncelebrated status. However, at the right time, His Father in heaven, who exalts the humble and humbles the proud (cf. Matt. 23:11-12), begins to exalt His Son before the people:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Immediately, coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens&nbsp;torn open and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.&nbsp;Then a voice came from heaven,&nbsp;<em>\u201cYou are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased\u201d<\/em>.<\/p><cite>Mark 1:10-11<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether or not they knew it or not, and most of them didn\u2019t, here standing before them was the One they had been waiting for. We, with hindsight, see another clear indication that He is The One, as He is led by the Spirit into the wilderness:<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Immediately, the Spirit sent Him out into the wilderness.<\/p><cite>Mark 1:12<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Is there a more barren place than the wilderness? And yet many of the wonderful beginnings of God start right there in the barren places, the wildernesses, e.g. the nation of Israel itself: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>In a desert land He found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him as the apple of His eye.<\/p><cite>Deuteronomy 32:10<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>And Israel\u2019s new beginnings after their exile: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.<\/p><cite>Isaiah 43:18-19<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The ministry of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus and the Kingdom of God: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cA voice of one calling: \u2018In the wilderness prepare the way for the&nbsp;Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God\u201d <\/p><cite>Isaiah 40:3; see Mark 1:2-4<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>And now Jesus led by the Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days, mirroring the 40 years Israel spent in the wilderness during its conception. Such are the beginnings of the Kingdom of God, the smallest of all seeds, that become the largest of all garden plants (cf. Mark 4:30-34). And here in the wilderness we see the start of the cosmic war between Jesus and the Kingdom of God in conflict with Satan and the kingdom of darkness. Let the battle commence! And such warfare continues with His church (see e.g. Eph. 6:10-20; 2 Cor. 10:3-4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>(3) <\/strong><strong>What is the kingdom of God?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This might seem an easy question to answer, just look up the word kingdom in a dictionary: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\"><em>\u201ca country ruled by a king or queen\u201d <\/em><br><br>Cambridge English Dictionary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\"><em>\u201ca country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen\u201d<\/em><br><br>Oxford English Dictionary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\"><em>\u201ca politically organised community or major territorial unit having a monarchical government headed by a king or queen\u201d <br><\/em><br>Merriam- Webster<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the more we look into the question what is the Kingdom of God and what did Jesus mean by it, we start to realise that the emphasis first and foremost must be on the word \u201cGod\u201d and not the word \u201ckingdom\u201d. R. T. France makes the point that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\"><em>\u201c\u2026 whereas \u2018kingdom\u2019 in English is today primarily a \u2018concrete\u2019 noun, with a clearly identifiable \u2018thing\u2019 to which it refers (whether a place or a community), the biblical nouns are abstract, and refer to the act of ruling \u2026 \u2018The kingdom of God\u2019 is God in saving action, God taking control in His world \u2026 \u2018divine government\u2019\u201d<br><\/em><br>R. T. France, in his book &#8220;Divine Government&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is for this reason that various scholars have substituted the term with \u2018reign\u2019, \u2018rule\u2019, \u2018kingship\u2019, \u2018sovereignty\u2019; <em>\u201cthe coming of God\u201d<\/em> (Beasley-Murray) to which might be added <em>\u201cand control of God\u201d<\/em> (France). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\"><em>\u201cAs with most biblical writers, Mark conceives of God\u2019s kingdom as God\u2019s \u201cactive reigning\u201d rather than as some kind of literal kingdom (with boundaries of time and space). God\u2019s active reigning cannot be consigned to heaven, or to the future, or to the human heart, or to any other narrowly defined sphere.\u201d <br><\/em><br>Howard Snyder<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God reigns and is active in creation and throughout history, fulfilling His divine purposes. cf. the Lord\u2019s prayer: <em>\u201dYour kingdom come, Your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So for example in our text Mark is talking about God\u2019s government, His rule:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>drawing near (Mark 1:15)<\/li><li>growing without human help (Mark 4:26-29)<\/li><li>coming with power (Mark 9:1). <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And people must: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>purify themselves and sacrifice to submit to it (Mark 9:47; 10:23-25); <\/li><li>welcome it like children (Mark 10:13-16); <\/li><li>wait eagerly for it and act boldly in the light of it (Mark 15:43). <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There are secrets concerning God\u2019s reign and rule that many can\u2019t see, hear, or perceive, <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>He told them, \u2018The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, \u2018\u201c<em>they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!<\/em>&#8220;\u2019<\/p><cite>Mark 4:11-12<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>A classic example of the way people don\u2019t perceive the kingdom is the way they see for example the cross as the greatest defeat, the failure of Christ\u2019s kingdom mission, rather than the greatest victory, His kingdom mission here on earth completed \u2026 through a crucified King. Think of the two criminals crucified next to him, one saw it the other didn\u2019t: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: \u2018<em>Aren\u2019t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!<\/em>\u2019 But the other criminal rebuked him. \u2018<em>Don\u2019t you fear God,\u2019 he said, \u2018since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong<\/em>\u2019. Then he said, \u2018<em>Jesus, remember me when you come into <strong>your kingdom<\/strong><\/em>\u2019. Jesus answered him, <em>\u2018Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise\u2019<\/em>. <\/p><cite>Luke 23:39-43<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe the heading above Jesus helped: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: <em>Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews<\/em>. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, <em>\u2018Do not write \u201cThe King of the Jews\u201d, but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.\u2019<\/em> Pilate answered, <em>\u2018What I have written, I have written&#8217;<\/em>.<\/p><cite>John 19:19-22<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Questions for Discussion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A Christian student when asked: \u201cWhat is the Kingdom of God?\u201d answered: \u201cWe are!\u201d Was he right?<\/li><li>A King is ruling in his kingdom and a group of people are rebelling. Is it still his kingdom? What about God\u2019s Kingdom?<\/li><li>Has your understanding of God\u2019s Kingdom changed?<\/li><li>The Kingdom of God was the central focus of Jesus\u2019 teaching, so why didn\u2019t Paul mention it much?<\/li><li>Why do you think people stumbled regarding Jesus being King in the Kingdom of God?<\/li><li>Share a verse that is special to you regarding the Kingdom of God?<\/li><li>You are in a helicopter on a beautiful sunny day with clear blue skies? You can you see the outline of the UK; What about the outline of the Kingdom of God?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Quote for the Week<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\"><em>\u201cThe kingdom is where the King reigns. If He is reigning in my heart, then the Kingdom of Heaven has come to me\u201d. <br><\/em><br>Eric Liddell<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Verse of the week<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cThe Lord is King for ever and ever &#8230; The Lord reigns\u201d <\/p><cite>Psalms 10:16; 93:1<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Let\u2019s Pray<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Father God, You are the King forever, the One who rules and reigns. We worship You and Jesus Christ Your Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords. We worship You Holy Spirit who has given us understanding of the things of the Kingdom of heaven. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>May we all seek You first, and Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Lord, hasten the day when every knee shall bow before You and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, for Your glory, praise and honour, in and through Jesus Christ, Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Service available on Youtube, or as text (below), or for audio see the&nbsp;Podcasts&nbsp;page. Welcome Testimony \u201cLast Monday (22 March) I was in the Church praying and suddenly I felt a strong impression to go to the piano and play some songs. I haven\u2019t had this desire to play the piano for a year, during all &#8230; <a title=\"28 March 2021: &#8220;The Kingdom of God&#8221;\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=1364\" aria-label=\"Read more about 28 March 2021: &#8220;The Kingdom of God&#8221;\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1364","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1364"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1364\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1428,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1364\/revisions\/1428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}