Thy Kingdom Come - Luke 17:20-37

Stacy to finish reading the Luke chapter 17 verses 20 to 37 tells us this once on being asked by the Pharisees, from the kingdom of God, will come Jesus replied. The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed. Normal people stay, here it is. Or they're it is because the kingdom of God, is in your midst, then he said to his disciples, the time is coming. When you along to see one of the days of the son of man, but you will not see it. People will tell you where he is, or he is, do not go running off after them. The son of man in his day, will be like the lightning which flashes and Light Up the Sky from into the other. But first, he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation just as it was in the days of Noah. So also will it be in the days of the son of man? People were eating drinking marrying and giving in marriage up to the day. Noah entered the Ark, then the flood came and destroyed them all. Is the same, the days of lot. People were eating and drinking buying and selling planting and building. But the day, lot less Sodom fire and sulfur rain down from heaven and destroyed them all. You'll be just like this. On the day. The son of man is revealed on that day. No one who's on the house, top with possessions inside should go down to get them. Likewise. No one of the fuel should go back for anything. Remember, Lot's, wife, whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, you ever loses their life will preserve it. I tell you on that night, two people be in one bad one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding Grain Together. When will be taken and the other left where Lord, they asked replied where there is a dead body there. The vultures will gather Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be unto God. Is a question. I posed to you. What did Jesus preach about the most in his ministry is there for life? You think about it and if you try to come up with a good answer, this is a few ways you could answer that. What did he preach about the most? While some people might say, while he preached about hell the most cuz he spoke about how often? And of course he did, some people might say what Jesus spoke about greed and money than most because, so many of his Parables and sermons had money or greed involved in them, However, I'm just that little foot and over there, on that money one though. A lot of The Parables do contain money and coins and Wages. That's not necessarily what the point is that he speaking about, for example, comparatively speaking Jesus speak about food a lot and many of his Parables. That doesn't mean he's necessarily speaking about food for say, it's usually for some greater bigger point. So what is it? That Jesus preached about the most in his Earthly Ministry? Is it love is a joy, like, what is it? I would argue, in light of the Gospels. It is quite clear what Jesus focused on It's a few passages that will help us understand what was it that he preached about the most. Matthew chapter 3 verses 1 to 2. This is detailing, John the Baptist before Jesus stepped onto the scene recording. What John did prepare the way for Jesus, what happened to tells us in those days? John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, repent. What happens after that, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near Matthew chapter 4, right? Right after that, when Jesus began his public Ministry in Capernaum, and it tells us after John had been imprisoned for 17 tells us from that time on. Jesus began to preach repent. Why, what's going on? The Kingdom of Heaven has come near Are chapter 1 verses 14 to 15 record, it slightly differently tells us after John was put in prison. Jesus went in the Galilee for claiming the good news of God. What was the good news? What was the Gospel? He was preaching. The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand repent and believe in the gospel. Fast forward a little bit and Luke chapter 9, we went through this maybe a year ago. I don't remember exactly when but Luke chapter 9 so the disciples had had some training time with Jesus and walk around with him for a few weeks months. Perhaps a year, I don't know the exact time frame and unless they've walked around with Jesus on Earth for quite some time. And what were they doing? They were learning. They were observing. They were watching, they were looking hearing. What did you just focus on, what did he preach? And eventually, the time came for Jesus to send them out on their own, to go and do likewise, and what did Jesus call the 12 to do? Luke chapter 9 of Accords when Jesus had called the 12 together. He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and the cure diseases and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God. And to heal the sick. To all of those passages, not to mention the many parables. And which Jesus himself says, you're what is the kingdom of God? Like, it is like a farmer, it is like a mustard seed is like, you know, so on and so forth. What is the kingdom of God? The point is Jesus, I believe you would boil it down to something. What did Jesus preach about the most? It was the kingdom of God. Many commentators agree with that as well. One scholar goes so far, as to say the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God. This is the central theme of Jesus, his preaching, especially according to the synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. And you can kind of break