Thy Kingdom Come

Introduction

Thad tells me that this is one of the largest crowds we’ve had in some time, as we’ve had 165 folks here today. Good to have all of you on this special day for mothers. Some of you are here with your mom. It’s a very wise choice. And I’ve also been told that Linda Parker is in the building. And we are glad for that. We’ve not been able to see her for some time here. And glad she is here today.

If you take notes of the lesson, you better fire up your pen. It’s going to go pretty fast this morning. Just warning you in advance. We’re going to talk about something that’s somewhat fundamental and yet is so key and so crucial to a right response to God. And I hope you’ll stay with me as we get to that this morning. We’re going to start at a very familiar text in the Sermon on the Mount. It has often been called the Lord’s Prayer. In Matthew chapter 6, verses 9 through 15. Accurately, more accurately, it is the disciples’ prayer. Because he begins by saying, pray then in this way. Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. This prayer was not meant for mere recital. That seems to be how it is commonly used today. In fact, I attended a funeral not very long ago where the Lord’s prayer was recited. As if you recite the Lord’s Prayer, that automatically makes the event approved of God, makes me approved of God, makes the athletic event more spiritual if we say the Lord’s prayer before we do it.

This is more than just quoting words. It has more meaning than that. And I would say, in correspondence to that, the golden rule has been treated the same way also in the Sermon on the Mount, just a few verses later in chapter 7 and verse 12. Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them. For this is the law and the prophets. And that so easily rolls off the tongue. Living it is another matter entirely. And may I suggest the same is true with the disciples’ prayer? That’s what it is telling us is sometimes difficult to put into practice. And so I want to ask this morning: are we indeed applying what this prayer is all about? And if I could summarize that prayer with three words, it would be the words reverence, dependence, and compassion.

The Lord’s prayer is about those three concepts or principles reverence, dependence, and compassion. But there is a particular phrase in the disciples’ prayer, recorded in the Sermon on the Mount, that receives a good bit of attention from us, the Lord’s people, probably more so than most of the people that quote this prayer. And that is the expression in verse 10, thy kingdom come. That’s an interesting expression in this prayer. Because we realize from a casual reading of Scripture that God is already king. And that’s actually emphasized in verse 13. Thine is the kingdom. It’s not just thine will be the kingdom, and that’s really what this phrase expresses, but thine is the kingdom. God is the king. God is the king of everything. He is the creator.

He has no rival anywhere. The Old Testament clearly points that out. And so as we speak of the rule of God, and that’s what the word kingdom implies, obviously this text is pointing us to something new. A new sphere of God’s reign or rule. And this was anticipated in the Old Testament. In Daniel’s revealing of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel chapter 2 and verse 44, a specific timetable is there iterated for us when it says, and in those days, in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom. Now, here is God the king, the ruler of all, who is going to set up a new sphere of his rule. He will set up a kingdom, and that kingdom, whatever it is, will never be destroyed.

It’s going to be permanent. And it will not be left to another people. There won’t be someone come in and take it over, hostile takeover, now it’ll belong to somebody else. It will always be the same people inhabiting it, not the same individual persons, but the same kind of people, obviously. And it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms.

The Babylonian kingdom, becoming Persian or Greek kingdom that is prophesied about in this dream, or even the Roman kingdom in which it was established. But it will excel. Endure forever. So what is Jesus talking about in the Sermon on the Mount in the disciples’ prayer when he says, Thy kingdom come. Let’s let Jesus provide the commentary. In Mark chapter 9 and verse 1, Jesus speaks of this new sphere of God’s rule when he says very plainly, I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here, that’s his immediate audience, who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power. We know this kingdom of God is going to come. It is going to be with power.

There’s going to be a spectacular, observable event. And he says, this generation is going to see it. Some of you standing here will live to see that kingdom come. Whatever Jesus is talking about, it’s first century, and some of his audience are going to witness it. And so we come to Colossians chapter 1 and verse 13, and Paul speaks of the presence of this kingdom. When he says, He, God delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son. A lot of times when we talk about this phrase, by kingdom come, we spend so much time talking about what it doesn’t mean that we don’t get what it does mean. And emphasize that nearly enough. And so I want to talk this morning, really make this two points about this phrase in the disciples’ prayer.

1. How Is the Kingdom Received?

And the first point is how is the kingdom received? Obviously, by nature it is different than the kingdoms of this world. We read that in Daniel chapter 2. It will crush and put it into all these kingdoms. It will be an enduring kingdom. How did the kingdom come? And how does salvation work? And I know ultimately, those of us who have studied the New Testament in some detail know that this kingdom arise with power on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2, when the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, the cloven tongues of fire, and then the apostles preaching the gospel of the kingdom. And 3,000 souls being added to it. But I actually want to take a step back from that and talk about some things that Jesus says in this sermon on the mount.

