We are continuing to look at various ways in which the Scriptures describe the Church. 
So far, we examined the church as the Army of God, the Body of Christ, the Family of God, the Flock of God, and as the Bride of Christ.
 
One of the most dominate ways in which the Church is described in Scripture is that of the 
Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven.
 
“While some believe that the Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven are referring to different things, it is clear that both phrases are referring to the same thing. The phrase “kingdom of God” occurs 68 times in 10 different New Testament books, while “kingdom of heaven” occurs only 32 times, and only in the Gospel of Matthew. Based on Matthew’s exclusive use of the phrase it appears that Mathew was inclined to use the “Kingdom of Heaven” as an emphases to the Jewish audience he was writing to. 
 
For example, speaking to the rich young ruler, Christ uses “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” interchangeably. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 19:23). In the very next verse, Christ proclaims, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (verse 24). Jesus makes no distinction between the two terms but seems to consider them synonymous.”   (www.gotquestions.org)
 
Since they are one and the same, from now on I will simply say, “Kingdom of God” or “Kingdom” while referring to both phrases.
 
So what is meant by “Kingdom of God?” 
In a broader sense, the Kingdom is the reign of God over all of His creation.  However, Jesus used it in a more narrow sense as He was referring to the rule and reign of God in the lives of His followers.  In that light, the Kingdom of God is synonymous with the Church.
 
The whole of Jesus’ life and ministry can be summed up as the invasion of the Kingdom of God into this world. 
 
All three gospels show that Jesus began His public ministry right after He experienced victory over His temptations in the wilderness. At that very time, John the Baptist had been arrested…
 
Mark 1:14–15 (ESV)
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
 
Jesus picked up on the same message that John, the forerunner, announced: 
Matthew 3:1–2 (ESV)
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
 
In order to enter into the Kingdom, one must repent of their sins and place their faith in the gospel of the Kingdom. 
 
Jesus uses a different visual to explains how one can enter the Kingdom in John 3:3 (ESV)
“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”
 
So, the goal is to be a part of the Kingdom of God.  That only can happen when one comes to Christ for who He is and receives from Him the forgiveness of their sins by believing the gospel of good news.
 
When Jesus established the Church, He made entering into the kingdom one and the same.
 
To sum up, this salvation can only come to those who call upon Jesus as Lord…  
 
Romans 10:9 (ESV)
”because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
 
And why must we call Him Lord?  Because He is the King of the Kingdom.