that a part in the two components or Jesus came. The kingdom is here. The kingdom has come the arrival of the Kingdom. But then also, how do you get into that Kingdom? I think it's a lot of times in churches. We can focus on that. Second part. How do you get into the kingdom? How do you go to heaven? What what did the cross in Resurrection? Do for our eternal life? What happens when you die in a crude way of thinking, about the whole fire insurance thing by Jesus came, so that we recovered from what happens after we die. Of course, that's all true and need it necessary. It's also about the kingdom is come, the kingdom is here and God not only wants us to experience eternal life in the future, but the whole point of Jesus coming into the world is so that we might taste and see if his grace and goodness here today. We certainly see that in the Life Ministry of Jesus, did it come just preaching about what happens after you. I did. The also allowed people to have for Taste of the Kingdom to see so many people healed, so many blind. People being able to see people who are possessed with demons being delivered. That is what God looks like here in the world. In light of all of that. Do you know what Matthew 6:33 says? This is a familiar passage. Maybe it's one you'd memorize. Before. What's Matthew 6:33? Somebody knows it. Till it related to the kingdom. You'll know, as soon as I started, but seek first, his kingdom and his righteousness. And then, all these things will be added to you. Life is not about making money. Life is not about being happy per say, life is about pursuing and seeking the kingdom of God. But no passage this morning. Luke 17 verses 20 37. What Jesus does here is clarify to the Pharisees and then to the disciples. What actually is this Kingdom. The first time you spoken of the kingdom in the Gospel of Luke. We mentioned it several passages before, but he continues that discussion that presentation that sermon preaching. It's simple enough. Some parts of the Bible are more focused on commands. Some some parts of the Bible or just straight instruction. This is what you are called to do. This is how you work, all to Live, While other parts of the Bible are focus more. So on the truth, this is the truth. This is the information. This is the doctrine that you must believe. This is the clarity that I want to bring to your understanding. It's your mind. I love the Lord, with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, God does speak to our minds. He does speak truth to us, and that more or less is what I believe this passage is focusing on its Jesus, clarifying for us. Truth concerning the kingdom of God. It's today, it's all these up to. What are we aiming for today? If you and I as the church are to seek the kingdom of God, we have to know what it is. We have to understand some basic concepts and principles about, what is this Kingdom? If I just asked you right now, what is the kingdom of God? It's in our mission statement. What is the kingdom of God? And yeah, it's kind of easy to think about the first two that we want to know God's words, right? That's the Bible. You want to show God's love. That's being kind and gracious. Sharing the gospel with others. Ultimately, Good Deeds with others. What is this aspect of growing God's kingdom? I need to find out. What is that mean? My goal is to help us formulator a good answer to that. So that you and I might seek the kingdom of God. It's our our outline today. If you bullet point questions that'll help. Formulate our thoughts on Jesus is central point of his preaching Ministry. A question. What is the Kingdom at the most basic a straightforward question? What is this Kingdom? That Jesus spoke about so often? Believe it or not in the gospels. There's no definitive passage or verse. And would somebody walks up to Jesus? And says, he Jesus, what is the kingdom that you can't find that in the New Testament, nonetheless piecing together, all the Jesus said and in light of the entirety of scripture, one commentator, provided a good synthesis He said the kingdom of God is, primarily the sovereignty of God. You can save that for the end. They'll be at the end. Yeah, thank you at the kingdom of God is primarily the sovereignty of God. in another, Taylor said, the kingdom of God refers primarily to the shop and activity of God as ruler or King, Turn music about kingdom here on Earth. I think it's easy for us to be. Usually think about borders, literal physical borders, right? The king of England is the king over this region. The king of the, all the other countries that have Kings, Still bitching about geographic areas, but that's not so much to focus when we read the Bible. It's not so much where as much as it is who The kingdom of God focuses on the one, who rules over all that focuses on God, Almighty, as The Sovereign ruler of all things. That leads us to the second question. What is the kingdom of God for sleep? Right? It's the rule of God's sovereignty. So, where is this Kingdom? Then? Right there, there has to be some region in which she rules over. Well, one man named Abraham, kuyper who believe it or not with the prime minister of the Netherlands from 1901 to 1905. So solid Christian And again, he seeks to Neverland today, it's not it's not at all the case but every Abraham kuyper he's well known for saying this quote, there is no there's not a square inch in the whole damned human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all does not cry mine.

