Understanding God's Kingdom: Present Hope and Future Promise

Today’s focus is on the phrase “Your kingdom come” from the Lord’s Prayer, exploring what Jesus meant and how the theme of God’s kingdom weaves through the entire Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, the story of the kingdom is the story of God’s people, in God’s place, under God’s rule and blessing. In the beginning, creation gave us a glimpse of a perfect kingdom—Adam and Eve in the garden, enjoying God’s presence. But sin shattered that perfection, not just as a simple act of disobedience, but as humanity’s attempt to become its own authority, to be lawmakers instead of law followers. This rebellion broke relationships, corrupted creation, and left us longing for restoration.

God’s response was a covenant—a promise to Abraham that through his descendants, blessing and restoration would come. The story of Israel unfolds with God’s people seeking a king, often for the wrong reasons, wanting to be like other nations rather than being set apart under God’s chosen leadership. Saul, the people’s choice, failed, but God’s choice, David, gave a partial glimpse of what a godly kingdom could be. Yet even David’s line faltered, and the kingdom fractured, leading to exile and longing for a prophesied, perfect king.

The prophets kept hope alive, pointing forward to a coming kingdom. Then, in Jesus, every promise finds its “yes.” Jesus is the present kingdom—he fulfills the law, endures the cross, and offers salvation. Through his death and resurrection, the way is opened for us to be made right with God, not by our works, but by his grace. We remember this through communion, celebrating his body broken and blood shed for us.

Now, we live in the “already but not yet”—the kingdom is here, but not fully realized. Our purpose is to proclaim the good news, to be a light in a restless world, knowing our true home is still to come. We are called to holy discontent: content in Christ, but unsettled by the brokenness around us, compelled to act, to love, to share hope. One day, Jesus will return, and the kingdom will be perfected—God’s people, in God’s place, in God’s presence forever. Until then, we live with urgency, faith, and anticipation, trusting God’s faithfulness and participating in his unfolding story.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The theme of God’s kingdom is the unifying thread of Scripture, showing us that the Bible is not a collection of disconnected stories, but a single narrative of God’s redemptive work. Recognizing this helps us see continuity between the Old and New Testaments and understand our place in God’s story. The kingdom is both present and future, inviting us to live in the tension of “now and not yet.” [26:17]
• 2. Sin is not merely breaking a rule; it is the assertion of our own authority over God’s. The devastation of sin is seen not only in our personal lives but in the brokenness of creation itself. The brutality Jesus endured before the cross is a sobering picture of what sin truly looks like—reminding us that sin is always destructive, always costly, and never to be taken lightly. [43:58]
• 3. God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus, who is both the present reality and the future hope of the kingdom. In Christ, we are offered righteousness, not by our own merit, but by his sacrifice. This is the heart of the gospel: God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God. [49:35]
• 4. Our purpose in this season of history is greater than ourselves. We are called to be light-bearers, proclaiming the good news of Jesus’s kingdom in word and deed. Every gift, ability, and opportunity is meant to serve this higher calling, and we must resist the temptation to settle for lesser purposes that leave us unfulfilled. [53:52]
• 5. We are not yet home, and a holy restlessness should mark our lives. Contentment in Christ coexists with a discontent for the brokenness of this world, fueling our compassion, our action, and our longing for Jesus’s return. This tension keeps us from complacency and compels us to live with urgency, hope, and faithfulness as we await the perfected kingdom. [59:56]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:10] - Honoring Fathers and Church Community
• [04:30] - Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer Series
• [07:00] - The Meaning of “Your Kingdom Come”
• [10:45] - The Kingdom as the Bible’s Unifying Theme
• [14:30] - The “Now and Not Yet” of the Kingdom
• [17:20] - God’s Perfect Kingdom in Creation
• [19:00] - The Perished Kingdom: Sin’s Consequences
• [22:10] - Covenant and the Promise of Restoration
• [25:30] - Israel’s Kings: Saul, David, and God’s Choice
• [31:00] - Prophecy and the Hope of a Future Kingdom
• [36:00] - Jesus: The Fulfillment of the Kingdom
• [41:00] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
• [46:30] - Living in the “Already but Not Yet”
• [53:00] - Our Purpose and Calling in the Present Age
• [58:30] - Holy Discontent and Longing for Home
• [61:30] - The Promise of Jesus’s Return
• [64:20] - Praying for the World and Our Role
• [65:30] - Closing Prayer and Response

1. In Matthew 6:9-13, what does Jesus ask us to pray for regarding God’s kingdom?
2. According to 2 Samuel 7:11-16, what kind of kingdom does God promise to David, and how long will it last?
3. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, what does Paul say Jesus did for us, and what does that mean for our relationship with God?
4. The sermon described the “kingdom” as God’s people, in God’s place, under God’s rule and blessing. Where do you see this pattern in the Bible story? [[26:17]]

1. The sermon said sin is not just breaking a rule, but trying to be our own authority. Why is this distinction important for understanding the seriousness of sin? [[31:47]]
2. God’s promise to David included a king whose throne would last forever. How does the sermon connect this promise to Jesus? [[42:20]]
3. The pastor talked about living in the “already but not yet”—the kingdom is here, but not fully realized. What does it mean to live in this tension as a follower of Jesus? [[53:52]]
4. The sermon described a “holy discontent”—being content in Christ but unsettled by the brokenness around us. Why is this restlessness important for Christians? [[59:56]]

1. The sermon said our purpose is bigger than ourselves and that we are called to be light-bearers, sharing the good news of Jesus’s kingdom. What is one specific way you can use your gifts or opportunities this week to point someone to Jesus? [[53:52]]
2. The pastor warned against settling for “lesser purposes” that leave us unfulfilled. Are there areas in your life where you’ve been chasing after things that don’t last? What would it look like to re-align your purpose with God’s kingdom? [[55:12]]
3. The message described sin as always destructive and costly, using the example of Jesus’s suffering before the cross. Is there a sin in your life you’ve been taking lightly? What step can you take this week to turn away from it? [[43:58]]
4. The sermon said, “Jesus is your only hope.” Are there things or people you’ve been looking to for hope instead of Jesus? How can you shift your focus back to him this week? [[56:50]]
5. The pastor talked about a “holy restlessness”—being content in Christ but not at home in this world. When do you feel this restlessness most? How can you let it motivate you to love, serve, or pray for others? [[59:56]]
6. The sermon encouraged us to live with urgency, faith, and anticipation for Jesus’s return. What is one thing you would do differently if you really believed Jesus could return soon? [[01:02:52]]
7. The message reminded us that God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish. Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus? What is one step you can take to share hope with them this week? [[51:32]]