DEFINING THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
Series: The Parables Of Jesus
Mathew 13:11. And He replied to them, To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
A. INTRODUCTION
The parables of Jesus make up a crucial part of the Bible. Jesus had the wisdom to simplify the profound spiritual truths he needed to share with humanity in the form of relatable stories that are easy to understand.
The parables of Jesus are among the most beloved of all stories in the Bible, or ever told. In his parables, Jesus drew interesting verbal word pictures of the world around his listeners.
These colourful relatable stories, taken from everyday life, were used to teach simple yet powerful lessons. In his parables, the emphasis is usually placed at the end of the story – making a strong conclusion that led the listener to accept the message. The messages were so plain, and so simple, that only the most hardened could refuse or reject the teaching.
A parable "leaves the mind in sufficient doubt about its precise application to tease it into active thought." Parables often have more in common with probing, uncompromising, puzzling questions than they do with answers.
Of the four canonical gospels the parables are almost all in the three synoptic gospels. According to one count,
• The Gospel of Luke contains both the largest total number of parables (24) and the largest number of unique parables found nowhere else (10);
• The Gospel of Matthew contains 23 parables of which six are unique;
• The Gospel of Mark contains eight parables of which only one (the Parable of the Growing Seed, Mark 4:26-29) is unique.
John does not contain any parables; rather it contains metaphoric stories or allegories, such as The Shepherd (John 10:1-21) and The Vine (John 15:1-17) which some scholars argue is a parable, to much disagreement.
Although Jesus was not the first teacher to use parables, the number of parables and the impact of his parabolic teachings was without precedent. A famous and quite ancient Old Testament example is the parable of the ewe lamb which the prophet Nathan addressed to David. After the king had arranged the death of Bathsheba's husband on the battlefield so that he might himself marry Bathsheba, Nathan told him a story about a man who killed another man’s ewe in (2 Sam 12:1-4) When David condemned the man as deserving to die, Nathan revealed that the story was a parable, saying, "You are the man" (v.7).
B. TYPES OF PARABLES
1 True Parables – Stories based on true, visible scenes and events. For example, seeds growing, yeast at work, losing a coin... “Self evident truths”.
2 Story Parables – Do not rely on obvious “truths” but instead are based upon “experiences”. For example, the Parable of the tares, the rich man and Lazarus, etc.
3 Illustrations – Exhibit behaviors to be copied or avoided. For example, the Rich Fool, the Good Samaritan.
4 Parabolic Sayings – Short statements, such as; Jesus teachings on Salt and Light, “Physician heal thyself”, “No one sews a new patch on an old garment”, “No one puts new wine in an old wineskin”, “A pupil is not above his teacher” and “Can a blind man lead a blind man?” Many of these can be found in Luke chapters 4-7.
Many parables show traits of two of the above characteristics – not all can be neatly boxed into one category.
A parable is one of the simplest of narratives. It sketches a setting, describes an action, and shows the results. It often involves a character facing a moral dilemma, or making a questionable decision and then suffering the consequences. As with a fable, a parable generally relates a single, simple, consistent action, without extraneous detail or distracting circumstances.”
A parable is a tale about a simple, common subject to illustrate a deeper, valuable moral lesson. The source definition of the word “parable” means a placement side by side for the purpose of comparison.
C. THE GENERAL THEME OF THE PARABLES
1. In our introductory lesson, we observed that the general “theme” of Jesus’ parables was “the kingdom of heaven”
• Many of the parables start with “The kingdom of heaven is like...” - Mt 13:24,31,33,44, 45, 47
• In explaining why He spoke in parables, Jesus made reference to “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” - Mt 13:11
• We also noted that “the kingdom of heaven” was the theme of...
o Jesus’ itinerant ministry - Mt 4:17,23
o His sermon on the mount - Mt 5:3,10,19-20; 6:10,33; 7:21
• Because “the kingdom of heaven” is such a prominent subject in the parables of Jesus (as well as His overall preaching)... It might serve a good purpose to preface our study of the parables with a careful look at what “the kingdom of heaven” means
• With a proper definition of “the kingdom of heaven” fresh in our minds, we are more likely to benefit from our Lord’s teaching on this wonderful subject!
• In Matthew 13, we begin to read about the parables of Jesus.
2. The disciples were somewhat confused about the nature of Jesus’ teaching. Thus, they asked Him about it (Matt. 13:10).And the disciples came, and said unto him, why speakest thou unto them in parables?
3. Jesus’ response point His followers to the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 13:11).He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
4. Jesus speaks about the dual role of the parables.
• The reveal the truth.
• They conceal the truth.
5. He also notes that the purpose of the parable is for His followers to learn something about the kingdom of heaven.
This was the kingdom that had been foretold by the prophets of old (Dan. 2:44).And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
6. Often Jesus would preface a parable with words that noted that He was speaking of the kingdom of God
Matt. 13:24.Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man which sowed good seed in his field.
• Since the parables focus mainly on the kingdom, it is appropriate for us to briefly define and examine this kingdom.
• There are four aspects of the kingdom that we will study in this teaching.
D. FOUR ASPECTS OF THE KINGNDOM
1. THE KINGDOM CAN INVOLVE “REIGN” AND “DOMINION”
a. Reign:
• To have control, rule, or influence of any kind
• To be the dominate power or influence
• The period during which a sovereign occupies the throne
b. We can apply this definition in two ways: Broadly speaking, the kingdom of God has always existed.
• Psalm 93:2 Thy throne is established of old: thou are from everlasting.
• Psalm 103:19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
c. The second way to apply this definition involves the hearts of men
Luke 17:20-21. And when he was demanded of the Pharisees when the kingdom of God should come, he answered and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God IS WITHIN YOU.
d. The kingdom of God comes when men allow God to REIGN and have DOMINION within their HEARTS. Each of us could be asked:
• Have you allowed the kingdom of God to be established within you?
