The Low, The Law, and The Last of the Kingdom

Introduction

1. Encountering the Kingdom of God

What is the Kingdom defined?

Why is it used more than “Gospel” by Jesus and Gospel writers?

What is its importance to to encountering Jesus for salvation?

What does the Kingdom require?

Mark 1:14-15 (ESV)

Mark 1:14–15 (ESV)

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Matthew 4:23 “23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.”

2. Encountering Jesus like a Child

A child has the kind of faith that trust without full comprehension of all details (v 15)

A child comes in trust (V13-14,16)

Adults are busy and concerned about things that children are not, and even forget about children themselves (V13) “Disciples rebuked them”.

Our culture hates children because we are busy adults (Replacement rate, tv show “children ruin everything”)

Child like NOT childish. 1 Corinthians 13:11, Colossians 1:28.

Inside of all of us is a child who wants to be in the arms of Jesus. (Come to the father song)

How to bring your kids to Jesus

3. Encountering Jesus through the Law (V17-22)

Good? “ are you a “good person?” (V17, 18 Matt. 19:16)

“By what standard?” “says who?”

Defintion for good

Jesus answers by teaching and applying the law (V19)

This encounter with Jesus’ use of the Law reveals this mans sin. (V22)

Can man keep the law perfectly?

Childrens catechism #103

Ecclesiastes 7:20, Romans 3:23

Is the law good or bad?

Heidelberg Catechism #115 Q: If in this life no one can keep the ten commandments perfectly, why does God have them preached so strictly?

Romans 7:7, Romans 7:12, Galatians 3:24-26.

The law is our good teacher.

does it save? Romans 3:20, Romans 8:3,4, Galatians 3:21-22

Did Jesus abolish it? replace it? Matthew 5:17-20.

Law/Gospel Distinction

Galatians 3:8–14 (ESV)

8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

When the Law is strict the Gospel is sweet

Gospel is news, Lit. “Good news” Euangelion. Christ life death and resurrection

We empty the Gospel of its meaning without the law revealing our need of a savior.

Double imputation of his life, death, resurrection on the cross

(Passive obedience) dies a gruesome death on the cross for us, satisfying the penalty of death for our sin, imputing our penalty for death onto Him.

Passive only absolves us of punishment, still need righteousness, but not our own, for we cannot, need Christ’s righteousness.

(Active obedience) lives a perfect sinless life for us thereby satisfying the moral requirements of the law on our behalf, imputing His perfect righteousness to us.

Romans 3:19–26 (ESV) 2 Corinthians 5:21.

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Just= Actual righteousness

Justifier= declared righteous

4. Encountering Jesus with riches is impossible

Matthew 6:24 ESV

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Camel and needle

5. Encountering Jesus as savior

“Who then can be saved?”

Different question than “what good thing must I do?”

Savior is more than a teacher

If only encountered as “good teacher” what can you teach me that saves me from my sin?

saved “sozo” delivered

Teacher “didaskalos” instruct

Different question from disciples than from Young ruler.

6. Encountering Jesus to the end

Conclusion

Children came trusting

Young man left sad

Law reveals sin

Gospel saves sin

Kingdom comes through the Gospel of repentance and faith