Studies regarding the Kingdom of God—the spiritual rule of God over the hearts of believers. This section explores the “mystery form” of the Kingdom during the present age (Matthew 13), the ethical principles of the Sermon on the Mount, and the entrance into the Kingdom through the new birth.
The Lord’s Prayer serves as a model for kingdom living, teaching believers to prioritize God’s glory, seek His will, and trust in His provision. Through this prayer, Jesus invites His followers into intimate fellowship with their Heavenly Father, aligning their hearts with His purposes.
Jesus calls His followers to fast with sincerity and humility, focusing on seeking God rather than gaining human approval. Through this discipline, believers deepen their dependence on God and align their hearts with His will, reflecting the transformative power of the gospel.
Jesus calls His followers to judge others with humility and grace, focusing on self-examination before addressing the faults of others. This teaching emphasizes the importance of discernment, restoration, and extending the same mercy we have received from God.
Jesus invites His followers to approach God with confidence and persistence, trusting in His goodness and faithfulness. By asking, seeking, and knocking, believers experience the joy of God’s provision and the deepening of their relationship with Him.
Jesus’ Golden Rule calls believers to treat others as they would want to be treated, encapsulating the heart of God’s law in a simple yet profound command. By living with kindness, fairness, and selfless love, Christians reflect the character of God and advance His kingdom.
Jesus warns that the path to eternal life is narrow and requires commitment, while the broad road, though popular, leads to destruction. True discipleship demands faith, perseverance, and a wholehearted pursuit of Christ.
Jesus warns His followers to be vigilant against false prophets who disguise themselves as godly but seek to deceive. By testing teachings against Scripture and examining the fruit of a person’s life, believers can discern truth from error and remain steadfast in the faith.
The Sermon on the Mount presents the kingdom of heaven as a radical, counter-cultural way of life centered on righteousness, trust in God, and eternal priorities. Jesus calls His followers to live as kingdom citizens, embodying His values in anticipation of His future reign.
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite exemplified the power of unity and inclusion within God’s kingdom, bringing diverse experience and skills to David’s forces. His story reminds believers that faithfulness to God’s purposes transcends cultural and national boundaries.
Igal son of Nathan from Zobah exemplified how God’s kingdom transcends national and cultural boundaries, choosing to serve David with unwavering loyalty and skill. His story reminds believers that faithfulness to God is not determined by background but by a heart willing to serve His purposes.
The story of the two thieves on the cross presents a powerful contrast between rejection and repentance. It reminds us that salvation is by grace through faith and that no one is beyond God’s mercy when they turn to Christ in faith.
The doctrine of the Kingdom reveals God’s sovereign rule across history, culminating in Christ’s future reign on earth. Understanding the distinctions between Israel and the Church helps clarify God’s redemptive plan and future fulfillment.
The Kingdom of God spans eternity, from His everlasting rule to the final, eternal kingdom where all creation is restored. Each aspect of His Kingdom reveals God’s sovereignty, offering believers both hope for the future and purpose for today.
In Matthew 13, Jesus uses parables to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, offering profound insights into God’s unfolding plan for the present age. Each parable reveals a different aspect of the Kingdom, showing how God’s redemptive work continues until the final separation at the end of the age.
The wedding supper of the Lamb will be a grand celebration of the marriage of the Lamb to the Church, the bride of Christ.