Keys Of The Kingdom : Do You Know Him?

April 7th, 2026
by Chris Bower

Do You Know Him?

Living Under the King's Authority

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to live under God's authority? Many people know about Jesus, but knowing Him personally and allowing Him to direct our lives is something entirely different. Understanding this distinction can transform how we navigate life's challenges and experience God's power.

The Checker Analogy: Who's Moving Your Piece?

Think about a classic checker game. Every checker has a crown on top, symbolizing the potential to operate in the king's authority. But to reach that level, the checker must cross the board and be crowned. The key question is: whose hand is moving the checker?
Too often, we want to control our own moves. We desire the king's authority without submitting to the king's hand. But true victory comes only when we allow the King to direct our steps.

John 3:30 (KJV)
"He must increase, but I must decrease."

What Does It Mean to Live in God's Kingdom?

God's Kingdom Comes with Power and Authority

Psalm 103:19 (KJV)
"The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all."

The Hebrew word for "rules" means to reign, to have dominion or authority over. God's kingdom always comes with power, strength, might, and victory.

Jesus is the Commander, Not Just an Ally

In Joshua 5:13-14, when Joshua encountered the commander of the Lord's army, he asked, "Are you for us or for our adversaries?" The response was telling: "Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come."

This wasn't about taking sides - it was about taking over. To experience God's power and victory, we must recognize who's in charge. Our only acceptable response is to bow, worship, and obey.

Why Knowing Jesus Personally Matters

Knowing About Him vs. Knowing Him

There's a crucial difference between knowing about Jesus and actually knowing Him. Many people have heard His name or know some facts about Him, but they don't have a personal relationship with Him.

Without truly knowing Him, we make assumptions and mistakes. We might think we understand who He is based on secondhand information, but that's not enough for kingdom living.

The Question That Changes Everything

In Matthew 16:13-16, Jesus asked His disciples two important questions:

Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
"But who do you say that I am?"

The disciples reported that people said good things about Jesus - comparing Him to John the Baptist, Elijah, or other prophets. But good doesn't equal God.

Peter's response was immediate and powerful:

Matthew 16:16 (KJV)
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Where Did Jesus Ask This Question?

The Significance of Caesarea Philippi

Jesus chose to ask this crucial question in Caesarea Philippi, a place known for:

Historical Baal worship (including child sacrifice)
Caesar worship and pagan gods
Moral corruption and temptation
A cave believed to be the entrance to the underworld

Why would Jesus take His disciples to such a place? To demonstrate that His kingdom and authority reign even in the darkest places. His power isn't limited by location or circumstances.

The Foundation of Christ's Church

Built on Revelation, Not Just Information

When Peter declared Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God," Jesus responded:

Matthew 16:17 (KJV)
"Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

This revelation must be personal. We can't live off someone else's faith - not our parents', not our pastor's. It must be revealed to us individually.

The Promise of Authority

Jesus then made an incredible promise:

Matthew 16:19 (KJV)
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

God has invested His authority in His church, giving us the keys to do kingdom business in the name of our King.

A Progressive Revelation

It's Not Just About the Past

Even the apostle Paul, who had incredible spiritual experiences and wrote much of the New Testament, still longed for deeper knowledge of Christ. In Philippians 3, he expressed his desire: "That I may know him."

This isn't about a one-time decision made years ago. It's about an ongoing, living relationship with Jesus today. The revelation of who He is should continually push us forward, helping us grow in our faith and authority.

The Resurrection: God's Love in Action

Jesus Stops for Individuals

On resurrection morning, when Jesus had the most important task in all eternity - presenting Himself before the Father - He still took time for Mary Magdalene. When she was overwhelmed and didn't recognize Him, He called her by name and comforted her.

This shows us that even in the midst of cosmic significance, Jesus cares about individual hearts and needs.

Life Application

The central challenge is this: Are you allowing the King's hand to move your checker, or are you trying to control your own moves? This week, examine areas of your life where you might be resisting God's direction.

Consider these questions:

Do you truly know Jesus personally, or do you just know about Him?
How is your revelation of Christ as "the Son of the living God" directing your decisions today?
Are you stuck in one position on the board, or are you allowing God to move you toward His purposes?
In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control and trust the King's hand?

True kingdom living requires submitting to the King's authority while trusting His love and wisdom to guide every move. When we do this, we can operate in His power and experience the victory He has planned for us.

Posted in Keys To The Kingdom