Did you catch that every square inch in this universe? Jesus Christ almighty says, that's mine. I own that I created that it's for my glory. I am the ruler. The Creator over all things. Ephesians chapter 1. Wonderful. Passage was details. This season's 128 a 22 and tells us that Jesus is exalted right after his time on Earth. He was exalted. He ascended back to Heaven. He is now exalted over all things far above all Rule and Authority power and dominion. And every name that is in vote, not only the present age but also the one to come listen to this morning and God Almighty, the father, God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be had over everything for the church. Out, if you are student of Greek, you'll know that the record there for, all right, when it says, God placed all things under his feet is simply means all and something Everything is Everything. It's not rocket science to understand the text of scripture the entire universe from the Appalachian Mountains to the Andes from Earth itself to the edge of the Galaxy and Beyond every square inch is the round over which Jesus rules as king. Jesus is the king over all things. but then you noticed in our text this morning, if you're paying attention, there's two things that The Pharisees in the disciples desired or wanted the third question that we ask today is, why do people want the kingdom? Why do people want this Kingdom in the first place? Because we're 20 houses the Pharisees asking Jesus walking up to him and Jesus win. Is this Kingdom coming? The invitation is, we want the kingdom to come when it, when is it coming? We're waiting get were expecting it. We want it even worth 22 disciples. Jesus tells us that the time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the son of man. But you will not see it. And a quick little footnote there. If you're wondering that one phrase, verse 22 you will long to see one of the days of the son of man. What is that? What is a day of the son of man? What was that phrase mean? What one commentator simply put it's over first to the day in which Jesus returns to fully establish his kingdom. Tell for United Way We off the second coming is when Jesus comes back to the world, in all of his Splendor, that's what Jesus is talking about, what you will long to see my return one day. You willing to see that? But yeah, that's the question. Why why did the disciples want to see this? Why do the Pharisees want to see the kingdom of God of these two things overlap, right? The coming of the kingdom and the arrival and present Christ, they're very closely intertwined. Why do they want that in the first place for you? And I why should you and I want that? Why should we seek this Kingdom? Quite simple because Jesus will make all things right. He will make all things right. And it's two components that it's both, God is going to judge the wicked. But he's also going to save his people and rescue his people. To the first component all turn on the news, right? Don't need me to remind you but all the perverted sexuality going on in this world. All of the hateful racism in this world. All the gross injustice among the poor and marginalized. All of the senseless murder of babies, but not just babies, but a human beings, even if they are adults, all that will be gone. But it's not just Jesus eradicating evil and punishing and judging wrong viewers. It's also the ushering in of good Is the arrival, the full Revelation and presents over the Bible? So often calls shalom He's fat wholeness that fullness. What we were designed to be who we were designed to be flourishing thriving? Mystery and spoke about that, the whole Abundant Life, not just existence its thriving, its flourishing, its Abundant Life. That's what the arrival of the Kingdom means. That's what the return of Jesus means that how can you not want that? Especially as a Christian, how can you not want him returned? Luke Chapter 4 verses 18 to 19 is wonderful. Little picture of this. This doesn't, this passage this. Is when Jesus begin his ministry. He hate. This is perhaps his first sermon. But this is when Jesus was in Nazareth, he was in the synagogue. He got the scroll of Isaiah to read. And a little too interesting tidbit when rabbis in that time in the synagogues, when they talk, they usually sat down. So maybe one day, I'll just get a seat up here to sit down, so I can be like, Jesus, but to Jesus, their Heroes, the scroll. What is he saved? The kingdom of God is not mentioned explicitly, but the evidence is the ramifications. The outflow of the kingdom is present here, listen to this. The spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to Proclaim good news to the poor. He sent me to Proclaim freedom for the prisoners recovery of sight, for the blind to set, the oppressed free to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. That is what the kingdom of God is like. So then next question, we ask when will the kingdom come? I you you hear this kind of stuff about your all things being made, right? The righteous and Christians being fully rescued that the evil doers in this world being punished when Jesus comes to rule imperfection, that sounds wonderful. When is it going to happen? Or at the exact question more, like the Pharisees asked in verse 20. Approaching Jesus. When is this Kingdom going to come? What is this? Perfect Justice and freedom that we want to experience? When is that fully coming? You noticed Jesus doesn't give them a straightforward Year Day. Month prediction about when is this is going to occur, but we see Jesus correcting their understanding about the nature of the Kingdom. Jesus says, the kingdom of God, isn't the coming of the kingdom of God. It's not something that can be observed. Normal people stay here it is, but there it is. Because the kingdom of God, is in your midst, What Jesus is doing here is what one author. His name is George Ladd, he wrote a book about that fix just called the presence of the future and that encapsulates. What is going on here? Jesus is talking about what's known as the already. Not yet. Ennis of the Kingdom that is the kingdom has begun. It was ushered in a came into the world when Jesus was born into the world. But it hasn't fully been consummated has been fully realized the kingdom is here today. Presently, it was here in the first century when Jesus sent in the world. But it's not yet fully complete. We don't see the full effects of it. It's already here but it's not yet. It is in your midst. As Jesus says here, when Luke 13, Jesus. Also talks about the kingdom as this place come in the future out there, Abraham. Isaac and Jacob, were they all resigned. So, he's talking about this already, not yet nature of the Kingdom. George Ladd. He said, the kingdom of God has come in Jesus's person in Mission. And does the essence of the essence of Jesus's teaching? Is that the Ultimate Reality? The kingdom of God has come into history. The absolute, the holy other has entered into time and space. Your church when the Divine enters its steps into history Beauty and healing take place. In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe c.s., Lewis has first book that he wrote in the Narnia series. But the second one in that series of seven books, Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. How do you know when Aslan is near or when he's active, or on the Move initially for the beginning of the book, how do you know that? it's when the snow starts to melt and it's when the flowers start to bloom, it's the same similar to hit with Jesus when he draws near when the grace and the glory in the power of God draws near to a person touches a person, their body physically. But their soul on the intervene, when he draws near healing and restoration in Salvation take place. And it's not just in really, it's not just beautiful. If course, Jesus came to save our souls, but the entire point of Christianity, it's not just Jesus. Save our souls at peace, tastes are very physical bodies. That is the hope that you need to think of Christianity, some religions downplaying, deny the spirit, some religions downplaying, deny the physical. What's real is you know, what's inside. But I know everything all that I've created equally and perfectly worthy and good and I'm going to redeem the entire world in her being your anxiety. And frustration, even your physical body at your backache, your poor vision, your lack of being able to taste food, whatever it, maybe he's going to heal, all your entire being.

