Kingdom Principles 2

Kingdom Foundation Series Part 6: Citizenship Rights and Privileges www.advancingthekingdomonline.org

I.

Introduction Matthew 6:31-34 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (NKJV)

II. Kingdom Citizenship, Rights and Privileges Citizenship results from a contract between the government and its citizens. In the United States this contract is called the Constitution. In the kingdom of God, this contract is called the Bible. Both the Constitution and the Bible guarantee to their citizens all of the privileges, rights and benefits set forth in these documents. After 9/11 the United States government mobilized thousands of troops and law enforcement officers because someone harmed its citizens! Your “job” as a citizen of the kingdom of God is to believe, trust and rely on the Word of your government! John 6:28-29 “Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." (NKJV) Jeremiah 1:12 “Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.” (AMP) While preparing this teaching and meditating on Jeremiah 1:12, I saw in a flash a vision of the Lord, crouching down in a track and field sprint racing start position, totally focused, alert ready to spring into action to perform His Word for anyone who spoke it in faith! A. As a citizen of the kingdom of God, your citizenship is in heaven. Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (NKJV) Hebrews13:14 “For here we have no permanent city, but we are looking for the one which is to come.” (AMP) B. Therefore you possess dual citizenship. You are in the world, but not of the world. John 15:19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (NKJV) John 17:14-15 “I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not. I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.” (NLT)

1

C. As a citizen of the kingdom of God, you no longer belong to yourself. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.” (NKJV) When you call Jesus “Lord”, it means that He “owns” you. And if He “owns” you, then He has the responsibility of “providing” for you! D. Citizens are owned by the country they are from, not the country they are in. The jurisdiction of your government extends to wherever you are. Even when you are outside of your country, your government still has jurisdiction over you. If you are in another country and get into trouble, it is your government that exercises jurisdiction over you, not the government of the country you are in. Your passport is proof that you belong to a government. Inside every U.S. Passport are the following words: “The Secretary of State of the United States of America hereby requests all whom it may concern to permit the citizen/national of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give all lawful aid and protection.” The passport, which displays the photograph of the citizen, states that it (i.e., the passport and the citizen) are the “property of the United States Government.” Implication: You are the property of the United States Government! By the same token, as a Christian, you are owned by and the property of the government of the kingdom of God!

E. Citizens depend upon the country where they are from for their survival . . . not the country they are in. As born again citizens of the kingdom of God, our primary reliance should be upon the resources of the kingdom and government of God in heaven, not the resources of our temporary home, planet earth, and of our temporary government, the government of United States of America. 1. For example, if we are sick, we are to first call upon the healing resources of our government: Isaiah 53:5 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (KJV) Proverbs 4:20-22 “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” (KJV) Psalm 107:19-20 “Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivers them out of their distresses. He sends forth His word and heals them . . . ” (AMP)

2

2. If we are battling sin: Psalm 17:4 “ . . . by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” (KJV) Psalm 119:9-11 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (NIV) Psalm 51:4 “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight . . . ” (NKJV)

3. If we are anxious about a particular situation: Philippians 4:6-7, 19 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus . . . And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (NKJV)

I say again: Citizens are as wealthy as the kingdom they are from, not the kingdom they are in. As born again citizens of the country of the United States, even though it is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, our wealth is not determined by the wealth and resources of America, but by the wealth and resources of the government of the Kingdom of God!

III.

Action Required for Citizens of the Kingdom of God

A. Know your constitution! Deuteronomy 8:3 “ . . . man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.” (NKJV) Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (NKJV) “The Word of God is the currency of the kingdom of God.” (Creflo Dollar)

Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (NKJV)

3

1. The constitution (Bible) defines your rights and privileges as a citizen of the kingdom of God. It also describes your government’s responsibility to provide for your welfare, including food, clothing, shelter, healing, protection, etc. 2 Peter 1:3-4 “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (NKJV) 2 Corinthians 1:20 “For every one of God's promises is "Yes" in Him. Therefore the "Amen" is also through Him for God's glory through us. (from Holman Christian Standard Bible) 1 Kings 8:56 "Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses.” (NKJV) 2. To the extent that you are unfamiliar with your rights, or if you are familiar with them, but do not believe them, then the enemy can take advantage of you. John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy . . . ” (KJV) 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (KJV) “You can be a child of the king and still live like a beggar if you do not know the promises of God and how to appropriate them in your life.” (Derek Prince) B. Live right! Hebrews 1:8 “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.” (KJV) Romans 14:17 “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (NKJV) Matthew 5:20 “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (NKJV) Psalm 84:11 “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (KJV)

