Main Idea: There is good reason to come into the kingdom of God. You may not realize it, but if you are not in the kingdom of God (the kingdom of light), you are in the kingdom of darkness. It is much better to be in the kingdom of light.
Key Verse: “For [the Father] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14)
Introduction: Did you know that everyone belongs to one of the two spiritual kingdoms? Either you belong to the kingdom of darkness or the kingdom of light. Let’s talk about why you should choose God’s kingdom, the kingdom of light.
I. There are two kingdoms.
A. The Kingdom of Darkness
1. The kingdom of darkness is full of fear, hate, poverty, disease, drugs, alcohol, and death.
2. The kingdom of darkness is ruled by Satan. John 10:10 “The thief comes but to steal, kill, and destroy…”
B. The Kingdom of Light
1. The kingdom of light is full of peace, love, abundance, healing, and life.
2. The kingdom of light is ruled by Jesus. John 10:10 “…I have come to give you life, and life more abundantly.”
C. You must choose which kingdom you will live in. Deuteronomy 30:19 “I set before you life and death, blessing and cursing, therefore choose life!”
1. There is no middle ground when it comes to the kingdoms.
2. If you have not chosen the kingdom of light, you are in the kingdom of darkness.
II. Why come into the kingdom of God?
A. There is JOY in the kingdom of God.
1. Jesus will wipe away your tears and fill your heart with joy. Isaiah 25:8 “he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.”
2. In God’s presence, there is a fullness of joy. Psalms 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
3. Great joy fills the city when Jesus is preached. Acts 8:8 “So there was great joy in that city.”
B. There is FORGIVENESS in the kingdom of God.
1. Tell a story of someone who was forgiven. If you want to use a biblical example, you could tell the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15:11-32.
2. Colossians 1:13-14 “For [the Father] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
C. There is HEALING in the kingdom of God.
1. Jesus healed people while he was here on earth. Choose a story of healing from the ministry of Jesus. Possible passages to use could be Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 8:43-48, etc.
2. Jesus still heals people today. Tell a story of healing that you have witnessed with your own eyes.
3. Psalm 41:1-3 “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them, they are counted among the blessed in the land, he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”
D. There is PEACE in the kingdom of God.
1. You can have peace with God. Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”.
2. You can have peace with others and live in peace. 2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
3. You can have peace within yourself. Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
E. There is SALVATION in the kingdom of God.
1. Acts 2:21 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
2. Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
III. Will you join the kingdom of God today? Will you enter the kingdom of God?
A. Lead those who want to enter God’s kingdom into salvation through prayer.
B. Dear God in heaven, Today, I make a choice. I choose life! I choose Jesus! I choose the kingdom of light! I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. Jesus, forgive my sins. Wash me clean. Set me free from the kingdom of darkness and bring me into Your kingdom of light. I turn away from sin, and I turn toward You. Fill my heart with Your joy, Your peace, and Your love. Heal my body, restore my life, and give me a brand-new beginning. Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Savior. From this day forward, I belong to You. I am a child of God. I am forgiven. I am saved. I am part of the kingdom of light! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
