Video transition: The Chosen and the calling of Matthew!
Series: Never Seen Before in 2024!
Thesis: To see something we have never seen before in 2024 requires us to do something we have never done before! So, what is the “One Thing” you need to do that you have never done before to see your miracle – your breakthrough – a divine revelation or your desire from God come to pass?
The challenge: We are challenging you to Read through the Bible this year – attend church regularly – do a Bible Survey class so you see something you have never seen before!
Scripture Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16-17: 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The prayer to God before each message: (Have them hold up their Bibles and say this as a prayer to God to help them see something they have never seen before in 2024!)
“Lord, we know your Word is alive and active. We know it is sharper than any two-edged sword. Lord, we know it exposes our thoughts and our attitudes. Lord give us wisdom from your Word today and open up our eyes to see a new Revelation of you today! Amen!
Introduction to series:
The Story of God as revealed in the Bible points to Jesus as the main character of His story (or as some say of history). Jesus is the main hero (The Savior) of the Bible! Since Jesus is the central figure of the Bible, we need to observe his life and learn from His teachings – these reveal how we should be living and even leading!
If we ever hope to properly handle and share the stories in the Bible, we must first grasp the main story of the Bible. Jesus is the central figure of the Bible both OT and NT!
T.S. – So let us be clear! The Bible is not just about the Jesus in the New Testament – WHY? Because He is seen and revealed all the way back to the Beginning of Creation found in Genesis and throughout the books of the Bible.
See handout!
Don’t forget my opening Scripture Text for this series was Psalm 119: “Every verse in Psalm 119 refers to God’s Word- using names like Law-statutues-ways-precepts-decrees-commands-word-promise (etc.).
Let’s look at Beth (Psalm 119:9-15): 9How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.10I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.11I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.12Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.13With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.14I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.15I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.16I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
Sermon: Matthew 2024
Thesis: Matthew is a converted tax collector and obsessed with details about Jesus and gives details about Jesus’ teaching, he especially focuses on the subject “The Kingdom of Heaven.” He wants his Jewish readers to know that Jesus is the Messiah (The promised King) and he highlights 99 Old Testament passages to prove Jesus is the King of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Introduction to Matthew:
What is the most common – most frequent subject Jesus taught and spoke about – I had asked you this question a couple years ago – curious if anyone knows the answer?
We are going to look at Jesus’ number 1 subject or number 1 topic that He preached and taught on today. Matthew highlighted this subject, and His Gospel has the most in the Gospel accounts.
Some may think Jesus spoken the most on:
• Money?
• Salvation and grace?
• Hell?
• Love?
• Healing?
• Miracles?
• No, it was the Kingdom of God or Heaven?
We don’t hear a lot about this subject from most seminaries, bible colleges, churches or even preachers today. But we need to know about the teachings of Jesus’ and His favorite subject “The Kingdom of Heaven (God).”
Let us look at a key Scripture – A teaching of Jesus found in Luke 12:32: 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
Jesus gave us the Kingdom of God! Listen to what Jesus said here - We cannot earn It or work for It - It’s a gift given to us by Jesus rooted in Mercy and Grace.
Why do you think Jesus’ focused on the Kingdom of Heaven (God) so much in His teachings?
• Answer: To correct the Jews misunderstanding of the Kingdom of Heaven (God).
• Answer: To teach us how to become part of the Kingdom of Heaven (God).
• Answer: To reveal to us how live for the Kingdom of Heaven (God) daily
• Answer: To show us how to be blessed by the Kingdom of Heaven (God).
• Answer: To tell people the benefit of investing in the Kingdom of Heaven (God).
The Kingdom of Heaven (Matthews) words and The Kingdom of God (Mark, Luke and John’s words) are the emphasis of Jesus - but they mean the same thing! The words both refer to the Kingdom in which Jesus is the King of. Jesus makes it clear He has brought with Him to this world “The Kingdom of Heaven”.
T.S.- But before we dive into looking more into the Kingdom of Heaven, I want to highlight the author of the book of Matthew and why his Gospel is the moist detailed account of Jesus and His teachings. His Gospel is said to place a very strong emphasis on the Kingdom of Heaven. So why did Matthew focus so much on this topic of Jesus? Why is there so much detail in His Gospel?