IV. Keys to the Kingdom: The Power of Your Words Matthew 16:18-19 “ . . . upon this rock I will build my church; and all the powers of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; whatever doors you lock on earth shall be locked in heaven; and whatever doors you open on earth shall be open in heaven!" (TLB)

4

A. The critical importance of your words. Proverbs 18:21 “ Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (KJV) Matthew 12:37 “For by your words you will be justified (= to be made free), and by your words you will be condemned (= to be held in bondage).” (NKJV)

B. Faith is released in the words you speak. Matt 12:34 “ . . . for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (KJV) Mark 11:23 “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” (KJV) “I told My people they can have what they say, but they are saying what they have.” (Lord to Kenneth Hagin) Examples: Joel 3:10 “ . . . let the weak say, I am strong.” (KJV) Romans 4:17-18 “(as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed -- God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;” (NKJV) Genesis 17:5 “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.” (NKJV) Genesis 17:15-16 “Then God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her." (NKJV)

C. Spiritual power is set into motion by words. John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (NKJV) Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (KJV)

D. The centurian understood the importance of words. Matthew 8:8 “The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” (KJV)

5

E. Angels listen for God’s word, and respond when they hear it. Psalm 103:20 “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.” (KJV)

F. Whatever you, in faith, call the King, that’s what He will become to you and perform for you. 1. Don’t ask to be healed: call Him Jehovah-rophe (the Lord my Healer) (Exodus 15:26) 2. Don’t ask for prosperity: call Him Jehovah-jireh (the Lord my Provider) (Genesis 22:14) 3. Don’t ask for peace: call Him Jehovah-shalom (the Lord my Peace) (Judges 6:24) 4. Don’t ask for strength to overcome the enemy: call Him Jehovahnissi (the Lord my banner) (Exodus 17:15)

G. Bottom line: your greatest offensive weapon is your mouth! Your best strategy to achieve the purpose and plan of God in your life and family is to carefully choose the words that come out of your mouth. If you want to exercise the power of the kingdom of God, you must keep your words in line with God’s Word. Speak in line with your will, and never say anything that is against your will. One of the most subtle tricks of the enemy is to get us to use the power of our own words against ourselves, by speaking things that are not in line with the will of God for our lives. James 3:4-5 “Likewise, look at the ships: though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines. Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze!” (AMP) Purpose that your mouth will not transgress:

Psalm 17:3-4 “You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Concerning the works of men, by the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.” (NKJV)

Bottom Line of the Bottom line: The only words that come out of your mouth should be the Words that come out of His mouth! Align your words with His Word, and watch your life take a 180-degree turn for the better!

6

V. Summary of Parts 5 and 6 A. Jesus’ great passion was the reestablishment of His heavenly Father’s kingdom on earth, and the transfer of power back to the born again sons and daughters of God. B. He promised to give us the power of the Holy Spirit so that we could be witnesses unto Him throughout the whole world. C. This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. D.

Every kingdom has a King, territory, citizens, a constitution, a government, privileges and an army.

E. A citizen is a “legal” person who knows his rights. He is not a “religious” person who attempts to get what he needs by appeasing his deity. F. The needs of citizens are met by the country they are from . . . not the country they are in at the moment. G. As a citizen of the kingdom of God, your citizenship is in heaven. H. The most important requirement for a citizen of any kingdom is to be intimately familiar with the rights and privileges of his constitution. The Bible is the constitution for the citizens of the kingdom of God. I.

One of the most powerful keys of the kingdom is the importance of the words you speak.

J.

Keeping your words in line with God’s Word will greatly assist you in receiving all the benefits and privileges of the kingdom of God that are promised to you.

Copyright 2006 © by Bill Fries. All rights reserved

7