“The Gospel of the Kingdom” (Part 2)

“The Gospel of the Kingdom”

With Rev.David Sabet

(Part 2)

      At the beginning of the “New Testament”, in Matthew chapter 3, we are told about a man known as “John the Baptizer”.  He is crying out in the wilderness, heralding the coming of the Lord, which was prophesied by the Prophet (Esaias / Isaiah) in Isaiah 40:3.

     In this passage, John is telling the people about the soon coming King, and His Kingdom which is unlike this world.  He was telling them that if they didn’t repent of their sins and obey Him, He would burn them up with an unquenchable fire.  (Matt. 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-4, Luke 3:3-4 and John 1:23)

 

1. Matthew 3:1-2, 11-12 (KJV)     “John the baptizer.”

     1) In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness

          of Judea,

     2) And saying, Repent ye:  for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

     11) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:  but he that

            cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not

            worthy to bear:  (ERV – I am not worthy to be the slave that

            takes off his sandals):

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            he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

     12) Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor,

            and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the

            chaff with unquenchable fire.  

 

*(It reminds me of an old Western Movie – There’s a new Sheriff in   Town!  Get right or get gone!!!)

  

 * (After John said all of this, Jesus walked up!  Look below in vs. 13)

 

2. Matthew 3:13 (KJV)  Then cometh Jesus …     (Below in Matt. 3 & 4)     

     Story:  Jesus was then baptized, and the Holy Spirit came down

                  like a dove and landed on him to point him out.  Then a

                  voice from heaven spoke out saying, “This is my beloved

                  Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  Jesus was then led into

                  the wilderness by the Spirit, and fasted for 40 days.  When

                  his flesh was weakened, satan attacked and tempted him,

                  just like he does us, but Jesus stood in the Spirit, not his

 

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                  flesh.  He stood on the “WORD” and said to satan, “IT IS

                  WRITTEN!”  Standing in agreement with what God said,

                  Jesus defeated satan’s attempts to get Him to choose sin.

                  (IT IS A CHOICE!)  After showing us how to defeat satan and

                  remain free from sin, Jesus then began His public ministry.

                  He didn’t just talk the talk; he walked the walk!!!

*Jesus was explaining to the people that His kingdom was so different from the kingdoms of this world, and how important it was that they believed Him and obeyed Him if they wanted to be part of it.

 

8. Matthew 24:14 (KJV)  “Jesus teaching his disciples”

      And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world

     for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

 

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     *Jesus said that this message was going to be preached to all nations, and then He is coming back!  I would say that this is a pretty important message to get out!  So, let’s talk about God’s Kingdom.

 

9. “The kingdom of Heaven” or  “The kingdom of God” Defined:
10. King – a male monarch, a ruler, a magnate – someone of great

                       Importance, one invested with absolute power.

                       Zechariah 14:9  (LB Par.)  And the LORD shall be king over

                       all the earth.  In that day there shall be one LORD – his

                       name alone will be worshiped.

                       “LANDLORD” – Lord over the land!

 

1. dom – domain, a territory over which authority is exerted.

 

1. Kingdom – the territory over which a king has absolute

                               authority. 

                               Psalm 103:19  (KJV)  The LORD hath prepared

                               (established) his throne in the heavens; and his

                               Kingdom ruleth over all.

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1. Kingdom “of God” – denotes ownership; whose kingdom

                                                 it is, who is the One in charge.

 

1. Kingdom “of heaven” – denotes type and location; it’s heavenly.

                                                      It’s source is from heaven.  Not worldly.

 

“What Is The Kingdom Message?”

10. Matthew 6:9-10 (KJV)  “Jesus teaching his disciples how to pray.”

Then Jesus’ Public Ministry Begins:

3. Matthew 4:17 (KJV)     From that time Jesus began to preach, and

      to say, Repent:  for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

 

4. Mark 1:14-15 (KJV)  “Jesus’ public ministry.”

      14) Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee,

             preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

     15) And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at

            hand:  repent ye, and believe the gospel.

