The Kingdom of God: Christ's Mission and Authority

Devotional

Day 1: The Kingdom of God as the Unifying Thread

The kingdom of God is the central theme that unites the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. It is not merely a future hope but a present reality where God reigns supreme and salvation is realized. Understanding this kingdom is crucial to grasping the mission of Jesus, who declared His purpose to preach the kingdom of God to all cities. This kingdom is not a geographical realm but a spiritual dominion where God’s authority and salvation are experienced. The kingdom was prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus, the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God, who embodies the essence of this divine kingdom. [05:24]

Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV): "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in the kingdom of God today, recognizing it as a present reality in your life?

Day 2: Jesus as the Lion and the Lamb

Jesus embodies both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God, signifying His dual role as King and Priest. This profound truth reveals His authority to rule and His sacrifice to redeem, offering us a complete picture of His mission. As the Lion, He possesses the power and authority to reign, while as the Lamb, He offers Himself as a sacrifice for the redemption of humanity. This dual identity encapsulates the essence of His kingship and priesthood, calling us to worship and allegiance to Him. [17:52]

Revelation 5:5-6 (ESV): "And one of the elders said to me, 'Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.' And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth."

Reflection: In what ways can you honor Jesus as both your King and your Redeemer in your daily life?

Day 3: The Present and Future Kingdom

The kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope. Jesus taught His disciples to pray for the kingdom to come, indicating its ongoing realization. While some may view the kingdom as entirely future or fully realized, the truth lies in its present and future dimensions. Jesus has ascended to His throne, reigning as King of kings, and will return to consummate His kingdom. This duality calls us to live in the tension of the present and future kingdom, actively participating in its realization while anticipating its full consummation. [22:15]

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV): "Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'"

Reflection: How can you live in the tension of the present and future kingdom, actively participating in its realization today?

Day 4: The Worthiness of Christ

In Revelation, only Jesus is found worthy to open the scroll, highlighting His unique authority and worthiness. This worthiness is rooted in His sacrificial love and redemptive work, calling us to worship and allegiance. Jesus, as the Lion and the Lamb, embodies the ultimate authority and worthiness, deserving of our complete devotion and worship. His sacrificial love and redemptive work are the foundation of His worthiness, inviting us to respond with worship and allegiance to Him. [16:14]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to acknowledge and honor the worthiness of Christ in your life?

Day 5: Ultimate Authority of Christ

While earthly rulers hold temporary power, the ultimate authority belongs to Christ, who reigns over all. Our focus should be on His eternal kingdom, which transcends earthly politics and offers true hope and salvation. In a world where political powers and earthly rulers dominate the headlines, we are reminded that the ultimate authority rests not in human institutions but in the divine reign of Christ. Our hope and allegiance are to the King who sits on the throne, whose kingdom is everlasting. [23:56]

Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV): "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from earthly concerns to the eternal kingdom of Christ in your daily life?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of the Gospel according to Saint Luke, we find ourselves at the end of chapter four, where Jesus articulates His mission with clarity and purpose. He declares, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." This statement underscores the central theme that unites the Old and New Testaments: the kingdom of God. Jesus' mission was not just about performing miracles or teaching moral lessons; it was about proclaiming the kingdom of God, a concept that threads through the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

The kingdom of God is not merely a geographical realm but a spiritual dominion where God reigns supreme and where salvation is realized. It is the realm of the redeemed, the society of those who have experienced the salvation of the King. This kingdom was prophesied in the Old Testament, notably in Genesis 49, where Jacob blesses Judah, foretelling that the scepter, a symbol of kingship, shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh comes. This prophecy points to Jesus, the Lion of Judah, who is also the Lamb of God.

In Revelation 5, we witness a heavenly scene where the Lion of Judah is revealed as the only one worthy to open the scroll, symbolizing His authority and worthiness. This dual identity of Jesus as both Lion and Lamb encapsulates the essence of His kingship and priesthood. He is the King who rules and the Priest who redeems through His sacrifice.

The kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope. Jesus taught His disciples to pray for the kingdom to come, indicating its ongoing realization. While some may view the kingdom as entirely future or fully realized, the truth lies in its present and future dimensions. Jesus has ascended to His throne, reigning as King of kings, and will return to consummate His kingdom.

In our current world, where political powers and earthly rulers dominate the headlines, we are reminded that the ultimate authority rests not in human institutions but in the divine reign of Christ. Our hope and allegiance are to the King who sits on the throne, whose kingdom is everlasting.

