"THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM" The Establishment Of The Kingdom by Mark Copeland

 

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"THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM"

The Establishment Of The Kingdom

INTRODUCTION

1. We've seen the nature of the kingdom as revealed in the Scriptures...
1. It is a spiritual kingdom, not a physical kingdom - cf. Lk 17:20-21; Jn 18:36
2. It is the reign of God as manifested in the person of Jesus Christ - cf. Mt 12:28; 28:18
2. We now consider questions related to the establishment of the kingdom...
1. Has the kingdom of God been established?
2. Is the kingdom of God yet to be established?
3. Is the kingdom God therefore present or future? Could it be both?

[Let's seek to answer such questions by first noting scriptures which speak of...]

1. THE KINGDOM OF GOD FORETOLD
1. PRIOR TO JESUS' COMING...
1. By the prophet Daniel - Dan 2:44
1. God would establish a kingdom in the days of the fourth empire (Roman)
2. A kingdom which would never be destroyed
2. By the angel Gabriel - Lk 1:31-33
1. Her son (Jesus) would be given the throne of David
2. Of His kingdom there will be no end
2. DURING JESUS' MINISTRY...
1. At the beginning - Mk 1:14-15
1. The time was fulfilled (the time foretold by Daniel?)
2. The kingdom is "at hand" ("has come near" NRSV)
2. At the height - Mt 12:28; Mk 9:1-9
1. The kingdom "has come upon you"
2. The kingdom "present with power"
3. At the end - Lk 23:42,51; Mk 15:43; Ac 1:3,6
1. The thief on the cross and Joseph of Arimathaea looked for the kingdom
2. After the resurrection, Jesus taught and His disciples inquired about the kingdom

[During His earthly ministry, there was much anticipation about the kingdom. His miracles and transfiguration were a preview of the glory and majesty of His reign (cf. 2Pe 1:16-18). It would be after His ascension to heaven that we read of...]

2. THE KINGDOM OF GOD PRESENT
1. THE KINGDOM NOW EXISTS...
1. By virtue of Jesus' authority and rule
1. He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth - Mt 28:18
2. He has been made both Lord and Christ - Ac 2:36
3. All things have been placed under His feet - Ep 1:20-22
4. All authorities and powers have been made subject to Him - 1Pe 3:22
2. The reign of God is now administered by Jesus
1. He is now "the ruler over the kings of the earth" - Re 1:5
2. He has received power to rule the nations with a rod of iron - Re 2:26-27
3. He is "King of kings, and Lord of lords" - 1Ti 6:14-15
4. He must reign until all enemies are placed under His feet - 1Co 15:25-26
2. THE KINGDOM IS NOW PRESENT...
1. Note what is said about those in the church
1. They were being called into the kingdom - 1Th 2:12
2. They had been translated (conveyed) into the kingdom - Col 1:13
3. They were receiving the kingdom - He 12:28
4. They were companions in the kingdom - Re 1:9
2. The church is that community of souls in whose hearts Christ is recognized as sovereign
1. They have confessed Christ as Lord - cf. Ro 10:9-10; 1Pe 3:15
2. They freely submit to the Lord in the day of His power - cf. Ps 110:1-3
3. Thus the terms "church" and "kingdom" are often used interchangeably
1. As when Jesus spoke to Peter - Mt 16:18
2. The comments made to Christians in the church - Col 1:13; 1Th 2:12
3. The description of those in the seven churches of Asia - Re 1:4,6,9

[The kingdom of God (i.e., the reign of Christ) reaches beyond those in the church (cf. Ps 110), but it benefits those in the church (cf. Ep 1:22-23). Its benefits are such that we often read of...]

3. THE KINGDOM OF GOD FUTURE
1. JESUS SPOKE OF ITS FUTURE...
1. In the parable of the tares - Mt 13:40-43
1. The kingdom is both present and future
2. At the end of the age, the righteous will shine in the kingdom of their Father
2. In describing the judgment - Mt 25:34
1. When the Son of Man comes in His glory
2. Those blessed will inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world
2. APOSTLES WROTE OF ITS FUTURE...
1. The apostle Paul
1. Exhorting Christians to be steadfast and holy - Ac 14:22; 1Co 6:9-10; Ga 5:19-21
2. Expounding on the hope of the resurrection - 1Co 15:22-26, 50
3. Expressing his own hope for the future - 2Ti 4:18
2. The apostle Peter, describing how we might have an abundant entrance "into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" - 2Pe 1:10-11

CONCLUSION

1. When Jesus ascended to heaven...
1. He sat down on the throne of David as both Lord and Christ - Ac 2:29-36; cf. Lk 1:31-33
2. He began His kingly reign that exceeds far beyond that of David - Dan 7:13-14; cf. Ac 1:9-11
1. David ruled over the nation of Israel
2. Jesus rules over all things, including His church - Ep 1:20-22
-- While His reign (kingdom) was prefigured even during His earthly ministry, it was fully established when He ascended to heaven and sat God's right hand
2. While His kingdom is present, it is also future...
1. When He comes, it will not be to establish His kingdom, but deliver it to God - 1Co 15:22-26
2. He will do so, having removed all things that offend and practice lawlessness- Mt 13:41
-- The kingdom of God in Christ, inaugurated with His first coming, will be culminated at His second coming!

Indeed, the kingdom that began when Jesus ascended is an everlasting kingdom that will never be destroyed! When He returns, don't you want to be a part of that kingdom He delivers to the Father? Then you must be born again (cf. Jn 3:3-5; Tit 3:5; Mk 16:15-16)...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022