Chapter Six The Kingdom of God”

“The Dream of Jesus” Jesus had a strong vision of an ideal future 129 “The Dream of Jesus” Jesus had a strong vision of an ideal future He referred to his vision as “The Kingdom of God”

“the rule of God over all the created world” 130 by “The Kingdom of God” we mean “the reign of God” - or - “the rule of God over all the created world”

Psalm 98 1.Sing a new song to the LORD, who has done marvelous deeds, his right hand and holy arm have won the victory. 2. The LORD has made his victory known; has revealed his triumph for the nations to see, 3. Has remembered faithful love toward the house of Israel. 4. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 5. With trumpets shout with joy to the King, the LORD. … the LORD who comes, who comes to govern the earth.

B. Jewish understanding of God 134 - OT sometimes referred to God as father 130 But an individual wouldn’t refer to God as “father.” - God was ”all holy”- awesome: Out of reverence Jews wouldn’t even say or write God’s name. - Often saw God as distant, fearsome “most high above all the earth”

C. Giving ALMS was required, not just suggested 137-8 (Side notes for “C”) A. Jews were famous for their deep sense of communal love, concern for poor; B. Seven of the Ten Commandments deal with relationships with others; C. Giving ALMS was required, not just suggested

Two main ideas interfering with Jewish command to love (At bottom of page) Two main ideas interfering with Jewish command to love 138-9 a) Nationalism Sense of being “chosen” led some to believe that “love your neighbor” referred only to fellow Jews Tribalism!

6. Two main problems conflicting with command to love 138-9 6. Two main problems conflicting with command to love b) Legalism An overemphasis on rules and regulations, especially among Pharisees, which tended to dominate many aspects of life

Jesus rejected political kingship 131 Jesus rejected political kingship 130 i Rejected violent military takeover. ii Rejected a physical geographical state with boundaries iii Not a new philosophy iv Not a plan for social reform

Then what DID Jesus mean by his “kingdom?” 131 130 Then what DID Jesus mean by his “kingdom?”

131 Jesus’ vision of the kingdom is closely tied to his understand-ing of GOD 130 His idea of God differed dramatically from the common Jewish understanding .

Jesus shattered Jewish belief and practice: E. Jesus’ understanding of God 134 130 Jesus shattered Jewish belief and practice: i. “Abba” is an Aramaic word used by kids, an intimate feeling: “Da-da,” “Daddy” 1.. He called God “Abba !” ii Calling God “abba” was shocking!

2. Jesus’ personal experience of an intimate relationship with God 136 130 2. Jesus’ personal experience of an intimate relationship with God led him to want to share that experience, teach about God’s relationship with all people.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17)

.He saw God as a passionately caring parent whose love is 136 .He saw God as a passionately caring parent whose love is tireless, healing, limitless and unreserved.

God offers his love not only to the just and the rich, 136 God offers his love not only to the just and the rich, but to outcasts, sinners, the poor.

137 The Kingdom that Jesus announced was a new understanding of our relationship with God.

lets us SEE what God is like: Want to know what God is like? LOOK AT JESUS! Jesus breaks down God for us, lets us SEE what God is like: GOD is Loving Accepting attitudes Jesus’ deeds Kind Powerful parables miracles Forgiving

F. Jesus’ understanding of the Command to Love 137 F. Jesus’ understanding of the Command to Love

1. The ability to participate fully in the reign of God requires a 137 conversion “a change of heart” 2. Then the kingdom takes root in the heart of the believer.

a new relationship between God and the individual, 3. Kingdom is not just “me and God.” 137 a new relationship between God and the individual, communal and also among individuals

F.a) Love without Limits

The Good Samaritan Who is my neighbor?

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust…. So you must set no boundaries on your love, just as your heavenly Father sets no boundaries on his love." (Matthew 5:43-45, 48)

1. to love all people -- even their enemies! Jesus called people to love beyond the boundaries of their own Judaism, 1. to love all people -- even their enemies! Tribalism! Mt 5:44-48

a. Not found in OT or in teachings of other rabbis. 2. Jesus’ call to “love your enemies” was unique to him a. Not found in OT or in teachings of other rabbis.

