Today, we’re starting a series called Kingdom People.
Christ calls us to be more than good church-goers; He calls us to be Kingdom Disciples and that is today’s sermon title.
In the Gospel letters, we find that Jesus mentions the kingdom over 80 times. Our sermon verse is a call to seek the kingdom
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. —Matthew 6:33
Today we will look at at 3 qualities of a kingdom disciple
1 - A Kingdom Disciple understands the nature of the Kingdom.
Jesus shares 6 parables in Matthew chapter 13 we call the “kingdom parables.” They illustrate principles related to the kingdom. After He shares these He asked His disciples
Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old. —Matthew 13:51-52
It’s the business of Christians to understand life, learn how to live life, and handle life biblically. We’re here to live realistically and with increasing success, to learn how to cope with life and handle its problems.
A kingdom disciple, by the leading of the Holy Spirit and application of God’s Word, is learning how to walk with God in the reality of daily life, growing in wisdom as to how God guides and works and provides.
2 - A Kingdom Disciple also seeks to represent the Kingdom.
Jesus spoke to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. This was fulfilled in what was spoken in Psalm 78.
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. —Psalm 78:1-3
With the coming of Jesus, many old truths are still in force, while some old ways are not. Jesus replaced some old ways with superior ways. Such is the nature of the coming of the kingdom on earth. Jesus taught us to pray,
Your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven —Matthew 6:10
Ever since sin entered this world, God’s been working to bring about His work on this earth.
Old Testament- God’s people demonstrated the kingdom by obeying guidance that was primarily external, given by revelation through individuals, prophets, priests, and the law.
New Testament- God’s people demonstrate the kingdom by obeying guidance that is primarily internal, given by His Spirit and through the Scriptures.
God uses Progressive Revelation to help us see Kingdom issues and work. The progression of God’s kingdom according to the Bible, is:
A. From External - In the Old Testament, God’s kingdom was revealed as His people obeyed commands given to them.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. —Psalm 119:105
B. To Internal - In the New Testament, God’s kingdom is revealed as His people obey the truths of God’s Word as directed by the Spirit, who indwells every believer.
Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? —1 Corinthians 3:16
C. To Eternal - One day, Jesus will return and make all things new, and God’s kingdom will be revealed as we obey the Lord perfectly in every way.
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” —Revelation 21:5
Last,
3 - A Kingdom Disciple Endeavors to introduce others to the Kingdom.
In order for God’s kingdom to come; people must first come into the kingdom.
And proclaim as you go, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” —Matthew 10:7
Jesus emphasized the Kingdoms
A kingdom disciple wants others to know they can come into God’s kingdom immediately. When Jesus asked His disciples if they understood all these things, He was referring to the parables he had shared with them. One of which was the parable of the hidden treasure
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. —Matthew 13:44
We who know where the treasure lies should joyfully abandon everything else to secure it.
CONSIDER