“The Kingdom of God” Part 3 by Dave Bessey

Every move of God comes in waves. Each wave floods the region with His word.

This truth brings repentance, reformation and reformation. It is not rocket science, meaning it’s not a complex mathematical formula of scientific concept. It is Jesus the King of kings reigning in His Kingdom through His Church. The shofar is sounding Hail the King! Repent!

Subtitle: John’s Trumpet Call

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching... ’

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

The Anointing of Elijah

The prophet Elijah ushered in a great visitation of God to the people of his day (1 Kings 17:1 through to 2 Kings 2:15).

Malachi prophesies that Elijah was going to come again...

"See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes” Malachi 4:5.

The anointing of Elijah was to usher in the com- ing of the Messiah, the King. All Israel was look- ing for his coming. Read Luke 1:5-25.

The angel Gabriel proclaims to Zechariah that his son, John, will bear the anointing of Elijah. See also Mat- thew 11:14.

Preparing the Way

“He went into all the country around the Jor- dan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation”’” Luke 3:3-6

How the way is prepared

Every valley filled in

The degraded, discouraged, disillusioned trans- formed by the Lord’s love filling their hearts.

Every mountain and hill made low

The proud brought down to true humility with the revelation of what Jesus has done.

Crooked road made straight

Sinful lives brought into line with God’s righteous- ness through His wonderful gift (Romans 1:17).

Rough ways made smooth

Relationships healed through transformed lives.

John’s Message

John (The Baptist) is sent to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord...to declare that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand and for people to prepare for it. His message is the same call today as we prepare people for the Second Coming of Jesus:

Repent

Repent means a total about-turn - turning one’s back to sin and turning to focus on God and His righteousness.

Be baptised

John’s baptism was for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ baptism is “to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).

Since the finished work of the Cross baptism is the believer’s burial service of the old person we were outside of Christ (Ro- mans 6:1-11).

Produce fruit of repentance

Read Luke 3:7-14. John projects some aspects of the culture of the Kingdom - a totally different life-style to the world. He exhorts believers not to abuse...

Provision

“The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same” verses10-11.

Position

“[Tax collectors] Don’t collect any more than you are required to” verse13.

Power

“[Soldiers] Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely - be content with your pay” verse 14.

SERIES: THE TREASURES OF THE KINGDOM -- LESSON 3

Copyright © 2010 Paul Collins and Bunty Collins. A ministry of Fountaingate Christian Foundation. May be freely reproduced, except for profit, provided copyright and contact information is kept intact. P.O. Box 1033, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia. Online at www.kingstable.org Scriptures quoted from the New International Version, unless otherwise stated. Used by permission.