KINGDOM

 

1.  This morning we thought about the temporary nature of life.

2.  It was noted that fife is unpredictable and we need a refuge.

3.  Tonight I want to consider our place of refuge in more detail.

4.  This lesson may be summed up by the word “kingdom.”

5.  The New Testament (ASV translation) uses the word kingdom 160 times.

6.  When the Bible uses the word “kingdom” it implies some things.

A.  The word kingdom implies that there is a king.

B.  The word kingdom implies that there is also a territory.

C.  If there is a king there is usually a place where the king reigns.

D.  A kingdom further suggests that there are “subjects” (members of the kingdom).

E.  In the king’s land there are people who obey Him.

F.  The word kingdom also implies that the subjects in the kingdom abide by certain laws.

 

7.  Each of these four thoughts are found in scripture.

8.  The Bible often speaks of a kingdom.

9.  The Old Testament prophets looked forward to the establishment of a kingdom.

10.  When we turn to the New Testament one of the first things we read about is a kingdom.

11.  John the Baptist (Mt. 3:1-2) told people to “repent” for the kingdom of God was “at hand.”

12.  Almost 2,000 years ago John said the kingdom was close by.

13.  Jesus (Mt. 4:17) preached a similar message. 

14.  He told people to repent for the kingdom of God was close by.

15.  In the kingdom described by the New Testament writers who is the king?

16.  Who is the ruler?

17.  Let’s go back to the book of Jeremiah.

A.  This prophet knew about the coming kingdom.

B.  There may have been some things he didn’t understand about the kingdom but he knew it was coming.

C.  Jeremiah knew that when the kingdom came people would have “safety.”

D.  READ Jer. 23:5-6.

E.  Notice some of the points from this prophecy.

F.  A time was coming when a “righteous branch” from “David” would arise.

G.  No man  is “righteous.”  All have sinned.

H.  Jesus was righteous.

I.  Jesus was righteous and He was from David’s lineage.

J.  Jesus dealt “wisely” with people and emphasized “justice and righteousness.”

K.  We know that this prophecy refers to Jesus because of the information in 6b.

L.  The coming king would be called “Jehovah our righteousness.”

M.  No man deserves the name “Jehovah.”  Neither does any angel.

N.  This title is only proper for deity.

O.  Thus, Jeremiah looked forward to a time when Jesus would reign as a king.

 

18.  The promises made in this prophecy are found in Mt. 2.

19.  Wiseman came from the “East” and said to Herod, “We have seen His star.”

A.  “We have come to worship Him.”

B.  “Where is the king of the Jews?”

C.  The Bible teaches that Jesus is a king.

D.  At the beginning of Luke’s account this is said (Lk. 1:32-33).  QUOTE.

E.  The early Christians preached that Jesus was a king.

F.  This didn’t make some people too happy but this is what they taught.

G.  In fact, this was part of the first sermon that was ever preached.

H.  Listen to what Peter said in Acts 2:29-33. READ.

I.  The Lord Jesus Christ is a king.

 

20.  By inspiration Peter said that He is now reigning.

21.  Some say that Jesus will be a king in the future.

22.  Some say when He returns He will be appointed a king.

23.  Peter said that God has raised Him up to rule right now.

24.  The apostle Paul also commented on Jesus’ reign.

25.  This comment is found in 1 Cor. 15:23-25.

A.  When Melvin was here he cited this passage.

B.  He said Jesus is coming back to “Deliver up” and not “set up” His kingdom.

C.  This is right.  READ.

D.  Jesus is on the throne right now.

E.  Jesus is king and He will reign until He returns.

 

26.  IF JESUS IS A KING HE MUST HAVE SOME TERRITORY.  HE DOES.

 

A.  In Jn. 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.”

B.  This statement hinted at the fact that He is a king.

C.  As a king Jesus owns some territory.

D.  His kingdom occupies a place.

E.  He said that place is not on earth (Jn. 18:36).

F.  Where is the Lord’s kingdom?  Where does He rule?

G.  Jesus answered this question in Lk. 17:20-21.

H.  This passage is a bit unusual.

I.  Some have read these verses and puzzled over the meaning.

J.  With a bit of study I think the Lord’s words will become clear.

K.  READ Lk. 17:20-21.

 

27.  Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world (Jn. 18:36).

