Closer NIghts - The Kingdom of God

I. Introduction

A. Definition of Kingdom of God

Two different phrases that would be used in the gospels - Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven.

The differentiation is for a jewish audience - they would not utter the name of God

These are the same kingdoms…so what does it mean?

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Kingdom of God (Heaven)

Kingdom of God (Heaven). The sovereign rule of God, initiated by Christ’s earthly ministry and to be consummated when “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (Rv 11:15).

THIS SIMPLY DENOTES A RULING AND REIGNING OF CHRIST IN AREAS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY RULED AND REIGNED OTHERWISE!

What is the kingdom of God?

The kingdom of God is a concept that is not found in the OT.

It was exclusive to Jesus…no one else thought in terms of bringing the synergy and peace of heaven to earth.

Jesus preached a societal manifestation that was being ever sanctified by the regenerative power of God.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD MANIFESTS AS A SUM OF THE WORK OF GOD IN INDIVIDUAL LIVES.

Community transformation is at the heart of what Jesus believed.

Family

Church

City

State

Nation

World

B. Overview of Bible passages related to the Kingdom of God

II. Old Testament Passages

A. We were made for dominion

Genesis 1:26–28 NKJV

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

This passage shows us the concept of the kingdom.

We were put on the earth as authoritative stewards.

The only entity man was to walk in submission to was God...

We created the vacuum of leadership with our fall that Satan used to ascend to the role of “prince of the power of the air”

B. We have hope in the craziest of circumstances

Daniel 2:44–45 NKJV

And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.”

Daniel’s vision (which is extremely complex), gives us a glimpse into the last things...

It speaks of the falling or crashing of the kingdoms of our world and the ascendance of the kingdom of our God.

While it’s slightly disturbing to watch world events…walk with the assurance that everything is still a part of the plan.

C. The Kingdom was made for expansion

Isaiah 9:7 NKJV

Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah: An Introduction and Commentary (iv. The Royal Hope (9:1–7))

This rule, wil be unchanging in its character (and peace), without end in space and time (for ever),

the fulfilment of the Davidic ideal (David’s, Pss 2:8; 72:8–11),

reflecting the holiness of God in its devotion to justice in practice and righteousness in principle (cf. 5:16), and

guaranteed by the commitment (zeal) and activity (accomplish) of the LORD. Zeal:

as passionate commitment (37:32; 42:13; 59:17; 63:15); cf. the love that tolerates no disloyalty and brooks no rival (Num. 25:11; Ps. 79:5).

III. New Testament Passages

A. Repentance is the door to the kingdom

Matthew 4:17 (NKJV)

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

We can’t expect miracles signs and wonders if we are unwilling to turn from our sin!

Often we go in the same direction and expect to arrive at the same destination.

What was Jesus calling for repentance from (CONTEXT OF THE VERSE)

B. The Kingdom is an interior change before it is an exterior change.

Luke 17:20-21

Luke 17:20–21 NKJV

Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

We are looking for external evidence of the kingdom of God…before it happens outside of us it must happen inside of us!

A lot of folks want to declare and decree before they have been delivered.

Romans 14:17

Romans 14:17 NKJV

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

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4 things to know about the kingdom of God.

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1. It starts out tiny.

It can become easy to think that we aren’t seeing the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven when we aren’t seeing massive things happen.

Everything massive starts as something miniature.

Matthew 13:31–32 NKJV

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

The altar call that you responded to last week…the three days you read your bible…the fact that you’re at church today.

They are all micro manifestations of the kingdom of God in your life.

LARGE MOVES HAVE COME FROM SMALL STEPS!

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2. It doesn’t require talent

We can often assume that God could never use us because we don’t have the proper skill set.

God does not need for us to possess any type of talent…cuz he has plenty to spare

Matthew 25:14–15 NKJV

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

It’s common to preach on this passage by focusing on what happens to each servant moving forward…but I simply want to show you one aspect.

The parable showing us the kingdom of heaven shows us a master investing talents into three servants WHO HAVE NONE!

If you don’t have talent…you are a perfect candidate to play a role in the kingdom!

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3. It’s not about titles

One of the biggest turn off’s to people in letting their lives be used as a propulsion of the kingdom is that you don’t always get credit!

We don’t know the names of the influential pieces of the Asbury revival

Communist China, Pakistan, remote parts of Africa…all are seeing revival…but we don’t know the leaders names.

When you say yes to the kingdom you are submitting yourself as a servant...

I’ve never gone to a concert where the setup crew had their names on the billboard outside.

He doesn’t get the glory when we get the credit.

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4. It’s not limited to our timing

I have had revivals…prayer meetings…gone on fasts…taken steps to try and initiate the move of God in my life and the churches where I’ve served.

Sometimes we do those things and nothing seems to happen.

Even to make that statement is a misunderstanding of the kingdom of God.

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A PRAYER PRAYED…THAT DIDN’T WORK...

We are living out the answered prayers of generations before us.

SO RATHER THAN PRAYING, LORD MOVE IN OUR CHURCH…PRAY LORD WILL YOU MOVE IN THE CHURCH

RATHER THAN GIVING DIRECTION TO GOD…GIVE INVITATION AND THEN BE READY FOR THE MOMENT WHEN HE SAYS GO!

It very well could be now…or it could be in five years or in twenty years…MY JOB IS NOT TO KNOW WHEN GOD IS MOVING....MY JOB IS TO STEP INTO THE FLOW WHENEVER IT IS.

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We’ve seen tremors...

After Sunday…this week there has been hours spent praying in this room seeking more of what we experienced

I don’t know about you…but I want to be a manifestation of the kingdom.

Let your kingdom come…by letting your will be done in me as it is in heaven.