I. The Author Matthew – The Tax Collector!
a. Matthew’s calling Matthew 9:9-13: The Calling of Matthew
i. 9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
1. I love how “The Chosen” series portrays Matthew and his attention to detail and his tics about it – The Chosen portrays Matthew as a person with a mild form of Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome which serves a role both in explaining Matthew’s detailed account of Jesus and His teachings.
a. Matthews Gospel is the most detailed account of Jesus teachings we have!
2. His Gospel is the most detailed of all the Gospels and he even quotes the Old Testament 99 different times connecting Jesus as the Messiah – He wrote this account of Jesus lead by the Holy Spirit to present to the Jewish people that Jesus was The King – The Messiah as prophesied in the Old Testament. Matthew quoted more from the Old Testament than Mark, Luke and John combined! Making the connections from the OT prophesies to Jesus and his sayings and actions.
3. Matthew started with the genealogy of Jesus to prove Jesus is from the line of David and the descendant of Abraham and he even includes some questionable people in the lineage like Tamar - Rahab and even refuses to name Bathsheba!
a. But Matthew includes them because he knows he himself did not deserve salvation and the gift of acceptance from Jesus. Why?
i. He puts them in to show how the Lord accepts the unworthy, the outcast, the undesirables. He once was one of them but then Jesus came along and called him by name and brought him in the Kingdom of Heaven.
b. You see Matthew was a universally hated figure in his day – a tax collector – a traitor to his Jewish heritage and family! Therefore, an outcast from society!
i. Many think- Matthew betrayed his people for money but he most likely was rejected by Israel for being odd and different than other Jewish people. So, becoming a tax collector made sense! At least he would have money and possessions.
1. Matthew had accumulated possessions and money, but he craved relationships and acceptance more than money.
2. Matthew in his Gospel shares the teachings of Jesus which focus on the importance of accumulating experiences in the Kingdom of Heaven over accumulating possessions and money.
3. Matthew treasured the experience with Jesus over any possession or any amount of money.
4. Listen to me Experiences within the Kingdom of Heaven are of far greater value than possessions and money.
5. Mark Batterson wrote “Don’t accumulate possessions accumulate experiences!”
a. Page 37 “A Trip Around The Sun.”
c. In his listing of the 12 apostles Matthew reminds his audience he is a former tax collector.
i. But if you read the listings of the 12 disciples in other Gospel accounts, they don’t say Matthew “The Tax Collector.”
1. He knows what it means to be rejected by the Jews, by family and even by the Romans – he knew he was hated by just about everyone. But when Jesus called him by name, he walked away from his job in a moment, I think showing in that moment money was not his goal in life but acceptance and inclusion!
a. He wanted a relationship with the Lord and involvement in His Kingdom!
b. Jesus accepted him and invited him to come join Him and become part of the Kingdom of Heaven – a position his Jewish family said he would never attain.
i. I believe this is why he spoke so much about and highlighted Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom of Heaven.
T.S. – Matthew paints the picture that The Lord accepts the rejected, the outcasts, the undesirables if they repent and choose to follow Jesus with their whole heart. Jesus opened the door to the Kingdom of Heaven especially to those who felt they could never enter it. But this action of Jesus drove the religious leaders to murder Jesus.
II. The Kingdom of Heaven (God)
a. In Matthew’s Gospel he speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven 34 times and the Kingdom of God 4 times – So Jesus primary teaching was on the Kingdom of Heaven or God! Matthew wanted his readers to know this detail!
i. Matthew leaned to using the phrase Kingdom of Heaven in His Gospel because he wrote to the Jewish people and in their culture, you did not use the name of God flippantly or irreverently – His name was holy so many did not even speak the name of God!
1. Point to ponder – some people want culture to change to fit them when we should be sensitive to other people’s culture!
ii. In Matthew after Jesus's own baptism and His temptation by the devil, and after spending time in Galilee and then Capernaum, Jesus said to them all, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17).
