BFM 2000 Salem Study: The Kingdom
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Coming up next in our study through the Baptist Faith and Message is article 7 “Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.” Instead of spending our entire time tonight on this article, we’re going to combine articles 7-9 and focus the majority of our time with article 9, the Kingdom of God. Before we get there, though, let’s remember what we believe about Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and the Lord’s Day.
“Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper.
The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.”
Here are a couple of things to note about our beliefs concerning the 2 ordinances, Baptism/Lord’s Supper:
We affirm the practice of Scripture that baptism is an act of immersion
This means that baptism is not a mere sprinkling but follows the Greek verb found in Scripture, baptizo which means to dip, plunge, or immerse. We immerse believers under the water as happened to Jesus in order to illustrate the death of the old person and the raising to life of the new person.
We affirm that baptism is reserved to believers
We believe that baptism is not something to do to everyone as the teaching in Scripture speaks of believers being the ones who are baptized. Therefore, if one desires to be baptized he or she must be a believer in Jesus Christ. We don’t baptize babies like some denominations do. The only people that we will baptize as a SBC church are people who have repented of their sins and placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
We affirm that one must be baptized in order to be a member of the local church
If the local church is comprised of believers, it follows that the local church is also comprised of people who have been baptized. While we don’t believe that baptism saves and that there’s nothing special about the water in our baptistry (although it is warmer now, thanks to Phil!), we do believe that it is a public expression of our inner change and that all genuine Christians should follow through with it. We view baptism as an act of obedience (or an ordinance) and an important one at that as Jesus commands us to do it in the Great Commission Mt 28:18-19
18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Further we see this in Peter’s opening sermon in Acts
41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
We also affirm similar things concerning the Lord’s Supper
We affirm that the Lord’s Supper is an act of obedience where we remember what Jesus Christ did for us and we await His return
We do not believe that we literally eat and drink the body and blood of Jesus Christ as some Christians do (Catholics/Lutherans)
We affirm that only baptized believers participate in the Lord’s Supper because it’s an act of identifying with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
This is an important article but it is also one that most Southern Baptists understand and talk about - only believers get baptized, we immerse people when we baptize them, and Christians should partake of the Lord’s Supper, identify with Him, and remember what He did for them.
Article 8 speaks of the Lord’s Day
“The first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord's Day should be commensurate with the Christian's conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.”
A couple of truths concerning this article:
The Lord’s Day is about worshipping Jesus - not self
The Lord’s Day is about rest - both physical and spiritual
The Lord’s Day is a day where we pause and reflect on what Jesus has done
Much more could be shared about this day but if you’re here tonight, you probably have a conviction about the Lord’s Day because you’re here on a Sunday night. We could break down some popular misconceptions about the Lord’s Day and legalistic practices that some denominations have about things you can’t do on a Sunday but at the end of the day this is the truth: God intended for us to have a day of rest. He intended for us to have a time to worship together. He intended for us to give thanks and evaluate why we do what we do. This is what we do on the Lord’s Day and while we’d love for everyone to be present with our local church on the Lord’s Day the important thing to remember is that wherever you are (traveling or sick), set aside a time to rest and go somewhere even if you’re in a foreign place to worship with God’s people!
Now, article 9, where we’re going to camp out this evening. God’s Kingdom.
“The Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the Kingdom may come and God's will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age” 3 passages for us this evening and 3 questions to consider
13 He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,
3 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
What is The Kingdom of God?
What is The Kingdom of God?
We find references to God’s Kingdom throughout Scripture as both the Old and New Testaments speak to this truth. In the Old Testament we read of God’s Kingdom as being one that will last forever
26 I issue a decree that in all my royal dominion, people must tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For he is the living God, and he endures forever; his kingdom will never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end.
While the nation of Israel had a king, Isaiah 43:15 reminds us that God ultimately served as their king
15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.
Is God only the king over Israel, though? No - we know that God created all things and serves as the King of all as Psalm 103 reminds us
19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
The Old Testament speaks of God’s Kingdom and Jesus does more of the same in the Gospels
In Matthew we read about John the Baptist who was paving the way for Jesus as a forerunner of sorts and he told his listeners
2 and saying, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!”
Jesus’ ministry of the Kingdom involved warfare against the kingdom of this dark world. Jesus, as the messiah, demonstrated His power through casting out demons and healing the sick and ultimately, saving the lost!
