THE CREATION OF A KINGDOM PEOPLE

THE CREATION OF A KINGDOM PEOPLE

THE CREATION OF A KINGDOM PEOPLE
THE CREATION OF A KINGDOM PEOPLE
THE CREATION OF A KINGDOM PEOPLE
 JESUS AND THE KINGDOM

 The Kingdom of God is central to the teachings of Christ.

 “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is near.’” Matt 4:17
 His teachings showed men and women how they could enter the
Kingdom of God (Matt 5:20; 7:21).
 His miracles were intended to prove that the Kingdom of God
had come (Matt 12:28).
 JESUS AND THE KINGDOM

 His parables illustrated the truth about the Kingdom of God

(Matt 13:11).
 When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, right in the
middle of the Lord's Prayer were the words, “thy Kingdom
come” (Matt 6:10).
 Just before He died, Jesus again assured His disciples that He
would share with them the happiness and fellowship of the
Kingdom (Luke 22:22-30).
 JESUS AND THE KINGDOM

 And He promised that He would come

again to this earth to bring the blessedness of
His kingdom to those for whom it had been
prepared (Matt 25:31, 34).
 THE PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM
The kingdom parables of Matthew 13 are especially instructive. The
parable of the sower teaches that the spread of the kingdom is linked to
the spread of the Word of God, though reception of the Word will be
mixed, encountering at times satanic opposition and persecution (vv. 18–
23). The next parable speaks of wheat growing up alongside tares (vv. 24–
30). Thus in this age the kingdom will not be received by all, good and evil
will coexist, and only at the end of the age will final separation and
judgment occur (vv. 36–43). Similarly the kingdom is like a dragnet, which
brings up both good and bad, so on the last day good and evil persons
will be separated and the evil judged (vv. 47–50). These parables remind
us that the kingdom, though inaugurated in Christ’s earthly ministry, will
not be consummated until the final day.
 THE PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM
The parable of the mustard seed demonstrates that
the kingdom will grow far beyond its seemingly
insignificant beginnings (Matt. 13:31–32). The parable
of yeast speaks of the almost imperceptible but
ultimately pervasive influence of the kingdom (v. 33).
The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of
great price emphasize the surpassing value of the
kingdom, which takes priority over all else (vv. 44–
46).
 THE PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM
Taken together these parables show that the spread and realization of
the kingdom of God will be a process moving toward a day of
judgment. Until that day good and evil will coexist, and the kingdom
will be received by some and violently opposed by others. The spread
of the kingdom in this age will not occur with the cataclysmic or
violent overthrow of evil powers. Its influence and spread will be
subtle but nonetheless pervasive. The imagery of growth implicitly
reminds us that the advancement of the kingdom is the work of God
and not human effort (cf. 1 Cor. 3:6–7). Entering the kingdom may
come at great price, but at a price that is gladly paid. The end of the
age will one day arrive, at which time evil will be finally judged and the
righteous rewarded. It is only at the consummation that the kingdom
will be realized in fullness.
 GENTILES AND THE KINGDOM

Jesus anticipates the day when others will come from east
and west, from north and south, and be included in the
kingdom (Matt. 8:11–12; Luke 13:29), an unmistakable
reference to the inclusion of Gentiles. The kingdom will no
longer be bound to the people of Israel, but rather will be
composed of people of faith in Jesus regardless of their ethnic
background
 GENTILES AND THE KINGDOM
Luke 14 recounts an incident whereby someone comments to Jesus,
“Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God” (v. 15).
Jesus replies by telling a parable of a great banquet (representing the
kingdom). The invited guests all have excuses not to come, so the host
sends his servants to go to the highways and compel others to come (vv.
16–24). T. W. Manson comments, “This is doubtless meant to suggest a
mission beyond the borders of Israel to the Gentiles” (cited in Geldenhuys
1977, 396). Matthew’s parable of the wicked tenants conveys a similar
message concluding, “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be
taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit”
(Matt. 21:43).
 WHAT IS THE KINGDOM?

