The Kingdom of God: Intro to Series

Christian Standard Bible Mark 1:14–15

After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

What is the Kingdom of God?

Definitions

God’s kingdom is His rule, by which He overcomes His enemies and brings to His people the benefits of His reign.

This means two things: negatively, the judgment of the wicked and the subjugation of every hostile power; positively, the salvation of the righteous and the redemption of a fallen creation from the burden of evil.

Forgiveness Illustration

Convo with God about forgiveness

He said to greet them like a brother, I brought up what they did. God then pointed out that our idea of justice is usually just retribution. God’s idea of justice is the Kingdom - it not only heals the wounds inflicted on you, it removes the thing in the person who hurt you that would have ever caused them to hurt you

What about the kingdom of God?

It’s the Gospel that Jesus preached

Christian Standard Bible Mark 1:14–15

After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

‘Procliaiming the good news of God’:

The coming of the Kingdom of God is the good news that Jesus preached.

When most of us say ‘gospel’, we think only of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection.

This from a biblical sense, is too narrow.

Someone inherits a house, but we only talk to them about the door.

The presence of the Kingdom is a sign and invitation

Mark 1:15 CSB

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Jesus’ instruction to repent and believe tells us two things.

The presence of the kingdom, whether in observation or demonstration, provides an invitation into something completely new

The invitation must be responded to.

Miracles, signs, wonders, the power of the Spirit are not guarantees or evidences of transformation by themselves, they need to be responded to.

The Kingdom of God is present in power

Christian Standard Bible 1 Corinthians 4:19–20

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power

Christian Standard Bible Matthew 12:28

If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.