1. Matthew wanted the Jewish people to know that the Kingdom of Heaven is here – it’s got an open door to step into – and yes, they can become a part of it – no matter what others had told them – Like family members – religious leaders – who would say they were not good enough – or holy enough – or worthy of it! They were lost and would always be lost! But Jesus opened the door to the Kingdom of Heaven!
a. The religious leaders of the day were always telling the people who was in and who was out in The Kingdom of Heaven!
b. We also discover that Jesus taught 43 parables and 13 of them were about The Kingdom – He would start kingdom parables with the phrase “The Kingdom of Heaven is like ____________!”
i. The Parables: In the New Testament Jesus 3 were about the kingdom of heaven and were divided in the following subjects: The following from https://bibletalk.tv/the-kingdom-parables-part-1-8:
1. 5 agricultural examples:
a. Example: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches” (Matthew 13:31–32).
2. 4 examples concerning money:
a. Example: Matthew 18: 23 For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. 26 So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.' 27 And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt…”
3. 2 situations involving feasts:
a. Example: Matthew 22 1-14: 1Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.
4. 1 fishing story:
a. Example: Matthew 13: 47"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; 48and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away.
5. 1 example using cooking as its basis:
a. Example: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened."- Matthew 13:33
ii. These examples for parables were not only easy for the people of that time to understand, but they were also adaptable to every culture and age. Every disciple and follower of Jesus, regardless of time or place, can relate to and learn from Jesus' parables about the kingdom.
c. The Bible has a lot to say about The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God.
i. We just need to dig deeper into the Bible and research it out – therefore, I recommend Randy Alcorn’s book Heaven and the study of the Gospels!
1. Jonathan Edwards, the Great Puritan preacher, often spoke of Heaven...Some think it odd and inappropriate that Edwards was so committed to pursuing happiness for himself in Heaven...Tragically, however, most people do not find their joy in Christ and Heaven. In fact, many people find no joy at all when they think about Heaven” (Page 5, Heaven).
ii. Why do people not understand the truths of The Kingdom of Heaven - because they have an incorrect understanding of Heaven and God’s Kingdom! So, we need to learn about the Kingdom of Heaven and God- The following information is from Putty Putman’s teaching: Intro to Kingdom Theology - Pursue Kingdom Ministry.”
1. (Jesus’ mission and message) His clarion call at the beginning of his ministry: Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14–15
2. Jesus’ came preaching the Kingdom of Heaven (God).
a. This Message is what he took everywhere: But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” Luke 4:43
b. Jesus came to teach about the Kingdom of God and Heaven to the people to help them see it and receive it!
c. The Kingdom message was used by Him as a teaching application for His parables: And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? Mark 4:30
d. He taught that the Kingdom should be our highest priority of our lives: But seek first His Kingdom (The kingdom of Heaven) and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
e. The Kingdom is a birthright for those who are born again: Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
f. The Kingdom should be the motivation to avoid sin: And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, Mark 9:47
g. The Kingdom reign is illustrated by his miraculous ministry (You could say they proved his authority to reign): But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matthew 12:28
h. The Kingdom message is what he sent his disciples out with to teach and preach: And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. Luke 9:1–2
i. Putty notes: “This was so important to Jesus! It needs to be that big of a deal to us as well. Unfortunately, this is an area where the church has not been aligned with the Biblical narrative well. For most of us, the major focus is on salvation, and the kingdom is a supplementary thing. That is backwards; it should be the other way around, the Kingdom is the main message, and salvation fits into that as a part of the message of the Kingdom.”
3. The main point of Jesus teaching on the Kingdom was:
a. Salvation opens the door to the Kingdom of Heaven (God). The point of Jesus teachings was to get people to enter the Kingdom which has the authority to forgive sin, heal, deliver, and bring the abundant life!
b. What is the message of the Kingdom of Heaven, God?
i. Putty adds, “When we hear the term “Kingdom of Heaven - God”, if you’re like me, you interpret the word “kingdom” to point to a noun: a country/region (Like the United Kingdom). This plays forward to hearing, “the country of God”, which we interpret as either the Church, or eternity. Notice what we are doing here: we are interpreting the word “kingdom” using my 21st century definition.
