The Long Awaited Kingdom
Jesus tells us the Kingdom is forcefully advancing
But where is it?
The already and not yet
Hidden in a field
Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)
“He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
Another illustration
Revelation 19:7 (NIV)
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.”
We are the
What does it mean to make ourselves ready?
1. Be Watchful
Keep watch and
Revelation 22:20 (NIV)
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Keep watch for where he is already working
1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Keep watch for the enemy
2. Be Motherly
Growing pains
Matt 24:7-8 (NIV)
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Childbirth is painful, yet joyful
Be expectant
Mothering next generation of
Don’t neglect your own discipleship
Romans 8:22-23 (NIV)
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
Caring for the gift of life that is growing in you
The fruits, gifts and manifestations of the Spirit
3. Be Beautiful
“Make religion attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show that it is. Worthy of reverence because it really understands human nature. Attractive because it promises true good.” – Pascal
How will they know what the Kingdom of God looks like?
By what they see in you!
Revelation 21:2 (NIV)
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
They need to know how much you
Put on love
Colossians 3:14 (NIV)
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Put on power
Luke 24:49 (NIV)
I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.
Putting Jesus on display with love and power
The mission