Online Bible Study Lesson 18

THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST

Lecture Objectives:

To note the promise of a kingdom in the Old Testament and to examine its identifying marks. To see the kingdom as being vital to God's involvement in history as instructed by the Son of God. To see the fulfillment of its coming, and to look at the divine historical data which shows how men became citizens of it and with great cost.

References:

Isaiah 2.2-4; 11.6-9; Daniel 2.1-44; Malachi 3.1-6; Matthew 16.18ff; Acts 2.1-42; John 3.3; Matthew 18.33,34.

Questions for Focus:

1. What does the word "kingdom" mean?

2. What three major prophets speak of the kingdom in promise?

3. What kind of kingdom was Christ to establish?

4. What conditions did men comply with for entrance into the kingdom?

5. List, from the teachings of Christ, some of the "costs" involved in coming into the kingdom.

6. Explain the relationship between"kingdom" and "church".

INTRODUCTION
1. Every new idea that has ever burst upon the world has had one central master thought:
  1. Usually it is a word or phrase, which in itself is the very genius of the thrust it is purporting.
    1. Islam: "God is God and Mohammed is His prophet."
    2. French Revolution: "Liberty, equality, fraternity."
    3. Democracy: "Government of the people, by the people, for the people."
    4. Christianity: "The kingdom of God"
2. It was the basis of His first and last sermon.
  1. First sermon: Mark 1.15 - "The time is fulfilled...the kingdom of God is at hand.
  2. Last sermon: Acts 1.3 - "...things pertaining to the kingdom of God."
3. The expressions "kingdom of Heaven" and "kingdom of God" mean exactly the same.
  1. Matthew uses "kingdom of Heaven" 30 times, and "...of God" 3 times.
  2. Mark uses "kingdom of God" 16 times.
  3. Luke uses "kingdom of God" 32 times.
    1. Neither Mark nor Luke uses "kingdom of Heaven" at all.
  4. Note the equivalence in the expressions used in reference to the "rich" and their difficulties of getting into the "kingdom."
    1. Matthew 19.23 - "...harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven..."
    2. Mark 10.23; Luke 18.24 - "...hard for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God."
    3. Too, note Matthew's statement in the very next verse (24) - "kingdom of God".
    4. Clearly the two expressions are interchangeable.
DEFINITION OF THE TERM KINGDOM
1. In modern speech:
  1. Territory; area of land.
    1. Territory of Great Britain; i.e. belonging to the Kingdom of Great Britain.
    2. Involving: Territory, king, subjects, law.
2. In Biblical usage:
  1. Several words are used interchangeably in the Old Testament: maleku, malekuth, melukah, mamalakuth. Also the New Testament word basileia.
    1. Basileia is used in the Septuagint to cover these other words.
    2. Examine the lexicons, commentaries and modern versions, and you will note that their use is interchangeable.
    3. Example of primary sense: "Primarily an abstract noun, denoting sovereignty, royal power, dominion, etc..." (W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary, p. 294).
  2. Two main thoughts are evident from the interchangeable use of these words:
    1. The invisible right to rule, thus, abstract.
    2. The concrete usage: Since on "reigns" he necessarily has territory, subjects, law, etc. Thus, to have a "kingdom" is to "reign".
    3. In Scripture the "abstract" is used the most.
      1. Rule rather than realm.
      2. Hence, His "kingdom" is His "rule" or "reign."
      3. His "priests", "holy nation" (Ex. 19.5-6) become a manifestation of His sovereignty made visible in people.
3. God is said to have an actual universal "reign" even over subjects that are not submissive, respectful of that reign and indifferent to His kingly authority. See: Psalm 2.10-12; Exodus 9.15-16; Psalm 29.10; Ezekiel 20.23; Revelation 1.5; Psalm 47.8
  1. His creation ultimately gave Him disrespect and disobedience.
  2. Grace entered the picture since justice must be satisfied, and man was not capable of this on his own. See: Genesis 1.26,27; 2.16-17; 3.1-6; 3.15; Deuteronomy 27.26 with Galatians 3.10-13.
PROPHETS IN OLD TESTAMENT TIMES PROMISED THIS KINGDOM WOULD COME
1. Isaiah 2.2-4 - The prophet Isaiah stated the following about it:
  1. It will draw men - verses 2,3.
  2. It will not compromise God's truths - verses 3,4.
  3. It will have the nature of its King - verse 4.
  4. Question: What city is cited as the beginning point?
2. Daniel 2 - The prophet Daniel stated the following about it:
  1. A "stone" will be cut out of the mountain, but not by human hand.
    1. This is the Messiah and the growth and power of His kingdom - verse 44.
  2. Too, it will "never by destroyed" (44) consequently it stands in contrast to human empires.
  3. Read Isaiah 11.6-9.
  4. Note other references by prophets to this matter:
    1. Zechariah 12-14
    2. Malachi 4.1-3
    3. Micah 4.1-5
3. John, the last prophet of the Mosaic era, stated the following about it:
  1. That the "kingdom was near." Matthew 3.1-3
