The Kingdom of God

So, John, Peter, and Jesus all preached the Kingdom of God. It was one of Jesus most passionate themes. More parables, messages, and key moments surround Jesus communicating the Kingdom than probably any other subject. He mentioned the Kingdom far more than mentioning the church. Yet our entire focus is on building the church, not the greater Kingdom. Is it possible in our zeal that we have shut out the Kingdom from the children of God not too dissimilar from the pharisees. Ouch. I don't even like saying that. Jesus idea of the church is far different than our outworking of the bride. We seem to place all our eggs in the church basket, but the basket is severely flawed and so unlike what Jesus had in mind. Inclusion in the church in America has been based on sameness, behavior, and praying a prayer. None of those are wrong, but is that the criteria Jesus used to determine His beautiful bride? What if we really are shutting up the Kingdom of God from those who could receive it but because of a flawed outworking of the church they cannot? What if Jesus really meant that sins are forgiven? (you may want to check out the definition in the original language) What if He really did destroy the power of sin and death? What if His Kingdom is really at hand? What would that look like? Would that appeal to a broader group? Would that mean that those who have habits, hangups, and history would be included? Does Jesus who says that adultery is sin really love a woman so much, caught in the very act of adultery... with the sweat of passion still on her brow... release her from that sin? He tells her to go and sin no more. But what if she does, what if the love of Jesus captures her heart, but she doesn't get it right for a while. Is she still in? How does the church embrace someone who is so different and is struggling or even doesn't recognize something as sin? I guess that would hinge on the definition of church... an organization or the bride. If it is our organization, then we call the shots, if it is His bride then He gets to determine who is in. And I think that maybe Jesus, above all else... justice, rules, law... loves. What does that fully mean? I am not sure but I like what I am finding out.