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Sermon on The Kingdom/Church

Sermon on The Kingdom/Church

Introduction:

1. Our series on basics caused us to see the prophecy of the coming Christ — to be Ruler — King — Governor — Savior.

2. So many prophecies emphasized some aspect of a KING and His KINGDOM.

3. We now study in that area, as we proceed in our study.

I.   As Jesus Began His Ministry:

A. His message: The kingdom is AT HAND” (Matt. 4:17).

B. John preceded Him with the same message (Matt. 3:2). “At hand” signified “nearness.”

C. So much of the Lord’s teaching centered on THE KINGDOM: much teaching in parables, and many of them begin with “The kingdom of Heaven is like…” (cf. Matt. 13).

D. The point “kingdom at hand” is verified in Mark 9:1 — Some then present would not taste of death until they saw the kingdom come with power.

II.  Jesus Spoke Of The Kingdom / Church Interchangeably.

A. “Church — a called-out body.

B. “KINGDOM” is used, but emphasis often on the people — “The church … the body.” Christ did not build one thing, and Peter admit men into another!

C. Matthew

1. 16:18 … build the church

2. 16:19 … open the doors of the kingdom

3. One and the same Institution!

D. So, the Old Testament kingdom-of-promise (in the Messiah) became, in the New Testament (in the Christ), the CHURCH OF THE CHRIST!

1. And, not a material structure, building.

2. Rather, a people; a people blood-bought (Acts 20:28).

3. More: nothing said of a multiplicity of bodies, systems (cf. Matt. 15:13).

III. Let Us Add Some Material On The Church, Kingdom As The Same Institution.

A. It is needed due to widespread premillennialism: Teaching that the church has come into being, and it is not the kingdom, but that the kingdom will come later upon this earth. The premillennial doctrine is false to the core!

B. The church, we are told, was in the eternal purpose of God (Eph. 3:10-11).

C. The Great Commission (Mark 16:15-16) authorized a message, for all men, and for all time (Matt. 28:20) — the one message is the gospel of the kingdom, the church (Acts 8:12).

D. Paul and the Colossians were in the kingdom (Col. 1:13).

E. The Supper of the Lord, given to be observed in the kingdom (Matt. 26:29), was given to be observed IN THE CHURCH (1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Cor. 11:23-30).

Conclusion:

1. In the old Testament, those in the kingdom of Israel were promised a King, a Ruler, over a Kingdom He would establish.

2. It had to do with salvation, and in the New Testament that kingdom took the form of the church, with men entering the kingdom through a spiritual birth as a message was embraced, the gospel.

3. Through faith, repentance, confession and baptism into Christ (Gal. 3:27), which is baptism into the body — the kingdom — (1 Cor. 12:13), men have remission of sins.

4. Will you, today, enter into that kingdom — and in Christ — by your obedience?