We see more references to the Kingdom in the Gospels, Acts, and throughout Paul’s letters. We read that the Kingdom is something that Christians are immediately a part of now, but it’s also something that will be further realized in the future. We see the Kingdom compared to a future city in Hebrews 12 and we see that those who enter that city will demonstrate certain Kingdom characteristics found in places like 1 Corinthians 6 and Galatians 5. Contrary to what some say, though, the Kingdom is not only something to look forward to in the book of Revelation. It’s something here today too that we are called to be a part of. It’s an already but not yet reality.
What exactly is God’s Kingdom? 4 observations from Scripture:
The Kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:15)
The Kingdom of God defeats all other kingdoms (1 Cor 15:55-57/Hebrews 12:28)
The Kingdom of God has a King (Philippians 2:9-11)
The Kingdom of God will reign forever (2 Samuel 7:12)
Think of the kingdoms of this world - Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and others in the ancient world followed by the Ottomans, British, and Spanish in the centuries to follow. These kingdoms and nations were in power for a period of time. They had great rulers. They won key battled. The made crucial discoveries and invented important things. Yet, each and everyone of those world powers eventually fell into ruin. They rose up and then they fell. We know that this happens not by blind chance but because God uses these people for a reason/purpose, even if we can’t fully see it
21 He changes the times and seasons; he removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
The Kingdom of God is different though, the ruler of God’s Kingdom isn’t an ordinary human or a mighty military leader, it’s God Himself. Further we discover in places like Mark 1:15 that God’s Kingdom is at hand. His Kingdom is here today and it will last forever. Therefore, we don’t have to worry about God’s Kingdom changing or being defeated by another person or power at hand.
Isn’t that a blessing? We talked last Sunday evening about the church and how people have tried to persecute and stop the church for thousands of years. The Kingdom includes the church but the Kingdom of God is even bigger than the church. Just as we don’t have to worry about a human ruler stopping the ministry of the church - we also don’t have to worry about a person or power defeating God’s Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is built on Christ and He will not waver. Broadly, the Kingdom of God refers to all things because God rules over creation as its King. More specifically, though, the Kingdom involves God’s work in His children as He rules in our hearts and changes us to become more like Him. In this sense, His work has begun and will continue until the return of Christ as Phil 1:6 shares
6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
One of the best illustrations I’ve heard about the kingdom of God is that of a surfer riding an ocean wave. There was a story a few years ago of a surfer getting towed out to sea by a jet ski and senses a massive wave starting to form. The surfer lets go of the rope and starts to stand on his surf board as the wave continues to grow and grow. Before you know it, the camera pans out and shows the wave the man is riding… It’s not the 3-5 foot waves that you often see in Florida or the 10-15 foot waves Hawaii often gets. This man was riding a 65 foot wave and looked like a tiny speck atop this massive wall of water. This wave gave the man a ride of his life and provided spectators with shock and awe. This is similar to the Kingdom of God in many respects as God’s kingdom is on the move and His power is beyond our understanding! Whether we jump on the surf board or not, God’s power is there and He will move as He leads whether we’re ready or not.
What is the Kingdom of God not?
What is the Kingdom of God not?
The Kingdom of God is not a political party that changes its candidates and platforms every 4 years. The Kingdom of God is not something that depends on our perfection. The Kingdom of God is not primarily about us - it’s about God and His greatness. As a church and as individuals, our responsibility is to represent God’s Kingdom while we live here on earth. We do this because the Kingdom of God is not inclusive.
We live in a world that prides itself on including everyone - yet that seems to bring about more and more division the closer we look. The Kingdom of God includes people of every nation, tribe, and tongue, and all people are called to come to Jesus and be saved - however, we know that many people do not know Christ as Lord. While God’s Kingdom stretches around the entire globe because He is the creator of all things, not all people are faithful members of His Kingdom. It’s exclusive to those who have repented and trusted in Christ as Lord and Savior. The Kingdom of God is not a social club and it’s not something that you can buy your way into. The Kingdom of God is an eternal home for God’s people and He gives His children loads of benefits and privileges.
