OceanSide church of Christ

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THE PARABLES OF JESUS (2)

A Study of the Kingdom

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   In Matthew 13, we begin to read about the parables of Jesus.

 

B.    The disciples were somewhat confused about the nature of Jesus’ teaching.  Thus, they asked Him about it (Matt. 13:10).

 

And the disciples came, and said unto him, why speakest thou unto them in parables?

 

C.   Jesus’ response point His followers to the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 13:11).

 

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

 

1.     Jesus speaks about the dual role of the parables.

a.     The reveal the truth.

b.    They conceal the truth.

2.     He also notes that the purpose of the parable is for His followers to learn something about the kingdom of heaven.

a.     This was the kingdom that had been foretold by the prophets of old (Dan. 2:44).

 

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed:  the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

 

b.    Often Jesus would preface a parable with words that noted that He was speaking of the kingdom of God (Matt. 13:24).

 

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man which sowed good seed in his field.

 

D.   Since the parables focus on the kingdom, it is appropriate for us to briefly define and examine this kingdom.  There are four aspects of the kingdom that we will study tonight.

 

I.           KINGDOM CAN INVOLVE “REIGN” AND “DOMINION”

 

A.   Reign:

1.     To have control, rule, or influence of any kind

2.     To be the dominate power or influence

3.     The period during which a sovereign occupies the throne

 

 

 

B.    We can apply this definition in two ways:

1.     Broadly speaking, the kingdom of God has always existed.

a.     Psalm 93:2

 

Thy throne is established of old:  thou are from everlasting.

 

b.    Psalm 103:19

 

The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

 

2.     The second way to apply this definition involves the hearts of men (Luke 17:20-21).

 

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees when the kingdom of God should come, he answered and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:  neither shall they say, Lo here!  Or, lo there!  For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

 

a.     The kingdom of God comes when men allow God to reign and have dominion within their hearts.

b.    Each of us could be asked:

1)     Have you allowed the kingdom of God to be established within you?

2)     Does the Lord occupy the throne of your heart?

3)     Does God control, rule and reign from within you?

 

II.         THE KINGDOM IS SPIRITUAL IN NATURE

 

A.   The Jews believed that a physical kingdom would be established upon the earth by the Messiah.  Those who adhere to the doctrine of premillennialism believe the same thing.

1.     We hear a lot about “the coming of the kingdom.”

2.     Individuals often speak of the “thousand year reign of Christ on earth.”

 

B.    Jesus’ kingdom was never intended to be a physical kingdom (John 18:36).

 

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world:  if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews:  but now is my kingdom not from hence.

 

C.   Paul reveals that the kingdom involves spiritual things, not physical things (Rom. 14:17).

 

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

 

III.       GOD’S KINGDOM TODAY IS THE CHURCH

 

A.   Broadly speaking, God’s kingdom is the entire world.  He rules and reigns over all.

B.    For the purpose of salvation, God has established a very special kingdom today.  That kingdom is the church.

1.     In a conversation with Peter, Jesus used “church” and “kingdom” synony-mously (Matt. 16:18-19).

 

And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of the king-dom:  and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.

 

2.     Paul told the Colossian Christians that they had been delivered out of the power of darkness and had been translated into the kingdom of God’s dear son (Col. 1:13).

 

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.

 

3.     John told his readers that he was their companion in the kingdom of Christ (Rev. 1:9).

 

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

C.   Proof the kingdom of God is in existence:

1.     Jesus said the kingdom of God would come with power (Mark 9:1).

2.     Jesus told the disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8).

3.     The Holy Ghost came upon the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).

a.     If Jesus was right, the power came when the Holy Ghost came.

b.    If Jesus was right, the kingdom came when the power came.

c.    Acts 2:47

4.     Since the Colossians were in the kingdom, the kingdom had to have been established when Paul wrote to them (Col. 1:13).

 

IV.        THE KINGDOM  CAN BE SPOKEN OF IN A FUTURE TENSE

 

A.   Four verses:

1.     Matthew 25:34

 

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

 

2.     I Corinthians 15:50

 

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

 

3.     II Timothy 4:18

 

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom:  to whom be glory for ever and ever.

 

4.     II Peter 1:10-11

 

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure:  for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:  for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abun-dantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

B.    This kingdom will be composed of all the faithful from all the ages: the Patriarchal Age, the Mosaic Age, and the Christian Age.

 

C.   This kingdom will be:

1.     Heavenly

2.     Sinless

3.     Incorruptible

4.     Eternal

 

D.   God the Father will rule and reign over this kingdom (I Cor. 15:24-28).

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   We have seen four concepts connected to the kingdom of God.

 

B.    We need to respond to these four concepts.

1.     We must believe the kingdom is spiritual and not earthly.

2.     We must allow the kingdom of God, the reign of God, to rule in our hearts.

3.     We must be citizens of the kingdom now, that is, the church.

4.     We need to be preparing for an entrance into the eternal kingdom to come.