The Unshakeable Kingdom – A Breathtaking Vision of the Church
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon Outlines Tags: Sermons on the Church, Sermons on the KingdomTITLE: The Unshakeable Kingdom – A Breathtaking Vision of the Church
INTRODUCTION:
A. Hebrews 12:18-22, 27-28
1. Inspiration says:
a. You have not come to Mount Sinai (or to any other similar mountain), but you have come to Mount Zion
b. The “Mount Zion” is the Lord’s church
c. The church is the unshakeable kingdom
2. “Cannot be moved” (shaken – ASV) is translated from asaleutos (asaleutos)
a. It means not liable to disorder or overthrow; firm, stable.
b. Luke 6:48
3. The material creation stands under the divine promise that it will be shaken
a. But the Lord’s church/kingdom stands under the sacred promise that it cannot be shaken
b. Luke 1:30-33
c. “Of his kingdom there shall be no end”
B. Many brethren are seeking to change the Lord’s church
1. Many talk and write about “restructuring the church.”
2. James Woodroof, in his book The Church in Transition, says: “Any institution which thinks it can treat the future as though it were just an extension of the past or present is doomed to fail. That goes especially for the church.”
3. He is saying that the church described in the first century cannot meet today’s needs.
4. Nothing can be further from the truth
C. The Lord’s church is both human and divine
1. That is, it is God’s soul-saving institution, divine in concept, in nature, and in purpose.
2. But this divine institution is made up of human beings
3. There is a divine side, and there is the human side
a. On the divine side it is absolute ultimate perfection
b. If there is any imperfection, it is on the human side.
4. The human beings, which make up the church, can be changed
a. From better to worse, or
b. From worse to better
5. But on the divine side – there can be no change. We cannot change its:
a. Head – Colossians 1:18
b. Authority – Matthew 28:18
c. Foundation – 1 Corinthians 3:11
d. Message
1) Men may preach a perverted message, but they cannot change the divinely authorized message
2) Galatians 1:6-10
DISCUSSION
A. From eternity the Lord’s church was in God’s eternal plan – Ephesians 3:10-11
B. The Lord promised – Matthew 16:18
1. Thus, the church was to be built upon Christ
2. Isaiah looking to Christ as the foundation of the church said – Isaiah 28:16
C. The inspired writer of Hebrews calls this divine institution a “kingdom that can not be shaken.” It is stressed that those in Christ – Hebrews 12:22-24
D. In Daniel 2, God, through Daniel explained to Nebuchadnezzar the meaning of his dream. The king saw a head of gold, arms chest of silver, belly and thighs of brass legs of iron with feet part of iron and clay.
1. Daniel explained that this great image represented the Babylonian Empire, the Medo-Persian Empire, the Grecian Empire, and the Roman Empire.
2. With reference to the Roman Empire Daniel explained that – Daniel 2:44
3. It was in the days of “those kings” that the Lord’s church was established on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus(Acts 2), and it shall stand forever.
E. Daniel 7:13-14
1. Daniel saw the Son of man ascend upon the wings of the clouds of heaven.
2. That the clouds brought Him to “the Ancient of Days”- God
3. And, that there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that “all people, nations, and languages, should serve him.”
4. Daniel explains that this kingdom “… is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall never be destroyed.”
5. Let it be noted here that God is not saying that the church would never have any problems, but that it will always be ultimately victorious.
F. Let us now look at the Victorious Church as presented in the Revelation.
1. Revelation 6:9-11 – here there seems to be a sense of defeat.
a. In chapter 20, though, we are given a picture of these same souls, now removed from underneath the altar, and sitting “on thrones.”
b. This is a scene of victory
c. In fact, “The Victorious Church” is the basic theme of the Revelation.
2. As you study through chapters 5 thru 11 you will notice the constant ongoing battle between the world and the church
3. Then, you will notice in chapters 12 thru 20 this same conflict, but with the emphasis being the battle between the Christ and Satan.
a. In chapter 20, after the defeat of the beast and the false prophet, and the dragon (Satan), we are given a picture of these same souls now sitting on thrones.
b. This is a scene of victory
c. Taking these souls out from under the altar and placing them upon thrones, reigning with Christ, is “the first resurrection” – victory of the Christ and His saints.
d. All the evil forces combined could not, and cannot, destroy the Lord’s church. It is indeed an unshakeable kingdom.
4. Notice the beautiful picture painted for us in Revelation 19:11-16
a. Clearly, the rider of the white horse is the Christ
b. And the horse, in this instance, might be the New Testament church, and “white” is the symbol of victory.
c. We are told that the beast and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat upon the white horse, and against His army.
d. “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet …. they two were cast into the lake that burneth with brimstone …” (Rev. 19:19-20).
e. Only the dragon (Satan) was left and he was finally “cast into the lake of fire and brimestone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Rev. 20:10).
5. Revelation 20:11-15 – Here we are given “the Great White Throne” scene, clearly a judgment scene.
a. John then sees – Revelation 21:1-2
b. Then John hears – Revelation 21:3-7
G. Whatever else may be included in the beautiful symbolism thus set forth, the message given had to have some very special meaning to those Christians to whom the book of Revelation was first addressed – those persecuted, suffering saints of God undergoing horrible persecutions by the Roman Empire.
1. The symbolism may reach out to include points and thoughts even of the final judgment and of heaven for the righteous and hell for the wicked; but the basic message was: “There is marvelous Victory in Jesus!”
2. The closing chapters of the Revelation emphasizes the triumphant Church of our Lord!
CONCLUSION
A. Romans 8:35-39
B. And we rejoice exceedingly that we can be faithful servants and citizens in the unshakeable kingdom!