All-Church Retreat January 2nd, 2009

Friday Morning

All-Church Retreat January 2nd, 2009

Friday Morning

Talk 1:KINGDOM VISION:

Kingdom Vision

Talk 1:KINGDOM VISION:

Kingdom Vision

Outline of Talk 1 Foundation Point #1: The Kingdom of God is a

PRESENT reality Foundation Point #2: The Kingdom of God is FUTURE

Key Questions

Matthew 6- Reaffirm Vision of the Kingdom – Challenge #1: Our View of God– Challenge #2: Our View of Earth

– Challenge #3: Our View of Our Role

If we were to ask the Christian Church, "What is the Kingdom of God?

When and how will it come?”

If we were to ask the Christian Church, "What is the Kingdom of God?

When and how will it come?”

Diversity of answers Radically different interpretations Common views What does the bible say? Dynamic

not static view…

Diversity of answers Radically different interpretations Common views What does the bible say? Dynamic

not static view…

Foundation Point #1:The Kingdom of God is a present

spiritual reality…

Foundation Point #1:The Kingdom of God is a present

spiritual reality… "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink but

righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost" Romans 14:17

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" Matthew 4:17

“The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is! or There! for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. Luke 17:20-21

Matthew 13 Kingdom parables

Kingdom of Heaven=Kingdom of God

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost" Romans 14:17

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" Matthew 4:17

“The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is! or There! for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. Luke 17:20-21

Matthew 13 Kingdom parables

Kingdom of Heaven=Kingdom of God

Foundation Point #2:The Kingdom is spoken of as an inheritance

which God WILL bestow upon His people

when Christ comes in glory…

Foundation Point #2:The Kingdom is spoken of as an inheritance

which God WILL bestow upon His people

when Christ comes in glory…

Then the King will say to those on his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’ Matthew 25:34

”…will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" 2 Peter 1:2

Then the King will say to those on his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’ Matthew 25:34

”…will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" 2 Peter 1:2

Key Question #1: How is it that the Kingdom of God can be a PRESENT spiritual reality and yet be a FUTURE inheritance bestowed at

the Second Coming of Christ?

Key Question #1: How is it that the Kingdom of God can be a PRESENT spiritual reality and yet be a FUTURE inheritance bestowed at

the Second Coming of Christ? Mystery of the Kingdom “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom

that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28

Isolate verses

Mystery of the Kingdom “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom

that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28

Isolate verses

Is it spiritual or earthly? YES

Is it visible or invisible? YES

How many phases does it come in? YES

Is it a realm or a reign? YES

Is it past, present or future? YES

Is it spiritual or earthly? YES

Is it visible or invisible? YES

How many phases does it come in? YES

Is it a realm or a reign? YES

Is it past, present or future? YES

Key Question #2a:What then is the Kingdom of God?

Key Question #2a:What then is the Kingdom of God?Hebrew word malkuth in the Old TestamentGreek word basilei/a in the New Testament not realm or sphere (place) over which one

is king, but rather is the rank, authority and

sovereignty exercised by a king.

Hebrew word malkuth in the Old TestamentGreek word basilei/a in the New Testament not realm or sphere (place) over which one

is king, but rather is the rank, authority and

sovereignty exercised by a king.

Key Question #2b:If someone asked you on

Monday, “What is the Kingdom of God?”…what

would you say?

Key Question #2b:If someone asked you on

Monday, “What is the Kingdom of God?”…what

would you say?

Key Question #3:How do we translate Kingdom of God to

Kingdom Vision?

Key Question #3:How do we translate Kingdom of God to

Kingdom Vision?

Kingdom Vision Defined foundational principle of KINGDOM

VISION Matthew 6:9-10 Lord’s Prayer Rituals…

Kingdom Vision Defined foundational principle of KINGDOM

VISION Matthew 6:9-10 Lord’s Prayer Rituals…

Matthew 6:9-10Matthew 6:9-10

Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come,your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come,your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Challenge #1: Our View of God

• Balanced View

• Jewish View

• Muslim View

• Damon at UPWARD

• Evangelicalism View

• Proper View from Matthew 6

Challenge #2: Our View of Earth

• “Your Kingdom come…”

• Heaven is the IDEAL but not the GOAL

• No chubby babies…Isaiah 6:4

• VOLUNTARY, UNIVERSAL, IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE

• Harps, clouds, and choirs

• What’s the good life?

Challenge #2: Our View of Earth (cont)

• Geneva Divinity School: 6 months life-expectancy

• Compared to heavenly things…

• New Heavens-New Earth

Challenge #3:Our View of Our Role

• Isn’t it a done deal?• Pray like this…we can’t do it on our own • Prayer: Calling the General• EXPANSION!