 What is the Kingdom of God, in people’s minds?

 a relationship with God, a spiritual fellowship.
 totally future and supernatural, comes at Christ's second coming
and has no present or spiritual reality.
 God's Church in the world.
 God's ideal or goal for this world, concerned with overcoming the
social problems in the world and not about the saving of people from their
sins.
 WHAT IS THE KINGDOM?

 What is the Kingdom of God in the Bible?

 Paul says it is a present spiritual reality. Rom 14:17. This
is talking about the present spiritual life.
 the Kingdom of God is given when Christ comes the
second-time. Matt 25:34
 How can the Kingdom be both a present spiritual reality
and a future gift at Christ's return?
 WHAT IS THE KINGDOM?

 In the NT parables: the Kingdom is present and at work

in the world.
 like a tiny seed which becomes a giant tree.
 It is leaven which will one day permeate the whole
bowl of dough (Luke 13:18-21).
 Yet, when Pilate asked Jesus about this
teaching, Jesus replied, “My Kingdom is not of this world”
(John 18:36).
 WHAT IS THE KINGDOM?

 The Kingdom of God is complex, paradoxical:

 A present reality (Matt 12:28) and yet a future blessing (1 Cor
15:50).
 It is an inner spiritual blessing (Rom 14:17) and yet it will have to
do with the nations of the world (Rev 11:15).
 We can enter it now (Matt 21:31) and yet it is a place we will enter
at the end of the age (Matt 8:11).
 THE MEANING OF THE KINGDOM

 The basic question that helps us understand what the Kingdom of

God is: What is the meaning of kingdom?
 Realm/territory?
 Group of people belonging to a country or realm?
 The primary meaning of Kingdom in the Bible is the rank and
authority exercised by God as king, His Kingship, rule, and authority.
 God’s reign in peoples’ lives.
 THE MEANING OF THE KINGDOM

 Mark 10:15 “I tell you the truth, anyone who will

not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will
never enter it.”
 Matt 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you
as well.”
 THE MEANING OF THE KINGDOM

 The Lord's Prayer: “Thy Kingdom come.”

 Are we referring to Christ's second coming?
Apart from the reign of God, heaven is meaningless.
 we are asking for God to reign in our lives.
 we are asking God to show His Kingly power over us.
 we are asking Him to rule us in all areas of life.
 THE MEANING OF THE KINGDOM

 In summary, The Kingdom of God is the dynamic rule

or reign of God in our lives.
 It is the Lordship of Jesus Christ that has come among
us and can be experienced here and now (taste it, see it,
but only partially), but that also is future in the sense
that we will experience the reign of God in all its fullness
when we shall live with Him for eternity.
 THE MEANING OF THE KINGDOM

 It is manifested in overlapping ages:

the present one (evil age) and the one
to come.
 THE KINGDOM AND THE CHURCH

 What is the relationship between the Kingdom and the Church?

 Centuries 1-3: eschatological.
 Augustine: the Kingdom is the Church.
 The Augustinian belief is alive in Catholicism.

 However, the Kingdom should not be identified with the subjects

of the Kingdom.
 The Church is the community of the Kingdom, but not the
Kingdom itself.
 THE KINGDOM AND THE CHURCH

 The Kingdom is the rule of God.

 The Church is the society of humans.
 THE KINGDOM AND THE CHURCH

1. The Church is not the Kingdom.

 The first missionaries preached the Kingdom, not the church – Acts 8:12;
19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31.
 Basileia is translated as “people” only in Rev 1:6 and 5:10 because they
will share Christ’s reign.
 The Kingdom is an invisible realm, the Church is an empirical body of
people.
 The Church will not become the Kingdom even eschatologically.
 To enter the Kingdom is not to enter the Church.
 THE KINGDOM AND THE CHURCH
2. The Kingdom creates the Church.
 The Church is the result of the coming of God’s Kingdom into the
world.
 The parable of the draw net: catches both good and
bad fish, that need to be sorted on the shore.
 The Kingdom does not create a perfect society.
 The Church is made of people of the Kingdom and of those not of the
Kingdom.
 Entrance into the Kingdom – people will participate in the Church.
 Entrance into the Church – is not guarantee that people will
participate into the Kingdom.
 THE KINGDOM AND THE CHURCH

