Daily Devotions
Romans
"The kingdom of God..."
Text: Romans 14:17
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
We often associate the theme of the Kingdom of God with the preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ (Cf. Matthew 4:23; Mark 1:14; Luke 4:43; John 3:3,5). However it is a fact that Paul also preached about the kingdom of God.
The Gospel writer Luke summarized the ministry of the apostle Paul in the concluding verse of the Book of Acts.
“Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house,
and received all who came to him,
preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things
which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence,
no one forbidding him.”
Acts 28:30-31
1. The context (Acts 26-27)
a) Paul was imprisoned in Rome awaiting trial.
b) He was sent from the prison in Caesarea by the Roman governor Festus.
c) He was under “house arrest” and was allowed any number of visitors.
d) He spoke to all who came to visit with him.
2. The Content of his communication
a) He preached the kingdom of God.
b) He focused on the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
c) These two topics were indivisible.
i) Strong Christological focus.
ii) Christ was prophesied as the King.
iii) The King must have His kingdom.
THE GLORIOUS NATURE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Jesus preached about the Kingdom of God directly. He came to introduce the doctrine of the Kingdom of God in the most wonderful way. He expounded on the spiritual aspect of the kingdom of God (rather than the political or physical aspect of the kingdom.
Paul had to help his readers return to fundamentals- the Kingdom of God! The danger of forgetting about the Kingdom of God was all too real.