The prior episodes in this series reveals the following about God's Kingdom:

Part 1 - God did NOT tell us to build His Kingdom

Part 2 - God's Kingdom is the revelation and reign of Jesus Christ over all creation

In Part 3, Kim begins by reminding us that the Bible is ALL about the gospel of Jesus Christ - 1 book, 2 parts, 1 focal point that is Jesus. Everything that Jesus did (signs, miracles, declarations, etc.) all serve to validate the Kingdom of God. If we are called to 'expand' the Kingdom of God, then Jesus must be the focal point in our lives.

Before we dive into scripture, consider these two questions:

1. Has your understanding of the Biblical Christ changed since becoming a believer? If yes, HOW? If not, WHY?
2. Has Christ increased in your life? Is He the focal point?

We all have a focal point in our lives. If Christ is your focal point, then who is Jesus Christ?

Let's look at scripture.

The Bible says the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

• Jesus is the way, and that way is righteousness. Jesus IS righteousness.
• The Kingdom of God is peace. True peace comes when you know the truth, because the truth will set you from the cares of the world.Therefore, truth leads to peace (freedom). Jesus is the truth.
• Jesus is the life, and His life produces joy.

The Bible also says to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Jesus), then all of your needs will be provided by God. Those who have faith believe this to be true. Paul explains in Romans that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to those who have faith. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith." For "in it" righteousness [Christ] is revealed. In what is Christ revealed? In IT… the "it" here is salvation to everyone who believes. Therefore, if we want to know Christ we must become saved. We become saved by believing through faith.

The righteousness of God (that is Christ) is revealed to those who believe. Righteousness (Christ) produces righteous people. We are NOT righteous on our own regardless of all of the "good" things we strive to perform. You cannot sidestep Christ and call yourself righteous. What you believe will inform what you do. But it's not about what you do; it's about what you believe.

John's gospel reminds us that Jesus was not sent by God to condemn the world but to save the world through HIM. "Those who do what is true [righteous] come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God." It's not about you and all of the acts of kindness and service to the church that you strive to perform. Know this: as you labor for the church by giving of your time, energy and resources, you are not at rest. Plain and simple, you are working. Rest is extremely important if we want to experience Jesus and make Him your focal point. God can get done more in you and through you if you were able to rest.

The Kingdom is about HIM and not about us. On our part, we are to offer all parts of ourselves - the good, the bad, the ugly - to God as weapons for righteousness.

Many Christians today have a zeal for God, but it's not according to knowledge. The social Christian is ignorant of Christ and attempts to establish their own righteousness through acts of service, participating on numerous pray calls, memorizing the Bible, fasting, etc. These acts alone do NOT render one as righteous; you can't establish your own righteousness by doing things for God. Righteousness is what God did for you. Righteousness is a person, and that person is Jesus Christ.

Do you see why Jesus must be the focal point in your life? Jesus should be increasing in our lives and we should be decreasing. It is not you but the Christ alive in you.

Believe, surrender, and rest in Him.

John 14:6; Rom 14:17; Is 5:16; Matt 6:33; Rom 1:16-17; Luke 7:29; Rom 2:5; John 3:16-21; Rom 3:21-24; 4:5-6; 6:13; 10:2-4; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 5:21; Eph 4:21-25; Phil 1:9-12; 3:9; 1 Tim 6:11