The Kingdom of GOD

Scripture: Daniel 2:36-44

C.I.: Who is on the Throne?

Today we are beginning a new series. – We will be looking at “kingdom” passages in Matthew's gospel.
Usually “kingdom” conjurs pictures of kings/queens, castles and moats.
Let us begin by looking at the various types of kingdom that Jesus speaks about in Matthew.

I. The Nature of the Various Types of Kingdoms

A. The Kingdom of Men

1. This is the kingdom with which we are most familiar.
a. Our Scripture Reading dealt with kingdoms of men (Explain Daniel 2 vision & kingdoms)

b. The kingdoms of men are ruled by various forces:
1) Babylon: rule of the king – ( Dan. 4:28-29 ), “The king was walking on the roof of the
royal palace in Bab. He reflected & said, ‘Is this not Bab. the great, which I myself have built
… by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?'”
2) Medo-Persian (rule of law) – ( Dan. 6:15 ), “Recognize, O king, that this is a law of the
Medes & the Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.
3) Greek (rule of the people) – the word “Democracy” = Greek, and means people rule.
4) Rome (rule by all three at various times in their history).
5) In Jesus day, ( Matt. 4:8 ), “…showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.”

c. In the kingdoms of men – “PEOPLE” are in charge!

b. The Kingdom of Satan

1. Obviously this is not a place on the map – nor somewhere any of us would like to go. But it's real!!!
a. Jesus teaches the reality of Satan's kingdom - ( Matt. 12:25-26 ), “Jesus said to them, ‘Any kingdom
divided against itself is laid waste; - and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. – If
Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?'”

b. We enter Satan's kingdom – when WE choose to be in charge of our lives & not obey God!
1) That it how we saw Satan work in the wilderness temptations – ( Matt. 4:3, 6, 9 )!
2) Jesus chose not to get His passport stamped by Satan – but rather trusted in His Father!!!

c. Therefore, in the kingdom of Satan – “I” get to be in charge!
1) This is just as Satan wants!

D. The Kingdom of God : This is the Place Where God Rules!

1. The expression “kingdom of heaven” is used various ways in Matthew's gospel.
a. Sometimes “kingdom” is used to mean “heaven” itself.
1) ( Matt. 8:11 ), “I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table
with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven .”
2) ( Matt. 25:34 ), “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of
My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation….”
3) At Jesus Second Coming, those who are “blessed by” His Father – receive heaven.

b. Many times in Matthew the phrase “kingdom of heaven” refers to the church.
1) ( Matt. 16:18-19 ), “…I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.
– I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”
a) ( Acts 2:41 ), “Those who had received his words were baptized, there were added …”
b) ( Acts 2:47 ), “…the Lord was adding to the church daily those who were being saved.
2) ( Matt. 16:28 ), “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here here –
who shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
3) Either there are some really old Jews running around today, or church/kingdom same.

c. Sometimes the word “kingdom” is used to refer to an individual believer…
1) ( Matt. 5:3 ), “Blessed are the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
2) ( Matt. 6:10 ), “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
3) When a believer empties themselves of “self” – then God is able to rule in their lives.
4) How can you tell if God rules in someone's life? – They are doing His will!!!!

E. How Does All this Kingdom -Business Apply to Us?

1. We need to ask ourselves, “Who is on the throne in my life?”

a. Do I make my decisions - on the basis of what other people might think/say?
1) This is living in the kingdom of men.
2) ( Gal. 1:10 ), “Am I seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men?”
3) So do we allow others to control us?

b. Do I like to be in charge and to make my decisions on the basis of what I like/want?
1) This is living in the kingdom of Satan!
2) ( Lk. 12:19-21 ), “I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years;
take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.' – But God said, ‘You fool! – This night your soul is
required of you!' So is the many who lays up treasure for himself but is not rich towards God.

c. Or have I gotten out of God's way – and allowed “JESUS” to be in charge in my life?
1) This is living in the kingdom of God (and can truly be said is the only way to live!!!)
2) ( Gal. 2:20 ), “I have been crucified with Christ, - and it is no longer I who live….”

2. Ne we determine who's in charge… then what?!
a If we are already a citizen of the Kingdom of God then we need to serve Him with all our hearts!

b. But if we are a citizen of either the kingdom of men or of Satan, we need to change our citizenship fast!
1) ( Matt. 5:3 ), “Blessed are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
2) ( Matt. 28:18-20 ), “All authority has been given to Me….”