Untitled Sermon

Matthew 6:9–13 CSB

“Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Lexham Theological Wordbook βασιλεία

Basileia is theologically significant in the phrases βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ (basileia tōu theou, “kingdom of God”) and βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν (basileia tōn ouranōn, “kingdom of heaven”), both referring to the reality of God’s rule over all creation. The “kingdom of God” is the central theme of the gospel message (Mark 1:15). The kingdom of God is proclaimed (Luke 16:16); it “comes upon” people (Luke 11:20) and comes “near” (Luke 21:31); it involves not mere “talk,” but rather “power” (1 Cor 4:20). The kingdom of God can be given to people by God, but it can also be taken away by God (Matt 21:43). God’s sovereign kingdom is demonstrated as demons are cast out (Matt 12:28) and as the sick are healed (Luke 10:9). The kingdom belongs to those who have submitted to the rule of God, recognizing their spiritual poverty (Matt 5:3) and suffering persecution (Matt 5:10). The mystery of the kingdom is extensively discussed in Matt 13, where Jesus speaks of God’s rule as something that is good, expanding, treasured, and all encompassing.