Images of the Church: The Kingdom

Text: Matthew 16:13-20

I.               Introduction

A.  The Kingdom of Eswatini[1]

B.  Series Introduction

1.    On the third Sunday night of each month, we’ll examine an image of the church in Scripture.

2.    The purpose will be to better understand the blessing and importance of the church.

II.            The Church as the Kingdom

A. 

1.    The kingdom was prophesied about in the Testament (Daniel 2:44).

2.    The kingdom was prophesied about in the Testmament by the angel Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:31-33).

B. 

1.    The kingdom is a reality as seen in Scripture.

2.    During Christ’s

a.    Mark 1:14-15 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.”

b.    Matthew 12:28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

c.    Mark 9:1-9

d.    Acts 1:3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

3.    By Christ’s (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:36; Ephesians 1:20-22; 1 Peter 3:22)

4.    By its

a.    1 Thessalonians 2:12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

b.    Colossians 1:13,14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

c.    Hebrews 12:28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,

5.    By its

a.    Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world

b.    2 Peter 1:10-11 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

C. 

1.    God’s kingdom plan has always included the .

a.    Ephesians 1:22-23 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

b.    If the church is such a huge part of the plan of redeeming mankind, it should be of the upmost importance to us.

2.    The Kingdom is

a.    God promised that the church would never be destroyed.

b.    Daniel 2:44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,

c.    Matthew 16:18-19 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven

3.    If the Kingdom of God is this powerful, shouldn’t we want to be part of it?

III.         Conclusion

A.  Troubles in the Kingdom[2]

B.  Invitation