 

5. Matthew 4:23 (KJV)  “Jesus preaching in Galilee.”

     And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and

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     preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of

     sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

 

6. Matthew 10:7-8 (KJV)  “Jesus teaching his disciples.”

     7) And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

     8) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils:

          freely ye have received, freely give.

 

7. Matthew 13:24, 31, 33, 44, 45, 47, 52 & 25:1, 14 (KJV) “Jesus to all”

     The kingdom of heaven is likened unto … / or “is like” / and “again”

9) After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father which art in

          heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

     10) Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

 

*Thy kingdom come = Thy will being done here in the earth just like it is in heaven!!!   Here and Now!!!

 

11. Matthew 6:33 (KJV)  “Jesus preaching to the multitudes.”

       But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and

       all these things shall be added unto you.

 

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12. Romans 14:17-19 (KJV)  “Paul preaching to the saints in Rome”

       17) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but

              righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

       18) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God,

              and approved of men.

       19) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace,

              and things wherewith one may edify another.

 

*(The Kingdom message is all about an obedient lifestyle of holy, righteous, Godly living – here and now!  The “ERV” bible says that it is all about changing our hearts and lives.  Jesus came to set us free from sin and its consequences.  If we allow God to change our hearts and minds, our ways will follow.  We can live like Christ here and now!)

 

*This has been God’s message from the beginning!

 

13. Isaiah 1:16-20 (KJV)  “The same message from the beginning.”

       16) Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings

              from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil;

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       17) Learn to do well; seek judgement, relieve the oppressed, judge

              the fatherless, plead for the widow.

       18) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:

              though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

              though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

       19) If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

       20) But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the

              sword:  for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

 

14. Jeremiah 4:14 (KJV) “God’s message to his people from the start.”

       O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest

       be saved.  How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

 

15. James 4:7-8 (KJV) 

       7) Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he

            will flee from you.

       8) Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your

            hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

 

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16. Ephesians 4:21-24 (KJV)      “Hear the words of Jesus – Repent!” 

       21) If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him,

              as the truth is in Jesus.

       22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old

              man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

       23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

       24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in

              righteousness and true holiness.

 

17. II Corinthians 7:10a (KJV)   “Being born again.”

       For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation …

 

18. John 8:11b (KJV)     “A woman caught in her sin is converted.”

       … Neither do I condemn thee:  go, and sin no more.  (Repent!)

 

19. John 5:14 (KJV)    “ Man healed at the pool of Bethesda”

       Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him,

       Behold, thou art made whole:  sin no more, lest a worse thing

       come unto thee.  (Walking in repentance is important!)

(9)       Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your

       sins may be blotted out, … (Not excused to just continue in them!)

 

21. Luke 24:47 (KJV)  “Jesus Came Back From the Dead and Reminded

                                          The Disciples of the Need for Repentance!”

       And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in

       His name among all nations, …

 

*God’s desire from the very beginning has been that we walk free from sin in a right relationship with Him.  Just like when He walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day in a sinless garden.  An open caring loving relationship here on earth as it is in heaven.  His desire has never changed.  It is we who break fellowship with Him.

 

We started with this verse, and I will end with it:

Matthew 3:2    …Repent ye:  for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

 

God loves you so much that he wants to spend an eternity with you!  However, the choice is yours.  Choose ye this day whom you’re going to serve!

20. Acts 3:19a (KJV) Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your       sins may be blotted out, … (Not excused to just continue in them!) 
    21. Luke 24:47 (KJV)  “Jesus Came Back From the Dead and Reminded

                                              The Disciples of the Need for Repentance!”

           And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in

           His name among all nations, …

     

    *God’s desire from the very beginning has been that we walk free from sin in a right relationship with Him.  Just like when He walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day in a sinless garden.  An open caring loving relationship here on earth as it is in heaven.  His desire has never changed.  It is we who break fellowship with Him.

     

    We started with this verse, and I will end with it:

    Matthew 3:2    …Repent ye:  for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

     

    God loves you so much that he wants to spend an eternity with you!  However, the choice is yours.  Choose ye this day whom you’re going to serve!