The Story – Breaking Free from the Kingdom of Me

Only 14.3 acres in total land mass, it is a small kingdom unto itself.  Located in three separate areas in the United States—part in Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Northern California—you can leave the United States and enter the Republic of Molossia.  It is considered to be a micro-nation . . .  a “nation within” our nation.

Molossia has its own flag, its own signs, and its own boundary markers.  It even has its own tourist attractions.  Kevin Baugh is the president, or Sovereign, over his own little kingdom.  His space program consists of model rockets.  The basic unit of currency in Molossia is the valora. The valora is linked in value to Pillsbury Cookie Dough.  Three valora has equal value to one tube of cookie dough.

There is a railroad—model sized.  The national sport is broom ball.  And although his nation is landlocked, he claims a navy that is merely an inflatable boat. You can visit anytime you like.  But—although it sounds fun—don’t think you can move there.  He says there is not enough room.  Kevin affectionately calls his nation “The Kingdom of Me.”

Don’t laugh too quickly.  We may not have gone to the same extremes as Kevin Baugh, but we mostly live our lives as if we are rulers of our own kingdoms.  What a surprise it is when we discover that we are living in a kingdom but it is not ours.

That’s the message of Jesus.  He came saying, “The time has come.  The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15).  Literally he says the kingdom is “at hand.”  It is that close.  All around us.  Within reach.

His kingdom is not as a nation with armies and weapons but as a farmer who comes with seed and the seed falls on soil (Mark 4:3-9).  Finding his kingdom is like finding a treasure in a field (Matt. 13:44).  And his kingdom is worry-free (Matt. 6:25-34).  Best of all, this kingdom has a king who is in control (Mark 4:35-39).

Jesus said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. . .” (28:18). Kings say things like that.  Unlike Molassia, if you want to enter and live in this kingdom, there is room for everyone.  That’s not the problem.  There is plenty of room in this kingdom for everyone.

But you need to know that there is only room enough on the throne of this kingdom for one King.