The Kingdoms
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Greetings…
The theme by which we have been focusing on since the beginning of the year has been on the “Fundamentals” or as Peter would describe them the “pure spiritual milk” of God’s Word.
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—
Today, we are going to focus our attention on, once again, a very misunderstood term as it relates to the church and God’s word.
We are going to study “The Kingdom of Christ.”
It used to be that most people in “Christendom” that were Premillennialist held to the dispensational idea that Christ did not establish his kingdom at the time of the church and thus the church and the kingdom of Christ are two distinct things.
This has, thankfully, changed a lot with many changing course and adhering to the reality that the church and the kingdom of Christ are the same.
However, the majority of people in the world of “Christendom” are not actually being taught this and still believe in the Premillennialist doctrine that when Christ returns it is then that he will establish his kingdom.
As this “series” is called “fundamentals” we are going to look at the totality of the word kingdom in the bible and determine the conclusion of the matter.
With this in mind let’s examine our lesson for today.
Kingdom = Geographical Territory
Kingdom = Geographical Territory
Kings & Their Kingdoms.
Kings & Their Kingdoms.
Kings and Queens have always had kingdoms.
Nebuchadnezzar was king over his kingdom Babylon.
Cyrus was king over his kingdom Persia.
Though slightly different Queen Elizabeth II is queen of the commonwealth realm.
We find in both the Old and New Testaments this type of usage concerning the word kingdom.
9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.”
23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
Summary
Summary
So as we can see the word kingdom can be used to describe a geographical territory.
We also find the kingdom in relation to…
Kingdom = Mosaic Government
Kingdom = Mosaic Government
Israel Was God’s Kingdom.
Israel Was God’s Kingdom.
The reality is there isn’t much information on this particular truth.
That that I mean we only find one place, and that is in the New Testament, where God calls Israel “his kingdom.”
In the parable of the wicked tenants (Matthew 21:33-46), where Jesus points out that the Jews had been killing God’s prophets and would eventually kill God’s son as well, we read this statement in Matthew 21:43…
43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.
As you can see God’s reign over Israel was considered by God, his kingdom.
Summary
Summary
So clearly the word kingdom has been used to describe the Mosaic Government.
Thirdly, we find the word kingdom used to describe…
Kingdom = Church
Kingdom = Church
Physical Israel To Spiritual Israel.
Physical Israel To Spiritual Israel.
In Matthew 21:33-46 where we just read our passage we find, in context, the parable of the wicked tenants.
This parable points out that the Jews had been killing God’s prophets for years and would even end up killing his only begotten son which prompted the passage we read in Matthew 21:43.
43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.
One of the significant points being made is that the kingdom of God was going to be removed from the Israelites and given to those that “produce its fruits.”
In other words, God was going to take his kingdom away from Israel and give it to someone else, Jesus.
What we find is that God took away his kingdom because the Israelites would kill his son.
39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus,
We later find that God took away his kingdom because the Jews were no longer going to be his chosen people.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Truth be told this transfer was foretold at Jesus’ birth.
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
So, we find God’s kingdom was taken from physical Israel and given to spiritual Israel (Romans 2:27-29).
Not only do we find it fact that the kingdom of God would be transferred but throughout the scriptures this truth is made manifest.
Kingdom Of Christ.
Kingdom Of Christ.
The apostle Paul clearly states that everyone that obeys the gospel and becomes a Christian is in the kingdom of Christ.
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
Notice this transfer had already taken place and Paul was “in the kingdom of Christ” along with everyone that was delivered by Christ (Acts 2:47).
The apostle John clearly demonstrates that Jesus made Christians into a “kingdom” and that he was a part of it.
5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
The Hebrew writer declares boldly that we ought to be grateful for receiving such an unshakable kingdom.
28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
The great prophet Daniel prophesied that during the Roman Empire era that God’s kingdom, which would start small but grow rapidly, would spread throughout the world.
44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, 45 just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Summary
Summary
Now it’s important to remember that Christ’s kingdom could does not have an ending point but rather is forever and without end.
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
There is still a forth usage for the word “kingdom” and that deals with the realm of…
Kingdom = Heaven
Kingdom = Heaven
The Eternal Home Of God.
The Eternal Home Of God.
The “heavenly kingdom” is that place in which we find our inheritance and final resting place.
It is that which we “hope” for so that we can be in the presence of God the Father, Son, and Spirit for eternity.
Paul would declare we still are awaiting to “enter into it.”
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
Paul would also say he was preserved for it.
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Peter tells us there will be “an entrance supplied” for us to enter into it.
11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This eternal home is therefore also our…
Spiritual Inheritance.
Spiritual Inheritance.
For the faithful and the true we will inherit the “kingdom of God i.e., heaven.”
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Summary
Summary
We work the works of God (Ephesians 2:10; John 6:29) in the kingdom of Christ so that on that great and glorious day when Jesus returns and gives his kingdom to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24) we might gain our inheritance, the kingdom of God, in heaven, wherein we can spend and eternity with our Creator.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The word kingdom can many things but as the most significant definitions we should focus on and be reminded of is that of the Kingdom of Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven.
Let us in the church, i.e., the Kingdom of Christ endeavor in this life to live for Christ and obtain the kingdom of heaven.
Invitation
12 For our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities:
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.