Sermon Tone Analysis

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Praying “In Jesus’ Name”… By His authority, because of what He has done for us, and praying like He would…

B.

Last lesson à 6:9 “Our father who is in Heaven, hallowed by thy name”.

We have a relationship with a father unlike any other!

He is holy and we as His people, in what we say and do, need to honor His reputation

1.

The rest of this prayer flows from these ideas… The rest of the prayer shows our desire to hallow His name and our trust in Him as our Father.

So today we come to verse 10, where Jesus gives kingdom citizens this teaching about prayer… to pray “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”

2. These two phrases flow from this desire to hallow God’s name.

If we are going to do that as God’s people, this means that we need to have hearts that submit to the authority of God and to His will.

This is, in my judgment, what the Lord is showing us in this part of the If prayer

II.

THE GREEK WORD FOR “KINGDOM”

A. The Greek word that is translated as ‘kingdom’ in the New Testament does not convey the same main idea that our English word ‘kingdom’ does.

Whenever we think of the word kingdom, what comes to mind?

For us, the English word conveys the idea of land and territory someone rules over.

A king or queen has authority over their land, territory, or even people…

B. The Greek word (basileia) translated as ‘kingdom’ in our Bibles is talking about something broader than land, territory, or people.

These things can be included depending on the context, but the words convey a broader concept, that being “the reign or rule that the king has.”

The rule or reign of a king.

Some synonyms may be words like authority, dominion, influence, power, royalty, sovereignty, and kingship.

It is these ideas that are primarily meant when we refer to God’s kingdom in the Bible.

C. I believe that it is important to see this idea because so much of Jesus’ teaching is about the kingdom of God.

Just in Matthew alone there are 54 places where the word ‘kingdom’ is used.

Since Jesus talks so much about the kingdom, we need to know what the words mean so we don’t come to incorrect conclusions about what the Kingdom is.

The kingdom of God is His rule and authority over all things, and God’s people are a part of this as special recipients of his blessings, protection, and rule.

III.

TEACHINGS ABOUT THE KINGDOM

A. – It is imminent (or near) "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." " ()

1.

The kingdom, or the reign and power of God was near… It was about to come… Both John the Baptists and Jesus preached this message.

Repent, and prepare yourselves to see God’s power and reign.

2. Just imagine the excitement as Jesus came and preached to the people, proclaiming that the kingdom was at hand.

But then Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom took a turn in a different direction than the Jews were expecting.

They were expecting the Messiah to be an earthly ruler over the land of Israel who would destroy all of their enemies… Jesus paints a completely different picture of the Kingdom.

B. The Kingdom was witnessed during the ministry of Jesus

1.

Even during the ministry of Jesus, it is spoken of as a present reality.

a) – As Jesus was being accused by the Pharisees to be casting out demons by the authority and kingdom of Satan, Jesus responds by saying this, “28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

Whenever Jesus was displaying His authority over demons, sickness, etc, He was showing the kingdom/power/reign/authority of God to these people.

His teaching was with authority, and it was attested to by the miracles.

All of these things were displays of the Kingdom of God being present at that time.

The kingdom predates the beginning of the church.

It is as eternal as God Himself.

C. The Kingdom is something to be sought after

1. … " But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

" ()

a) This is the closest verse that mentions the kingdom to our passage in 6:10.

Jesus is teaching us what the kingdom citizen devotes their life to – what they seek above all.

If you seek this one thing, there is no reason to worry because God will make sure all of your other needs are cared for.

Seek God’s kingdom – seek His rule in your life – seek His authority.

God’s people have their minds set on the one who is sovereign and in control of everything.

D. ,; à The kingdom is a possession of the people of God

1. Two beatitudes say that the kingdom belongs to those who possess these attributes.

(vs3 & 10) “theirs is the kingdom.”

Those who live this way, being poor in Spirit and persecuted for righteousness… the kingdom IS theirs.

2. “Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

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3. God’s Kingdom “is within you” ( NKJV) “"Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." () The kingdom itself is not something that can be observed.

It is not physical.

There would not be a king fighting with His army for victory over physical enemies.

It would be a king using his power and authority to change hearts.

The truth is what brings people into submission, not swords or fighting.

This is what Jesus is showing when He says to Pilate that His kingdom is not of this world.

It does not come and grow like the kingdoms of the world.

It is different.

It is God’s reign and power working in the hearts of men to make them more like Himself.

E. There is a future promise of inheriting a “kingdom” for God’s people

1. - " Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

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a) Although the kingdom is within God’s people now, there is still a future aspect of the kingdom that God’s people will enjoy.

Perfect submission as we dwell with our King in glory, but not only this, we will reign with our Lord Jesus.

b) Paul said to Timothy, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever.”

(NASB)

(1) There are many verses that are like these that are showing that we will receive a kingdom in glory.

These are more than likely talking about our final salvation, when we will be in God’s presence, living without sin – perfectly obeying our King’s will.

F. Jesus has kingship over all things – no boundaries or limitations

1. - " The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, " ()

a) It is not just the church that is under the reign and authority of Jesus, but also those who reject Him.

Even those who reject his rule are under His authority even though they may not submit to it.

He still is their ruler and will judge them whether they like it or not.

2. - "And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

" ()

a) He reigns from Heaven at the right hand of the Father.

He is God and reigns over all of Heaven and earth, not just His people.

He is the authority over nature and spiritual beings and of all who breathe the breath of life.

3. His kingdom/kingship demands something of us – making disciples for the king.

We have a role to play in the Kingdom and authority of Christ spreading today.

We are to be disciples and make disciples… Jesus is King, GO THEREFORE and make disciples through baptism and by teaching them to obey all that the King has commanded…

4.

This thought brings us back to the passage we began with in .

If we are under the dominion of Jesus – If he is our king – then this will mean that we desire to obey His will, to have His will done in our lives just as it is done in Heaven.

This is the standard we desire to live up to, and the standard we call others to.

G.

Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.”

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1.

I believe the words “your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” are paralleled to “your kingdom come” in this verse.

In my judgment, Jesus is showing us that, as Kingdom citizens – as those who have submitted to the reign of God – to the Gospel of the Kingdom, our desire is for God’s reign to spread or to come to more people and that God’s reign would increase within our own hearts.

2. As God’s people, God’s kingdom within us, even at this time, is partial.

We still do not do God’s will JUST as it is done in Heaven.

But this is our desire and prayer for ourselves in this life as we look forward to the time when we will be under God’s heavenly reign perfectly when we enter His presence.

IV.

CONCLUSION

A. So to bring this lesson to a close, As prophesied in and and fulfilled in , the kingdom and dominion was delivered into the hands of the Son of Man… All authority was given to Jesus over all of Heaven and earth.

B. The question for you and I to answer is, what are we going to do with this knowledge – the knowledge that Jesus is King?