The Embassy of the Kingdom of Heaven

Introduction:

True or False Quiz

The following New Testament facts remind us of our continuing responsibility to the local church. Circle “T” for True or “F” for False in front of each question, the check your answers. O 3

T F 1. Worshiping God in nature is a good substitute for going to church.

T F 2. In the first century, believers met on Sunday.

T F 3. Although the Bible teaches giving, it does not specifically refer to the taking of a collection.

T F 4. Loving discipline of its members is the responsibility of every local church.

T F 6. The only reason for going to church is to hear the preaching of the Word.

T F 7. Problems arose in the Corinthian church because of too much emphasis on the personality of its leaders.

T F 9. The chief cornerstone of the church is Christ.

T F 10. The first century church had a commissioning service for missionaries.

Answers:

1. False ()

2. True ()

3. False (, )

4. True ()

6. False ()

7. True (, )

8. True (; )

9. True ()

10. True ()

Scoring: Ten points per question; 80 to 100 - Excellent; 60 to 70 - Good; 40 to 50 - Average; 20 or 30 -

Better ask your pastor some questions! 0 or 10 - Been sleeping in church?

Source unknow

Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

In the book of Genesis we are introduced to the kingdoms of men. We see Nimrod establish his kingdom. We note that first attempt of man as building a tower to reach up to heaven. In , when the men are building this tower, God comes down and confuses their languages. Here, in this account, we become more aware that this is a power, an authority, that is greater than the kingdom of men.

In , King Nebuchadnezzar is made to become like a wild animal. Though he is a king of a Gentile nation, and though they were in control of the children of Israel at the time, King Nebuchadnezzar was under the control of a higher King and a higher Kingdom.

When Jesus Christ came to this earth, He began to preach about this kingdom:

"Jesus in the Gospels mentions the kingdom 49 times just in the gospel of Matthew" alone. [Leeman, Church Membership, p. 53]

The kingdom of Heaven has a message: the gospel

Jesus preached this message

Jesus spoke of evident signs of this kingdom

Jesus spoke very plainly that his kingdom was not of this world.

Illustration:

The Electric Kingdom

Topics: Born Again; Christian Life; Kingdom of God; Power; Receiving Christ; Repentance; Salvation

References: ; ;

As a child I lived in an area of southern Missouri where electricity was available only in the form of lightning. We had more of that than we could use. But in my senior year of high school, the REA (Rural Electrification Administration) extended its lines into the area where we lived, and electrical power became available to households and farms.

When those lines came by our farm, a very different way of living presented itself. Our relationships to fundamental aspects of life—daylight and dark, hot and cold, clean and dirty, work and leisure, preparing food and preserving it—could then be vastly changed for the better. But we still had to believe in the electricity—and take the practical steps involved in relying on it.

You may think the comparison rather crude, and in some respects it is. But it will help us to understand Jesus’ basic message about the kingdom of heaven if we pause to reflect on those farmers who, in effect, heard the message “Repent, for electricity is at hand.” Repent, or turn from their kerosene lamps and lanterns, their iceboxes and cellars, their scrub-boards and rug beaters, their woman-powered sewing machines and their radios with dry-cell batteries.

The power that could make their lives far better was right there near them where, by making relatively simple arrangements, they could utilize it. Strangely, a few did not accept it. They did not enter the kingdom of electricity. Some just didn’t want to change. Others could not afford it, or so they thought.

To be sure, that kingdom has been here as long as we humans have been here, and longer. But it has been available to us through simple confidence in Jesus, the Anointed, only from the time he became a public figure.

—Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy (Harper, 1997) Larson, C. B., & Ten Elshof, P. (2008). 1001 illustrations that connect (pp. 73–74). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Larson, C. B., & Ten Elshof, P. (2008). 1001 illustrations that connect (pp. 73–74). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

When a Kingdom Comes to Another Kingdom

When a kingdom comes to another country, they enter in upon the authority and in representation of the sending kingdom. Embassy's populated by subjects of that kingdom serve in the embassy. They are a continual, visible manifestation of the existence of the kingdom which they represent.

