The Preaching of the Kingdom

The King’s Message

The Writings of the Prophets

Jesus is the fulfillment of OT Prophecy – Six Prior Fulfillments

The Birth of the King Matt. 1:23 – Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” - “God with us.” Isaiah 7:14

The Birthplace of the King Matt. 2:5-6“In Bethlehem Micah 5:2 –

The Flight of the King Matt. 2:14-15 – to Egypt Hosea 11:1

The Danger to the Young King Matt. 2:17-18 – Rachel weeping Jeremiah 31:15

The Humble Hometown of the King Matt. 2:23 - Nazareth. Isaiah 53:2

The Forerunner of the King Matt. 3:3 – Isaiah 40:3

The Proclamation of the Kingdom

The Seventh fulfillment – The King is HERE

The Light to lighten the Gentiles – Luke 2:32

Nazareth of Zebulun, Capernaum of Naphtali (Galilee)

They were thought to be far from God because they were far from Jerusalem.

The Kingdom of Heaven is a spiritual kingdom that will become an earthly reality.

“Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on ...”

John 18:36 NASB95

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”

Revelation 11:15 NASB95

15 Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”

The Kingdom of Heaven – the Good Rule of God over His creation

The issue from the beginning of the world – Who is going to rule?

If you rule you will have sorrow, If God rules you will enter into the joy of your Lord when He returns.

Repent – change your mind and your direction.

Change from seeking your own way to following the King

Change from seeking your own righteousness to accepting the righteousness offered in Christ.

The King’s Men

They were common men, not spiritual giants.

Jesus did not seek out the qualified, He qualified the called.

They were “unlearned men”, rugged and weathered.

They had common faults. Simon Peter was always speaking out of turn.

James and John were known for their quick temper. (Sons of Thunder).

The call was personal. – “Follow Me…”

They would no longer be serving themselves, but at the direction of the Master.

The call was powerful. – “and I will make you…”

Jesus promised to change them as they followed Him.

What would you attempt for God if you knew success was guaranteed?

The call was purposeful. – “Fishers of men”

They were invited to join God in His great plan for humanity!

The Crimson thread of Evangelism

Edward Kimball, a timid Sunday School teacher led D.L. Moody to Christ in a shoe store.

Moody later discipled a man named J. Wilber Chapman, who became an evangelist.

Chapman later discipled a young evangelist named Billy Sunday.

In 1924, Sunday led a series of revival meetings in Charlotte, NC. A group of men touched by those meetings formed an evangelistic society.

In 1934, that society brought in another evangelist who led a meeting in which Billy Graham became a believer.

The Manner of Their Response – verses 20, 22

Their response was quick. “Immediately” they left their nets and boats

In contrast to the man who requested more time “let me bury my father (wait until he dies and I get the inheritance).” Matthew 8:21

Have you followed Christ?

In Salvation?

In His Mission? What would He have you to do in spreading the Gospel?