1. All-Church Retreat January 2nd, 2009 Friday Morning Talk 1: KINGDOM VISION: Kingdom Vision Talk 1: KINGDOM VISION: Kingdom Vision

2. Outline of Talk 1 Foundation Point #1: The Kingdom of God is a PRESENT reality Foundation Point #2: The Kingdom of God is FUTURE Key Questions Matthew 6- Reaffirm Vision of the Kingdom –Challenge #1: Our View of God –Challenge #2: Our View of Earth –Challenge #3: Our View of Our Role

3. If we were to ask the Christian Church, "What is the Kingdom of God? When and how will it come? ”  Diversity of answers  Radically different interpretations  Common views  What does the bible say? Dynamic not static view…  Diversity of answers  Radically different interpretations  Common views  What does the bible say? Dynamic not static view…

4. Foundation Point #1: The Kingdom of God is a present spiritual reality…  "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost" Romans 14:17  "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" Matthew 4:17  “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is! or There! for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. Luke 17:20-21  Matthew 13 Kingdom parables Kingdom of Heaven=Kingdom of God  "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost" Romans 14:17  "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" Matthew 4:17  “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is! or There! for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. Luke 17:20-21  Matthew 13 Kingdom parables Kingdom of Heaven=Kingdom of God

5. Foundation Point #2: The Kingdom is spoken of as an inheritance which God WILL bestow upon His people when Christ comes in glory …  Then the King will say to those on his right hand, ‘ Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world ’ Matthew 25:34  ”… will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" 2 Peter 1:2  Then the King will say to those on his right hand, ‘ Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world ’ Matthew 25:34  ”… will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" 2 Peter 1:2

6. Key Question #1: How is it that the Kingdom of God can be a PRESENT spiritual reality and yet be a FUTURE inheritance bestowed at the Second Coming of Christ?  Mystery of the Kingdom  “ Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe. ” Hebrews 12:28  Isolate verses  Mystery of the Kingdom  “ Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe. ” Hebrews 12:28  Isolate verses

7.  Is it spiritual or earthly? YES  Is it visible or invisible? YES  How many phases does it come in? YES  Is it a realm or a reign? YES  Is it past, present or future? YES  Is it spiritual or earthly? YES  Is it visible or invisible? YES  How many phases does it come in? YES  Is it a realm or a reign? YES  Is it past, present or future? YES

8. Key Question #2a: What then is the Kingdom of God? Hebrew word malkuth in the Old Testament Greek word basilei/a in the New Testament not realm or sphere (place) over which one is king, but rather is the rank, authority and sovereignty exercised by a king. Hebrew word malkuth in the Old Testament Greek word basilei/a in the New Testament not realm or sphere (place) over which one is king, but rather is the rank, authority and sovereignty exercised by a king.

9. Key Question #2b: If someone asked you on Monday, “ What is the Kingdom of God? ”… what would you say?

10. Key Question #3: How do we translate Kingdom of God to Kingdom Vision?  Kingdom Vision Defined  foundational principle of KINGDOM VISION  Matthew 6:9-10  Lord’s Prayer Rituals…  Kingdom Vision Defined  foundational principle of KINGDOM VISION  Matthew 6:9-10  Lord’s Prayer Rituals…

11. Matthew 6:9-10 Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

12. Challenge #1: Our View of God Balanced View Jewish View Muslim View Damon at UPWARD Evangelicalism View Proper View from Matthew 6

14. Challenge #2: Our View of Earth “Your Kingdom come…” Heaven is the IDEAL but not the GOAL No chubby babies…Isaiah 6:4 VOLUNTARY, UNIVERSAL, IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE Harps, clouds, and choirs What’s the good life?

15. Challenge #2: Our View of Earth (cont) Geneva Divinity School: 6 months life-expectancy Compared to heavenly things… New Heavens-New Earth

16. Challenge #3: Our View of Our Role Isn’t it a done deal? Pray like this…we can’t do it on our own Prayer: Calling the General EXPANSION!