B. Jesus did not believe that the Law in itself was bad, 139 but saw that the many spin-offs and additions to it had crippled people’s ability to respond with compassion & love.

D) The reign of God is revealed when God reigns over the hearts of people, E) Jesus’ dream will be fully realized only when people are in tune with God’s will.

Then he will say to those at his left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' (Matt. 25:34-43)

“The Kingdom of God” 1. NOT a place: 1. a nation-state no political borders 2. ruled by a military messiah-king 2. new way of relating to God, & neighbor = love without limits 3. free from pagan influence 3. messiah as a purely spiritual figure

“What God is Like” 1. awesome, fearsome: can’t say/write His name 2. “all-holy:” distant, mysterious 3. faithful, loving, patient

“What God is Like” 1. awesome, fearsome: can’t say/write His name 1. a passionately loving parent 2. “all-holy:” distant, mysterious 2. our “abba” - (intimate closeness) 3. faithful, loving, patient 3. who loves everyone with boundless & unconditional love

2. our love imitates God’s love for us: “Love Thy Neighbor” 1. concern for one 1. love everyone another - no exceptions 2. esp. poor, widows; 2. our love imitates God’s love for us: almsgiving required unconditional 3. only fellow Jews 3. love even your enemies not gentiles, not outcast, sinner

141-143 601b “The reign of Sin”

Jesus did not use the word “love” very much, 139 He spoke instead of the results or expressions of love. i. service to others iii reconciliation ii compassion iv forgiveness

1. The ability to participate fully in the reign of God requires a 137 conversion “a change of heart” 2. Then the kingdom takes root in the heart of the believer.

The reign of God is revealed when God reigns over the hearts of people, Jesus’ dream will be fully realized only when people are in tune with God’s will.

1. Sin defined: “The refusal to acknowledge God as God, 142 1. Sin defined: “The refusal to acknowledge God as God, and our dependence upon him”

142 Two kinds of sin: a. Personal b. Communal

a) Personal sin “A personal, freely chosen action 142 a) Personal sin “A personal, freely chosen action that has a negative effect on the sinner as an individual and on his/her relationships with others”

142 b) Communal sin The effects of the sinful actions of individuals which accumulate over time E.g. poverty environmental pollution institutionalized racism

Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, ....' Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? …. And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

Evil that is not caused by sin? 143 “natural” evil: tsunami

143 “natural” evils: hurricanes earthquakes birth defects

2. A. Jesus’ unique role in the kingdom: 143 he was to save humanity from sin

B Jesus showed his claim to divine authority: 143 B Jesus showed his claim to divine authority: i.Called God “my Father” ii.Claimed to be above the law iii.Forgave Sins iv. Rid temple of injustice

3.The Kingdom of God: Right Now Not Yet but

The Kingdom of God: Right Now Not Yet “The kingdom of God is among you.” “Pray that the kingdom will come”

A. ALREADY: 1. Through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus We are already saved 2. Death and sin have been conquered.

2. We must say “yes” to God’s invitation. B. NOT YET 1. The kingdom will only be fully realized when we respond to it by our way of living. 2. We must say “yes” to God’s invitation.

C. We live in the “in-between” time, in the tension between Not Yet and Already

willing to extend themselves in service to others 145 1. Jesus’ dream of the Kingdom of God is made a reality whenever people are willing to extend themselves in service to others compassionate concerned

D. Explain how each of the following involves the Kingdom 1. Jesus’ identity /role is to proclaim, define, establish Kingdom 2. Miracles of Jesus are signs that the Kingdom is starting 3. Parables of Jesus give details of Kingdom: how to get in, etc. 4. Sin - the “not yet” part Sin:“me centered” vs Kingdom: “God-centered”

J esus o thers y ourself

End

“God is ultimately victorious; love is stronger than hate; good always wins over evil; and life, not death, has the last say.”