The Kingdom is here! The Kingdom is near!!

Rev Enoch Thompson | March 23, 2023 | Matthew 10:5-10

KEY VERSE:

As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Matthew 10:7 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

Jesus Christ came as King to inaugurate His Kingdom on earth. The Kingdom of God is not defined by geography in terms of a fixed land space, nor by politics as in a given earthly constitution governing a particular nation. The Kingdom of God is a spiritual Kingdom by which God rules in the hearts of all humans who accept the reconciling death of Jesus Christ on the cross as God’s provision to redeem us from our sins, with which we were born. In the preaching of John the Baptist, the message went out, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 3:2 (NIV). Similarly, the Lord Jesus Christ preached, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Matthew 4:17 (NIV). In the assignment to the Twelve Apostles, the Lord directs them also to preach “'The kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 10:7).

It is very clear that the Kingdom of God was central to the message of the Lord and should be the main message of His Church today. The Kingdom of God had been prophesied in the Old Testament, and the Jewish people were awaiting the God-man-King (Messiah) who would bring that Kingdom to reality. The Jewish nation was awaiting the arrival of the Kingdom, and so they were expected to understand the preaching of John, the Lord Jesus, and His Apostles.

The Kingdom which was announced as NEAR was inaugurated and came to be HERE when the Lord Jesus sealed His mission by dying on the cross, rising from the dead and sending forth the Holy Spirit to inaugurate the Church on the day of Pentecost. The Kingdom of God has come and is present in all true Christian believers. At the same time, the Kingdom is yet to come, because there is the consummation, the fullest realization of that Kingdom that is still future. Believers in Christ have been glorified but await our future glory when Christ is revealed. For that we pray “. . . your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt 6:10 (NIV).

The message we are to believe for ourselves and to take to the world is that the announced Kingdom has become real in our personal lives and that the Kingdom is also to come in its fulness in the future rule of God which will affect all of creation, and when the prophecy will be fulfilled, “³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Rev 21:3-4 (NIV). Hallelujah forevermore!

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Are you a citizen of the Kingdom of God? Are you walking in the exciting experience that God is your Father and your King and that Heaven awaits you as the destination and expression of the Kingdom of God? The Kingdom was near, the Kingdom has come, and the Kingdom is coming. Let’s live as a Kingdom-people awaiting a glorious Kingdom.

PRAYER:

Father in Heaven, I celebrate the truth that I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God. Please help me live like a royal. May I have the hope that looks forward to the future manifestation of the Kingdom. May I be a good representative of my King and lead many others to accept Jesus Christ as the King. For His dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!