"THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM"

The Mysteries Of The Kingdom Revealed

INTRODUCTION
  1. In this study of "The Gospel Of The Kingdom", we have examined...
    1. The proclamation of the kingdom
    2. The nature of the kingdom
    3. The establishment of the kingdom
    4. The blessings of the kingdom
    5. The entrance into the kingdom
    6. The righteousness of the kingdom
  2. Concluding this series, it may be helpful to survey what Jesus taught about the kingdom by way of His many parables...
    1. Jesus used parables because of the hardness of peoples' hearts - Mt 13:10-15
    2. When properly understood, the parables reveal the "mystery of the kingdom of God" - cf. Mt 13:34-35; Mk 4:11,33-34

["The Mysteries Of The Kingdom Revealed" by the parables can be divided into three general categories, the first concerning...]

  1. THE KINGDOM ITSELF
    1. THE GROWTH OF THE KINGDOM...
      1. Starts small, but spreads throughout the earth - Mt 13:31-32 (The Mustard Seed)
      2. Influence may not be apparent, but grows throughout the earth - Mt 13:33 (The Leaven)
      3. Beyond our ability to comprehend, but directly related to the Word - Mk 4:26-29 (The Growing Seed)
      4. Will spread despite Satan's efforts - Mt 13:24-30,36-43 (The Wheat And The Tares)
    2. THE VALUE OF THE KINGDOM...
      1. Worth everything to those who stumble across it - Mt 13:44 (The Hidden Treasure)
      2. Priceless to those searching for it - Mt 13:45-46 (The Pearl Of Great Price)
    3. THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE KINGDOM...
      1. Will draw in many, but the wicked will be separated from the just
        1. Mt 13:24-30,36-43 (The Wheat And The Tares)
        2. Mt 13:47-50 (The Dragnet)
      2. Taken from those who should have received it, given to those who will appreciate it
        1. Mt 21:33-46 (The Wicked Vine Dressers)
        2. Mt 22:1-14 (The Wedding Feast)
        3. Lk 13:6-9 (The Barren Fig Tree)
        4. Lk 14:15-24 (The Great Supper)

        [More is revealed about the beneficiaries of the kingdom, in parables that relate directly to...]

  2. THE DISCIPLES OF THE KINGDOM
    1. THE BEHAVIOR OF THE DISCIPLES...
      1. Those with ears to hear, having good and noble hearts, bear fruit intended by the word of the kingdom - Mt 13:3-9,18-23 (The Sower)
      2. They do the will of the Father - Mt 21:28-32 (The Two Sons)
      3. They prepare themselves for the Lord's return - Mt 25:1-13 (The Wise And Foolish Virgins)
      4. They are productive while they await their Lord's return
        1. Mt 25:14-30 (The Talents)
        2. Lk 19:11-27 (The Minas)
      5. They love their neighbor, helping those in need - Lk 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan)
      6. They are persistent in their prayers
        1. Lk 11:1-13 (The Friend At Midnight)
        2. Lk 18:1-8 (The Persistent Widow)
      7. They make proper use of material things - Lk 16:1-15 (The Unjust Steward)
    2. THE ATTITUDES OF THE DISCIPLES...
      1. They are merciful, as God is merciful - Mt 18:21-35 (The Unforgiving Servant)
      2. They are free from a mercenary spirit in their service - Mt 20:1-16 (The Laborers In The Vineyard)
      3. Their gratitude for salvation is related to the understanding of being forgiven - Lk 7:41-43 (The Two Debtors)
      4. They are aware that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions - Lk 12:13-21 (The Rich Fool)
      5. They know now is the time to make things right with God - Lk 16:19-31 (The Rich Man And Lazarus)
      6. They possess the spirit of humility
        1. In their relations with others - Lk 14:7-11 (Taking The Lowest Place)
        2. In their prayers to God - Lk 18:9-14 (The Pharisee and The Tax Collector)
      7. They know they are not worthy of the grace received, they have simply done that which was their duty to do - Lk 17:7-10 (The Unprofitable Servants)

      [The parables also tell us about...]

  3. THE KING OF THE KINGDOM
    1. HIS GREAT LOVE...
      1. His love for the lost, and how heaven rejoices when they are saved
        1. Lk 15:1-7 (The Lost Sheep)
        2. Lk 15:8-10 (The Lost Coin)
      2. The quickness of His heavenly Father to receive those who return with a penitent heart - Lk 15:11-32 (The Prodigal Son)
    2. HIS COMING JUDGMENT...
      1. To gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness - Mt 13:24-30,36-43 (The Wheat And The Tares)
      2. To separate the wicked from the just - Mt 13:47-50 (The Dragnet)
      3. To take an accounting of His servants
        1. Mt 25:14-30 (The Talents)
        2. Lk 19:11-27 (The Minas)
CONCLUSION
  1. The parables of Jesus tell us much about the kingdom of God...
    1. What many prophets and righteous men desired to hear, but did not hear - Mt 13:16-17
    2. Those instructed in the ways of the kingdom have treasure both old and new - Mt 13:51-52
  2. We are truly privileged to know "the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven"...
    1. For the gospel of the kingdom has been proclaimed to us
    2. We can understand the nature of the kingdom, its establishment, and its blessings
  3. What shall we do with what we have learned...?
    1. Hopefully, we shall desire to enter the kingdom, both now and in the future
    2. As citizens of the kingdom now, we shall seek to manifest its righteousness in our lives

I pray that these lessons will encourage us to do so, that in the words of Peter...

"...an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2Pe 1:11)