THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND
Text: Matthew 4
29 November 2009
(I) THE GRAND PROPHECIES OF THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM
1. It is a kingdom that shall never be destroyed (Daniel 2)
2. It is a kingdom that is everlasting in which the most High God rules (Daniel 4)
3. It is a kingdom in which the living King is steadfast and works signs and wonders (Daniel 6)
4. It is a kingdom that is gloriously given to the Son of Man to rule (Daniel 7)
(II) THE GLORIOUS FULFILLMENT OF THE COMING OF THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM
1. The Lord Jesus was conscious of the fulfillment of prophecy
a) Jesus consciously sought to fulfill prophecy
“And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,” Matthew 4:13
b) The fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah
“That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:” Matthew 4:15
c) The dawning of the great light of the King
“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death. Light has dawned.” Matthew 4:15
2. The Lord’s commitment to the fulfillment of coming of the Kingdom of heaven
“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17
a) All concerning the kingdom was fulfilled in Christ’s coming
b) Committed to the concept of the Kingdom of Heaven as prophesied
c) Jesus as King had come to reveal that the Kingdom
d) It was an invitation to repent and to enter into the Kingdom
(III) THE GOOD NEWS OF KINGDOM
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.” Matthew 4:23
1. The preaching of the gospel
a) The Lord Jesus went about preaching the good news of the kingdom
b) It was preached to all
2. The content of the good news
a) The Lord Jesus as the King
b) He has brought with Him His kingdom
c) He came to save His people…to bring light to them etc…
3. The good news was meant to draw people out of darkness into the light
a) The gospel message is indeed most appealing
b) All can be part of the Kingdom
(IV) THE GREAT CALL OF THE MESSIAH KING FOR FOLLOWERS IN THE KINGDOM
1. The call to Salvation
“Then He said to them, “Follow Me,” Matthew 4:19
a) All who follow the King will be saved
b) The disciples sought to leave all and to follow Him
2. The call to serve
“And I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
a) He would make them to become fishers of men
b) They are to serve the King
3. The great call of the King goes out to us today… this Christmas
a) To receive salvation from the King and enter into His kingdom
b) To serve the King as His royal subjects in His kingdom