There are fundamental laws and codes which govern the citizens of a particular country. At the embassy a flag is flown which represents the country they are serving. The question though is, "Is there an authoritative representation of the kingdom of heaven that is currently upon the earth?"

Three questions:

(i) What makes this representation authoritative? (ii) What is this representation? (iii) How do we actually know that it is a representation of the Kingdom of Heaven?

Our passage unfolds to help us answer these questions:

1. The authoritative teaching

(i) it distinguishes the assembly of disciples from the religious leaders (, )

(ii) it distinguishes the assembly of disciples from other men in general ()

(iii) it distinguishes Jesus from other prophets ()

(iv) it distinguishes the assembly of disciples because of the origin of this teaching ()

The authoritative teaching of this passage is that Jesus is the Christ, and it is not something that men can come up with upon their own. It is something that the father has revealed to Peter. In other words, anything or anyone who hangs upon this truth is hanging on to a truth that is eternal, heavenly and more potent than any other human teaching or kingdom.

Jesus is the Christ (Messiah)

The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew Peter’s Confession of Jesus’ Identity (16:15–16)

“Anointed one” came to be linked in the Jewish mind to David as the anointed king of Israel, with the promise of an “anointed one” who would be the light of hope for the people of Israel. In spite of David’s shortcomings, God had promised him through Nathan the prophet that the house and throne of David would be established forever (2 Sam. 7:11b–16). That promise became a fixture of the hope for a coming age of blessing for the nation (e.g., Isa. 26–29; 40), inaugurated by a figure who would bring about the eschatological reign of David’s line (cf. Ps. 2:2; Dan. 9:25–26). By the time of the first century, the term Messiah or Christ denoted a kingly figure who, like David, would triumph in the last days over Israel’s enemies.

There is no greater authority upon which man can call than something that is founded upon this eternal truth.

Jesus is the Son of the Living God

The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew Peter’s Confession of Jesus’ Identity (16:15–16)

Even more significantly, this expression bears witness to a relationship that has characterized Jesus and God throughout Matthew. Jesus is uniquely God’s Son—testified as such in his conception (1:21–23), in his return from Egypt (2:15), at his baptism (3:17), at his temptations (4:2, 5), and during exorcisms (8:29). Throughout this Gospel, Jesus continually lays claim to a unique relationship with his heavenly Father.

Application:

It is the joy of mankind to know with assurance that God has manifested himself. God incarnate is Jesus Christ. There are some who:

(1) Are looking for another sign, but you need none other sign than what has already been given. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

(2) Others are satisfied with Jesus as just some nice figure in comparison to other influential figures, but this is not sufficient.

(3) Still others have declared Jesus for Who He is, and it is our joy to call others to the same declaration.

Illustration:

Finding Messiah

Topics: Conversion; Family; Jesus Christ; Messiah; Prayer; Salvation; Seekers

References: ; ;

Stan Telchin, a successful Jewish businessman, felt betrayed when his daughter, Judy, twenty-one, called home from college to say, “I believe Jesus is the Messiah.”

To prove his daughter wrong, Telchin began an energetic quest for truth. So did Stan’s wife, Ethel, and their other daughter, Ann. When the search created friction between Stan and Ethel, they agreed to pursue their studies independently.

Months later, Stan accepted an invitation to attend a National Convocation of Messianic Jews. He planned to “work the convention” just like any other business, meeting with anyone he thought could help him.

After a series of meetings, Stan lay awake in his dorm room, realizing he had arrived at a point of crisis. If the Bible was true—and he had concluded it was—then he really did believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He also admitted that he believed in the Bible as God’s inspired Word. But he couldn’t quite say, “Jesus is the Messiah.”

He asked his roommate to pray for him. Art obliged, praying simply, “God, give Stan your peace, and resolve his inner conflict.”