ii. We need to interpret as Jesus intended it to be.
iii. “What did this word mean to the ancient Jews? It did not mean country. By Jesus’ day, the Jewish people understood their history as having three major movements: 1. Exodus & the founding of our nation. (God has made himself our king) 2. Davidic monarchy (God is ruling his people) 3. Exile & post-exile (We messed it up when will God come back and be king again?) This expectation of looking forward to God’s return, God’s activity is the major theme of the prophets in the OT. They look forward to a day, a day called “The day of the Lord,” where God will return and be king again. Where he will set all the broken things right and he will rule over his people again.”
iv. To them it was a literal Kingdom! God was dwelling and living among them!
v. Putty notes, “It became clear in Jesus dealing with the religious people of the day that “The longer they waited, the more the prophets looked forward at something that looked like it grew larger and larger in scope. It was not just going to be Israel’s redemption, but there would be a New Covenant, one that would fix the brokenness of our hearts! It would be justice to the entire world! It would cast down Satan, the enemy of God! It would be the remaking of all things! It would be the beginning of eternity! For hundreds of years, this building expectation of God’s intervention to be king again grew to the largest scale possible. By the time of Jesus, the term that comes to be attached to this idea is the Kingdom of God.”
iii. So, to the original hearers of Jesus teaching on the Kingdom of Heaven - God it was perceived different than what we may have thought or think.
1. Therefore, many wanted Jesus to overthrow the Roman Empire and take control literally! But it was not His time to do this! That time is coming but it was not in that timeframe of history.
2. Note: Jesus' discussion with Pilate reveals this: John 18:28-40
a. Pilate is asking Jesus if He is the King of the Jews – Jesus says, “Is that your own idea?” – Pilate presses more and Jesus says: My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” So, Pilate says you are a king then? Jesus responds, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
b. Jesus said: “My Kingdom is not of this world!” really, He is saying not at this moment in time!
d. Dr Nichols clarifies in His book; “The Kingdom of God (Heaven)” for the Jews were looking for the “Realm” - “The Kingdom of God (Heaven) literally ruling the world” – But Jesus came to establish his “Reign” on the earth – which was preceding the “The literal Kingdom of God (Heaven) – but the “Realm” is coming - it will come at His 2nd coming!” See Revelation 19:11-22:21!
i. The Reign – Jesus’ “Reigns” over the earth – He has the authority and power which was established at His death, and it gave him the rightful claim to this world – Jesus did this by dying on the cross and resurrecting.
ii. We live today in era of the “Reign” of Christ - This is the era of the Church which is also known as the era of Faith!
1. We don’t literally see the Realm of the Kingdom of God (Heaven), but we know it is coming – we do see glimpses of it in miracles, healings, answered prayer, salvations, deliverances, even in Jesus’ power over demonic powers, His ability to calm the storms, and the like.
iii. The reign of the Kingdom of Heaven is here but the Realm is coming!
1. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for. The conviction of things not seen.”
2. Today we need to put our faith and trust in the Lord – we need to believe He is reigning on this earth – we need to believe that He has the power and authority to dictate truth and instruct us on how we should live – we need to believe in this now – but this is all prior to Jesus' 2nd coming which will establish the literal realm of the Kingdom of Heaven (God). We need to believe by faith now – to get the benefit and blessing of the Realm.
e. The truth is what we do for the Kingdom of Heaven (God) today determines our eternal rewards in the coming kingdom!
III. Kingdom implies a King!
a. The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven seem to be variations of the same idea. A Kingdom implies a king. Our king is Jesus. Jesus said His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). Jesus’ authority did not come from man but from God (Luke 22:29).
i. Entrance into the Kingdom of God (Heaven) is by a new birth (John 3:5), repentance (Matt. 3:2), and the divine call (1 Thess. 2:12). We are told to seek the Kingdom of God (heaven) first (Matt. 6:33) and to pray for its arrival (Matt. 6:10). “The kingdom of Heaven - God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17). It is also a future kingdom where full rulership in the actual presence of the king Jesus will occur when He returns to earth.
