The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand
Audio of The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand (Part 1)
Audio of The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand (Part 2)
Audio of The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand (Part 3)
SUBJECT: The Kingdom of Heaven
TITLE: “The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand”
PROPOSITION: We will look at the expression, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand” and notice several things: 1) What it meant to the Jew of the first century, 2) What Jesus meant by saying the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, and 3) What it means for us today.
OBJECTIVE: In this lesson we want to understand the significance of the expression “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” so that we can make application of it to our lives.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
2. About the Text:
1) The expression, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” is only used three times in the book of Matthew.
a. By John in Matthew 3:2
b. By Jesus in Matthew 4:17
c. By Jesus to his disciples in Matthew 10:7.
2) The expression, “Kingdom of Heaven” is used 32 times and exclusively in the book of Matthew.
3) The expression has a uniquely Jewish flavor.
4) Why was this expression important to the Jews and where did it come from?
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: The expression “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” meant something for . . .
I. The Jew of the First Century.
1. This expression is rooted in the book of Daniel.
2. Daniel 2
3. Daniel 7
II. For John, Jesus, and the Disciples.
1. John
1) Isaiah 40:3-5 / Matthew 3:1-3.
2) Malachi 3:1, 4:5-6 / Luke 1:16-17, 76-77.
2. Jesus
1) John 5:39 – “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
2) Mark 14:49 – “I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.”
3) Luke 24:27 “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”
4) John 18:36 – Kingdom not of this world.
5) Luke 17:21 – Kingdom of God is within you.
3. The Disciples
1) They preached that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
2) They did not understand.
3) Matthew 20:21
4) Acts 1:6-7.
III. For Us Today.
1. Jesus said he would build his church, the kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19).
2. Kingdom would come in the lifetime of the disciples with power (Mark 9:1).
3. Power comes with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).
4. Acts 2 – Holy Spirit comes, Power comes, Kingdom comes.
5. Col.1:13 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”
CONCLUSION:
1. The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
1) For the Jews.
2) For John, Jesus, and the Disciples.
3) For us today.
2. Invitation