The Kingdom of God

 
The Mystery of the Kingdom of God Revealed Pt. 25, The Biblical Story By Pastor Dan Kennedy © March 8, 2015 www.pastorkennedy.com The Mystery of the Sun Over the centuries we didn’t know much about the sun. We could see that it is incredibly bright, hot and an absolute essential element for life on earth…but what makes it so bright, so hot, and so essential? How did it get there…just the right distance from the earth, and what sustains its brilliance? It rises and sets like a finely tuned clock and has done so for eons! What keeps it? The sun is a mystery. The Sun is so large that about one million three hundred thousand (1,300,000) planet Earths can fit inside of it. It’s diameter is over 100 times (about 109 times) the diameter of Earth and weighs over three hundred thousand times (about 333,000 times) as much as Earth. The sun is almost 93 million miles (92,960,000) from the earth. (Information about the sun gleaned from a California Institute of Technology site on the sun.) • Where did the Sun come from? • Why is the Sun so perfectly there? • If the Sun’s fuel was ever expended and it burned out, all life on our planet would die. • If the Sun had never existed, neither would we. • If the magnetic bands around the earth did not protect us from the Sun’s most harmful rays, we would be destroyed. The existence of the sun has been and still is a great mystery. (see Solar Flares Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSVv40M2aks) We may not understand most of the realities about the sun, but that does not keep the sun’s purpose from being fulfilled. The Mystery of God’s Kingdom We may not understand or even believe the realities of who God is and what His purpose is for those on this earth, but our lack of comprehending His plan does not keep God from fulfilling the reality of His purpose. Over the past fifteen months we have been studying key portions of the Scripture. We have been highlighting particular stories and doctrinal teachings that through the centuries have proved to be critical to understanding the factual authenticity and the Truth that God wants those He created on earth to know about, from His Word, the Bible. Today we are studying the revelation of God’s Kingdom found in the New Testament. From the beginning of Creation God has established and begun implementation of His plan through the ages. The New Testament unravels the mystery of God’s intent to build, through the lives of those who become His Children, a Kingdom, which would be established forever. Much of the teaching on God’s Kingdom had been a mystery for those who lived in the centuries before the coming, sacrifice and glory, of Jesus, the Messiah. Those in the Old Testament looked, by faith, to comprehend the fullness of the mystery of God’s Kingdom – but God had hidden it from them. Their faith was counted as righteousness. Realizing that in due time the mystery of God’s Kingdom would be revealed, though they did not understand it, through faith they became strangers and exiles here, looking for a better country…a heavenly one. They did not realize the fullness of what their sacrificial system was pointing to in Christ’s death, nor could they perceive His conquering death, His resurrection and glory. They could not perceive the resident coming of the Holy Spirit and His transformation in the life of the believer – “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). By faith they accepted what they could perceive. They looked for a city with eternal foundations, whose architect and builder was God; and, God counted their faith as righteousness. But, there would come a day when the mystery of God’s Kingdom would be revealed. We are recipients of the revelation of that mystery. 1 Corinthians 2:7–8 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Hebrews 11:13–16 13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city… 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 1 Peter 1:10–12 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. The Old Testament Covenants and the New Covenant Relationship The Primary Old Testament Covenants were: ¬ God’s Covenant with Noah – the promise of the Rainbow to never again destroy mankind by a flood of rain and water (Gen. 6:18; 9:9-17). Can you imagine what Noah and his family (and the generations to come) would feel every time it rained, if God had not given them this covenant? ¬ God’s Covenant with Abraham – the National Covenant of Circumcision (Gen. 15:18; 17:2-13). If you follow this ritual, you will be regarded as My people. ¬ God’s Covenant with Israel at Sinai – the Legal Covenant, the Law, the 10 Commandments (Ex. 34:10, 27-28; Deut. 5:2; 1 Kings 8:9). If you follow My Laws, you will understand My Ways and will be regarded as My People. The New Covenant Relationships Relationships with God in the New Testament (the New Covenant) are established on our personal integration into His Kingdom – “Christ in you, the Hope of