The Kingdom of God IV: Finding Worshipers
Review:
- Jesus ministry proclaimed that the Kingdom of God had come
- His followers looked for physical Kingdom.
- Jesus told Pilate that he was in fact a King but his kingdom was not of this world
- Jesus Kingdom did come – he invites us into his Kingdom to know God through
repentance and faith in His sacrifice on the cross. His kingdom also includes
redeeming and restoring all that is screwed up in this world.
- The kingdom has not yet come
- The kings we serve: Other things, ourselves, or Jesus
Two parts to Jesus bringing God’s kingdom to Earth
a. Bringing people into God’s kingdom
b. Redeeming everything else that is screwed up
Why both are necessary: Social Gospel vs. Evangelism
Bringing the Kingdom to People
A. Access to the King
B. Spreading the news of the Kingdom
C. Application
A. Access to the King
The Fall
The Temple
Elaborate Laws
Exodus 19:9-25
The Message of the Old Testament: We are separated from the Holy King by our sin. The Old Testament is physical symbolism of a spiritual reality. The OT is our story.
When Jesus brought the Kingdom of God, he was bringing us access to the King.
The New Testament is about God bringing his Kingdom to us through Jesus (who is God). We see this in the way he heals sinners and loves the sick. It is amazing that God brought his kingdom to us personally
a. John 11:25 (Faith in Jesus)
b. Hebrews 9:11-13 (Christ as Priest)
c. Hebrews 12:18 – 24 (Mountain)
d. Hebrews 12:25
Think of what this new teaching meant for NT. Think of what this means for Gentiles. Think of how blessed we are to call God our Father. Think of what this means for prayer. Let us not take advantage of this. If we look at this historically we will see how blessed we are to have access to God.
Religion is man's attempt to work his way to God. Christianity is the only religion where God pursues us.
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Spreading the News
For those who not have access through believing in Jesus, they cannot relate to God in the way that we do. Their relationship to God is still symbolized by the OT. They are still separated from God in every way possible.
John 4:35 (Context): It is hard to ignore that fact that people around us are in need of a Savior. They are separated from God and need access to him.
We will not be effective for the Kingdom if we simply see sharing the Gospel as a duty. When we are truly convinced that bringing people into the Kingdom of God is the solution for their life: we will do it not out of duty but out of love. How can we not? They will ultimately destroy themselves otherwise. Many people in the NT spread the word about Jesus just because “Hey, I’m blind but now I see.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 – Ambassadors of Christ
As part of the Kingdom of God, we should follow in the footsteps of Jesus by giving people access to God by sharing the Gospel. Sharing the Gospel does not mean making somebody become a Christian. We cannot provide access but we can point them to Jesus. So, we extend the Kingdom spreading its influence so that everything in our life is given access to God.
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Application
A. Faith in Jesus is the only access we have to God. Good works and trying to be good enough are evidenced by the OT rituals.
B. We live among a broken and fallen people who do not have access to God. When our lives are ending, these are the things that will suddenly become important. When we hear about family, friends, ect. Whose lives are out of control, remember that you are an ambassador of Christ who can point people to access to the King.
C. Highland – Access for a lost people who do not have any direction or hope.
D. Live Missionally. Think of people in your life and how they can access the Gospel.
Now – Authenticity. Invite to coffee hour?
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