The Kingdom of the Gospel

by R.J. Stevens

Introduction:

  1. Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom.  Mark 1:14-15; Matt. 4:17
  2. Philip preached about the kingdom when he preached Christ.  Acts 8:12
  3. Paul preached about the kingdom when he preached Christ.  Acts 28:30-31
  4. What kind of kingdom is the Bible talking about?  Of God.  Of Heaven.   Not of this world.  John 18:36; Rom. 14:8-9, 16-18; Matt. 22:32.  A spiritual kingdom.
  1. Jesus Christ is the Foundation of the Kingdom or the Church.
    1. Matt. 16:16-19 - "My church"
      Acts 15:7 - "Keys of the kingdom"
    2. Mark 9:1 - Was to come with power.
    3. Luke 24:49 - Power in Jerusalem.
    4. Acts 1:8 - Power & the Holy Spirit.
    5. Acts 2:4 - Holy Spirit & Pentecost.
    6. The Kingdom came with power!  Acts 2:41, 47; 4:4; 5:14
  2. The Lord Adds the Saved to the Church or His Kingdom.
    1. Acts 2:47; Acts 2:37-41; Mark 16:15-16
    2. Colossians 1:13; John 3:3-5  Translated into the kingdom.  Born again by water and the Spirit.
    3. 1 Cor. 12:13  Baptized into the body.
    4. Colossians 2:11-13; Gal. 3:26-27  In baptism there is faith in God's spiritual operation of the heart.
  3. Christ Purchased the Church with His Blood.
    1. Acts 20:28
    2. Ephesians 5:25 - Gave Himself for the Church.
    3. 1 Peter 1:18-19 - People who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ.
    4. The church is directly connected with Christ's death on the cross.
    5. Surely one can see its' importance.
  4. Christ is the Head and Savior of the Church or Kingdom.
    1. Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18 - Head of the body.
    2. Ephesians 5:23 - Savior of the body.
    3. 1 Corinthians 15:22-28 - Christ is reigning now.  When He comes, He will deliver the kingdom to the Father.  Hebrews 12:28
    4. Christ will not begin His reign when He comes.  He will give up His reign.
  5. The Church or Kingdom is God's Family.
    1. 1 Timothy 3:15 - The church of the living God is the house of God.
    2. Romans 8:14-17 - God's children are led by the Spirit through the word.
    3. Hebrews 3:6-12 - Must continue to hold fast our faith or confidence.
    4. Hebrews 12:12-17 - A child can lose his or her birthright.
    5. We need to be a part of God's family and remain faithful to the Lord.
  6. The Church is the Manifold Wisdom of God.
    1. Ephesians 3:10 - God purposed it long before it was established.
    2. Ephesians 5:24 - The church must be subject to Christ in everything.
    3. The Bible tells us the name to wear, the worship to engage in, the work we should do and the organization we should have.  It is God's wisdom that planned it.  His wisdom must be respected.

Conclusion:

  1. Christ and the apostles preached about the kingdom.  A spiritual kingdom.
  2. Christ is the foundation of the kingdom.
  3. The saved are added to the kingdom.
  4. The blood of Christ purchased the kingdom.
  5. Christ is head of His kingdom.
  6. God's family is His kingdom.
  7. The great wisdom of God is seen in His kingdom.
  8. It is an honor to be a citizen of the United States of America.
  9. I am grateful for my earthly family.
  10. I am thankful I'm a member of the local church of Christ in Kemp, TX.
  11. But one of the greatest honors of all is to be a citizen in the kingdom of God, a member of the Lord's body, the church, a child in God's family, the church.

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