Glory!” by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Mystery of the Gentiles being given Opportunity to Come into Christ’s Kingdom Ephesians 3:6 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Eph. 2:11-22; Col. 1:26-27; Gal. 3:29) Covenants in the New Testament were no longer the key topic of discussion as they were in the Old Testament; instead, the New Testament now spoke of our relationship in “The Kingdom of God”. The Old Testament Covenants were also Embedded in the Sacrificial Systems 1. The coverings of skins provided for Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:21) 2. Abel’s pleasing sacrifice to God from his flock (Gen. 4:3-4) 3. Noah’s sacrifices to God after the flood (Gen. 8:20-22) 4. To the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb (Ex. 12:21-24) 5. and the Levitical Sacrificial System given to Moses on Mt. Sinai (Lev. 1-7). These sacrifices were graphic illustrations and precursors of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who would take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Common Elements of Levitical Sacrifices. While multiple types of sacrifices existed in the Levitical system, they all shared certain traits: • All animal sacrifices were to use a ceremonially clean animal “without blemish” (Lev 1:3; 3:1; 4:3; 5:15). • In all animal sacrifices, the fatty portions were sacred to Yahweh even if other portions of the sacrifice were consumed. • Blood was never consumed but was cast upon the altar. • Animal sacrifices required the worshiper to lay hands upon the offered animal prior to slaughter as a gesture of substitution (Wenham, Book of Leviticus, 61). • All Levitical sacrifices took place in the court before the tent of meeting or—later—the temple. • Unclean portions of a sacrificial animal were taken outside of the camp to be destroyed; they were never burned within the camp. • All Levitical sacrifices allowed exceptions for the poor: if the worshiper lacked a herd animal, animals of the flock, birds or even flour were accepted (Lev 5:7–12). (from: The Lexham Bible Dictionary) The Sacrificial Blood of Bulls and Goats slain in the Sacrificial System always points to the Cross of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, because the Old Covenant sacrifices of animals can never take away sin. Hebrews 10:4 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Hebrews 8:13 13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete…. A New Covenant – and the Perfect Sacrifice A New Covenant is given in the New Testament, where Jesus is revealed to be the spotless Sacrifice and the High Priest of a Better Covenant (Hebrews 8; 10:4-5) Hebrews 12:24 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. John 1:29 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Hebrews 10:11–12 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God…. A New Covenant – and A New Birth New Birth, through the Transformation by the Holy Spirit, to become a Child of God. We do not know how the sun shines, and we also do not understand how God transforms us by His Spirit. John 3:7-8 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Only those who are Born Again will see The Kingdom of God John 3:3 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 1:12–13 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. Titus 3:4–6 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior… John 7:38–39 38 “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” (see John 4:13-14) 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Acts 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The New Testament Revelation of the Mystery of the Kingdom of God is for those who have been redeemed by Christ’s Blood and Born Again by God’s Holy Spirit Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God many times, as recorded in the Gospels. During the 40 days following Jesus’ death and resurrection He gave many proofs of His being alive to His disciples, and He spoke to them about the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 3 He (Jesus) presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. During His Ministry Jesus gave Several Illustrations about the Kingdom of God • The Mustard Seed and the Leaven (Matthew 13:31-33) o A tiny Mustard seed growing to the size of a tree (see also Mark 4:30-32) o Leavening (yeast) permeating all of the dough. So it is with the Kingdom of God. • Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44) o A great treasure is found in a field and one sells all he has to purchase the field to obtain the treasure. So it is with one seeking the Kingdom of God. • Parable of the Pearl of Great Value (Matthew 13:45-46) o A merchant in search of fine pearls sees one of great value and sells all he has to obtain it. So it is with those seeking the Kingdom of God. • Parable of the Fishing Net (Matthew 13:47-50) o A fishing net is thrown into the sea and when filled it is drawn out with fish of every