2016 Sunday 9:30am Adults’ Bible Class Series: Kingdom of God Lesson 7 ABOUT THE

Introduction 1. Overall Kingdom of God Timeline 2. Rebellion of Lucifer 3. The Fall of Man 4. Promise of the Kingdom - Patriarchs 5. The Kingdom of Israel 6. The promise of the Universal Kingdom of God

1. The Church as the Kingdom of God The apostles preached the Kingdom of God - Acts 8:12, 19:8, 28:23 The church is made up of those who submit to Christ’s rule and accept the offer of His Kingdom. 2 Peter 1:10-11 “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Jesus taught the people to seek the kingdom of God first and all his righteousness - Matthew 6:33

2. Church and Israel Israel was a nation chosen by God and sustained by covenant promises (Deut 7:6-9). The Church is a called out assembly of believers who have been baptized into the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). Israel traces its origin to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Church traces its origin to the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) when believers were first placed in the body of Christ. The hope and expectancy of Israel was earthly, centered on the establishment of the Messiah’s Kingdom as foretold by the prophets (Jer. 23:5-8, Isa. 2:1-5, 11:1-16). The hope and expectancy of the Church is heavenly, centering in the glorious appearing of Christ to take His people to heaven (John 14:1-3, Phil. 3:20-21, Col. 3:1-4, 1 Thess. 4:13-18). 1. The Church as the Kingdom of God

3. Church’s Universality Israel’s history involved animal sacrifices. The Church’s history does not involve animal sacrifices but we recall Christ’s sacrifice by means of the Lord’s Supper. Israel’s history involves a priesthood limited to the sons of Aaron, and excluding most Israelites. During the Church age every Christian is a priest and able to offer spiritual sacrifices to the Lord (Heb. 13:15, 1 Pet. 2:9, Rev. 1:6). During Israel’s history the ethnic makeup of the world was Jews and Gentiles. During the Church age the ethnic makeup of the world is Jews, Gentiles, and the Church of God (1 Cor 10:32). 1. The Church as the Kingdom of God 2. Church & Israel

4. Church Membership Male Jews were circumcised as a sign of the Abrahamic Covenant. Christians today enjoy an internal circumcision not performed with hands (Col. 2:11, Phil. 3:3). Membership into the Jewish nation was by birth or by becoming a proselyte (a convert to Judaism). Membership into the Church is by the new birth accomplished by baptism (1 Cor 12:13). Israel’s place of worship centered around Jerusalem (Dan 6:10, John 4:20) The Church’s place of worship is “Where two or three are gathered together in My Name” (Matt 18:20, John 4:21-24). Israel was likened to the wife of Jehovah, often an unfaithful wife (Hosea). The Church is the beloved Bride of Christ (2 Cor 11:2; Rev 19:7-8) to one day be presented blameless and spotless (Eph 5:27). 1. The Church as the Kingdom of God 2. Church & Israel 3. Church Universality

5. The Church’s Roots Romans 11:16-36 records the illustration of the olive tree. This passage speaks of Israel the (“natural” branches) being broken off from the olive tree, and the Church (“wild” branches) being grafted onto the olive tree. Galatians 3:14 “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” All the nations of the world were blessed by Israel, through whom the Savior of the world came. God’s plan of redemption is built upon the finished work of Jesus Christ, a descendant of David and Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’” Galatians 3:29 - “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” 1. The Church as the Kingdom of God 2. Church & Israel 3. Church Universality 4. Church Membership

Summary Matthew 17:4-5 The Transfiguration of Jesus Matthew 28:18-20 The Great Commission of Jesus 2 Corinthians 3:3 being made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in tables that are hearts of flesh. 2 Corinthians 3:6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 2 Corinthians 3:7-8 But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory… which glory was passing away: how shall not rather the ministration of the spirit be with glory? Colossians 1:13 - God hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. 1. The Church as the Kingdom of God 2. Church & Israel 3. Church Universality 4. Church Membership 5. The Church’s Roots

The Coming of the Kingdom of God Discussion Questions The Coming of the Kingdom of God What do you see as the main differences between the church and Israel? 2. What impresses you most in the book of Acts about the church kingdom? End at 10:30am with a prayer. The Church as the Kingdom of God Church & Israel Church Universality Church Membership The Church’s Roots