KINGDOM - # 2
1. From time to time we sing the hymn, “I love thy kingdom Lord.”
2. The opening words of this hymn are:
3. I love thy kingdom Lord, the house of thine abode.
4. Because of good historical records, we know the history behind this song.
5. It was written by Timothy Dwight, and based upon Ps. 137:5-6.
6. Mr. Dwight was born in 1752 and died in 1817.
7. He lived during the time of the Revolutionary War, and served as a chaplain.
8. History says he served with George Washington.
9. As the years passed he moved to Yale University and served as a professor.
10. He then became President of that school.
11. When he assumed the role of President, there were only 5 students of a Christian background.
12. Dwight’s influence caused a renewed interest in spiritual matters.
13. More than 200 years later we are still singing a song written by Timothy Dwight.
WE
LIFT OUR VOICES TO GOD AND SAY, “WE LOVE THE KINGDOM.”
a) Such a statement is certainly good, but do we really know what we love?
b) What is the kingdom that is in our songbooks as well as the Bible?
c) In our last study we saw how the Jews under the Old Testament had a kingdom.
d) We also considered verses that pointed to the future establishment of another kingdom.
2) We saw how Isa. 2, Dan. 2, and 2 Sam. 2 all point forward to something new and better.
3) From Daniel 2 we observed how this kingdom would be established when Rome was in power.
4) Then we considered how John the Baptist and Jesus said this kingdom was “at hand.”
5) The kingdom promised by the writers of the Old Testament came just after Jesus died.
6) It was established on a Jewish feast day (the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2).
7) The kingdom which has been established is described in several ways.
a) I want to list some designations that have not previously been used.
b) 1 Tim. 3:15 describes the kingdom as the “household of God.”
c) This designation emphasizes the family nature of the kingdom. It is like a family unit.
d) Eph. 2:21 calls the kingdom the “temple of God.”
e) By referring to it as a temple stress is laid upon worship.
f) The kingdom is a place where citizens are to honor God.
g) 1 Cor. 12:27 speaks of the kingdom as the “body of Christ”.
h) By using this terminology Paul stressed the aspect of fellowship and even unity.
i) Acts 20:28-29 refers to it in terms of “sheep” and “sheepfold” (flock).
j) By using this analogy the kingdom is portrayed as a place of protection/safety.
k) Jesus likened it to a vineyard (Mt. 21:33-45).
l) Vineyards are places of work, and the kingdom is a place of labor.
m) Another description of the kingdom is the word kingdom.
n) When called the kingdom bb writers stressed the element of government.
8) Tonight we want to consider additional points about the kingdom to better understand it.
9) Our starting place for this section of the lesson is Isa. 9.
10) God promised that His kingdom would come and it would a place of righteousness.
a) For this point we need both Isa. 9 and Acts 2:30-31.
b) On earth kingdoms and nations vary in their level of righteousness.
c) Some are pretty good but not perfect.
d) Others are corrupt from top to bottom.
e) Even in our country there are often reports about wrongdoing and scandal.
11) God said His kingdom would be pure.
12) If you have found Isa. 9, let’s look at two verses.
13) Our key point is in verse 7 but we will begin with verse 6.
14)
READ
Isa. 9:6.
15)
This is a
prophecy that said Jesus would one day come to earth.
a)
Back in Isa.
2:2-3 the prophet spoke of Jehovah’s house being established.
b)
Isa. 9:6 is
another description of that, and it associates Isaiah’s prophecy with the Lord.
c)
Jesus and His
coming would be involved with “government.”
d)
What kind of
government did the prophet have in mind?
e)
It was
certainly not secular rule because Jesus was not born in a political family.
f)
Jesus never
ran for a public office in the nation of Israel.
16)
Prophet Isaiah
had something else in mind – verse 7 – READ.
17)
Christ’s
kingdom would be one of “peace.”
18)
It would be
one of “justice” and “righteousness.”
19)
All of these
points are important, but let’s not overlook another detail.
20)
Jesus’
kingdom, according to the prophet, would be linked to the throne of David.
21)
Now it’s time
for our second reference, Acts 2:30-31.
22)
I am going to
read each verses individually from Acts 2.
23)
This is part
of Peter’s sermon the Day of Pentecost, and it is very important.
