Kingdom of God- Doctrine Talk

The kingdom of God

Kingdom

Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God, or as it is referenced in Matthew, the Kingdom of heaven is referenced 126 times in the gospels alone, with 55 of those references being found specifically in the book of Matthew.

In the New Testament God’s Kingdom is the redemptive rule and reign of God through Christ.

When we talk about kingdom- we are talking about the sovereignty and authority of God as King.

So, what does God do with his authority as- he sends his son Jesus to redeem people for himself.

The story of the Bible is about the coming of the Kingdom of God. It’s about God with us.

And Jesus, our King came to redeem his kingdom- to redeem his people. to make order out of chaos, light out of darkness.

Matthew wanted his readers to know that the Kingdom of God had arrived-.

Jesus, came to establish his kingdom.

God’s kingdom has two parts: a present reality and a future reality.

The present reality is God’s kingdom here on earth today, Jesus has come, he has redeemed his people and the kingdom is advancing as Christ’s followers acknowledge Him as Lord over their life.

The future reality is that the kingdom is not yet fully here....King Jesus is coming back and His kingdom will one day be completed. One day, every knee will bow before Him. But for now, he is patient and in his mercy he waits.... his kingdom is advancing as all of his true followers turn towards him.

When you do not believe that God is on the throne, then you live for yourself- you create your own kingdom- one where you falsely believe that you are somehow in charge. Sin makes us resist God’s rule and fuels our desire to rule things ourselves.

When you do believe- you humble yourself before the King- recognizing what Christ did for you on the cross and joyfully submitting yourself to Him because He is your greatest treasure. Our God is a faithful and compassionate King who loves us. He designed his kingdom as a place for believers to thrive. God’s rule over us is not restrictive- but rather it is a place of freedom.

So as believers, what is your role in the kingdom?

Being apart of God’s kingdom is a privilege- God called you to himself...we get to be a part of his kingdom work here on earth.

Right now- today- the Holy Spirit is empowering you as a worker in God’s eternal kingdom…Your work here matters.

Sometimes we think of kingdom work as these big grand acts of faith. And sure, those are kingdom works...

But most of the time, kingdom work is about being willing to take the small steps of obedience in our daily lives.

It’s an openness to do the little things God asks- the things that nobody sees you doing except God...

I can assure you that as BSF leaders I have seen each of you engage in kingdom work as you help bring the gospel to women and children in our class. Because of your willingness to say “yes” to serving... God’s kingdom is being advanced- the good news that kingdom has come is being told…your role, whatever it is here, is vital to that kingdom work.

So, what kingdom work is God asking you to do today?

Go, be the hands and feet of Jesus and continue to advance God’s kingdom as you joyfully submit to him today as you engage in his kingdom work.

Why? To save a people for himself. Jesus came to redeem his kingdom- to redeem his people. to make order out of chaos, light out of darkness.

But not everyone and everything is within God’s perfect kingdom.

Sometimes we get so focused on individual salvation that we forget about kingdom- about what we were saved to be apart of.

Individual salvation is important- we should celebrate individual salvation, it is necessary and good and wonderful but individual salvation alone is not the story of the Bible.

Present reality: kingdom is here and advancing

future reality: kingDom will be complete (final judgement day)

The story of the Bible is about the coming of the Kingdom of God. It’s about God with us. it’s about him dwelling with man. It’s about the king- it’s not about us but it is for us. When we experience individual salvation we are then brought into the kingdom.

The kingdom came to bring order to chaos, to bring light to darkness

Great Commission: Bring Kingdom to the world. spread the kingdom. build the kingdom. Bring order to chaos, light to darkness.

So as we continue in our parables this week- Jesus wants his people specifically to know about the Kingdom…