Lesson 3 Your Kingdom Come

Homework Review Reading Assignment: Read from pgs. 19-22 "A Man for All Peoples," by Don Richardson Homework Questions: Q1.)  From the examples given of the Roman Centurion, the Canaanite woman, the Samaritan village, the Greeks at Jerusalem, or the road to Emmaus, select one and write a paragraph showing how Jesus ministered cross-culturally.   Q2.)  Write out Matthew 24:14.  And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.  NIV Q3.)  In Matthew 24:14, the English word “nations,” originally written was “ethne” in Greek.  Based on the bottom half of page 22, “ethne,” means political or geographical nations.  False Based on the bottom half of page 22, “ethne,” means ethnic groups.  True Homework Review

This theme of the coming of the Kingdom of God was central in the mission of Jesus. His teaching was designed to show men how they might enter the Kingdom of God (Matt 5:20; 7:21). His mighty works were intended to prove that the Kingdom of God had come upon them (Matt 12:28). His parables illustrated to His disciples the truth about the Kingdom of God (Matt 13:11). In His prayer He taught His followers how to pray, at the heart of their petition were the words, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done.” Introduction

Obviously the concept of the Kingdom of God holds great value in the life and ministry of Jesus. So before we go further, let’s ask the most fundamental question: What is the meaning of “kingdom”?   In today’s vernacular we commonly use “kingdom” to designate a king’s geographical domain or people belonging to a specific region. The Bible, however, uses the term in a different and dynamic way: “Kingdom” is the right to rule, rather than royally-owned real estate. Thus Biblically, The Kingdom of God is the exercise of God’s kingship, His authority to rule based on His might, power, and glory. Kingdom Defined

Satan, of course, challenges the authority of God’s Kingdom and works to destroy all mankind. John 10:10 The thief (Jesus is referring to Satan here) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. God’s mission in sending Jesus becomes even clearer in 1 John 3:8b The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. Question: If this is true, why does Satan appear to still have dominion and authority? God’s kingdom is a progressive victory over satanic dominion to rescue people of all nations from the power of darkness. ages. Progressive Victory

Stages of the Kingdom God’s kingdom comes in two stages: 1. With Jesus’ first coming: The Kingdom has already arrived! But it operates in a more hidden way, breaking satanic power, delivering people of all nations from the grip of evil’s power and offering spiritual blessings of God’s rule. 2. At the end of the age: It will come openly, in all the world’s view, crushing all earthly powers, destroying every human attempt to usurp God’s rightful rule, purging all sin and evil from the earth. This vision fulfills the Old Testament perspective. This “present evil age” has already been invaded by “the age to come” of God’s kingdom. Satan has already been defeated but he is destined to be destroyed in “the age to come.” We are now living in the overlap of the ages. Stages of the Kingdom

The Mystery of the Kingdom The stages of Christ’s coming can also be understood as The Mystery of the Kingdom. The surprise that defines the mystery is that the expected Messiah figure was to come not once, but twice. The “overlap” creates a time of mercy for the nations before final judgment. The missionary task of the Church (evangelizing the nations) is the primary reason for this interim period. The Mystery of the Kingdom

The Jewish Perspective The Old Testament or Jewish perspective saw the Kingdom coming as a single cataclysmic event of judgment on God’s enemies, opening a time of God’s peace and power. The Jewish people understood the Messiah to come in a blaze of glory as the Son of Man described in Daniel 7 (A kingly figure who would bring political and social justice). But this coming was preceded by His first coming in humility and hidden form as the Suffering Servant of God (Isaiah 42, 49, 53). The nation of Israel didn’t understand the “Mystery of the Kingdom” and missed the revelation of Christ’s first coming and the purpose to which He was called by God – to reach all peoples of the earth.   The Jewish Perspective

The Jewish people didn’t connect with God’s desire to reach out cross- culturally. The Jewish people were very ethno-centric.   Jesus is our chief example for going cross-culturally. Jesus was not bond by the traditions of men or by the religious customs of His day. Jesus used several encounters with Gentiles and Samaritans to help His disciples think in cross cultural terms. A Man for All Peoples

Matthew 24:14 says “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” This is the only verse in scripture in which Jesus gives his disciples a specific description of what must be accomplished before his second coming and the end of the age. World evangelization is an explicit condition for His return. The gospel of the Kingdom must be proclaimed in the entire world. Only then will the end come. This truth, that God is holding history open in order for the Church to complete her task, gives meaning to history and gives enormous significance to the obedience of the Church. Matthew 24:14

Preparing our hearts and lives for service: 1. Heart of Obedience: Our obedience or devotion to God’s call is connected to the lives of others. 2. Heart of Compassion: Jesus is our great example. Throughout the scriptures we see how Jesus was motivated by compassion. 3. Heart of Prayer: The purpose is to aid in fulfilling God’s mandate for gospel proclamation as well as social transformation. Application

Intimacy with Christ The issue of intimacy with Christ: In my life I found the greatest way to prepare my heart is on my knees and in worship with our loving Creator. Many times the task and calling God has set before us can seem impossible. Remember it is a journey of faith; a process that takes time and persistence. Intimacy with Christ