We see this Jesus himself described it this way and Luke 11 verse 20. Jesus himself said, if I drive out demons by the Finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. That's what the kingdom of God means. That's when it touches a person. Where is the kingdom of God? When is it coming? It comes whenever you experience. The grace, the healing, the Forgiveness of Jesus. Somebody is delivered from a demonic Force. If somebody is healed their sight is restored. The kingdom of God has come upon you. If somebody is brought back to life, the kingdom of God has come upon you, that's what it means. That's when the kingdom will come. Of course, it's in the future, right? It's 1, when Jesus fully comes back, but the point of this already, not yet. In this of the kingdom, is that you and I get to experience little for Taste of his kingdom today and what a privilege you. And I have Christianity is not just about fire insurance. It's not just about what happens after we die. It's about the here. And now today in 2023, God wants you to experience the kingdom in your own life today.

so, conclude with conclude to commands. One thing has you read the Bible? It's important to take note of commands of the imperatives in the text. What? What does God want us to practice in to live by today? Are you not as there's only 2 explicit commands in this text? I don't know if you called them. The first one appears in verse 23, but 22 to get the contacts right verse 22, 23 the time is coming. When you will long to see, one of the days of the son of man, but you will not see if people will tell you where he is, or here he is. Here's the command. Do not go running off after them. What's the point as you your Christian as you await and long-form desire, the day of the Lord as you await Jesus's return. I called you don't be carried away. Buy in X Prophet prophecy where they specify his return. Okay, I'm not saying it's wrong to study in times. You need to, it's in the entire Book of Revelations about that. It's good and proper to do that but don't obsess and focus on the specificity of when he will come. Rather than pointing out all of your energy and enthusiasm into the specific day month and time. Pour out your energy into sharing the message of the Kingdom with others, rather than, you know, Wonder in your own living room. All he's coming. He's got to go out and tell others he's coming so that others might then join you when he comes back and rescues his people. And then the second command. I don't know if you called where it was, it was inverse, 32 one of those, this could be up there with some of the shortest verses in the Bible. That says remember Lot's wife, right? That's a command from Jesus Remember, Lot's wife, but little contacts verse 28. The same of the days of lot. People were eating drinking buying and selling play thing in building. But the day lot left. Sodom fire and sulfur. Rain down from heaven. Destroyed them all. It will be just like this on the day, the son of man is review. What is that mean, was Jesus saying it's 28, those things are inherently bad, it's not bad to eat and drink and buying cell, phones and plans and build. It's not bad. But Jesus is saying, here is in the days of light, even in the days of Noah, previous versus these, people were living as if nothing were going to happen, they had no concept no planning for the future, the return of Christ, the reality of God's judgments and their contacts are just eating drinking marrying marrying up to the day. No concern for the immediate judgment. That was to come. And Jesus think simulate when the son of the day, the son of man, when it's revealed, so many people will be like that. I'll be ignorant that we care less. They won't pay attention or listen to any preaching. That's done. They will just keep on living as if nothing is going to happen 2nd. Peter chapter 3 talks about that as well in the end times. And then, if you remember what happened with Lot's wife at Jesus, our God, in the Old Testament, it's lot. Keep your eyes forward. Sodom Gomorrah there behind. You do not turn back. Don't even look back. My plan for you. My hope for you. It's all ahead. Keep your eyes up front on me. On my promises. What did Lot's wife do? She look back? Don't know the exact reason why I don't remember from the text. She looked back. She turned into pillar salt, pillar of stone because God's word is serious. And why did Jesus say that? He tells us you and I even today. Remember Lot's, wife, what is the point? Keep your eyes, fixed on the Treasures in Heaven. Keep your eyes fixed upon the hope, the promises of the Gospel. I want what are the treasures of Heaven. It is not a gold mansion by the Bible talks about that. That is not the Treasure of Heaven. The Treasure of Heaven is Jesus is Jesus. Christ is God, Almighty is the Triune God. Keep your eyes fixed upon God, that she Pleasures that the world constantly offers and Claws for your attention and your affection, don't look to them. Will be satisfied in my perfection. Keep your eyes. Fixed ahead on me. That your church is why it is so important for you. And I to have daily reminders of his grace and I daily need to taste and see that the Lord is good. You're not daily need to taste and read be in the word of God you and I we we need to gather with God's people at a minimum and just Feast upon the word of God through preaching and bible study in Christian Community. We need desperately need encouragement and reminders to be satisfied with God because every time we send, it's because we are dissatisfied with God, We don't we're not fully trusting fully delighting, and we think this send this gossip is pornography. This drinking, whatever it might be. We think this can give us some help. This can give us a little bit of Joy. The joy is all found in Jesus Christ. Remember, Lot's, wife, one of all of that is keep your eyes fixed upon me.

