(pt. 1)
“The kingdom of God is not just
an interesting academic pursuit. It is
intensely personal and practical study. It is the basis of our hope & the
solution to everything wrong in the world!
Every frustration, fear, and doubt can be answered by the kingdom of God.”
“My
heart longs for the kingdom. I think
about its coming daily… how can’t I when it seems as if every month I hear of
someone diagnosed with cancer or some life-threatening situation. My experiences are not unique. The world my children are inheriting seems
to worsen daily. Increasingly, good is
called evil and evil is considered good.
Traditional values are mocked.
Even a creation ordinance like marriage has been redefined!”
The Messianic King and the glorious Kingdom doesn’t just
fall out of the sky ‘willy-nilly.’ The biblical literate believer would not be shocked by what John witnesses in Revelation 20.
Revelation
20 harmonizes perfectly:
With 1) The Unconditional Promises in the Great Covenants
(Gen. 12, 15; 2 Sam. 7; Jer. 31-32);
With 2) the Unwavering Hope of the O.T.
Prophets (Hosea 3; Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1f; Zech. 12-14);
With 3) the Inspired Apostolic Writings
(i.e. the N.T.) (Acts 3; Rom. 9-11);
and with 4) the End
Times Teachings of Christ (Acts 1:1-11; Matthew 21-25)
(See related sermon series on the LCBC website on
Prophesy and Eschatology, the Great Biblical Covenants, and our Luke 1
miniseries).
Today's sermon rests on three sermon headings:
I) Jesus’ “famous last
words” in Acts 1:1-11-.
II) The King and Kingdom
“Reoffered” in Acts 3:19-21.
III) The Apostle's Ongoing Message in Acts 28:23f
The history of the early
church begins and ends highlighting what theme/promise/hope?
(Acts 28:23-24, 30-31)
And when they had set a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in
large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the
kingdom of God, and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the
Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. And some were being persuaded by the things
spoken, but others would not believe.
For
Further Reflection/Application: We must be doers of the Word and not merely hearers
Is this going to be a practical series? “The kingdom of God is not just an
interesting academic pursuit. It is
intensely personal and practical. It is the basis of our hope and the solution
to everything wrong in the world! Every
frustration, fear, and doubt can be answered by the kingdom of God.” M Vlach.
“The Rule of God over His Creation” is a
good biblical definition of the Kingdom of God.
Gods kingdom
program involves 5 major parts or developments in redemptive-history:
1) Creation. 2) Fall. 3) Promise. 4) Redemption. 5) Restoration.
1) Creation. 2) Fall. 3) Promise. 4) Redemption. 5) Restoration.
When reading the Bible please keep in mind
that the many stories in Scripture constitute a single Story. How should this basic truth impact biblical
interpretation?
“The bible’s storyline shows how the kingdom
created goes to the kingdom fallen, which then leads to the kingdom
restored.” The Messiah and King of kings
is the focal point and anchor of God’s purpose-plan.
“God’s
kingdom program is the outworking of His eternal and unconditional covenants.”
(Dwight Pentecost). Go back over your
sermon notes from Genesis 12 and 15, 2 Samuel 7, and Hosea 3 which unpack the
Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants. These
messages are also available on our website www.lakecountrybible.org
Explain how the great O.T. covenants/promises
are related to Revelation 20 and the Kingdom of Christ Jesus. The Bible ultimately reveals one overarching
storyline.
“Universal blessing to the nations (Rev. 5)
do not negate particular blessings to the nation Israel (Gen. 12:1-3; Romans
11:26)” (Vlach). “The inclussion of
redeemed nations in God’s covenants and promises does not mean the forfeiture
of Israel’s specific promises.” Many
things in theology are both/and rather than either/or.
Old Testament expectations (see sermons on
Luke 1). “Salvation and restoration of
the nation Israel in an earthly kingdom of God under the Messiah with land and
physical blessings for Israel as the basis for bringing blessings to the nations.” Note also Acts 1:3-8; Matthew 19:28;
23:37-39; Romans 11:26;
If an O.T. Messianic promise is not
fulfilled at the time of Jesus’ first coming, than it will be fulfilled during
His second advent. God always keeps His
word! (Titus 1:2).
Related
Praise Songs: Theology fuels Doxology! We dig deeply in order that we may go high!
Jesus Shall Reign O’er All the Earth- Keith
and Kristyn Getty
Joy to the World- Isaac Watts
The Sands of Time Are Sinking- see Capital
Hill Baptist Church
Is He Worthy? Andrew Peterson
Lion and Lamb- Shane and Shane
The Lord’s Prayer- Grace Community
Church
Related
Biblical Texts: Search the Scriptures to see if these things
be so.
Daniel 2, 7; Isaiah 65:17-25; Amos 9:11-15; Zechariah
12-14; Matthew 19:28; 23:37-39; 24:9-29; Luke 21:31; Acts 1:1-8; Romans 11; 1
Thess. 5:1-4; 2 Thess. 2; Revelation 19-22
Related
Resources: Dig more deeply into
the theology and doctrine of Scripture.
He Will Reign Forever- Michael Vlach
The New Covenant Ministry of the Holy Spirit-
Larry Pettegrew
Because the Time is Near- John
MacArthur
Amillennialism & the Age to Come: A
Premillennial Critique- Matt Waymeyer
