SERIES: The Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed #4
TITLE: Thy Kingdom Come
TEXT: Matthew 6:9-10a
INTRO: James Erwin is one of but a few men to walk on the moon. As he stood upon the lunar landscape and looked up at the earth, he prayed for the first time in his life. He thought about the strife among nations, poverty, hunger, and rampant evil; and he thought to himself: "What is more important than man walking on the moon is that God should walk on earth."
What does KINGDOM mean?
1. Thy kingdom come. The word kingdom here means reign. The petition is the expression of a wish that God may reign everywhere; that his laws may be obeyed; and especially that the gospel of Christ may be advanced everywhere, till the world shall be filled with his glory.
2. The gospels refer to two kingdoms
(a) The kingdom of God the Son, Jesus Christ which we enter through baptism and where we remain until the Last Day: “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.” (1 Cor.15:24)
(b) The kingdom of God the Father: “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mat.13:43)
3. Elmer Towns - The Kingdom of God is His rule of our hearts. Jesus wants to sit on the throne of our heart. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33).
The word kingdom" comes from the Greek word “basilia” and it means to Rule or to Reign. When we pray "Thy kingdom come" we are asking that God would be in control of what happens in our world, rather than Satan.
A Saint Prays (continued)
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
"Do you really mean that?"
"Sure, why not?"
"What are you doing about it?"
"Doing? Nothing, I guess! I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control of everything down here like you have up there."
"Have I got control of you?"
"Well ... I go to church."
"That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money ... all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?"
"Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at the church...."
I.THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS PERSONAL
A. The King
1. You can't have a Kingdom without a King. The entire Gospel of Matthew is about the King: Jesus:
-His birth,
-His miracles,
-His parables of the kingdom,
-His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to sit at the Father's right hand
2. John the Baptists mission in life was to prepare the way for the coming of the King, so he preached, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mat.3:2)
B. The Kingdom
1. The kingdom of God is where He rules
(Luk.17:21) Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
2. The kingdom doesn't include everyone
(Mat.7:21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
3. There is only one way into the kingdom
(Mat.18:3) Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4. The kingdom should be our priority
(Mat.6:33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
5. The kingdom is both Present, and yet To Come
II. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS PROPHETIC
A. The Kingdom is Both Present, and Yet to Come
1. It is present today within the hearts of Christians
2. It will come in its fullness in the future
(Mat.26:29) But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
B. The Kingdom Will Come in God's Good Timing
1. No man knows when,
(Mat. 24:36) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
2. The Gospel must first be preached to all nations
(Mat.24:14) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
3. You have to be ready before Jesus returns
(Mat.24:44) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
4. Some will not be prepared
(1 Thes.5:3a) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them...
5. Judgment will follow
(Rom.14:11-12) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
C. Jesus Shall Reign as King Forever
(Rev.11:15) And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
III. THE KINGDOM OF GOD GIVES PURPOSE TO LIFE
A. Our Allegiance
-We put ourselves under Christ's authority & power
B. Our Expectations
-We live for the future
C. Our Values
-Our culture is growing worse every day, but we follow a different drummer. We have the Golden Rule
D. Our Priorities
(Mat.6:33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
E. Our Mission in Life
-To share the Gospel with the world
# C. S. Lewis said, "Christianity is the story of how the rightful King has landed in disguise and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage."
CONCL: Are you part of the kingdom of God?
Is His kingdom within you?
Are you living and waiting for Jesus' return?
Amen