ii. An expression first used by Jesus, although the idea that God reigns is everywhere in the Old Testament. The coming of the kingdom of Heaven/God was the most frequent topic in the teaching of Jesus (Mark 1:15). It expresses the truth that God is a great God who does what he wills in human affairs. Specifically, he wills to save people through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. In one sense the kingdom of God is a present reality. People enter it now (Matt. 21:31). In another sense it is the future (Matt. 16:28). God’s control is plain in both aspects, and in the end his sovereign will be perfectly done (1 Cor. 15:28). The Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook, Walter A. Elwell, Editor, (Harold Shaw Publ., Wheaton, IL; 1984), p. 352
b. It’s important to know - After Isaiah, the prophets Zechariah and Obadiah began to describe the Messiah as a charismatic ruler (king) who would appear and renew the golden period of Jewish history (Solomon's reign). This leader would rule from Jerusalem. He would purify the nation, save it from its enemies and have sovereignty over all the nations. It was this kind of prophesy (a Redeemer and Savior to come in the future) that stirred the hopes of the nation in Jesus’ day. (From https://bibletalk.tv/the-kingdom-parables-part-1).
i. Sadly, many do not know about the Kingdom of Heaven, or many have a misunderstanding of the Kingdom of Heaven (God) just like they did in Jesus day.
1. Randy Alcorn states, “The truth is seminaries, bible colleges, churches, life groups have neglected the subject of the (Kingdom of God) Heaven in their teachings.
2. Heaven – God's Kingdom literal realm and reign is real – to many it is and invisible Kingdom – a kingdom that is unknown even beyond our ability to understand it or comprehend it.
a. But it is there!
b. But The “Realm and Reign” of Heaven is alive and thriving – it runs parallel to our earthly existence – it exists like you, and I exist – and it is coming to all of us soon. The Realm is coming – the literal Kingdom of God/heaven – What will be your part in it? It is not all hear yet, but it is coming.
ii. Jesus also said this about the Kingdom in Luke 17:20,21 “The Coming of the Kingdom of God: 20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”
1. Did you catch how to experience the Kingdom of God/Heaven today – it is within the believer – Jesus is reigning today with in the heart of every believer – He sends them the Holy Spirit to reveal it to them – it says in the Bible that we become a temple of the Holy Spirit who lives within us after salvation.
2. We are to see and hear that the Kingdom of God is within us. The Holy Spirit reveals it to us – we are to live for this Kingdom – we can see it -experience it – be blessed by it – if we believe! If we follow the teachings of Jesus.
a. The Kingdom is here in the heart of the believer – if they have been born again and accepted the King of the Kingdom Jesus.
i. We can see aspects of it – visions of it – experience dreams of it, learn from others about it, See the miracles happen from it!
iii. Have you experienced this dimension of the Kingdom of Heaven - God thru the King? Have you seen it – experienced it with your 5 senses? Truth is your 5 senses will work in Heaven and in the Kingdom! You will not be drifting along playing a harp on a cloud for eternity!
1. Therefore because of the Kingdom within the believer- people will get set free – because of the Kingdom of Heaven reigning people will be delivered from demons – when people experience a glimpse of the Kingdom they change – Why? Because they believe it and receive it – it changes their lives! They see with the spiritual eyes – Note in our one text scripture said - Jesus opened their minds to new truths in the realm of the Kingdom and Scriptures. Do you want to experience this?
2. Let us, read on in Luke 17:22-35: 22Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23Men will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. 24For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. 25But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. (Jon’s message) 26“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. 28“It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30“It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. 32Remember Lot’s wife! 33Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”
a. In other words, Jesus warns all of us that the 2nd coming is going to catch people off guard! Like Noah’s flood did and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah did - So we need to be ready today – now! It could happen sooner than you may think!
b. But - You need to be connected to “The Kingdom of God/Heaven” stay connected to the Kingdom of Heaven/God and live for the Kingdom of God today!
c. But- You need to be serving the Kingdom – you need to experience the Kingdom of God from within – so you can see manifestations of the Kingdom when you pray for miracles, healing, salvations and life change.
d. We need to be ready to step into the Kingdom at any moment:
i. Luke 12: 35“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. 39But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” 41Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” 42The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour, he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47“That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows.
