What is God’s Kingdom: Part 1
Selected Passages
Big Idea: God’s kingdom is his authority and ability to rule. We see this kingdom exercised over certain realms and people. God’s kingdom reigns over all of creation.
What is God’s Kingdom?
Mark 1:14–15 (ESV) — 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
The concept of kingdom throughout the scriptures hinges on a person’s rightful authority and ability to rule over both realms and people.
Luke 19:11-15 (825)
This “kingdom” must be understood dynamically as “kingly authority” or “kingship” rather than statically as referring to territory, for what he brought back in Luke 19:15 was not territory but the right and power to rule (see comments on 4:43). Two interesting historical analogies may have provided background for this allusion. Both Herod the Great in 40 b.c. and his son Archelaus in 4 b.c. went to Rome to receive confirmation of their rule. Herod received the kingship of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea. Archelaus received not “kingship” but only the title “Ethnarch.”322
The kingdom of God is God’s right to rule.
Psalm 103:19 (ESV) — 19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
God has the right to rule over:
- The ______________________ Realm
Genesis 1:1 (ESV) — 1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
1 Chronicles 29:11–13 (ESV) — 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
God spoke and the building blocks of our created world were brought into existence.
Amos 4:7-10 (718)
Revelation 4:11 (ESV) — 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Luke 4:14-21, 5:17-26 (807-808)
Questions to Consider
- How is God’s Kingdom defined?
- Does it bring you comfort that God exercises authority over the natural realm? Why?
- Does it bring you comfort that God exercise authority over the spiritual realm? Why?
- How does this truth encourage you to advance God’s Kingdom in your relationships with others?
