By Tony V. Hammack
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Fact #1 Jesus is coming back.
Fact #2 He’ll be looking for some things when he returns.
Fact #3 We can speed his return
Final Point: what is the Gospel of the Kingdom?
Jesus is Coming Back!
Acts 1:9-11
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
The coming of Christ will be instantaneous and worldwide. "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." —Matthew 24:27
The coming of Christ will be visible to all. "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." —Matthew 24:30
The resurrection of the righteous will occur. "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first." —1 Thessalonians 4:16
The saved who are alive at Christ's coming will be caught up together with the resurrected to meet the Lord in the air. "Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." —1 Thessalonians 4:17
Jesus will be looking for some things when he returns Jesus is Looking for… Faith…
Luke 18:8b
However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Faithful and wise people who will help and feed others the Word of God.
Matthew 24:45-51
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Speed the Return of Christ?
Speed His Coming
2 Peter 3:10-12
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. How do we speed the return of the Lord?
Matthew 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
We can’t predict the return of the Lord. No man knows the day nor the hour however we can speed the coming of the Lord by preaching the gospel of the Kingdom to every nation.
What is the Gospel of the Kingdom?
Obviously, central to the gospel of the KINGdom is an understanding that Jesus is the King of the kingdom. In the Bible Jesus, because of his position as king, had authority over sickness, demons, and even death. This was before the ascension. Now seated at the right hand of the father he is interceding for us to also exert the influence of the kingdom according to Romans 8:34.
What is the gospel of the Kingdom?
It’s inclusive of us being sinners, Jesus dying on the cross and me believing in that to be reconciled to God. But it’s really more than that! The Kingdom is within reach or it’s at hand. This is part of the message of the gospel of the Kingdom. The kingdom of God is a different reality than the kingdoms of this world.
The Kingdom has been available for 2000 years.
Everyone who bows to him is a citizen of that kingdom. The Lords prayer teaches us to pray the kingdom to increase from heaven to the Earth.
The terminology “Kingdom of Heaven” is in the gospel of Matthew. It’s used interchangeably in the same parables as Mark and Luke use Kingdom of God. Matthew was written primarily to Jewish readers. Jews don’t like to use the name of G_d.
Our reconciliation is founded in the death of Jesus.
The Gospel of the Kingdom is founded in everything Jesus did. By virtue of the covenant we also are seated with him in heavenly places with authority, healing power, delivering power, Jesus is the King!
On Pentecost in Chapter 2 Peter preaches that Jesus is alive! V. 32 Because Jesus is alive he’s now seated with the father, raised from the dead and now pouring out the Holy Spirit.
The Gospel of the Kingdom puts an emphasis on a living King. Check out Romans 10:9,10. Our life has to come into alignment with the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The gospel of the Kingdom is focused on Jesus being raised from the dead.
There is more to the kingdom gospel than reconciliation. Reconciliation is very important however there is kingdom life available (at hand) to the citizen of Heaven.
There is a power flowing from heaven (The Holy Spirit) that prompts people to bow to King Jesus.
In the Gospel of the Kingdom, the Holy Spirit is an integral part of the message. The proof of the kingdom is God heals. You can’t separate it from healing and power.
1 Corinthians 4:20
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
The gospel of the Kingdom is intrinsically tied to obedience. If he’s our king we will obey him. The Holy Spirit is available to all flesh in the gospel of the Kingdom.
Acts 2:39 39
The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Jesus is Alive!!
Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124