In Jesus’ day there were privileges of being a Roman citizen. If you were a Roman citizen, you have the right to appeal to the Emperor in a civil matter (meaning you could appeal the decision of a judge), you weren’t subject to paying certain taxes that non Romans had to pay, and you also couldn’t die from crucifixion. That was deemed to be beneath even the worst of Roman citizens. Think of some of the privileges of being apart of God’s Kingdom: We have been adopted into God’s forever family. We have the Holy Spirit guiding us every single day. We have hope that whatever happens in this world, we are secured in Christ. These are good things but we have to keep in mind that the Kingdom isn’t primarily about us and our preferences, it’s all about our God and His glory.
Why is God’s Kingdom significant today?
Why is God’s Kingdom significant today?
The Kingdom of God is significant because not everyone is specifically a member of it. While, yes, God created all things and all people are a part of His kingdom of creation, not all people know Christ as Lord. In fact, the vast majority of people today do not know Christ as Lord! As a result, there is work cut out for each one of us tonight. The reality of God’s Kingdom must stir us to action. The reality of God’s Word must lead us to proclaim its truth to others. The reality of a literal heaven and a literal hell should force us to leap to our feet and plead with people to consider Jesus as Hebrews 3:1 says. As Spurgeon put it, “If sinners be doomed at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and un-prayed for.” If we start out walking in darkness and on a trajectory to eternal separation from God and it takes a divine miracle for that to change, we have no excuse to not be working hard today as members of God’s Kingdom. Time is running out and billions of people are dead in their sins.
If you study the book of Acts and the history of the early church you read of people who risked everything to share the Gospel with others. They sold all they had, they gave the clothes off their backs, they even were willing to be publicly mocked, and many even laid down their lives… Why would they do this? Why would the disciples be willing to die for their faith? Why would the early Christians be willing to be burnt alive and thrown into gladiator pits? Because they knew whom they had believed in and they desired others to know Christ as well. Jesus had set them free and they longed for Him to set others free as well. They knew where they were going and they prayed that others would come to know Christ and have that assurance as well.
One Christian shared the story of his childhood town in southeastern Missouri and how he grew up largely without electricity until he got into high school. Finally as a senior in high school the local electric company extended their power lines to include the entire town and his families home. This made life much easier as it began to change the way he and his family operated and lived. They were able to do things in the dark. They could prepare and preserve food easier. Their way of living changed for the better in multiple ways. The message from the electric company was similar to that of Jesus in Mark 1:15 - Repent for electricity is at hand. Repent - stop doing things the way you’ve been doing them because there is something better standing before you today! Stop doing it this way and instead do it this other way. By making a few simple arrangements, these people could utilize this new power… Yet, many people didn’t immediately accept it. Some didn’t want to change their ways. Some thought they couldn’t afford to make the switch. Others believed that it was foolish and wouldn’t last. Therefore, they didn’t enter the kingdom of electricity.
Think of what people said about Jesus’ kingdom. It’s foolish. It’s not worth the change. I don’t want to change. I’m fine the way that I am. Why should I repent from my old way of living when I’m a good person? The Kingdom is here but so many people refuse to accept Christ’s rule. Jesus reigns but so many people cannot wrap their minds around bowing down and worshipping someone other than themselves. We as humans long to be our own king of our own kingdom - when we do this, though, we are no better off than previous generations that rejected conveniences such as electricity from their homes. In fact, we are far worse off because our rejection of Jesus’ rule will result in everlasting punishment because we have not only rejected a convenience, we have rejected the Savior of humanity.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Are you a part of God’s Kingdom? Has Jesus changed your life? Have you been set free from your chains to sin and death? If so, how are you living and walking? Paul encourages us throughout his letters to walk in a worthy manner
1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,
How can we walk worthy of our calling? We can start by considering our actions and our thoughts. Are we living a changed life for Christ? Am I sharing my faith with others on Monday-Saturday or only on Sunday? Do I only care about Jesus when it best suits me? Do I identify with Christ in times of suffering or do I distance myself from Him when things get hard?
How are you walking today? If you were told that Jesus Christ was coming back on January 1st, 2023, how would you live your life between now and then? Sure, we’d make some changes, but would your life look significantly different or would it primarily look the same as you’re living today? As a Christian who knows that Christ is returning and who knows that they have a responsibility between now and then, we should live each day of our lives on mission for His Kingdom because it’s always been and will always be about Jesus Christ. It’s about His glory, not our comfort. It’s about His will being done, not ours. It’s about His Kingdom coming and His Gospel being proclaimed - are we doing our part as members of His eternal Kingdom?