kind…but the fishermen sort the good in different containers and throw the bad away. So it is with the Kingdom of God. • The Parable of the mysterious growth of a Seed (Mark 4:26-29) o A sower scatters seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day and the seed sprouts and grows – he knows not how. The earth produces by itself (without any help of the sower), first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. When the grain is ripe the sower harvests the crop. So it is with the Kingdom of God. Sometimes there are Confusing Responses toward God and His Kingdom, because of a variety of reasons: The Reasoning of our Mind The Feelings of our Emotions The Pressures of our Sexuality The Dynamics of the Spirit Realm The Conflicting Struggles of our health, wealth, suffering and death The Influence of our Peers, including Cultural Opinion in the world The Relationship and Expectations of our Family’s Spiritual Traditions The Conviction of the Holy Spirit There are many things that can pull us away from God, but in order for us to experience healthy Spiritual growth, we should yield and submit to the Authority of God and His Word, and follow His Spirit’s promptings, as we cry out to God in prayer. Thankfully, the Spirit of God draws us toward God through the Scripture! Jesus Clarified Individual Responses in Regard to God’s Kingdom in the The Parable of the Sower Matthew 13:3–9 (See also Mark 4:3-9; 13-20 and Luke 8:4-8; 11-15) 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:18–23 The Parable of the Sower Explained 18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” 1. The Hardened Path (Matt. 13:19) • Hardened Hearts: They hear but their hearts been have hardened and they do not understand. Satan snatches the seed and these go through life as if God has no place in their lives. Will those whose hearts resemble “the Hardened Path” enter the Kingdom of God? 2. The Rocky Ground (Matt. 13:20-21) • Joyful Reception: They hear the word and receive it with joy. • Rootless Faith: But these have no root in themselves; • Limited Tenure: They believe for a while, and • Testing then Exit: In time of testing fall away. 1 John 2:19 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 2 Peter 2:17–22 17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” Will those whose hearts resemble “the Rocky Ground” enter the Kingdom of God? 3. The Thorny Ground (Matt. 13:22) • Cares: Their mind is preoccupied and choked by the cares of the world. • Riches: Their perspectives are clouded by the deceitfulness of riches. • Pleasures: Their priorities are occupied by the pleasures of this life. How does the explanation Jesus gives of “the Thorny Ground” reveal a person’s relationship to God and his or her involvement in God’s Kingdom? A critical issue to those found in the Thorny Ground is unfruitfulness. What happens to this person’s spiritual life and effectiveness in God’s Eternal Kingdom? 4. The Good Soil (Matt. 13:23) • Hear: They are those who, hear the word… • Understand: The understand and accept God’s Word... • Hold fast: With an honest and good heart they hold fast to God’s Word... • Bear Fruit: And they, with patience (Luke 8:15), bear fruit – some 100x; 60x; or 30x. What happens to those in God’s Eternal Kingdom whose lives bore good fruit in this life, because their hearts were fertile with good soil toward God? Our Lack of Understanding Does not Complicate God’s Purpose We may not understand the realities about the sun, the earth, the universe, with all of God’s creations, but that does not keep God purposes for His creation from being fulfilled. The Mystery of God’s Kingdom We may not understand or even believe the realities of who God is and what His purpose is for those on this earth, but our lack of comprehending His plan does not keep God from fulfilling the reality of His purpose for His coming Kingdom! The Mystery of the Kingdom of God is revealed in the New Testament for all who seek God. It is: “Christ in You the Hope of Glory”. This is accomplished not through a religious rite such as circumcision, or the following of the Law, but through New Birth, whereby any, who by Grace through Faith are born into God’s Family, by belief in Christ’s Redemptive Work, and the Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit, are made fellow heirs in the Everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! We submit to Christ’s Authority. “The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.  To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:26–27 http://www.pastorkennedy.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSVv40M2akshttp://biblia.com/reference/Le1.3http://biblia.com/reference/Le3.1http://biblia.com/referehttp://biblia.com/reference/Le5.15http://logos.com/resource/LLS%24NICOT03LEhttp://biblia.com/reference/Le5.7-12shapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3shapeimage_1_link_4shapeimage_1_link_5shapeimage_1_link_6shapeimage_1_link_7