1. The Kingdom of God and His Mission4
The Kingdom of God and His Mission

2. Terminology Phrase, ‘Kingdom of God’ not found
Focus is on the dynamic reign of God as king
Idea of ‘realm’ is secondary
Focus on the person rather than the realm carries over into the NT

3. Kingdom and Mission in the OT

4. Creator and Ruler of All
Declared at the first
Shown more by His delegation to man the care of the earth
After the fall, the declaration of enmity and warfare between man and Satan’s minions
To the cultural mandate is added the evangelistic mandate

5. Sovereignty over a fallen world
The human heart is the battlefield where the spiritual warfare takes place (See God’s words to Cain)
Abraham is called to a divided world to be a blessing and to preserve the knowledge of God.
The nature of the calling makes clear that God is sovereign in the relationship
His descendants are a blessing (Jacob & Laban)

6. Guiding a nation for all nations
The exodus is by the direct intervention of God – sovereign over rulers in the earth
He establishes them as a nation
Not identical with the K of G but expected to reflect God’s holiness among the nations Lev.19:2, Deut.32:8
God demonstrates His sovereignty over the earth: he removes the Canaanites and gives the land to the Israelites

7. Serving the King of all
Israel’s service is to live in relationship with God, so that the nations will know him. Ps.67
Ultimately, the nations will turn to God, Ps.47
Job informs our understanding of knowing God.
It is possible to love God for who he is, not what he does for us

8. Hope in the coming King Isaiah is called out of worship
He sees the coming of messiah changing everything
Man redeemed
Nature reclaimed
History wrapped up
The rest of the prophets bring messages that declare God’s sovereign rule of God over the nations

9. Kingdom and Mission in the NT

10. Jesus, the Kingdom hope fulfilled
Jesus begins his ministry by proclaiming the “good news of the kingdom of God”
This is accompanied by miraculous signs, but the priority is on the message of the Kingdom – Luke 4:43
Jesus presents the KofG as present reality – Lk.17:21 and future fulfillment - Mt.16:27-28
Jesus’ parables of the KofG are important to a proper understanding of what he meant

11. In the steps of the King
We are commissioned by Jesus to continue his mission to the nations
Acts shows the irresistible power of the Holy Spirit in tearing down the kingdom of darkness
Though Paul doesn’t use the term often, it is implied
Paul also reflects Jesus teaching that the Kingdom is here not but not yet fulfilled

12. Reigning with the King forever
Revelation pictures the wrapping up of history and the full coming of the Kingdom of God
It is a wrap-up that shows the nations coming to Christ
But also the final judgment of the rebellious

13. Conclusion
Despite the spiritual warfare that rages in the earth, God is sovereign
The Kingdom of God will come fully when he wraps up history.