The
Church & The Kingdom
Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52.
Memory Verse: "The law and the prophets were until John: since
that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it"
(Luke 16:16).
Introduction: Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary, 2nd
Ed., defines "kingdom" with four meanings pertinent to this study: "(1)
a government or country headed by a king or queen; a monarchy, (2) a realm;
domain, (3) the position, rank or power of a king, and (4) the spiritual
realm of God; the next world; the hereafter; heaven." The word "kingdom"
is made up of of two words: King - Dom, or King's Domain. The Greek
word used in the New Testament is Basileia, which means "the sway,
rule, or administration of God."
The interaction of the Church with the Kingdom of God is a paradox.
If we think of realms and kingdoms in the physical sense, then it becomes
confusing. However, God's Kingdom isn't physical or geographical, but spiritual.
When a man allows God free access to be the Lord of his life, the Kingdom
of God also becomes accessible to him. A man enters the Kingdom, but the
Kingdom (in part) also enters him! Wherever the man goes, the Kingdom goes
also.
The Apostle Paul, in defining the Kingdom of God to the Church
gathered at Rome, not only demonstrates the spiritual nature of the Kingdom,
but also that a man commits himself to the Kingdom and the ways of the
Kingdom: "For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness,
and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth
Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore
follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one
may edify another" (Romans 14:17-19). The more radically a man commits
himself to God's Kingdom, the greater measure of the Kingdom that will
be supplied and the more that will shine forth from his life. This demonstrates
the fact that God is no respecter of persons; the intensity of the Kingdom
shining from one's life is in direct proportion to their degree of obedience.
Then to what degree are we in the Kingdom and the Kingdom in
us? What do others see when they view us, the world or the King? May we
always be reminded that our lives speak louder than our words!
Lesson Questions:
1. What is the dominion of God? Genesis 1:1; 14:18-20; Exodus 19:5;
Psalm 24:1,2; 50:1-12; 89:5-18; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:12-19; Ephesians
1:19-23; Matthew 28:18.
From all available scriptures
on the dominion of God, it can be easily seen that it refers not only to
all things which exist, visible and invisible, but also to the very character
and nature of the King Himself who has all power, all authority, and all
dominion. This would apply to His absolute jurisdiction through the complete
expanse of the universe and beyond (if there is any boundary), and also
beyond the boundaries of time to which the eternal nature of God is not
subject.
2. Is there a difference between God's dominion and God's Kingdom? John 18:36; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 4:20.
3. How may a man enter the Kingdom of God? John 3:3-5; Matthew 7:21-23;
1 Corinthians 15:49-52; Hebrews 3:6,13-15; John 10:7-11;
Luke 16:16.
4. What did Jesus teach and demonstrate about the Kingdom? Matthew 4:17;
Mark 1:15; Matthew 10:5-8; Luke 9:1-6; Matthew 6:9,10;
Matthew 16:27,28; Luke 22:15-18; Matthew 21:42-44.
5. What is the distinction between the Church and the Kingdom? 2 Peter 1:10,11; Ephesians 1:9-12,22,23; Daniel 2:44; 7:13,14; Luke 1:32,33; Revelation 11:5.
6. Are men to seek the Church or the Kingdom? Matthew 6:38; 1 John 1:7;
Ephesians 5:8-13.
God is light, and His realm
is one of light. To walk in the light (1 John 1:7) is to walk in
the King's realm. Notice in Ephesians 5:8 that men take on the nature of
the Kingdom in which they dwell--they become darkness (the nature of Satan),
when they dwell in darkness, and they become light (the nature of God),
when they dwell in light.
7. Discuss the mystery of being in the Kingdom, and yet having the Kingdom in us. Luke 17:20,21; Romans 14:16,17.
8. How is the Church to teach and demonstrate the power of the Kingdom?
Lord, Thy Kingdom come--Thy will be done,
as in heaven, so in earth.
