1. The Church – God’s Kingdom

2. The Church & the Kingdom  What is the church?  ἐ κκλησία (ekklesia), “a calling out”, as in an assembly.  In the Bible, the body of the saved (called out of the world)  Universal – all who are saved – Eph. 1:22-23, Matt. 16:18  Local – a congregation – Gal. 1:2, 1 Cor. 1:2, Acts 9:31, etc.

3. The Church & the Kingdom  What is the kingdom?  βασιλεία (basileia), a region ruled by a king  In the Bible, it too has reference to the saved!  If one is in the church (universal), he is also in the kingdom. And if one is in the kingdom, he is also in the church.

4. The Church & the Kingdom  How are they the same?  Matt. 16:18-19, “Upon this rock I will build my church”…“And I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven”

5. The Church & the Kingdom  Their beginning  Kingdom - Matt. 4:17, Mark 9:1 (before Pentecost) 1 Cor. 15:24-25, Col. 1:13-14, Col 4:11, 1 Thess. 2:12 (after Pentecost)  Church- Matt. 16:18 (before) Acts 2:47, 9:31, 14:23, Eph. 1:22 (after) Also Joel 2:28-32, Acts 2:17-21

6. The Church & the Kingdom  Headship – Christ  Kingdom - He is King! 1 Cor. 15:25, Acts 2:30, 36; Eph. 1:20, Heb. 1:8-9  Church – He is head of the body Eph. 1:22-23, Col. 1:18

7. The Church & the Kingdom  Subjects – the saved  Kingdom – Conveyed into the kingdom Col. 1:13-14  Church – Saved, Savior Acts 2:47, Eph. 5:23

8. The Church & the Kingdom  Conditions for entrance  Kingdom – “Born again of water” “Baptized” John 3:3,5; Ac.8:12  Church – “Baptized” 1 Cor. 12:13, Acts 2:38, 47

9. The Church & the Kingdom  The Lord’s Supper  Kingdom – “in My Father’s kingdom” Luke 22:18, 29-30  Church – “Communion” 1 Cor. 10:16,17; 11:18-26

10. The Church & the Kingdom  Why not use one term or the other?  They describe different qualities of the same entity. The church – reference to an assembling; Kingdom – its form of government

11. The Kingdom of God  A spiritual kingdom  There will NOT be a kingdom on earth – cf. 1 Thess. 4:16,17  Luke 17:20-21  John 18:36  Romans 14:17

12. The Kingdom of God  Elements of the kingdom  Christ is King – Isa. 9:6-7, Matt. 28:18.  Heb. 2:9, 1 Tim. 6:15  Now reigning – 1 Pet. 3:22,  1 Cor. 15:24-25  Eph. 1:18-21

13. The Kingdom of God  Elements of the kingdom  His territory – the world (but spiritual) Matt. 28:18.  His subjects – the saved John 3:3, 5, Col. 1:13-18, Eph. 2:19 – citizens  His law – John 12:48, 2 Pet. 1:3

14. Essentials of the Kingdom  We need to enter the kingdom Obey the gospel – John 3:3, 5, Acts 2:38, etc.  Subject to our King – Matt. 7:21-23, 28:18-20

15. Essentials of the Kingdom  Greatness found in serving others Matt. 20:24-28, 25:31-46, Humility Mark. 10:14-15

16. Essentials of the Kingdom  Our citizenship in heaven 2 Pet. 2:11, Heb. 11:13 – sojourners, pilgrims Phil. 3:12-14 Col. 3:1-2

17. Are you a citizen of His kingdom?