Basingstoke Church

When we have the keys to the Kingdom it produces good fruit in our lives. Being religious, just coming to church doesn’t mean anything until we unlock the goodness of God and see it flow in our lives.

If our ambition is for worldly things, then the concern and worry over those will consume our first thoughts and stop us from living in the fullness of what God has for us in the Kingdom. So Jesus calls people into seeking first the Kingdom, then getting to everything else afterwards! When we reorder our priorities we are given the key of freedom and provision!

Kingdom culture is one that is paradoxical in relation to the world’s power, so as we enter into the Kingdom, Matthew 5: 1-12 explores the ways we are to be as citizens and holders of the keys that wield great power.

Here we see the announcement, the heralding of something new that is to be unpacked over the coming chapters; namely the Kingdom. Here its key markers are a call for a decisive response in repentance, the call to follow Jesus, and the breakthrough of healing (wholeness/completion/salvation).

The journey ends in God’s dwelling among His people. When Solomon dedicates the temple, the cloud fills it; a picture of God’s permanent dwelling. Revelation shows the ultimate fulfilment: 'Now the dwelling of God is with men.' The goal of following the cloud is not endless movement but eternal communion.

In 1 Samuel, Israel carries the ark into battle, assuming God will go with them, but His presence is not a tool to be used. True power comes from relationship, not ritual. A reminder always to do everything moving with God’s presence.

The presence of God moves toward the Jordan, and the people must follow into the unknown. Faith requires stepping into the waters before they part.

God’s Spirit leads His children. What was external for Israel is now internal for believers. The same Spirit who led Israel

by the cloud now leads us as sons and daughters of God. The Spirit’s guidance is rooted in relationship, not formula.

God is working even in the waiting. Moses waits six days on the mountain before God speaks. Waiting seasons are not wasted; they form faith, trust, and dependence. The waiting place is still holy ground.

The people of Israel didn’t decide when to move; they followed the cloud. The same is

true for us - our direction, timing, and security come from staying close to His presence.

Following God starts with learning to watch for His movement.