“The Kingdom Part 1” by Dave Bessey

www.reach413.com

Matthew 24:14

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

The nature and character of the Kingdom is summed up in Romans 14:17...

“For the kingdom of God is...righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”. The Godpel is Jesus and so is His Kingdom.

The Holy Spirit brings love, where in righteousness, peace and joy are the true application of this love.

The Gift of Righteousness in the Kingdom

“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith’” Romans 1:17.

Gift From God

We cannot earn righteousness by anything we do. It is a free gift from God. It means we can stand in His presence without any sense of guilt or shame (see Jude 24).

Received by faith

Believing and receiving personally means His gift of righteousness becomes ours as a reality. The real desk no more human attemps at righteousness of own, which always fails.

From first to last

God’s free gift of righteousness is ours for our whole life. We can live in it and walk in it from beginning our walk in Christ to end and beyond. Notice I said can. NOT everyone is walking in righteousness and love. A good portion are walking a false, a lie. As Apostle Cal Cook said, “The is only one gospel, the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Peace, the Guiding Factor

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives...” John 14:27.

“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]...” Col.3:15 (Amp.Bible).

Peace is like the Geiger

Counter for our lives. If the peace in our hearts goes then we must stop and seek the Lord as to why and wait for the peace to return (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Peace with God

Our lives are now at peace with God and peace now fills our hearts (Romans 5:1).

Peace in relationships

Peace governs our relationships with others (Hebrews 12:14).

Peace in guidance

When needing guidance as to which direction the Lord wants us to go, we follow the peace.

“...And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Phil.4:6-7.

Let’s nail this down:

‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭6‬, ‭9‬, ‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

“FROM PAUL, a bond servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) called to be an apostle, (a special messenger) set apart to [preach] the Gospel (good news) of and from God, Which He promised in advance [long ago] through His prophets in the sacred Scriptures– [The Gospel] regarding His Son, Who as to the flesh (His human nature) was descended from David, And [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness was openly designated the Son of God in power [in a striking, triumphant and miraculous manner] by His resurrection from the dead, even Jesus Christ our Lord (the Messiah, the Anointed One). It is through Him that we have received grace (God's unmerited favor) and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name's sake among all the nations, And this includes you, called of Jesus Christ and invited [as you are] to belong to Him. For God is my witness, Whom I serve with my [whole] spirit [rendering priestly and spiritual service] in [preaching] the Gospel and [telling] the good news of His Son, how incessantly I always mention you when at my prayers. So, for my part, I am willing and eagerly ready to preach the Gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek, For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith. [Hab. 2:4.]”

Defined deeper and further:

Matthew 13:31-32 (Luke 13:18-19; Mark 4:30-32). The “man” (Jesus) plants a mustard seed in his “field” (the world). It begins as the smallest, most insignificant looking seed, but grows to the largest plant a tree which becomes a haven for the birds of the air, a shelter from the storms, the scorching sun and their enemies. This is the ministry of all those in the Kingdom of God.

“See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen” Isaiah 32:1-3 (read to verse 8; Isaiah 4:6; 25:4; 58:7):

• A King will reign in righteousness - speaking of the Lord Jesus.

• Rulers will rule with justice under the King, those who belong to the Kingdom take their authority in the Spirit over the Enemy at work in people’s lives and the situations and circumstances they face.

• Each man will be like a shelter - every Christian ministering the love of God to the needy around us. We are the “shadow” of the “great rock”- the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 10:3-4; Psalm 62:2-7).

Parable of Yeast

Read Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20-21.

When heated, yeast

influences the whole lump of dough, spreading throughout and causing it to swell and expand. So it is with those who of the Spirit of God, they influence the whole community, spreading the “good news of the Kingdom” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) and having such impact they “turn the world upside down” (Acts 17:6).

Parable of the Net

Read Matthew 13:47-48. The call to be a “fisher of men” (Matt.4:19) is the call to every believer. As the net of the Gospel message is cast upon the waters of human lives (Isa.17:12) it “catches” all kinds of people...those with a sincere repentant heart whose desire is to know the Lord and worship and glorify Him, and those with their own agenda, wanting only the blessing they can get for this life now (John 2:23-25; 6:5-15;25-26).

