THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM

 

Lesson 4

                                                                                                                                               

Goal: To determine from the Bible what the Kingdom of God is.

 

Ask: What is the Kingdom of God?

 

Introduction: The 4 Components of a Kingdom

1.      Every kingdom has a king.

2.      Every kingdom has subjects.

3.      Every kingdom has a law by which it is governed.

4.      Every kingdom has a territory.

 

I. The Old Testament Predictions of the Kingdom

A.     Isaiah 2:1-3

1.      God will establish a “chief” mountain in the last days.

2.      All nations will stream to this mountain.

3.      The word of the Lord concerning this mountain will proceed from Jerusalem.

 

    B.   Daniel:

1.      Daniel 2:25-45

a.       Daniel interprets the king of Babylon’s dream (See The Four Kingdoms Illustration):

i.                     Head of gold – The Babylonian kingdom (King Nebuchadnezzar).

ii.                   Chest and arms of silver – The Medo-Persian kingdom.

iii.                  Belly and thighs of bronze – The Grecian kingdom.

iv.                 Legs of iron – The Roman kingdom.

b.      See verses 35 and 44: The huge (or chief) mountain is the Kingdom of God!

·        Therefore, the chief mountain in Isaiah 2:2 is referring to God’s Kingdom.

c.       God was going to establish His kingdom during the times of the Roman kings or “Caesars” (Iron).

d.      God’s kingdom will destroy the other kingdoms but it itself will endure forever.

2.      Daniel 7:18

a.       The saints of God will possess the kingdom forever.

b.      The word “saint” comes from the Greek word “hagios”, which means “holy one”.

 

II. New Testament Predictions of the Kingdom

A.     John the Baptist:

1.      Matthew 3:1-2 - John preached the coming of the kingdom was near.

2.      John preached to that generation, telling them to repent for the kingdom was at hand.

B.     Jesus:

1.      Matthew 4:17 - Jesus preached the coming of the kingdom was near.

2.      Mark 9:1 - The kingdom would come during the lifetime of the apostles.

3.      Mark 9:1 - The kingdom will come with power.

4.      John 3:3-5 - The kingdom is entered by water and by Spirit.

5.      Matthew 16:16-19 - Jesus gave Peter the keys of the kingdom.

a.       Keys are for unlocking doors. Since the kingdom is entered by water and by Spirit, the “keys of the kingdom” must involve water and Spirit.

 

 

III. The Fulfillment: The Kingdom Comes

 

A.     Acts 2:1-4 – Come with power (Mark 9:1b)

1.      A powerful event happens at Pentecost.

 

B.     Acts 2:5 - All nations / Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-3)

1.      Devout men from every nation are present.

2.      This event is taking place in Jerusalem.

 

C.     Acts 2:14-17 – Some will not taste death (Mark 9:1a) / Last Days (Isaiah 2:2)

1.      Peter and the other eleven who were with Jesus in Mark 9:1 are present.

2.      Verse 17 identifies the day of Pentecost (verse 1) as being within "the last days".

 

D.    Acts 2:38 – Water and Spirit (John 3:5) / Peter with the keys (Matt. 16:19)

1.      Jesus said the kingdom is entered by water and Spirit (John 3:5).

2.      Acts 2:38 interprets John 3:5 for us:

a.       Be baptized – born of water.

b.      Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit – born of Spirit.

3.      Jesus gives Peter the keys of the kingdom - Matthew 16:19.

4.      Peter delivers the keys of the kingdom in Acts 2:38.

 

IV. The Church is the Kingdom of God on Earth.

A.     Colossians 1:13-14

1.      Paul told the Colossian church that they have been brought into the Kingdom.

2.      They were presently in the Kingdom of God. The Church is the Kingdom of God.

 

B.     The saints possessing the kingdom forever (Daniel 7:18)

1.      Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1

a.       Church members called “saints”.

 

V. The 4 Components of God’s Kingdom

1.      Every kingdom has a king: JESUS is the King!

2.      Every kingdom has subjects: The SAINTS or DISCIPLES are the subjects!

3.      Every kingdom has a law by which it is governed: The WORD OF GOD is the Law!

4.      Every kingdom has a territory: The CHURCH is the territory!

 

VI. The Characteristics of the Kingdom.

A.     Acts 2:42-47

1.      They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teachings (the word of God).

a.       The Bible must be the standard by which truth is based.

2.      They devoted themselves to fellowship (Bible classes, devotionals,
fellowships etc.).

3.      They devoted themselves to the breaking of bread, that is, the taking of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

4.      They devoted themselves to prayer.

5.      They were a family! They cared for each other and had all things in common.

6.      They had glad and sincere hearts and God added to their number.

 

Challenge: Come this Sunday and see if we are the kingdom you learned about!