Because if you notice in Matthew chapter 4 and verse 23, it says, Jesus was proclaiming, look at this, Matthew 4.23. Jesus was proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom. And in the proclaiming of the gospel of the kingdom, he doesn’t mention baptism or the remission of sins. Now, obviously, that’s essential to becoming a kingdom citizen. We read that throughout the New Testament, Colossians 1 13, the passage that we looked at in chapter 2 and verse 12, it says, we’re buried with him in baptism. So all of that’s in there and a part of it. But when Jesus is proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom. What do we see in the Sermon on the Mount? He starts talking about the affections and the character of a person. And that’s where he starts in the proclaiming of the gospel of the kingdom.

He says, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. And may I suggest to you that while baptism for the remission of sins is not preached in the Sermon on the Mount, and nor could it be, because it resembles the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ that’s not yet happened. That what we are learning about the nature of this kingdom that was going to come was that it was all about the hearts of men, the hearts of people. Their character. And if you start going through the Beatitudes of Matthew chapter 5, anybody who would possess those qualities, blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for example, in verse 6. Anyone who possesses those qualities of heart, anyone who would lay up treasures for themselves in heaven and not on earth, chapter 6, verses 19 through 21, those that would not attempt to serve mammon and love God at the same time, as we talked about in a Bible class, Matthew 6 and verse 24.

The people with the right affections and resulting character in their lives, they’re going to embrace this kingdom. They’re going to be citizens of this kingdom. And yes, they will not quibble at all about repenting of their sins and being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins. But what I want you to understand is that when Jesus is proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, he is talking about a certain kind of people. And we must be that certain kind of people. If you look in verses 19 and 20. In verses 19 and 20, it says, whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments and so teaches others, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. Somebody says, Well, I’m still in, I’m okay.

No. That’s not the way you should regard this phrase. In this context, least in the kingdom is not a good thing. Whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. And then this clarification of that, he says, For I say to you, unless you’re more righteous than the righteous, the righteous people of our time, the Pharisees, unless your righteous exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you cannot enter the kingdom of God. And in a passage in Luke 16, where he denounces the Pharisees and their poor attitude of heart. They esteem things that were detestable in the sight of God. They love riches. He said, Let me tell you who the kingdom is for.

Easy to remember, 1616. For the law and the prophets were proclaimed until John. But since then the gospel of the kingdom is preached. Okay, here we’re talking about this kingdom, the gospel of the kingdom. Like we do in the Sermon on the Mount. For since then the gospel of the kingdom is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. I love that statement. What does Jesus say? The kingdom is for those who fervently desire it. People who come into the kingdom force their way in. They fervently desire it. And what we find out later is that really the point Jesus is striving at, and the contrast between the law and the gospel, is that people become citizens of this kingdom not by the fact that they were born a Jew.

Not by physical heritage, not by birth, but rebirth, spiritual rebirth. And the nature of these kingdom citizens is that the law of God will be written on their hearts. And that goes back to these two points that I’ve made. The law of God is written on their hearts. Everyone shall not teach his fellow citizens, say, hey, let me tell you about the Lord. Because everyone who comes into this kingdom will already know the Lord. His law will be in their hearts. As they access the benefits of this kingdom. And as Jesus would say, to the question that was asked, Lord, are there just a few who are being saved? He says, strive to enter by the narrow door, for many will desire to enter and will not be able.

And in some sense, those Hebrews that are written to in chapter 12, in some sense, this kingdom is still being received. In Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 28. Interesting expression. He doesn’t speak of the kingdom as coming in the past tense like Paul does on several occasions. He says, therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe. And just one little side note that I couldn’t help but throw in here is the discussion Jesus has with the scribe about the greatest commandment of the law. Where the scribe agrees with Jesus’ assessment that the greatest commandment is, love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Greatest commandment. On these hang the law and the prophets, it is said. And the scribe says, You’re correct, teacher. Well, that’s nice. You agree with the Son of God. Good for you. Smart move on your part. And when Jesus perceives this intelligent answer that has been given by the scribe, he says something very interesting.

He says, You are not far from the kingdom of God.

2. What Is This Kingdom All About?

How do you gain access to this kingdom? 1 Thessalonians 2 and verse 13 says, You receive the word of God. The scribe gave the right answer. But the question is, are you going to apply it? Are you going to put it to work? As the Sermon on the Mount suggests that you will, if you’re really a part of this kingdom. Alright, that’s the first part of this. The second part of this expression, thy kingdom come, what is this kingdom all about? Are you a part of this kingdom? Have you received this kingdom by the way that we talked about this morning? And if so, do you realize what this kingdom is all about? This prayer tells us something very important about that. When he says, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Folks, that’s the key to understanding the nature of this kingdom. Jesus embodied this. This is the example of our Lord. When he says in Luke 17, verses 20 and 21, he either says there, the kingdom is within you, which is true if you are a part of the kingdom. It’s about what’s going on in the inside of a person. Or he’s saying, the kingdom of God is in your midst, and he’s speaking of himself as himself being the embodiment of the kingdom. He lived the very nature of this kingdom. And that’s evidenced in Hebrews chapter 10 and verse 7.