3. The Church witnesses to the Kingdom.

 The Church witnesses to God’s redeeming acts in Christ both past
and future.
 The missionary task rejected by Israel is given to the nations (Matt
8:11-12; 21:43; Mark 10:1-9), to witness to the message of the
Kingdom.
 To be a disciple of Christ is to witness the Kingdom of God.
 THE KINGDOM AND THE CHURCH

4. The Church is a sign of the Kingdom.

 The Church displays in this evil age the life and fellowship of the
Age to come.
 The Church has a dual character, belonging to two ages. It
is the people of the Age to come, but constituted of sinful humans.
 While the church in this age will never attain perfection, it
must display the life of perfect order – the eschatological Kingdom
of God.
 THE KINGDOM AND THE CHURCH

 In an evil age of self-seeking, pride, and animosity the

Church displays the signs of the Kingdom: forgiveness,
humility, fellowship, service. Divine and human forgiveness
are inseparable (Matt 6:12; 18:23-25).
 Perfect forgiveness is an evidence of love.
 Not just a called-out group, but in the world.
 Proof that God’s law can be kept – vindication.
 THE KINGDOM AND THE CHURCH

5. The Church is the instrument of the Kingdom

 The works of the Kingdom were performed by the prophets,
apostles, Jesus: healed the sick, cast out demons (Matt 10:8; Luke
10:17; John 14:12, 13).
 No competition or boastful spirit.
 The gates of Hades shall not prevail against the Church (Matt
16:18). Those saved through the mission of the Church have been
delivered from death (disease, devils). Death cannot claim final victory.
 An extension of the conflict between Jesus and Satan.
 THE KINGDOM AND THE CHURCH
6. The Church is the custodian of the Kingdom
 The rule of God could be experienced through the
Law – Israel was the custodian of the Law.
 God’s rule was mediated to the Gentiles through Israel.
 Chosen peoples of God are custodians.
 The custodianship was taken from Israel and given
to others (ekklesia – the Church, Mark 12:9).
 The “keys” of the Kingdom – knowledge (Luke 11:52; Matt
23:13).
 THE KINGDOM AND THE CHURCH

 The “keys” of the Kingdom – knowledge (Luke 11:52; Matt

23:13). The Pharisees – rebuked.
 In the Bible, knowledge is more than intellectual perception. It is
a spiritual possession resting on revelation.
 The authority to bind and loose involves the admission or
exclusion of humans from the realm of the Kingdom of God.
 If you have knowledge regarding the Kingdom of God, you hold
the keys.
 THE KINGDOM AND THE CHURCH
 Forgiving and retaining the sins (John 20:23) – witnessing to
the Kingdom of God, authority.
 Peace and judgment were the result of accepting or rejecting
the disciples – custodians of the Kingdom (Matt 10:14, 15).
 Their ministry opened and shut the door of the Kingdom (Matt
10:40). Sheep and goats (25:31-46)
 Hospitality – a response to the Kingdom.
 Through the proclamation of the Kingdom will be
decided who will enter and who will be excluded.
 THE KINGDOM AND THE CHURCH
Summary:
 Kingdom and Church are not identical.
 Kingdom is of God, Church is composed of humans.
 Kingdom is God’s reign, Church is the human fellowship of those who
accepted the Kingdom.
 Kingdom creates, works through the Church.
 There is no Kingdom without a Church (people) and
no Church without a Kingdom.

 Kingdom: the rule of God; Church: the fellowship of humans who accepted the
Kingdom.
BOUNDED SETS
CENTERED SETS
PROPOSED SOLUTION