Click "Read More" for a Personal Reflection on the Sermon by Beth Argota


The sermon about the kingdom of God made me review my Christian life from the very start up to the present and asked myself: What has been the kingdom of God to me?

I was only in my teenage years when I became part of the kingdom of God or should I say the kingdom of God came upon me. Back then, young as I was in age and in knowledge, I thought of the kingdom of God as only a place where I will spend my eternity, safe and far from worries of life. But as I grow in the Lord and in the knowledge of His Word, I learned then that the kingdom of God is about His rule and reign in our hearts and the yielding of our life and whole being in full submission to God’s will, just like what Pastor Jojo shared to us in his sermon. I must admit, when I was just starting my spiritual journey with the Lord, living out the kingdom of God had not been that easy for me. I surrendered some parts of my life to God such but left some parts untouched because I reasoned out “that is me”, “this is who I am”.

I praise God who loves and is very patient with me because after so many years, the day of my turning point came. For Pastor Jojo, it was his water baptism, but for me it was the day when I accepted without excuses the ultimate goal of God in my life – to be Christlike. From then on I took seriously the rule and reign of God in my life.

As I continue with my Christian walk, “the kingdom of God” within me helps me to accept all the challenges we are going through in our personal lives and ministries with a surrendered heart to God’s will and purposes for our lives. Knowing that my Ruler is a trustworthy and faithful God, all the more I am motivated to serve Him with peace and joy in my heart. And to glorify my King who deserves all praise, I must always remind myself to be vigilant in my attitude and actions to make my life reflect His glory.