Conclusion:
The Kingdom of Heaven - God introduced the Kingdom thru Jesus – Jesus defined the Kingdom of Heaven/God and emphasized over and over how to be a part of it – a part of it now – before it is too late. The Jews has a total misunderstanding of the Kingdom of Heaven/God and Jesus was seeking to correct it.
The Kingdom of Heaven (God) is reigning on this earth today! But the realm is coming!
Dr. Nichols notes this in his book “The Kingdom of God” – There are two parts to every kingdom which contrast with each other. The reign of the Kingdom is the authority by which the king rules. The realm of the kingdom is the concrete or physical place where the ruling occurs. (Page 10).
Today Jesus is reigning over His kingdom – He has the authority to do so because of the cross – But his literal realm – the literal kingdom has not yet been set up on earth yet – But He is coming back again to establish it according to the book of Revelation. Jesus is teaching here about the Kingdom of God and how we in our day and era that we need to be ready and looking for the Kingdom to literally be established. We need to live our lives each day prepared as if today is the day of Jesus return! Revelation 19:11-21:27
We will be held accountable for what we did with our lives – especially as believers:
Luke 12: 48But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. 49“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! 51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother–in–law against daughter–in–law and daughter–in–law against mother–in–law.”
The truth is the Kingdom of Heaven/God is reigning today in the hearts of His followers – but there is the coming literal Kingdom, and we need to ready for it – preparing for it and living it now in our life in a world that does not see it of want it.
What do we need to know from this message?
Answer: We need to embrace the Kingdom of Heaven/God – experience it from within and be a part of manifesting it in this literal realm to others – we need to serve within the Kingdom of Heaven/God – we need to live by the truths of the Kingdom of Heaven/God. Jesus wants us to understand That he has unleashed, “The Reign of the Kingdom of Heaven/God.”
Why do we need to know this?
Answer: If we understand the teaching of Jesus on “The Kingdom of Heaven/God” it will change our hearts and minds – it will change our worldview and how we live!
What do we need to do?
Answer: We need to embrace “The Kingdom of Heaven/God” experience it from within and then serve in it – Jesus is reigning on this earth as a result of the cross – but the other dimension to the Kingdom of Heaven/God is Jesus’ realm – literal Kingdom is coming in the future, and we need to be ready for it – looking for it – living for it!
Why do we need to do this?
Answer: So, we experience manifestations of the Kingdom today and so we can help others enter into the Kingdom of Heaven/God.
The truth of this message is (Summary):
What subject did Jesus speak the most about?
Answer: The Kingdom of Heaven/God
Why did He focus on the Kingdom of Heaven/God so much?
• To correct the Jews misunderstanding of the Kingdom!
• To teach how to become part of the Kingdom!
• To reveal how live for the Kingdom!
• To show how to be blessed by the Kingdom!
• To tell people the benefit of investing in the Kingdom!
The Kingdom of Heaven/God’s “Reign” came through Jesus’ death on the cross and through His ministry, life, death and resurrection.
• Jesus’ “Reigns” on the earth today – He has the power and authority over this world!
• When we choose Him and believe on Him as our Savior we get entrance into the Kingdom of God – we get filled with the Holy Spirit and have the Kingdom of God living within us – the Holy Spirit reveals this to us as He lives in us as temples of the Holy Spirit.
• We need to live by truth and teachings of the Kingdom of God spelled out for us by Jesus’ teachings!
The Kingdom of Heaven/God is within the believer, and we can experience manifestations of the Kingdom of Heaven/God – like prayer and answered prayers, insight, wisdom, miracles, direction, healing and other blessings that come with being a part of the Kingdom of heaven/God.
The Kingdom of Heaven/God is present but it’ s “Realm” it’s literal kingdom is not yet materialized on this earth – But Jesus is coming back a second time to establish it! We need to be ready!
We need to do the Kingdom of Heaven/God “Stuff!” – today – live by the teachings and values of the Kingdom – so we receive a great reward for eternity for living the way Jesus says we should live.