So, I heard you to practice both of those things.

One thing I want to do this, it this is in conclusion. I thought it'd be different unique. Might probably be a little weird for maybe all of us, some of us, but You did not know. We are the church. We are from the Baptist faith and message. As our belief statement didn't know that, encourage you to look it up and read the whole thing. Do you know that you're fully, you can support life goes on here, is nothing to hide or not ashamed of anything in that in that Pass it in a text. But the Baptist faith and message has two articles, article, 9 and 10, which details the kingdom in the last days, I thought would be cool at that would unifies together, but it would also help us be reminded succinctly of what we believe, what we confess. I'd like for us to if you again, if you're comfortable with it, repeat out loud with me, at least two different articles from the Baptist faith and message. So if you can go to the next slide. Yes, this is the first one that you will repeat this with me again, capsulation of all that we just covered. So Begins the kingdom of God includes both his General sovereignty over the universe. In his particular, kingship over men who willfully ignore him as king. Particularly the kingdom is the realm of Salvation into which men enter Buy Trussville childlike, commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the kingdom may come in. 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. And then article 10 there, that's the last days. So it begins God in his own time, and in his own way, we'll bring the world to its appropriate end. According to his promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the Earth. The dead will be raised in Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in the resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in heaven with the Lord. Amen. That is what we confess that is, what we preach. That is what Jesus himself, preached and that is what we are called, ultimately live. And pray for us today, prayed it and I closing prayer with that line from The Lord's Prayer. Our glorious Father Who Art in Heaven. We ask you. Let your kingdom come.

Lord, we want to see your Justice. You want to see your Perfection into the world in the fullness.

We want to see sin and wickedness eradicated and destroyed.

But father, as so often is the case in Scripture. Do you desire for the entire world around us to be renewed? Help us to do what we can to focus on what we can do. That is help us to focus on ourselves. May we as your church, be your instruments, be your hands and feet to spread this Kingdom to spread this, love to spread this gospel in this world. As we desire for send be destroyed around us, give us an equally and even stronger passion for sand to be destroyed in our own Souls.

The vein of Ephesians chapter 2, Romans, 6 and 7. Give us a heart that is intent on killing and destroying sin in ourselves.

Jesus says your word further declares may we as your people equally if not more so long for your righteousness and your love to flow through us. May we personally taste of your love. Taste of your joy is satisfied with the gospel. Personally, Maybe then share that Grace. That truth with others. With our spouses with our children or grandchildren. With our family, our friends, our church family with our neighbors with the lost all around us.

Help us to be obedient to your commission. To go in for claim the kingdom.

And until that day comes, when you were fully manifested in your glory, when you come back. Help us to be patient. Help us to be grateful. Help us to work hard. Jesus help us to be grateful for those wonderful little for taste that were able to experience here in the world. about your grace, your salvation in your healing look like,

By kingdom come thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Jesus name we pray. Amen.