Key Takeaways

1. The Kingdom of God as Central Theme: The kingdom of God is the unifying theme of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. It is not just a future hope but a present reality where God reigns and saves. Understanding this kingdom is crucial to grasping the mission of Jesus. [05:24]
2. Jesus as Lion and Lamb: Jesus embodies both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God, signifying His dual role as King and Priest. This profound truth reveals His authority to rule and His sacrifice to redeem, offering us a complete picture of His mission. [17:52]
3. The Present and Future Kingdom: The kingdom of God is both now and not yet. Jesus reigns currently, having ascended to His throne, yet the full realization of His kingdom awaits His return. This duality calls us to live in the tension of the present and future kingdom. [22:15]
4. The Worthiness of Christ: In Revelation, only Jesus is found worthy to open the scroll, highlighting His unique authority and worthiness. This worthiness is rooted in His sacrificial love and redemptive work, calling us to worship and allegiance. [16:14]
5. Ultimate Authority of Christ: While earthly rulers hold temporary power, the ultimate authority belongs to Christ, who reigns over all. Our focus should be on His eternal kingdom, which transcends earthly politics and offers true hope and salvation. [23:56]
** [23:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to Luke 4
[00:43] - Jesus' Mission Statement
[01:53] - The Kingdom of God Question
[03:01] - Old Testament and New Testament Connection
[04:44] - Jesus' Purpose to Preach the Kingdom
[05:36] - Understanding the Gospel
[07:17] - The Gospel of the Kingdom
[08:42] - The Kingdom Thread from Genesis
[09:12] - Judah's Prophetic Blessing
[11:33] - The Nature of God's Kingdom
[13:14] - Revelation's Heavenly Scene
[16:14] - The Worthiness of the Lion and the Lamb
[19:33] - The New Song of Heaven
[22:01] - The Present and Future Kingdom
[23:56] - Ultimate Authority of Christ
[25:30] - Closing Prayer

Sermon Clips

If there is any theme that unites the Old Testament with the New Testament, any single thread that runs through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, it is this concept of the kingdom of God. Now what I find particularly significant about the text that I just read to you was this, that there are a few occasions in the New Testament where Jesus tells people why he came to this planet. [00:02:57]

When the crowds try to persuade him to stay and not to depart from them, he said, I have to go, I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent. So here Jesus said the reason why I'm here, the purpose for my coming, is to preach or to proclaim the kingdom of God. [00:04:41]

In biblical terms, God's kingdom is not merely that area, that land, that geography, that realm over which he reigns and over which he rules. He reigns already over the whole world, over all things, but in biblical categories, the kingdom of God doesn't just describe that place where God rules but it also describes preeminently that place where God saves. [00:12:14]

The kingdom of God is the realm of the redeemed, the society of those who have experienced the salvation of the King because the promised Messiah will not only be a ruling body, a ruler of kingship, but he will be the king who is also a priest. He is a king who will redeem his subjects through his priestly ministry. [00:12:32]

The Lion of Judah is worthy and able to take these seals away and open up this scroll to see every word that is contained within it. So stop crying, the Lion of Judah has prevailed. And I looked, and behold in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and the midst of the elders stood a Lamb as though it had been slain. [00:16:41]

That the Lion of Judah was also the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The King is also our High Priest who offers himself for our salvation. That's what's new, that's what Jacob can only dream of, that's what David could only hope for, now had come to pass where this one from the tribe of Judah prevailed. [00:18:02]

Jesus was compelled to leave Capernaum that he might preach the kingdom of God to all of the cities. He taught his disciples to pray, in their prayers to say thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Sadly there are many Christians today who believe that the kingdom of God is something that's totally completely and utterly future. [00:21:36]

To think of the kingdom of God as being totally and completely future is the miss one of the most important announcements of the New Testament that our King has come. He has ascended into heaven, he has gone to his coronation, he has been crowned as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and that the reign of our King is already real. [00:22:24]

But dear friends I remind you that ultimately it's not who sits in the White House that matters, it's who sits over the White House. And when we talk about the elements in the life of Jesus we talk about his birth, we talk about his ministry, his life, his transfiguration, his atoning death, his resurrection from the dead. [00:23:56]

The session of Jesus is when he takes his seat at the right hand of God, where from that seat, from that throne, he rules over this kingdom that his Father has given to him, and all who put their faith in that King, all of his loyal subjects experienced now and forever the fullness of the salvation that he has achieved for us. [00:24:22]

For behold, the Lion of Judah has prevailed and the Lamb of God is worthy to receive glory and honor, dominion and power, now and for evermore. Let's pray, our Lord we thank you for our King, our great King, our shepherd King, our priest King, our Lion King, our Lamb King, who rules and reigns and saves all in his kingdom. [00:25:05]

The kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope. Jesus taught His disciples to pray for the kingdom to come, indicating its ongoing realization. While some may view the kingdom as entirely future or fully realized, the truth lies in its present and future dimensions. [00:21:36]

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