The next morning at breakfast, a man at Stan’s table asked him to pray before the meal. Startled by the request, Stan bowed his head and said: “Praised be Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe. I thank you for the fellowship and the friendship at this table. I thank you for what we have learned at this meeting. I ask you now to bless this food, and I do so … in the name of Jesus, the Messiah.”

For a moment, he sat there, amazed at what he had just prayed. The faces of others at the table were suddenly jubilant. “Stan,” said one of them, “you’re a believer!” One by one they got up from their seats and hugged Stan. Several cried with joy.

Stan began to weep too. He wasn’t sure how his wife would take the news, but he called her, blurting out, “Ethel, honey, it’s me. It’s over. I’ve made my decision. Jesus is the Messiah!”

There was a pause on the other line as Stan held his breath. Then his wife said softly, “Thank God! That makes it unanimous. We’ve all been waiting for you.”

Stan’s entire family—his wife and both daughters—had decided to trust Christ as the Messiah. Each had been praying and waiting patiently for the Holy Spirit of Christ to draw Stan into a relationship with himself.

—Story told in Stan Telchin, Betrayed (Chosen, 1981)

Larson, C. B., & Ten Elshof, P. (2008). 1001 illustrations that connect (pp. 116–117). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

2. The authoritative teaching visibly established

Now the word “embassy” is actually the residence where an ambassador resides. We do want to make a distinction though. The church is the “assembly” of people. The individuals meeting together are a unit that represents the kingdom of Heaven.

(i) it is visibly established by Jesus Christ [the church] ()

(ii) it is powerfully established by Jesus Christ - gates of Hell ()

(iii) it is authoritatively connected to the kingdom of heaven by Jesus Christ ()

Institutional or organized religion has received her share of negative publicity. Whether we are taking about high profile activities that are immoral such as infidelity or misuse of funds, there is no question that there has been cause for skepticism..

I would quickly point out though that these types of activities are not exclusive to organized religion. Money laundering, fraud, adultery is common in organizations and institutions which are not religious. What this tells us is that sin is common to any organization or institution that is comprised of men and women. It tells us that mankind is sinful.

Thus, what we are not saying is that the representation of the Kingdom of Heaven (on earth) is always right. Nor are we saying that this institution is always sinless. Nor are we saying that this kingdom representation is without hypocrisy. Remember, it is comprised of sinful men.

Hence, if it is all truth -- that at the root of the establishment of the local, visible embassy of the kingdom of Heaven is one solid proclamation: Jesus is the Christ!. This then means that the church exists to be a place where this truth is proclaimed through teaching, preaching, singing, and living. This also means that the church is the place where this is to be affirmed, as Peter affirmed this truth.

Illustration:

Fictitious account:

A man traveled to Hungary from the United States. Upon arrival, he took an 8-hour bus ride a city where his business had a new branch location. His trip was only to last for one week, but events that were unpredictable ensued. While preparing for his return flight, he realized that he’d left his passport at a local restaurant the previous day.

Example of losing passport and going to the embassy in another country to get new one. They do not make you a citizen. They merely affirm and give you your credentials.

He rushed to the restaurant only to find that no one has returned the lost passport. He had been trained that in such a situation, he would have to return to the United States Embassy to have another passport issued.

Upon arrival, he brought documents an his United States driver’s license. Through a serious of verification steps, the United States Embassy was able to CONFIRM that he was a United States citizen. It is not that the Embassy gave him his citizenship, but that they confirmed his citizenship.

The embassy thus is the visible representation of the United States, and though it did not grant citizenship, it was there to declare & confirm citizenship in a visible way. [DON’T GO INTO DETAIL....THIS WILL BE A FUTURE MESSAGE]

Thus, we are brought to understand that the local assembly of believers (the church) does not give citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is:

(i) a visible manifestation that the Kingdom of Heaven exists

(ii) a place where citizenship is confirmed

(ii) a place where citizenship is affirmed

Application:

What a joy to rest assured that the Kingdom of Heaven did not just come and leave, but the King of the Kingdom of Heaven came and left a very visible way in which to affirm that the Kingdom exists and a place where citizens can affirm their citizenship.

