More reflections on the Kingdom of God

In the last several days my thoughts have turned to the question of how do we excite Christians about the Kingdom of God. While praying i was led to Matthew 13, a chapter of parables that describe the Kingdom. These include the parables of the Sower, the Weeds, the Mustard Seed, Leaven, Hidden Treasure, Pearl, and Net. Probably the best well known of these is that of the Sower and the four different types of soil in which the seed ( the word of the kingdom) lands. We are far too complacent in automatically thinking that we are the fourth or good soil. In verse 23 Jesus says, "As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case, a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." (ESV) What if the fruit Jesus is talking about are disciples? ( Baptized followers of Jesus who are learning and by grace obeying all the commands of Jesus. cf. Matthew 28:19-20) How many of us have made one disciple, let alone thirty or sixty or one hundred? I doubt the new members class is the whole of what Jesus has in mind here. In context with the entirety of his message I believe it very possible that making disciples is exactly what he is talking about.
    Our problem begins with the whole theme of salvation. Yes, the New Testament describes people getting "saved," and uses that language. ( Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9) And certainly it is by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8). But this misses the totality of the message. Jesus says, "The one who endures to the end will be saved." ( Matthew 24:13) The next verse reads, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." The gospel of the Kingdom. In Matthew 6 Jesus models prayer for his disciples. "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. (v.10) Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."...
     What is one of the major differences between earth and heaven? In heaven the will of God is obeyed.
"Bless the Lord, all His hosts, his ministers, who do his will." (Psalm 103.21 cf. v.20) On earth, the rebel planet, humans and demons disobey. Note the close connection in the portion of the prayer quoted above. Your kingdom come, your will be done. Rather than relying solely on the "saved" language of the NT, I believe it appropriate to ask which kingdom we are in. "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son..." (Colossians 1:13 ESV)
     How do we know which kingdom we are in? The one who does the will of the Father will enter the Kingdom of heaven. ( Matt. 7:21) "Whoever does the will of God abides forever." ( 1 John 2:17b ESV)