What is the Kingdom of God?

Q: Off the top of your head, what is your definition of the Kingdom of God?

A: Kingdom of God. Well I just preached sermon #112 in Matthew on Sunday (18:1-6), so if I have no clue I'm in big trouble.

That said, my off the top of my head response hopefully matches what I preach. The K of G in its broadest app is the realm of God's sovereign rule, period. Some acknowledge it (all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 16:31. We call those who profess faith in Christ to faith and obedience to God, by the Spirit's enabling); and some do not (They remain in their sinful rebellion against God. We call them to faith and repentance towards God, as and if He draws them to Himself.).

We then must address man's response to the objective fact. For those who believe, there are 'now' (already) and 'then' (not yet) aspects. We are now experiencing some of the spiritual benefits of the Kingdom of God (justification, sanctification); we will someday enjoy the full spiritual and physical benefits (glorification, new heaven and new earth) of the Kingdom. All who come to God by grace through faith in Christ presently experience His 'king'-dom now as He rules in their hearts. One day these redeemed, elect, born-again believers will be with Christ in His 'consummated' kingdom forever. 

For all people there are present and future ramifications to yielding to or rejecting the fact of Christ's preeminence (His 'king'-dom kingship). For those who believe, suffering joyfully with Him now and reigning joyfully with Him forever. For those who do not believe, living as they please now and consciously suffering the consequences of rejecting Christ forever. 

One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess (admit and agree) that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

(See 2 Cor. 5:14-19; Col. 1:13-20; Phil. 2:9-11)

Jesus loves you!