Parable of the Tares

Read Matt.13:24-41. The tares or weeds (probably the poisonous darnel), planted by the enemy, look identical to the wheat, but at full growth the ears of the tares are light so they remain upright whereas the ears of the wheat are so heavy they bend down, picturing the heart of the believer to the Lord. When the time of harvest comes the difference is clear. So it will be at the end of the age. When the Lord returns he will “harvest” His true believers (Matt.3:12).

“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And Hr will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other” Matthew 24:30-32 (see also Matthew 25:31-46).

For nearly 1600 years the Church has been preaching fake news. Yes fake news that tells only part of the story rather the whole story. Instead  of truth, there is a spin or fabrication to manipulate,  to please people or scare them into heaven. They preach salvation without a true picture or vision of the King of Love and Righteousness or who Jesus really is  the “Gospel of the Kingdom”  or as the great orator Paul Harvey’s  used say “The Rest of the Story”.

Let us be clear eyed. The gospel of salvation relates to Jesus as Savior only. That is not the Gospel of the Kingdom or the full good news of Jesus' resurrection, ascension, enthronement as King (our co-glorification). Everything! Being crucified with Christ, we were also raised with Christ snd sested with Him. The gospel of the kingdom relates to Jesus as King of kinds. We are the Children of God. His Corporate Son. The Ekklesia, His Body, We are The Temple or Habitation of God as in “His House”, His army and so on. Hid Kingdom is here because He is here now by indwelling us.

Back in the 70’s Apologetics was big. What is Apologetics? Well it is not apologizing for Christ. It is the evidence based science of identifying Christ in the biblical scriptures. Apologetics is quite literally defense of our faith in Christ; the Greek word apologia means “defense” like as a lawyer gives at a trial. In every generation, people face the challenges, questions, and concerns of the gospel of the kingdom message of the Christian faith.

Thus the gospel of the Kingdom is about the King and how to recognize and obey Him by faith. It is the full story.

The Lord Jesus took me back to 1970’s again and the Jesus movement in California. I was a victim, I mean product of that movement. I was blessed to hear many apologists during those days in the early 70’s. You may “Remember” them: Dr. Josh McDowell, Dr. Bill Bright, Dr. Earl Radmacher, Dr. Larry Poland, Dr. Duane Gish,  Dr. Clifford Wilson, Dr. Hal Lindsey, Dr. Chuck Smith, Dr. Luis Palau, Dr. Billy Graham, Dr. Walter Martin, Dr.Henry Morris, Mario Murillo. Each had a unique ministry in the 70’s.

I want to focus on one of them who focused like a laser on Jesus’ true identity and this Good News of tgd Kingdom and our King:

True Gospel of the Kingdom is about PROMISES OF CHRIST our King, Hid Kingdom COMING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT and Revealed to us in the New.

The identity Of Jesus Christ is crucial to understanding everything he had to say. All

that Jesus said and did pointed to his identity as the King of kings, Lord of lords, Messiah, the Son of God, and to the purpose for which he came to earth. If Jesus is not who he claimed to be, then his teachings are either the ramblings of a lunatic who sincerely thought he was God (but wasn’t) or the words of a liar who knew he wasn’t God (but said he was).

One of the major evidences to support Christ’s claim to be the Messiah, the eternal,

incarnate Son of God, are the great messianic prophecies of the Old Testament (The

other major evidences are his virgin birth and his miracles).

The fulfillment of all the messianic prophesies in one person, Jesus Christ, provides convincing proof that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God – the Incarnate Word:

”And the word became flesh and dwelt among us; and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

One of my favorite speakers and authors of my youth in Christ, during the 70’s, was Dr. Josh McDowell. In his book, “Beyond Belief To Convictions”:

Quote

“Thus how do we recognize Jesus our King of Righteousness as  “THE MESSIAH?

Imagine God, several millennia ago in our time line, devising the plan to send His only Son to earth to be born as a human infant (Beyond Belief To Convictions, Pages 63-68).

If we could have spoken down the corridors of time, we might have asked “How will we know him? How will we recognize him as the Messiah, the eternal incarnate Son of God?”

He might have responded, “I will cause him to born as an Israelite a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16).”

“But,” we might have protested,” Abraham’s descendants will be as numerous as the stars!”

“Then I will narrow it down to only half of Abraham’s lineage and make him a

descendant of Isaac, not Ishmael (Genesis 21:12; Luke 3:23-34).”