(1) To the believer who lives in this world and struggles with sin, who feels as though the struggle will never end, there is a people that Christ has ordained for you to assemble with. It is a place that should remind you of what is yet to come. It is a place that should remind you of who is the real King.

(2) To the unbeliever, you who are longing to belong - there is no BELONGING that compares to the belonging you can have among the assembly of believers. What kingdom do your social gatherings represent? What kingdom do your employers represent? What nation does your company serve?

Yet, there is a higher sense of belonging in the local church. You can be delivered from the penalty of your sin. You can be delivered from the power of sin. You can become a subject of the Kingdom of Heaven if you will believe on Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

3. The authoritative teaching continually established -

(i) this authoritative teaching continued to be emphasized

Quote: While Christ mentions church only 2 times and kingdom 49 times just in Matthew, Paul's letters mention "church" 43 times and kingdom only 14 times

(ii) The fundamental litmus test for the church in Corinth was what was being said about Jesus Christ.

Application:

The authoritative teaching could not be more clear: Jesus is the Christ! This is the authority of the embassy, and it is to be the authoritative theme of our local church.

If we take “church membership” to emphasize more of “citizenship” then we are on the right track to a closer understanding of what the first century understood about “church membership.”

This truth was confirmed through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Another way to consider “church membership” is in terms of “covenant.” A covenant is an agreement where individuals agree to be bound to each other and for each other around certain values or for intended purposes.

Acts 17:31 KJV 1900

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

In the scriptures, the level of commitment, the commands to assemble, the expectations of love, the joint trials, the collections…etc all point to people who were in covenant relationship with each other - so it is today that we should understand our union to be in the Person of Jesus Christ. In Christ, we should be committed in covenant to each other in the local assembly.

If You Want to Kill the Church

Never go to your church or meetings held there, If you do go, be late, it’s no one’s affair. If the weather is bad, either too hot or snowing, Just stay home and rest, for there’ll be others going.

But should you attend, be sure and remember To find fault with the work, each official and member. Be sure to hold back on your offerings and tithes, The bills will be paid by the rest of the guys.

And never take office if offered the post, But eagerly criticize work of the host. If not on a committee you’re placed, be sore! If you find that you are, don’t attend any more.

When asked your opinion on this thing or that, Have nothing to say, just turn ‘em down flat. Then after the meeting, shine out like the sun By telling the folks how it should have been done.

Don’t do any more than you possibly can, Leave the work for some other woman or man. And when you see faithful ones work themselves sick, Then stand up and holler, “It’s run by a clique!”

Source unknown

Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

To the one who is dominated by sin, if Jesus can break the dominion of death, he can and will save you from sin & bring you into fellowship with others whom He has liberated.

To the Christian teenager, whose does believe on Christ; but is wondering “Why is church such a big deal?” It is a big deal because it’s the place that Christ began so that you would show forth, with brothers and sisters, thats Jesus is the Christ.

To the Grandparents who have been saved for a long time, let it still be fresh in your hearts and off of your lips - “Jesus is your Christ, and you gladly join together as evidence of this.”

To the parent who thinks that the most important thing they could do is drag their children to church, TO YOU I SAY, “Let the name of Jesus Christ always be on your lips, and when you speak of the place that Jesus Christ established, let it be done in a way that shows forth Jesus as your Christ.”

Conclusion:

So what?