24)
These verses
should be carefully studied, but many seem to overlook them.
a)
Verse 30 of
Acts 2 – READ.
b)
Peter said God
had promised David that he would make one of his descendents a king.
c)
Someone in
David’s family tree would sit upon David’s throne.
d)
We know David
is the subject because of verse 29.
e)
What Peter
said is the very point Isaiah looked forward to in Isa. 9.
f)
Someone would
pick up with David’s lineage and rule.
25)
Verse 31 helps
complete the thought – READ.
26)
How did the
prophecies about a king coming from David’s line point to? Jesus.
27) Is this prophecy about Jesus for the future, or has it been fulfilled?
28) Look at verse 31 because the text answers this question.
29) Jesus picked up with David’s reign after He was resurrected.
30) Jesus died, was buried, and was then raised to conquer death and create the church/kingdom.
31) The kingdom is not some future promise; it is in existence right now.
32) We are supposed to sing songs that teach others.
a) It amazes me that some groups will sing the words, “I love thy kingdom, Lord.”
b) If the kingdom has not come, how can these words be truthfully sung?
c) Suppose someone is planning to buy a new car six months from now.
d) They come up to us and say, “I love my new car.”
e) They can’t love what they do not have.
33) The kingdom has come and Isaiah promised it would be a place of peace.
34) Justice and righteousness were also promised by the prophet.
35) If you want to take on an interesting study…
36) See how many times these concepts are associated with the church in the New Testament.
37) Another aspect to the kingdom is a universal policy of inclusion.
38) In our last study of the kingdom we noted how the kingdom would be open to all.
39) What do we find when we study the church of the New Testament?
40) The same thing. All are welcome.
41) Jesus gave orders for the advancement of the church/kingdom in Mt. 28:19.
42) He said, “go into all the world.”
43) Mark’s account says “teach every creature” (Mk. 16:15).
a) Some time ago I heard a report about the country of Australia.
b) This country welcomes tourists and visitors but it wants visitors to go home.
c) Australia does not want foreigners coming there and taking up residence.
d) Not every nation welcomes newcomers.
e) God says that in His kingdom everyone is welcome.
f) Even in the Lord’s parables this point comes through.
g) Lk. 14:23 refers to a servant going into the “highways and hedges.”
h) There was to be an effort to “compel” people to come in.
i) What was Jesus talking about when He gave this parable?
j) How do we explain gathering people into the kingdom?
k) Evangelism. Teaching people the gospel of Christ so they will become Christians.
44) When Daniel spoke of this kingdom he said it would not be destroyed, Dan. 2:44.
45) He was right.
46) The church was established 2,000 years ago and it still exists.
a) At certain times in history it has been weak.
b) Multiple attempts have been made to crush and destroy it.
c) God said His kingdom would never be conquered, and it has not been overcome.
d) Lk. 1:33 is another New Testament verses which touches on this point.
e) Verse 32 of Lk. 1 says Jesus would receive the throne of David.
f) We have already seen from Acts 2 that this was done.
g) Jesus received this position after His resurrection.
h) Verse 33 of Lk. 1 says His reign will “never end.”
47) If all these verses are not enough, the Hebrew writer nails the point down beyond doubt.
48) In Heb. 12:22 he uses words associated with the kingdom.
49) He speaks of “Mount Zion” and “Jerusalem.”
50) In the very next verse (12:23) he adds the word “church.”
51) Just before he closes the chapter he says this in verse 28 – READ.
a) 2,000 years ago people had “received a kingdom.”
b) What kingdom did they receive?
c) It is the kingdom known as the church, the body of Christ, the temple, vineyard, etc.
d) This church (kingdom), according to the Hebrew writer, cannot be “shaken.”
52) I looked up that word translated shaken.
53) It is found only in Heb. 12:28 and Acts 27:41.
54) Luke used it to describe a ship which had run aground on a sandbar.
55) The ship was stuck because its bow was “immovable.”
56) By using this term God says what He established is firm and constant.
57) The church (kingdom) will not be overthrown.
58) It may be persecuted, hurt, and severely damaged—even crippled, but it will survive.
59) This should be one of the motivations for living a Christian life.
60) We can be part of something that is guaranteed to last.
61) God has created the greatest body ever known to man.
62) He says to each one of us, “You can be a member.” That is appealing to me.
63) What about you? Entrance terms for the kingdom are the same for the church.
64) Jn. 3 says born of water and spirit (understand spirit’s teaching and be baptized).
65) Peter said the same thing on the Day of Pentecost (he preached and commanded baptism).