2. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God In this series we shall study – Plans, Prophecies, and Expectations – The Kingdom Is At Hand! – The Kingdom’s Nature – The Kingdom Comes – The Kingdom’s Citizens: Benefits of Citizenship – The Kingdom’s Laws – The Kingdom’s Rewards – The Kingdom’s Defenders – The Kingdom’s Future – The Kingdom’s Alternative

3. Outline – The Christian’s citizenship in the kingdom – Spiritual blessings enjoyed in this life – Personal blessings enjoyed in this life – Blessings through the local church This lesson is not a comprehensive list, but a general sampling of the manifold blessings revealed in God’s Word The Gospel of the Kingdom Benefits of Citizenship

4. The Christian’s citizenship in the kingdom – Acts 2:47 God adds the saved to the kingdom – Col. 1:13 “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” – Eph. 2:19 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household” – Phil. 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” – Citizenship provides access to certain benefits: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3) – God blesses in many ways…a blessing does not have to be miraculous to be a blessing! The Gospel of the Kingdom Benefits of Citizenship

5. Spiritual blessings enjoyed in this life – Fellowship with the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit 1 John 1:3; 2 Cor. 6:16; 2 Cor. 13:14 – Direct communication to God 1 Pet. 3:12; John 9:31; 16:23 – Intercession by the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ Rom. 8:26-27, 34; Heb. 7:25 – Forgiveness of sins when we confess them 1 John 1:7,9 – Protection Protected from separation from God: Rom. 8:33-39 Protected from the evil one: 2 Thess. 3:3 Protected for salvation: 1 Pet. 1:5 The Gospel of the Kingdom Benefits of Citizenship

6. Personal blessings enjoyed in this life – Guidance & purpose through this life Eph. 2:10; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Titus 2:1-12 Guidance on marriage, parenting, employment, finances, and more – Discipline when we err Heb. 12:5-11; 1 Cor. 11:32 – Knowledge of the mystery of His Will Eph. 1:9; 3:4; Col. 1:26-27 – Joy/Rejoicing Acts 13:48,52; 1 Pet. 1:8 – Hope & comfort Rom. 8:24-25; 2 Thess. 2:16 The Gospel of the Kingdom Benefits of Citizenship

7. Blessings through the local church – Edification & training 1 Cor. 14:12, 26; 1 Thess. 5:11; 2 Tim. 2:2 – Encouragement 1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 10:25 – Correction when we err Gal. 6:1; 2 Thess. 3:14-15; Matt. 18:15-17 – Relationships & assemblies with fellow saints 1 John 1:7; Eph. 2:19; Heb. 10:25 – Material support when in need Matt. 6:33; Acts 4:32-35 The Gospel of the Kingdom Benefits of Citizenship

8. These benefits are only for citizens of the kingdom – Spiritual, personal, and church blessings in this life Non-citizens are “excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:11-12) The wicked cannot inherit the kingdom or its benefits (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5) Non-citizens have only “a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES ” (Heb. 10:27) The Gospel of the Kingdom Benefits of Citizenship

9. Citizenship and its blessings can be yours today! Obey the Gospel: believe, repent, confess, be baptized, and God will add you to the kingdom! (Acts 2:38,47) If you previously entered but have since departed, will you repent and return? The Gospel of the Kingdom

10. Hear, believe, and obey the Gospel today!