"THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM"
The Nature Of The Kingdom
INTRODUCTION
- In our previous study we noted the proclamation of the kingdom of
God...
- In the preaching of Jesus - e.g., Lk 8:1; Ac 1:3
- In the preaching of Paul - e.g., Ac 19:8; 28:30-31
-- Certainly the gospel of the kingdom should be an element of our
preaching today
- This naturally leads one to ask, "What is the kingdom of God?"
- Is it a literal kingdom, i.e., a physical kingdom?
- Is the kingdom present or future?
- What relationship is there between the church and the kingdom?
-- The answers to such questions will help us understand the "gospel"
of the kingdom
[In this study we will seek to ascertain the nature of the kingdom, as
taught by Jesus and His apostles. We note first that...]
- THE KINGDOM IS SPIRITUAL, NOT PHYSICAL
- THE TEACHING OF JESUS...
- In His remarks to a scribe - Mk 12:28-34
- Who questioned Him about the greatest commandment
- Who commented on the reply Jesus gave
- Prompting Jesus to say, "You are not far from the kingdom of
God"
- The scribe's understanding put him in close proximity to
the kingdom
- Implying that the kingdom would be a spiritual entity
rather than a physical one
- In His response to the Pharisees - Lk 17:20-21
- "The kingdom does not come with observation"
- People will not be able to say "See here!" or "See
there!"
- We should not expect the kingdom to be physical like the
kingdoms of men
- "The kingdom of God is within you" (in your midst, NASB)
- This verse is capable of two interpretations
- The kingdom of God is in the heart
1] Or will be in the heart
2] It certainly wasn't in the heart of the Pharisees
at that moment
- The kingdom of God in the person of Jesus Christ
1] The rule or reign of God will be in the person of
Jesus (see below)
2] Which reign was foreshadowed by Jesus' very
presence and power - cf. Lk 11:20
- Either interpretation suggests a spiritual rule rather
than physical one
- In His reply to Pontius Pilate - Jn 18:36
- "My kingdom is not of this world"
- His kingdom would not be an earthly kingdom
- Thus His disciples would not need to propagate with the
use of force
- "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was
born..."
- Though not a physical kingdom, a true kingdom nonetheless
- He came into this world to establish a kingdom
- THE TERMINOLOGY OF MATTHEW...
- Matthew refers to it as "the kingdom of heaven" in his gospel
- A quick comparison of the gospels indicate the terms "kingdom
of God" and "kingdom of heaven" refer to the same thing
- Cf. Mt 4:17 with Mk 1:14-15
- Cf. Mt 5:3 with Lk 6:20
- Cf. Mt 13:31 with Mk 4:30-31
- Why did Matthew use the expression "kingdom of heaven"?
- Perhaps in view of the Jews' reluctance to use the name of
God (out of reverence)
- Perhaps in view of the Jews' misconception of the coming
kingdom
- Many anticipated a physical kingdom
- The expression "kingdom of heaven" (literally, "kingdom
of the heavens") would emphasize a spiritual kingdom
[The kingdom is not a literal kingdom with geographical boundaries and
earthly headquarters, but a spiritual kingdom emanating from heaven.
Perhaps we can best express it this way...]
- THE KINGDOM IS THE REIGN OF GOD IN CHRIST
- THE TERM "KINGDOM"...
- As used by the Jews
- It often stressed the abstract idea of rule or dominion
- Not a geographical area surrounded by physical boundaries
- Consider its use by Jesus in Mt 6:10
- "Your kingdom come; Your will be done..."
- Note the Hebrew parallelism (saying the same thing in two
different ways)
- I.e., the kingdom (or reign) of God would come as His will
was done on earth
- Consider its use by Jesus in Mt 6:33
- "But seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness"
- The righteousness of the kingdom is that conduct in
conformity to God's will
- I.e., we seek the kingdom (or rule) of God to the extent we
submit to His righteousness
- THE KINGDOM AS IT RELATES TO JESUS...
- In one sense, the kingdom (or reign) of God has always existed
- God ruled in the affairs of man in ages past - cf. Ps 103:19; 145:1,13
- A lesson learned by Nebuchadnezzar - cf. Dan 4:1-3,32,34-35
- In a special way, God would exercise His rule in the affairs of
men
- As foretold by Daniel - Dan 2:44
- As proclaimed by Gabriel concerning Jesus - Lk 1:31-33
- This God would do in the person of Jesus Christ
- As foretold by David - Ps 2:1-12; 110:1-3
- Manifestations of this rule were evident even during His
earthly ministry - cf. Lk 10:1,8-11; 11:20; Mt 12:28
- Though the full extent of this rule would begin after His
ascension - cf. Mt 28:18; Ep 1:20-22; 1Pe 3:22; Re 2:26-27;
3:21
CONCLUSION
- There are likely more questions concerning the kingdom, especially
regarding its establishment...
- Has the kingdom been established?
- Is the kingdom present, or future? Or is it both?
- What will Christ do when He returns?
- Where does the church fit into all this?
-- These questions will be addressed in our next study
- But I trust that we have established these facts about the kingdom of
God as proclaimed by Jesus
and His apostles...
- The kingdom of God is spiritual, not physical
- The kingdom involves the rule of God in the hearts of men
-- In particular, the kingdom is the rule of God manifested through
the person of Jesus Christ
- At this point, perhaps we would do well to ask ourselves...
- Is the kingdom of God in us?
- Are we far from the kingdom of God?
Our willingness to submit to the will of God as taught by Jesus can help
answer these questions:
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom
of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
(Mt 7:21)
Are we doing the Father's will?