• Does the Lord occupy the throne of your heart?
• Does God control, rule and reign from within you?
e. The term “kingdom” as used by the Jews often stressed the abstract idea of “reign” or “dominion”, not some geographical area surrounded by physical boundaries
• Possibly used this way by Jesus in Lk 17:21
• It is used this way by Jesus in Mt 6:10 (“Thy kingdom come; thy will be done”)
f. Thus, the “kingdom of heaven” (or “kingdom of God”) is wherever the REIGN or DOMINION of God (who is in heaven) is manifested. But in a special way was the rule or reign of God to be manifested with the coming of Christ
• As foretold in the time of Daniel (ca. 500 B.C.) - Dan 2:44-45
• As proclaimed by John the Baptist - Mt 3:1-3
• As preached by Jesus - Mt 4:17; Mk 1:14-15
g. Indeed, it is in the Person of Jesus Christ that the “reign of God” is being expressly manifest today - cf. 1 Co 15:23-26; Ep 1:20-22; 1 Peter 3:22; Re 1:5
2. THE KINGDOM IS SPIRITUAL IN NATURE
a. The Jews believed that a physical kingdom would be established upon the earth by the Messiah.
• We hear a lot about “the coming of the kingdom.”
• Individuals often speak of the “thousand year reign of Christ on earth.”
b. Jesus’ kingdom was never intended to be a physical kingdom
John 18:36.Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
c. Paul reveals that the kingdom involves spiritual things, not physical things
Rom. 14:17.For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
3. THE KINGDOM IS VISIBLY MANIFESTED TODAY IN THE LORD’S CHURCH...
a. Broadly speaking, God’s kingdom is the entire world.
• He rules and reigns over all.
• For the purpose of salvation, God has established a very special kingdom today.
• That kingdom is the church.
b. What is the Lord’s church?
• It is a community of souls In whose hearts God is recognized as Sovereign
• Thus the church can properly be referred to as the kingdom of God today
c. That the terms “church” and “kingdom” can be used interchangeably, consider:
• In a conversation with Peter, Jesus used “church” and “kingdom” synonymously
Matt. 16:18-19.And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the king-dom: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
d. Paul told the Colossian Christians that they had been delivered out of the power of darkness and had been translated into the kingdom of God’s dear son
Col. 1:13.Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.
e. John told his readers that he was their companion in the kingdom of Christ
Rev. 1:9. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
f. Proof the kingdom of God is in existence:
• Jesus said the kingdom of God would come with power (Mark 9:1).
• Jesus told the disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8).
• The Holy Ghost came upon the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).
• If Jesus was right, the power came when the Holy Ghost came.
• If Jesus was right, the kingdom came when the power came. Acts 2:47
• Since the Colossians were in the kingdom, the kingdom had to have been established when Paul wrote to them (Col. 1:13).
4. BOTH PRESENT AND FUTURE...
a. The “kingdom of heaven” has a future element as well as a present one. Its future aspect is spoken of by:
• Jesus in Mathew 25:34
• Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:50; 2 Ti 4:18
• Peter in 2 Peter 1:10-11
b. Peter described the coming of its future state in 2 Pe 3:10-13
-- Therefore the kingdom of heaven involves the “new heavens and new earth”
E. A SUMMARY DEFINITION OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IN THE “PRESENT” SENSE...
1. It is found wherever the SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD is accepted in the hearts of men
2. It is a SPIRITUAL KINGDOM, for God rules in the hearts of men
3. Its outward manifestation today is the LORD’S CHURCH
4. The kingdom was “INAUGURATED” on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2
F. A SUMMARY DEFINITION OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IN THE “FUTURE” SENSE...
1. Four verses:
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
I Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
II Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever.
II Peter 1:10-11 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abun-dantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2. The kingdom will be “CULMINATED” with the coming of the Lord
• When Jesus “delivers the kingdom to God the Father” - 1 Co 15:24
• “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” – Mathew 13:43
3. It will be that “NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH” described by Peter and John
• “In which righteousness dwells” - 2 Peter 3:13
• In which “the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.” - Revelations 21:3
4. It will be experienced by those in the CHURCH who are submitting to God’s will
• Those who do “the will of My Father in heaven” - Mathew 7:21-23
• Those who are “diligent to be found by Him in peace” - 2 Peter 3:13-15a
5. This kingdom will also be composed of all the FAITHFUL FROM ALL THE AGES:
• the Patriarchal Age,
• the Mosaic Age, and
• the Christian Age.
6. This kingdom will be:
• Heavenly
• Sinless
• Incorruptible
• Eternal
7. God the Father will rule and reign over this kingdom (I Corinthians. 15:24-28).
G. CONCLUSION
1. As we get into the parables, there will be many references to the “kingdom of heaven”
• Sometimes it appears Jesus refers to the “present” aspect of the kingdom
• But then, at other times He has reference to the “future” aspect of the kingdom
• Hopefully, this effort to define the “kingdom of heaven” will help us appreciate more what Jesus has to say concerning “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven”!
2. One principle concerning entering kingdom that was a mystery to Nicodemus at first was the need to be born again (John 3:3-4). But then Jesus explained that the new birth was one of water and the Spirit (John 3:5). Is that still a mystery to you? Then consider Acts 2:38 and Titus 3:5...
3. We have seen four concepts connected to the kingdom of God. We need to respond to these four concepts.
• We must believe the kingdom is spiritual and not earthly.
• We must allow the kingdom of God, the reign of God, to rule in our hearts.
• We must be citizens of the kingdom now, that is, the church.
• We need to be preparing for an entrance into the eternal kingdom to come.
Dr. Tg Badia