When it is written in the scroll of the book regarding him in the Old Testament scripture, what does it say? What’s the quotation? I have come to do thy will, O God. Now David expresses that in Psalm 40. That’s why David was the man after God’s heart. Because he said that you need to read this whole psalm, really, and do that this week. I have come to do thy will, O God. Jesus expresses that perfectly, as we know, without sin, without failing. I have come to do thy will, O God. That’s the nature of this kingdom. My food, Jesus says, is to do the will of him who sent me. When he was addressing the need to try to convert these Samaritans, these lowly Samaritans, I don’t have time to eat.

My food is to do the will of him who sent me. And then when he says in John 8 and verse 29, I always do the things that are pleasing to the Lord. Okay, get this. What is the kingdom all about? Are you a part of the kingdom? What’s it all about?

Thy will be done on earth. As it is in heaven. Oh, by the way, we should not then be surprised. When we are pictured in Revelation 21, when the holy city, the new Jerusalem, that beautiful golden city with the street of pure gold, when the holy city, the new Jerusalem, as he’s showing John, the bride, the wife of the Lamb, what is happening? We see her what? Coming down out of heaven. How appropriate is that? Because this kingdom that has emerged on earth is made up of individuals who are citizens of heaven. The kingdom is spiritual. They do heaven’s bidding on earth. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And guess what? The devil isn’t going to like it. And that’s what the book of Revelation is all about.

The opposition to God’s plan, his kingdom coming. The devil is fighting it. And as the Lord’s people overcome with God’s help, they are a beacon of light to the world. And you know where I get that? Revelation 21. The sun, the city has no need of the sun because God’s illuminating it in verse 23 of Revelation 21. The nations walk by its light. Shine in your obedience to God. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. As they overcome the nations walk by its light. The kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it. And you know what? It’s daytime 24-7. There is no night there. Its gates shall never be closed. And they bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.

But I’ll tell you something nothing unclean ever comes in. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. And then we see this river flowing from the throne of God in chapter 22 and verse 1, coming from the throne of God and the Lamb and the leaves of its trees. The tree of life that’s next to this river on either side. It yields its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. There is no more curse. The throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it, and his bondservants shall serve him, and they shall see his face. Obviously, the tentacles of this reach to eternity, but there is an application of the very nature of this kingdom while it is on earth.

And he says, you don’t want to be outside of this city. Outside of the dogs and the sorcerers in verse 15, the immoral persons and everyone who loves lying. How do you summarize immorality? That’s the way immorality, everyone who loves lying. And he says, You don’t have to be on the outside of this city. You can be a part of this kingdom. The spirit and the bride say, Come. And let the one who wishes. Oh, there it is. Everyone is forcing his way into it. And let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. And so the question is always raised about this expression. Can we still pray that? Thy kingdom come. Oh, there’s a very real sense in which it did come on the day of Pentecost.

And many that we read about in the New Testament, those people were involved in the kingdom. But the fact is, and we need to be careful when we do that. That yes, indeed, God’s plan was accomplished. It was not postponed. God did not fail. The kingdom that he promised came, yet more will indeed yield. This kingdom continues to emerge and grow, receiving the kingdom. He says in Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 28, more and more people will respond and become citizens of this kingdom. But I want to go back to this. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. How is that? How does that play out in heaven? Think about that. What happens in heaven? God says to his angels, go. What do they do?

They go. That’s how it works in heaven. He is the ultimate and supreme authority. That authority was only questioned by the devil and his angels, and we know what happens to them in the story of the Bible. What is done in heaven? God’s will is done. He says, go, people go. The will of God is unquestionably done. And if we’re going to be part of this kingdom, that’s what it means to us. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Full submission to God. All that originates from heaven, all that issues from heaven, we pursue on earth. If we would be as king.

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. And all these things will be added to you. You see, everything falls into place if the kingdom, if the rule of God in your life is your priority. I’ll tell you what my problem is. My problem is that I don’t always want to submit to the rule of God. And when I find myself there, I’m not the better for it.

When I make the kingdom my priority, the rule of God in my life.

Conclusion

What you shall eat, what you shall wear, those become irrelevant questions. Each day has enough trouble of its own I can focus on now, because that’s the only promise that I’ve been given. I let God take care of the rest. What I’m focused on is this. And listen, if you don’t get anything else out of what I’ve said this morning, when you leave this place, well, what was Tony, what in the world was he preaching about today? I’ll tell you was this. God’s will be done in my life on earth as it is in heaven. And everything else falls into place. Salvation. Salvation is so much more than just eradicating a sin problem in my life and getting that matter taken care of. That’s just the beginning.

What God has planned for us is so much more than that. It is making us heaven citizens. It is bringing us to full surrender to Him. And all of the exaltation that ultimately goes with that. It’s about the promise of a magnificent treasure in heaven. Salvation involves letting God rule in my life. That’s it. Sometimes we talk about the steps of conversion to the Lord without realizing all of those things have to do with God becoming king of my life. And we have so many troubles afterward because we don’t get that. Being a Christian is thy will be done. God says, go, I go. And as I learn more what that means, He’s telling me to go. He’s telling me not to do this. He’s telling me to pursue this, I go.

Because He is the King. Because we say, as kingdom citizens, you can have your way with me. And it is best for us to let Him have His way with us. Won’t you have such a heart to be a citizen of that kingdom? And respond while we stand and sing.