The Gospel of the Kingdom of God
In this series we shall study
– Plans, Prophecies, and Expectations
– The Kingdom Is At Hand!
– The Kingdom’s Nature
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The Kingdom Comes
The Kingdom’s Citizens
The Kingdom’s Laws
The Kingdom’s Rewards
The Kingdom’s Defenders
The Kingdom’s Future
The Kingdom’s Alternative
The Gospel of the Kingdom
The Kingdom’s Nature
• Outline
– A different kind of kingdom
– Different by its origin
– Different by its manifestation
– Different by its citizens
– Different by its value
– Different by its focus
– Different by its endurance
– Different by what it rejects
The Gospel of the Kingdom
The Kingdom’s Nature
• A different kind of kingdom
– Satan offered Jesus all the world’s kingdoms (Matt. 4:8)
– God’s kingdom is not like the world’s kingdoms
– Jesus’ kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36)
– Jesus explained the kingdom in parables
– The apostles also commented on its nature
– Worldly men cannot understand it (1 Cor. 2:14)
The Gospel of the Kingdom
The Kingdom’s Nature
• Different by its origin
– The world’s kingdoms originate with men on earth, but
God’s kingdom has a heavenly origin
– Divinely planned, prophesied, and built (Daniel 7:13-14)
– Jesus is the builder of His kingdom/church (Mt. 16:18)
– Its architect & builder is God (Heb. 11:4)
– It was planted like a seed and grew (Mt. 13:31-32)
The Gospel of the Kingdom
The Kingdom’s Nature
• Different by its manifestation
– The world’s kingdoms are seen in headquarters with
armed guards, but God’s kingdom is manifested in
individual members
– Did not appear with signs, but in people (Luke 17:20-21)
– It is built of people who are spiritual stones (1 Pet. 2:5)
– Flesh & blood cannot inherit it (I Cor. 15:50)
– Its headquarters is in heaven, not earth (Heb. 8:1)
– Its enemies are not fleshly, but spiritual forces of evil
(Eph. 6:12)
The Gospel of the Kingdom
The Kingdom’s Nature
• Different by its citizens
– Citizenship in human kingdoms is based on being
natural-born or obtaining citizenship through a legal
process. Citizens of God’s kingdom are different:
– They enter by being born again (John 3:3,5)
– They are spiritually minded (Gal. 6:1)
– They offer spiritual worship (Rom. 12:1)
– They share in spiritual things (Rom. 14:17; 15:27)
The Gospel of the Kingdom
The Kingdom’s Nature
• Different by its value
– The financial kingdoms of the world are characterized
by their monetary value (corporate empires, GDP)
– God’s kingdom is like a hidden treasure, a pearl of
great price (Matt. 13:44-46)
– Its riches are spiritual (Eph. 1:3-12)
– Its treasures are in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21; 19:21)
– Its economy on earth is good deeds (1 Tim. 6:17-19)
– To Jesus, it was worth leaving heaven and suffering
death on a cross. What is it worth to you? (Matt. 16:26)
The Gospel of the Kingdom
The Kingdom’s Nature
• Different by its focus
– The world focuses on here/now: living for the moment
(YOLO), indulgence in whatever makes you feel good, etc.
God’s kingdom looks to the future.
– Parable of ten virgins: watch and be ready (Mt. 25:1-13)
– Parable of the talents: be faithful stewards (Mt. 25:14-23)
– It will ultimately be handed over to the Father (I Cor.
15:24)
– Where is your focus: here & now, or heaven?
The Gospel of the Kingdom
The Kingdom’s Nature
• Different by its endurance
– Kingdoms, nations, and corporations rise and fall, but
God’s kingdom is everlasting
– It will have no end (Lk. 1:33)
– Cannot be shaken (Heb. 12:28)
– Will endure forever (Dan. 2:44)
The Gospel of the Kingdom
The Kingdom’s Nature
• Different by what it rejects
– Worldly kingdoms celebrate the freedom to sin, but
God’s kingdom rejects what is unholy
– Those who will not humble themselves (Mark 10:15)
– Those who put worldly wealth first (Mark 10:23-25)
– Those who turn back to the world (Luke 9:62)
– The unrighteous (1 Cor. 6:9-10)
– Doers of the deeds of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21)
– Immoral/impure/covetous/idolators (Eph. 5:5)
The Gospel of the Kingdom
The Kingdom’s Nature
• Summary of the nature of God’s kingdom
– It is not like the kingdoms of this world
– It has a divine origin & builder, not an earthly origin
– Its manifestation is in people, not physical structures
– Its citizens are spiritually minded
– It has incomparable value
– Its focus is the next life
– It will endure forever
– The unholy cannot be in it
The Gospel of the Kingdom
• The gates of the kingdom are open now and all are
invited to enter
• God has done His part to make the kingdom
accessible to you today
• Will you do your part to enter it?
• Obey the Gospel: believe, repent, confess, be
baptized, and God will add you to it! (Acts 2:38,47)
• If you previously entered but have since departed,
will you repent and return?
Hear , believe, and
obey the Gospel today!