Sunday, June 23, 2013 am
THE CHURCH – GOD’S KINGDOM
a.
What is the church?
The term “church” is from the Greek word, ἐκκλησία (ekklesia),
which actually means “a calling out”, as in an assembly.
IN the Bible, the term is used in reference to the body of the
saved, “called out” of the world and into an assembly with Christ and
others who are saved.
The term is used in 2 different senses in scripture – a universal
sense which is the body of all who are saved – it is not an
organization, but a description of the saved who are in relationship
with Christ (Eph. 1:22-23, Matt. 16:18).
The local sense is a description of a body of these
believers who assemble together in a specific location to do work God
has given us to accomplish collectively (i.e. worship Him, evangelism,
teaching [edification] and limited benevolence).
When we use the word, “congregation” that is what we have in
mind. The “church” here in
Bellflower would be an example of this.
The Bible makes reference to such in passages like Gal. 1:2, 1
Cor. 1:2, Acts 9:31, Matt. 18:17, etc.
b.
What is the kingdom?
The word “kingdom” is from the Greek word, βασιλεία (basileia),
which has reference to a region ruled by a king.
When the New Testament (and Old Testament passages looking toward
the Kingdom – i.e. Dan. 2:44) speaks of the Kingdom of God (or Heaven)
it too has reference to the saved, much like the term “church” used in
its universal sense above.
IN FACT, they are one and the same.
IF you are in the church, you are in the kingdom of God.
c.
How
do we know they are the same?
i.
Matt. 16:18-19 – Jesus
sues both terms interchangeably. “Build My church” & “Keys to the
kingdom”
ii.
As to
their beginning – both trace
their beginning to Pentecost of Acts 2
1.
The
kingdom – Matt. 4:17, Mark 9:1 – before.
After Pentecost, there are numerous passages that describe the
kingdom as being in existence - 1 Cor. 15:24-25, Col. 1:13-14 – conveyed
us into the kingdom, Heb. 12:28 – we “are receiving” a kingdom which
cannot be shaken. Also Col.
4:11, “and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for
the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a
comfort to me.”
1 Thess. 2:12, “who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”
In God’s plan from ancient
times – Daniel 2:44, 7:13-14, Psa. 45:6, “Your
throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is Your
kingdom.” (cf. Heb. 1:8-9)
2.
The church
– Before - Matt. 16:18
After Pentecost – Acts 2:47, 9:31, 14:23, Eph. 1:22
IN God’s plan from ancient
times –while the term “church” is not found in the Old
Testament, Eph. 3:10-11 speaks of the church being a manifestation of
God’s wisdom, “according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus
our Lord.”
Joel 2:28-32 – quoted by Peter in Acts 2:17-21 on Pentecost.
While the verse does not mention the church by name, it is almost
universally agreed that Acts 2 is when the church began
iii.
As to
headship – Christ is ruler
1.
The
Kingdom – Jesus is king – 1 Cor. 15:25, Acts 2:30, 36; Eph. 1:20, Heb.
1:8-9, etc.
2.
The church
– Eph. 1:22-23, Col. 1:18
iv.
As to
their subjects – who is in –
the saved
1.
The
kingdom – Col. 1:13-14
2.
The church
– Acts 2:47, Eph. 5:23 – Christ is “savior of the body”
v.
Conditions of entrance -
Baptism
1.
The
Kingdom – John 3:3,5, Acts 8:12
2.
The church
– 1 Cor. 12:13, Acts 2:38, 47
vi.
The
Lord’s Supper –
1.
The
kingdom – Luke 22:18, 29-30 – to be “in MY Father’s kingdom”
2.
The church
– 1 Cor. 10:16,17, 11:18-26
d.
Why not
always use one term or another?
The reason is that different descriptions describe different
roles of the same entity. In
actuality, there are several descriptions of the church – a vineyard,
household (family), a body, and temple.
Just as a person might have different functions (i.e. a man can
be a male, a father, a husband, citizen, employee, etc.), so the
different words descriptions of the church describe different functions.
