The Kingdom of Heaven

Goal

To allow the words of Jesus to bring clarity to each of us about our commitment to the Kingdom

The Kingdom of Heaven

1. The Long-Promised Kingdom Finally Arrives
2. New Kingdom ==> New set of Laws
3. How to get Citizenship?

Expectation

• Prophesied for centuries: a Messiah would come and there would be a Kingdom
• And then finally, John the Baptist comes:
  “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand”
  • this is what they were waiting for and expecting
• Shortly after that, Jesus arrives on the scene and announces the Kingdom

Luke 4 Announcement

17. And he was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written:
18. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
20. Then he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on him.

Luke 4 Today!

21. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22. So all bore witness to him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”

Luke 4 But...

23. he said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in your country.’”
24. Then he said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.

Luke 4 But...

25. “But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land;
26. “but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
27. “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”

Luke 4 Attempted murder!

28. So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
29. and rose up and thrust him out of the city; and they led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw him down over the cliff.
30. Then passing through the midst of them, he went his way.

Mark 4 (to the disciples)

11. And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables

The Kingdom Grows

• His following grew
• As his following grew, so did the opposition
• Israel are not exclusive—Jesus did miracles for Gentiles as well as Jews
  • The first clue that the kingdom of God wasn’t quite what they were expecting
• This Messiah wasn’t saying the things that they were expecting

“Sermon on the Mount”
A Kingdom Manifesto

• Jesus’ core teaching, found in Matt, Mark & Luke, e.g.
• “You have heard it was said unto you … but I say unto you …”
• “Blessed are the … for they shall …”
• Some verses in Matthew 5:

Matthew 5

21. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’
22. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Upside-down teachings like:

• Loving enemies
• Not fighting back when attacked
• Loving those who do hate you
• Not worrying about your most important needs
• Everything is free, yet comes at a high price
• Laying down your all you have in this life and God giving you much more in return

Matthew 5 (previous verse)

20. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5

27. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
28. But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

John 3 – Nicodemus

2. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
3. Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4. Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5. Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be from above.’

Matthew 13 – the Dragnet

47. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.
48. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.
49. So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous

Experiencing the Kingdom

1. (Luke 12:32) “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
   • Believe that his heart is to bless you—that’s why he wants you to take the risk.
2. Surrender to King Jesus
   • allow his “upside-down” and soak in his words
3. You can’t do it without his strength, so climb on him, like a child