“That will help but isn’t that still an awful lot of people?”

“Let him be born from Jacob’s line, then, eliminating half of Isaac’s lineage (Numbers 24:17; Luke 3:23-34).”

“But—“

“I will be more specific. Jacob will have twelve sons; I will bring forth the Messiah

from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10; Luke3:23-33).”

“Won’t that still be a lot of people? We still may not recognize him when he

comes.”

“Don’t worry! Look for him in the family line of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1; Luke 3:23-

32). And from the house and lineage of Jesse’s youngest son, David (Jeremiah 23:5; Luke 3:23-31).

And then I will tell you where he will be born: Bethlehem, a tiny town in the area called Judah (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1).”

“But how will we know which person born there is your Son?”

“He will be preceded by a messenger who will prepare the way and announce

his advent (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:1-2).

He will begin his ministry in Galilee

(Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:12-17) and will teach in parables (Psalm 78:2; Matthew 13:34-35),

He eill be performing many miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6; Matthew 9:35).”

“Okay, that should help a lot.”

“Oh,” God might have responded “I’m just getting warmed up. He will ride into

the city of Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:2; Luke 19:35-37) and will appear suddenly and forcefully at the temple courts and zealously ‘clean house’ (Psalm 69:9; Malachi 3:1; John 2:15-16). In one day I will fulfill no fewer than twenty-nine specific prophecies spoken at least five hundred years earlier

about him!” End Quote

Conclusion

Gospel of the Kingdom is the Good News about Jesus as King and our Sonship in Him.

Now Listen to these prophecies of Christ fulfilled:

1. He will be betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9; Matthew 26:49).

2. The price of his betrayal will be thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah11:12; Matthew

26:15).

3. His betrayal money will be cast to the floor of my temple (Zechariah 11:13;

Matthew 27:5).

4. His betrayal money will be used to buy the potter’s field (Zechariah 11:13;

Matthew 27:7).

5. He will be forsaken and deserted by his disciples (Zechariah 13:7; Mark 14:50).

6. He will be accused by false witnesses (Psalm 35:11; Matthew 26:59-60).

7. He will be silent before his accusers (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12).

8. He will be wounded and bruised (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 27:26).

9.  He will be hated without a cause (Psalm 69:4; John 15:25).

10.He will be struck and spit on (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 26:67).

11. He will be mocked, ridiculed, and rejected (Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 27:27-31: and

John 7:5,48).

12. He will collapse from weakness (Psalm 109:24-25; Luke 23:26).

13. He will be taunted with specific words (Psalm 22:6-8; Matthew 27:39-43).

14. People will shake their heads at him (Psalm 109:25; Matthew 27:39).

15. People will stare at him (Psalm 22:17; Luke 23:35).

16. He will be executed among “sinners” (Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38).

17. His hands and feet will be pierced (Psalm 22:16; Luke 23:33).

18. He will pray for his persecutors (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:34).

19. His friends and family will stand afar off and watch (Psalm 38:11; Luke 23:49).

20. His garments will be divided and won by the casting of lots (Psalm 22:18; John 19:23-24).

21. He will thirst (Psalm 69:21; John 19:28).

22. He will be given gall and vinegar (Psalm 69:21; Matthew 27:34).

23. He will commit himself to God (Psalm 31:5; Luke 23:46).

24. His bones will be left unbroken (Psalm 34:20; John 19:33).

25. His heart will rupture (Psalm 22:14; John 19:34).

26. His side will be pierced (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34).

27. Darkness will come over the land at midday (Amos 8:9; Matthew 27:45).

28. He will be buried in a rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60).

29. He will die 483 years after the declaration of Artaxerxes to rebuild the temple in

444 B.C. (Daniel 9:24).

30.As a final testimony, on the third day after his death, he will be raised from the dead (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:31), ascend to heaven (Psalm 68:18; Acts 1:9), and be seated at the right hand of God in full majesty and authority (Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 1:3).

What extraordinary lengths God went to in order to help people identify and

recognize Hi only begotten Son! Jesus fulfilled sixty-one major Old Testament

prophecies (with about 270 additional ramifications) – all of which were made more than 400 years before his birth. Now we need to repent and put Jesus first and Seek His Kingdom. It is not about the things He does, it is who He is. Period.