The term “kingdom” refers to the form of government of the
church. It describes our
relationship to Christ as our king!
a.
It is a
spiritual kingdom –
i.
One of the
issues we deal with today in discussing the kingdom is that many believe
Jesus is returning to earth to establish His kingdom on the throne of
David in Jerusalem. That is
NOT taught in scripture.
Nowhere are we told Jesus will set foot on earth again – in fact, 1
Thess. 4:16-17 says that when Jesus returns we will be caught up in the
air to be with him “forever”.
ii.
Also, it
is emphasized in scripture that the kingdom is a spiritual kingdom.
Luke 17:20-21, Jesus said that the kingdom would not come with
observation and “The kingdom of
God is within you.”
Jn. 18:36, Jesus told Pilate, “MY kingdom is not of this world.”
Romans 14:17 says, “for the
kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace
and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
b.
Elements
of the kingdom of God -
i.
it is said
that for any kingdom, there has to be four elements present – a king,
territory, law and subjects.
All of these are recorded in scripture as being present.
ii.
Christ is our king
– Matt. 28:18, “All authority…”
Isaiah 9:6–7, “For unto us a Child
is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His
shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government
and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His
kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From
that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will
perform this.”
Heb. 2:9 describes Jesus as being “crowned with glory and honor.”
Also 1 Tim. 6:15
He is NOW reigning – 1 Pet. 3:22 says that Jesus, “has gone into heaven
and is at the right hand of God.”
1 Cor. 15:24-25 – He must reign until He has put all enemies under His
feet.
Eph. 1:18-21 speaks of Jesus being seated at the right hand of God, “not
only in this age, but also in the age to come.”
iii.
His territory – defined in scripture as all the world, Matt. 28:18, “All authority
has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
Rev. 1:5 says “and from Jesus
Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler
over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our
sins in His own blood.”
NOTE: WE are also told in scripture that this world is the domain of
Satan. That is true
PHYSICALLY, but spiritually – Christ is King EVERYWHERE.
And in time, the world will submit to Him.
iv.
His subjects
– the saved. Those who are
“born again” (John 3:3,5).
Again Col. 1:13-18 as a text ties the kingdom and church together.
Ephesians 2:19 says, “Now,
therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow
citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,”
v.
His law
– John 12:48 – the teachings of Jesus
will be our judge; 2 Pet. 1:3 tells us that His divine power has given
us “all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge
of Him who has called us to gory and virtue.
a.
Having
established that the kingdom is now and Christ is reigning as king, how
do we apply this today?
Consider the following:
b.
We need
to enter the kingdom and become citizens
– we have already noted how to do that (John 3:3,5).
Simply stated, we enter the kingdom by obeying the gospel.
c.
We are
subject to our King – that
means we must obey His law! Matt. 7:21-23 tells us it is not enough to
say you believe, you must do.
Matt. 28:18-20 speaks of obeying the gospel and learning to “observe all
things commanded.”
d.
Our
greatness determined by how we serve
– Matt. 20:24-28, Jesus taught that we are to be servants to others.
Our greatness in the kingdom is determined by our humility while
upon this earth (cf. Mark 10:14-15 – become as little children).
Matt. 25:31-46 describes the judgment.
Notice that in vs. 32 all nations are gathered to Him and the
sheep and goats are separated.
Vs. 34 says, “Then the KING
will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’”
He proceeds to describe their service to others and how that is
noticed.
e.
Understand our citizenship –
we have established that the kingdom of God is spiritual.
While upon this earth, we are citizens of the kingdom, but you
could say we are pilgrims and sojourners (1 Pet. 2:11, Heb. 11:13).
We want to spend eternity with our heavenly Father and our Lord
Jesus Christ. Phil. 3:12-14
describes Paul’s attitude in this – pressing toward the goal.
Colossians 3:1-2, “If then you
were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ
is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not
on things on the earth.”
As citizens of the
kingdom it is important that we understand what the kingdom is.
Because our Lord lives and reigns, we have hope.
Let us strive to enter that kingdom and to remain faithful and
loyal citizens. What about
you? Is Jesus your king?