Beginnings : Week 4: The People of God / Kingdom of God Beginnings
Overview : Week 1: Story of the Bible
Week 2: Jesus Christ
Week 3: The Holy Spirit
Week 4: People of God / Kingdom of God
Week 5: Maturity: growing in our ability to love
Week 6: Community of Faith / Living Waters Overview
Slide 3 : But he (Jesus) said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
Luke 4. 43 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven in near.”
Matthew 4. 17
What is the good news of the kingdom that Jesus was proclaiming? : What is the good news of the kingdom that Jesus was proclaiming? Freedom to experience God’s rescue for ourselves, to go through the open door and explore the new world to which we now have access…to discover through following Jesus, that this new world is a place of justice, spiritually, relationship and beauty. And that we are not only to enjoy it but to work at bringing it to earth as in heaven. NT Wright - Simply Christian: P92 Through Jesus the new creation was bursting into existence in the front of their eyes. The age to come had arrived. God has begun the rescue of the world he created. And this happens as we experienced a death and a resurrection to new life or new way of living
Slide 5 : What is a Kingdom?
What elements make up a kingdom? What process would you use to start a kingdom?
Characteristics of the kingdom of God : Characteristics of the kingdom of God Starts small and expands from there
Matthew 13. 31-32 – parable of the mustard seed
Matthew 13. 33 – parable of yeast in bread Is worth pursuing with everything I have
Matthew 13. 44-46 – parable of the treasure hidden in the field and the parable of the pearl
How to get into the kingdom of God? : How to get into the kingdom of God? In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
John 3. 3 What happens in the kingdom of God? Where is the kingdom of God? People and things come under the rule or authority
Matthew 12 . 28 It is within you
Luke 17. 20-21
The People of God : Submit to the authority of God
Submit to the King’s desires
Experience the blessings of life in the kingdom so they can be a blessing
Serve as priests to the world The People of God
Slide 9 : Genesis 12 – the establishment of the people of God Exodus 19 – their commission 1 Peter 2 – reiteration of their mission Matthew 5. 6-7 – life in the kingdom illustrated
Slide 10 : Heaven Earth
Slide 11 : Heaven Earth
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