THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

“Which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” {1 Timothy 6:15}

GOVERNMENT OF GOD’S CHURCH

• His church is also a KINGDOM.• Preached that it was “at hand”– “And saying, "Repent, for the kingdom

of heaven is at hand!”{Matthew 3:2}– “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus

came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”{Mark 1:14,15}

GOVERNMENT OF GOD’S CHURCH

• His church is also a KINGDOM.• Parables set forth church as Kingdom– “Another parable He put forth to them,

saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.”{Matthew 13:24}

– “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”{Matthew 13:44}

GOVERNMENT OF GOD’S CHURCH

• His church is also a KINGDOM.• Apostles given authority in the Kingdom– “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this

rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”{Matthew 16:18,19}

– “So Jesus said to them, assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”{Matthew 19:28}

GOVERNMENT OF GOD’S CHURCH

• His church is also a KINGDOM.• People alive in time of Christ were to

witness the coming of the kingdom.– “And He said to them, assuredly, I say to

you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”{Mark 9:1}

– “But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”{Luke 9:27}

GOVERNMENT OF GOD’S CHURCH

• His church is also a KINGDOM.• A Spiritual kingdom—not earthly!– “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of

this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”{John 18:36}

– “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”{Romans 14:17}

GOVERNMENT OF GOD’S CHURCH

• His church is also a KINGDOM.• A Spiritual kingdom—not earthly!– “For the kingdom of God is not in word

but in power.”{1 Corinthians 4:20}– “Now when He was asked by the

Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” {Luke 17:20,21}

GOVERNMENT OF GOD’S CHURCH

• His church is also a KINGDOM.• After Day of Pentecost and coming of the

Holy Spirit, kingdom spoken as in existence.– “But when they believed Philip as he preached

the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.”{Acts 8:12}

– “"And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.” {Acts 20:25}

GOVERNMENT OF GOD’S CHURCH

• His church is also a KINGDOM.• After Day of Pentecost and coming of the

Holy Spirit, kingdom spoken as in existence.– “He has delivered us from the power of

darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.”{Colossians 1:13}

– “That you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” {1 Thessalonians 2:12}

GOVERNMENT OF GOD’S CHURCH

• His church is also a KINGDOM.• In coming unto the church we receive

the kingdom.– “But you have come to Mount Zion and

to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect…”{Hebrews 12:22,23,}

GOVERNMENT OF GOD’S CHURCH

• His church is also a KINGDOM.• In coming unto the church we receive

the kingdom.– “To Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant,

and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven…”{Hebrews 12:24,25,}

GOVERNMENT OF GOD’S CHURCH

• His church is also a KINGDOM.• In coming unto the church we receive

the kingdom.– “Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the

removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” {Hebrews 12:27,28,}

GOVERNMENT OF GOD’S CHURCH

• His church is also a KINGDOM.• Lord’s Supper is in the Kingdom.– “For I say to you, I will no longer eat of it

until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” {Luke 22:16-18}

CHRIST AS KING

• Christ is King in His KINGDOM.• By own teaching and

acknowledgement.– “Then the whole multitude of them arose

and led Him to Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King. Then Pilate asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews? He answered him and said, "It is as you say.” {Luke 23:1-3}

CHRIST AS KING

• Christ is King in His KINGDOM.• He conquered in becoming King.– “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower

than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” {Hebrews 2:9}

– “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” {Hebrews 2:14,15}

CHRIST AS KING

• Christ is King in His KINGDOM.• He conquered in becoming King.– “I am He who lives, and was dead, and

behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” {Revelation 1:18}

– “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” {1 John 3:8}

CHRIST AS KING

• Christ is King in His KINGDOM.• His territory—wrested from Satan.– “Then the devil, taking Him up on a high

mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours. And Jesus answered and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.” {Luke 4:5-8}

CHRIST AS KING

• Christ is King in His KINGDOM.• His territory—wrested from Satan.– “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye

will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” {Revelation 1:7-9}

CHRIST AS KING

• Christ is King in His KINGDOM.• His authority and throne.– “He will be great, and will be called the

Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” {Luke 1:32,33}

CHRIST AS KING

• Christ is King in His KINGDOM.• His authority and throne.– “Which He worked in Christ when He raised

Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” {Ephesians 1:20-23}

CHRIST AS KING

• Christ is King in His KINGDOM.• His law.– “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My

words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” {John 12:48}

– “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”{John 1:17}

– “"For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.” {John 17:8}

ESSENTIALS OF CITIZENSHIP IN GOD’S KINGDOM

• Requirements necessary in the KINGDOM.• Enter by the new birth.– “Jesus answered and said to him, "Most

assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 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?“Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” {John 3:3-5}

ESSENTIALS OF CITIZENSHIP IN GOD’S KINGDOM

• Requirements necessary in the KINGDOM.• Must do God’s will.– “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,'

shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?‘ And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” {Matthew 7:21-23}

ESSENTIALS OF CITIZENSHIP IN GOD’S KINGDOM

• Requirements necessary in the KINGDOM.

• Center affections on heavenly things.– “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. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” {Colossians 3:1-4}

ESSENTIALS OF CITIZENSHIP IN GOD’S KINGDOM

• Requirements necessary in the KINGDOM.• Greatness in kingdom measured by the

service rendered.– “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, You

know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” {Matthew 20:25-28}

ESSENTIALS OF CITIZENSHIP IN GOD’S KINGDOM

• Requirements necessary in the KINGDOM.• Must be united.– “But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them:

"Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.” {Luke 11:17}

– “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” {1 Corinthians 1:10}

ESSENTIALS OF CITIZENSHIP IN GOD’S KINGDOM

• Requirements necessary in the KINGDOM.• Requires sacrifice.– “Then Jesus looked around and said to His

disciples, How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” {Mark 10:23-25}

ESSENTIALS OF CITIZENSHIP IN GOD’S KINGDOM

• Requirements necessary in the KINGDOM.

• Receive as a little child.– “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does

not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” {Mark 10:15}

– “And said, Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” {Matthew 18:3}

FINAL PICTURE

• There will be a judgment.– “He answered and said to them: "He who

sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.” {Matthew 13:37-40}

FINAL PICTURE

• There will be a judgment.– “When the Son of Man comes in His

glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.” {Matthew 25:31-33}