28.  He also affirmed that the kingdom is “within us.”

29.  Instead of a secular kingdom Jesus rules over a spiritual kingdom.

30.  His kingdom is one that people cannot see.

31.  The kingdom that Jesus rules over has no physical borders.

32.  There are no territorial markers.

33.  Jesus kingdom is throughout the entire world.

34.  Jesus’ kingdom is in the hearts of men.

35.  Lk. 17 says the kingdom is known by its character, instead of location.

36.  This is why Heb. 12:28 says the kingdom cannot be “shaken.”

37.  Jesus rules in the hearts and lives of His people.

38.  He is king of His subjects lives.

39.  Instead of obeying some rules in a physical kingdom, Jesus’ subjects are wholly submissive to Him.

40.  Think abut the great commission in Lk. 24; Mt. 28; and Mk. 16.

41.  The king told people to go into all the world and make disciples.

42.  Jesus said, “Make subjects for my kingdom.”

43.  Those who become disciples are members of the kingdom.

44.  When we speak of the great commission we should compare it to Jn. 3.

45.  In the great commission Jesus said teach and baptize people.

46.  Those who are taught and are baptized are “saved.”

47.  The “salvation” of the great commission is equal to the “kingdom” in Jn. 3.

48.  The “belief” in the great commission is equal to being born of the Spirit in Jn. 3.

49.  Baptism in the great commission is equal to being “born of water” in Jn. 3.

50.  The great commission and Jn. 3 fit together like a glove.

51.  Those who become members of the church are members of Jesus’ spiritual kingdom.

 

52.  WE KNOW WHO THE KING IS AND WE KNOW THAT THIS KINGDOM IS SCATTERED ACROSS THE ENTIRE EARTH.

 

A.  We may relate this information to a parable that Jesus once told.

B.  Jesus once said the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.

C.  It starts out small but it grows and grows.

D.  The same is true for the kingdom of God.

E.  It started out small but it has spread across the entire globe.

F.  The territory for Jesus’ kingdom is world wide.

 

53.  When this lesson was started it was noted that all kings have subjects.

54.  The is also true in the Lord’s kingdom.

55.  There are subjects (people) in Christ’s kingdom.

56.  His subjects are those who have obeyed the gospel.

57.  Jesus does not have disobedient people in His kingdom.

58.  The people in the kingdom are those who have obeyed him.

59.  According to 1 Cor. 6:9-11 those in the kingdom are people who have been….

60.  Washed, justified, and sanctified “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

61.  When people obey the head of the kingdom they are pardoned from their sins.

62.  When we become a member of Christ’s kingdom we are members of an important organization.

63.  Being a member of Christ’s kingdom is the most prestigious honor a human being can have.

62.  Nothing can come close to being a member of Christ’s kingdom.

 

64.  WE KNOW WHO THE KING IS, WE KNOW WHO THE SUBJECTS ARE, AND WE KNOW THE BORDERS OF THE KINGDOM.  THE ONLY THING THAT IS LEFT IS THE LAW OF THE KINGDOM.

 

A.  Each kingdom has its own set of laws.

B.  This is also true for Christ’s spiritual kingdom.

C.  There are laws that God’s people are obligated to follow.

D.  Jas. 1:25 says that the kingdom’s law is “perfect.”

E.  The laws in the kingdom are described as the “perfect law of liberty.”

F.  In Jn. 12:48 Jesus said that His word would “judge us.”

G.  This makes sense.

H.  If Jesus is the king in the kingdom and He has given a law, which law are we under?

I.  We are under His law (Jn. 12:48).

J.  If we must be judged should it not be His law that is used?  Yes.

K.  Furthermore, if Jesus is perfect and He has given us a law, isn’t His law perfect?

L.  Yes.  James was exactly right when he spoke of the “perfect law of liberty.”

 

The only place to find peace, safety, and eternal rest is in the kingdom of Christ.

On earth we do this in the church.  In eternity this is heaven.

Are we a member of the kingdom?

Are we a faithful participant in the most organization man will every have access to?