Westhill & Kingswells Episcopal Church
What on Earth is God Doing?
Session 4 – God’s Kingdom and the Church
In this session we will attempt to
¨ learn about the Kingdom of God ;
¨ contrast the principles of the world with those of God's kingdom;
¨ understand the spiritual forces at work in the nations;
¨ learn more about the purpose of the Church;
¨ consider how we fit in
I. THE TWO KINGDOMS
“[God’s kingdom] will
crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end;
but it will itself endure for ever”
(Daniel 2:44)
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1. The Kingdom of God ¨ where the King is (Jeremiah 23:5,6) ¨ those subject to the King's will (1 Corinthians 6:9) ¨ where the King’s power is evident (1 Corinthians 4:20) ¨ a spiritual kingdom (John 3:5-7; 18:36; 1 Corinthians 15:50) ¨
here now, but still to come in fullness
(Luke 11:20; 2. The Kingdom of the World (Revelation 11:15) ¨ where the prince of the world wields power (John 14:30) ¨ all those disobedient to the King (Ephesians 2:2) ¨ all human activity where God is not honoured (1 John 2:16) ¨ typified by Babylon (Genesis 11:9; Daniel 2:37,38; Revelation 17:5) ¨ not yet fully come (Revelation 13:7,8) |
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Note that the separation between the two kingdoms may not always be apparent (Matthew 13:24-30).
II. HOW DO THE NATIONS FIT IN?
“Then the nations will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 36:23)
1. God establishes the nations
¨ to frustrate and delay the rise of the kingdom of the world (Genesis 11:9)
¨ to restrict evil and uphold righteousness (1 Peter 2:13,14)
¨ to bring judgement (Jeremiah 25:8-14)
2. God is Sovereign over the nations
¨ He rules over the nations (Psalm 22:28)
¨ He appoints national leaders (Daniel 4:25; John 19:11)
¨ He judges and restores (Jonah 3:1-5)
3. Spiritual forces influence the affairs of nations
¨ they battle to accomplish or resist God’s purposes (Daniel 10:12-14,20,21; Ephesians 6:12)
¨ angels protect God’s people (2 Kings 6:17; Psalm 34:7)
¨ the prince of the world deceives the nations (Revelation 20:8)
¨ at the end all nations will hate God’s people (Matthew 24:9)
¨ God will bring judgement (Isaiah 34:2; Revelation 20:9)
4. Finally all nations will worship and serve the Lord
¨ Christ will reign with justice and righteousness (Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 42:1)
¨ wars will cease (Isaiah 2:4)
¨ the nations will rally to Him (Isaiah 11:10; Isaiah 60:3)
III THE PART PLAYED BY THE CHURCH
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power” (1 Corinthians 4:20)
1. Members of and inheritors of the Kingdom
¨ rescued from the dominion of darkness (Colossians1:13)
¨ inheriting the blessings of the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:12)
¨ sealed with his Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13,14)
2. Living as children of the King
¨ shining like stars (Philippians 2:15)
¨ to His praise and glory (Ephesians 1:12)
¨ showing the incomparable riches of His grace (Ephesians2:7)
¨ knowing His mind (Matthew 13:11)
3. Working to extend the Kingdom
¨ as a priority (Matthew 6:33)
¨ by prayer (Matthew 6:10; 9:38)
¨ by preaching (Matthew 24:14; Luke 9:60)
¨ by debate (Acts 19:8; 28:23)
¨ living lives worthy of our calling (1 Thessalonians 2:12)
Points to consider
1. Do you have experiences of the Kingdom of God coming against the kingdom of the world, perhaps at work or home?
2. How should members of God’s kingdom relate to the nations to which they belong?
3. How should we respond to the fact that spiritual powers are at work in our nation/nations?
4. What part do you believe you have in building God’s kingdom?