THE KINGDOM OF GOD

INTRODUCTION:

A. The gospel of the kingdom is a powerful message for our world today.
B. Six factors to keep in mind as we consider the kingdom of God:

I. GOD HAD A KINGDOM LONG BEFORE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST.

A. God made a promise when He brought His people out of Egypt (Ex. 19:6).
B. His people later asked for an earthly king (1 Sam. 8:7).
C. Isaiah spoke of the coming age of the Messiah (Is. 52:7; Ps. 10:16).

II. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS “NEAR BY” OR “AT HAND”, DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN NEARNESS IN TIME.

A. What did Jesus mean by “not far from the kingdom of God” (Mk. 12:28-34).
B. “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” refers not only Christ’s coming kingdom but also to submission to the rule of God (Is. 55:6; Acts 17:27).

III. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, “KINGDOM OF GOD” HAS A BROADER APPLICATION THAN THE IDEA OF THE CHURCH.

A. The “kingdom of God is in your midst” (Lk. 17:21).
B. “Your kingdom come. Your will be done” (Mt. 6:10).
C. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Mt. 6:33; Ps. 119:172).
D. You “shut off the kingdom…from people…nor do you allow those…entering to go in” (Mt. 23:13).

IV. THE “GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM” WAS PREACHED BEFORE AND AFTER THE CROSS.

A. “Gospel of the kingdom” before the cross (Mt. 4:23; 9:35)
B. “Gospel of the kingdom” after the cross (Mt. 24:14; Acts 8:12)
C. Repentance and submission to the will of God—a common theme

V. THE “KINGDOM” AS GOD’S GLORIOUS REIGN IN THE ULTIMATE FUTURE OF THE RIGHTEOUS

A. The words of Jesus (Mt. 25:34; 13:43)
B. The words of Paul (Ga. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9; Eph. 5:5; Acts 14:22)
C. The words of Peter (2 Pet. 1:11)

VI. GOD’S PEOPLE IN THE PRESENT AGE ARE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

A. Some to whom Jesus spoke, would see the kingdom of God (Mk. 9:1; Col. 1:13).
B. No person today is in the kingdom of God who is not in the Lord’s church.
C. Church members who do not live in subjection to the will of Christ will not inherit the eternal kingdom.