If we believe that the message of the kingdom of heaven is that Jesus is the Christ, and that Christ has established an embassy upon earth that is founded for the purpose of authoritatively declaring and confirming this message, then:

(1) We should value the local church as priceless

You would have people who don't value the local church as Christ values the local church [practically, they would make life altering plans without consideration of the impact upon the local church]

Certainly our ability to rightly value the church and people has been dealt a severe blow by sin, but we see Jesus Christ who gave Himself for the church, and thereby Christ enables and commands us to be devoted within our relationships. (Husbands/wives, Employees/Employers, Fathers/Sons…etc)

1 Thessalonians 4:9–10 KJV 1900

But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

(2) We should distinctly relate to the local church

You would have people who maintain a consumer mindset with little or no covenantal commitment. [practically, people would only participate if there is a benefit for them]

There is little time for our people to be the body, and so the local church often is reduced to being the distributor of religious goods and services. When we do come together, we come shaped as we are out of capitalism as individuals protecting our interests. We do not come determined first by our citizenship in Christ. - David Fitch. The Great Giveaway: Reclaiming the Mission of the Church from Big Business, Parachurch Organizations, Psychotherapy, Consumer Capitalism, and Other Modern Maladies (Kindle Locations 2338-2339). Kindle Edition.

David Fitch. The Great Giveaway: Reclaiming the Mission of the Church from Big Business, Parachurch Organizations, Psychotherapy, Consumer Capitalism, and Other Modern Maladies (Kindle Locations 2338-2339). Kindle Edition.

The consumer mind set it what leads us to decisions based on what we get or don’t get at the local church: Kidz ministries, certain kind of preaching, room temperature…etc

The consumer mindset is our human tendency since the beginning, “We look upon the fruit to see if it is good for food.”

Jesus Christ, in spite of the fact that the goods of this world were not to His liking, willingly laid down his life and so he enables us to sacrifice that is beyond what we thought possible because he not only commands us to be living sacrifices, but he enables us to joyfully give our lives as living sacrifices - ALL AS WE DECLARE “Jesus is the Christ” -

1 Corinthians 6:7–8 KJV 1900

Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

(3) We should be enjoying the fellowship and service of the local church

You would have people who would miss the joys of being part of the community of believers. (believers & unbelievers)

[practically, believers who are serving would have to do so for far lesser motives, which would lead to drudgery; unbelievers would not be a part and thus miss the reward of loving and being loved in Christian community]

[practically, believers who are serving would have to do so for far lesser motives, which would lead to drudgery; unbelievers would not be a part and thus miss the reward of loving and being loved in Christian community]

Show what keeps us from this, and how Christ equips us for overcoming this selfish tendency.

Hebrews 10:24–25 KJV 1900

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

(4) We should engage in selfless commitment within the local church

You would potentially have people who would value their own independence above Christian community and submission to Christ [practically, they would only engage in Christian community on their own terms]

“set themselves to it”

1 Corinthians 16:15 KJV 1900

I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

Blind and Armless

Blind and Armless

In illustrating the interdependence of one another’s spiritual gifts in a local church, Gary Inrig, in Life in His Body shared the following story:

Several years ago, two students graduated from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. The highest ranking student in the class was a blind man named Overton and, when he received his honor, he insisted that half the credit should go to his friend, Kaspryzak. They had met one another in school when the armless Mr. Kaspryzak had guided the blind Mr. Overton down a flight of stairs. This acquaintance ripened into friendship and a beautiful example of interdependence. The blind man carried the books which the armless man read aloud in their common study, and thus the individual deficiency of each was compensated for by the other.

After their graduation, they planned to practice law together. No believer is complete by himself, we are to minister to one another, as a family.

This story was related by Donald Grey Barnhouse.

Source unknown

Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

The key to each of these areas is not merely some moral resolve. It is all based upon the fundamental truth of who Jesus Christ is.

Thus, Christ has instituted a real, physical people that he is empowering/enabling to live in accountability to. In this assembly, the foundation of the authority is that Jesus is the Christ. This is the truth through which we judge ourselves and those within the body of Christ.

It is to be the embassy of the kingdom of Heaven continually reminding people:

(1) the Kingdom of Heaven is real

(2) the Kingdom of Heaven is ruled by the truth that Jesus is King!

1 John 2:22 KJV 1900

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.