    1. That this announcement was given to him to make. Isaiah 40.3
    2. These words, originally speaking of Israel's exile deliverance, is now applied to Messiah's deliverance.
  2. That men should "repent and be baptized." Matthew 3.6
  3. Therefore, the kingdom would be established by Christ. See Mark 1.14; John 1; Mark 9.1.
4. Messiah, upon His arrival, stated the following about it: Matthew 16.13-20.
  1. "I will build my church..." and "I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom..."
  2. "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it..."
    1. This kingdom, like Daniel's description (2.44) is eternal in endurance and spiritual in nature.
  3. "bind...and loose..."
    1. This speaks of the authority this church has to uphold Messiah's teachings as all nations pour into it.
  4. Important: Note that "church" and "kingdom" are used as synonyms.
    1. What then is the church? It is that group of people who have been called out of the world by the Gospel into a new community over which Messiah reigns.
HISTORICALLY, THESE DIVINE PREDICTIONS WERE FULFILLED ON PENTECOST AFTER THE RESURRECTION - Acts 2
1. A miracle occurred - verses 1-13.
  1. Remember, miracles were for confirmation of the Word of God - Mark 16.17ff.
  2. A sermon was preached - 14-42.
    1. The miracle was explained - 14-41.
    2. Jesus (Messiah) is "accredited" by God - 23-24.
    3. Jesus is vindicated by the teachings of the prophets - 25-36.
  3. The sermon had its effect:
    1. They enquired about an appropriate response - 37.
    2. They were given the correct way of obedience - 38.
    3. 3000 obeyed the "warning" - 40-41.
  4. For the first time the church was established, worshipping and following the apostles' teachings - 42-47.
THE MESSIAH'S TEACHING AND THE KINGDOM
1. He said that the Kingdom is...
  1. Something new and distinctive - Mark 1.15.
  2. Something which is moral, spiritual, and into political - Matthew 5.3-12; John 18.36. "My Kingdom is not of this world."
  3. Something invisible and internal - Luke 17.20-21.
  4. Something silent, mysterious, and progressive - Mark 4.26-29
  5. Something universal in its design and scope - Matthew 21.31,43.
  6. Something social in nature - Matthew 20.25-28.
  7. Something entered, but only by regeneration - John 3.3-5; Matthew 18.3-4.
  8. Something which is received - Mark 10.15; Luke 18.17.
  9. Something which is entered - matthew 5.20, 18.3.
  10. Something one may not be far from - Mark 12.34.
2. Jesus said the "kingdom" should be pursued at all costs.
  1. It should be the object of intense, strenuous effort.
  2. Men are told to "seek" it - Matthew 6.33; Luke 12.31.
    1. Greek: zetein - "Make the kingdom the object of your endeavor."
  3. Men are said to "Press" into it - Matthew 11.12.
    1. Greek: biazesthis - Used of attackers storming a city.
    2. Denny: "The kingdom is not for the well-meaning but for the desperate."
  4. It is worth any sacrifice.
    1. It would be better to amputate any body member which would be an obstacle to entrance than to have all your body members but still not gain entrance - Matthew 5.29f; Mark 9.43-48.
  5. In fact, the kingdom if put on a par with life itself.
    1. Note Mark 9.43,45,47 - "life" and "kingdom"
    2. The rich young ruler said he wanted "life" (Matthew 19.16; Mark 10.17; Luke 18.18) yet, when he went away, Jesus said it was difficult for the rich to enter the "kingdom of Heaven." - Matthew 19.23; Mark 10.23; Luke 18.24.
3. Jesus has conditions for entrance into the kingdom.
  1. One must possess a childlike spirit - Matthew 18.3.
  2. One must possess a forgiving spirit - Matthew 18.23-25.
  3. One must have a godly attitude toward his fellow man - Matthew 25.31-26.
    1. Thus, as men are insensitive and unaware of their fellowman's needs, he can be shut out of the kingdom.
    2. His life must be a demonstration of the love which he has learned from God - John 13.34.
  4. One's standard of righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees, or entrance into the kingodm is not possible - Matthew 5.20.
CONCLUSION
1. Jesus was the basis for the ultimate rule of God in men's hearts.
  1. The kingdom is personified in Christ.
    1. He fulfilled perfectly the will of God - Matthew 6.10; 26.42; John 5.30; 6.38; Hebrews 10.7,9.
    2. "The whole picture of Jesus in the Gospels is the picture of One who began, continued, and ended His life in complete chosen obedience to the will of God" (Barclay, William, p.55).
  2. He makes it possible for men to enter.
    1. He removes the stigma of sin and makes it possible for men to render possible obedience - Romans 4.1f; 5.1.
    2. He provides constant cleansing from everyday defilement - 1 John 1.7f.
  3. He doesn't simply "tell" men how - He actually showed men how to submit to God's sovereign rule.
    1. He gave up for it - Phil. 2.
    2. He sacrificed for it - 1 Peter 4.1.
    3. He brought a childlike obedience - John 17.1f.
    4. He had poverty of spirit - Isaiah 53.
  4. One day He will offer up to God all who volitionally submit to His sovereign control - 1 Corinthians 15.24.