6 Practical Kingdom Rules Many Fail To Live By by Pastor Mildred Kingsley-Okonkwo: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

We Are From a Different Kingdom

The real reason we have not reached our full potential is that we are not living based on the kingdom of God. The Bible says we are in this world but we are not of this world. But if you only live with the consciousness of being in this world, you will live an inferior life.

Jesus did not come to give us a religion. He did not come to start something new outside of what already existed. In fact, Jesus did not start Christianity — it was people who saw how his followers were behaving like him that said, "These ones are Christians," meaning they are Christ-like.

What Jesus came to do was to restore us to a lost kingdom — to return us to a relationship with our Father, who is the King of kings, and to ensure that we do not live based on the way of this world. Jesus was not limited by this kingdom. He was not bound by time. He was not bound by limitations. Where there was no food, he blessed what little was available, and as they began to share, it started to multiply. That is the life we are supposed to live — supernaturally.

If you are struggling, then you are living in your natural country. And that means everything that affects those around you will affect you.

Repent Means Change Your Thinking

Matthew 4:17

The first message Jesus preached was a message of the kingdom: "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand." For a long time, that word repent was taught to mean turning from sin to enter heaven. But that Greek word — metanoia — has nothing to do with sin and everything to do with how you think. Jesus was saying: change the way you think. There has to be a mind shift for you to experience the kingdom of God.

If you are going to live a supernatural life, you have to think a different way. The biggest battle you will fight as a Christian is a mind battle. That is why when you are born again, the Bible says renew your mind — because your spirit has been taken care of, but your mind wants to keep you limited.

Romans 12:2 — Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. The transformation comes when the mind is renewed. In the kingdom of God, there is a way that we think.

You Are an Ambassador

The Bible tells us we are ambassadors of Christ. When a new kingdom is established, it comes with how it eats, how it speaks, how it dresses. How you know you have been truly discipled is that you start to behave exactly like the people who discipled you.

An ambassador does not live by the laws of the country they are stationed in. They live by the laws of their home country. They have diplomatic immunity. As a kingdom citizen, you carry diplomatic immunity. Earthly policies, government decisions, economic conditions, workplace politics — none of these has the final word over an ambassador's life.

You are not just a Nigerian. You are not just African. You are a citizen of the kingdom of God first. And that kingdom supersedes every earthly jurisdiction.

6 Practical Kingdom Rules

1. Rule 1 — Think Like a Kingdom Citizen, Not Like the World Around You

   The way you think determines the life you live. Kingdom citizens do not think shortage, lack, or limitation. They think from the abundance of the One who multiplies five loaves and two fish. Every limitation you accept in your mind becomes a ceiling in your life. Challenge your thinking constantly with the Word.

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Pastor Mildred Kingsley-Okonkwo
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2. Rule 2 — Live Supernaturally, Not Just Religiously

   The supernatural should be normal for a kingdom citizen. It should be our ordinary, our regular. Religion observes forms and follows rituals. Kingdom living accesses power. There is a difference between attending church and operating in kingdom authority. The miraculous is not an occasional event — it is the lifestyle of a believer who understands their citizenship.

3. Rule 3 — Carry Diplomatic Immunity

   An ambassador is not subject to the laws of the country they serve in. In the same way, as ambassadors of Christ, policies, economic downturns, wicked decisions by those in authority — none of these is permitted to be the final word over your life. When you pray, you are not begging. You are invoking your rights as a citizen of the superior kingdom.

   Nothing shall by any means harm you — whether men, whether policies, whether ideologies, whether decisions, whether government, whether office situations — everything works together for your good.

4. Rule 4 — Value People

   In this kingdom, we value relationships. Jesus died for people. People are valuable.

   In your small department, your small unit of influence — do you have favorites? Are some people not good enough in your eyes? Do you crush ideas that did not come from you? That is not kingdom culture.

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   People are your breakthrough. You have no idea who God has placed around you.

   The currency of 2026 is people. Some people are not spending money anymore because they have learned to value people — and people bring them what they need. Jewelry, opportunity, doors — they do not need to be purchased when you have invested in relationships.

5. Rule 5 — Recognize and Position for the Three Josephs in Your Life

   There are three types of Josephs you must pray for:

   • Joseph, the father of Jesus — This is the person who is committed to protecting your dream. They know you will be greater than them, but they are willing to be a cover, a shelter, a teacher. They will run with you to Egypt. They will sacrifice their comfort for your destiny. You need somebody who knows the way and is committed to you. The reason many are hustling and struggling is that there is nobody speaking for them.
   • Joseph of the coat of many colors — You need people who can interpret your dreams and help you build systems around them. Many have ideas but nobody has helped them expand those ideas. Joseph saved a nation — not just because he dreamed, but because he could build administrative systems around the vision.
   • Joseph of Arimathea — You need people of influence in your life. When Jesus died, the fishermen could not access Pilate. Joseph of Arimathea had the relationship to walk in and ask for the body. He not only collected it — he had somewhere to keep it. You need people of influence who can fund your dreams, open doors, and speak where you cannot yet speak for yourself.

   The amen you pray to heaven is still a man God will send to answer it. God moves — and it is through a man. Men are open doors. Men are breakthroughs.

6. Rule 6 — Operate with Kingdom Excellence and Integrity

   In the kingdom of God, there is no "show working" to justify your position. Grace does not mean you show up empty and expect results. Kingdom citizens are diligent, excellent, and accountable. They do not celebrate mediocrity or resent the excellence of others. They bring their full measure and trust God with the multiplication.

Prayer for the Three Josephs