Matthew 6:10 – God’s Third Kingdom – Bible study

Matthew 6:10 Gods Third Kingdom \#10\ Jesus is praying that Gods kingdom would come to the earth. What do you suppose He meant? It is strange how we sometimes read the words but do not think of the meaning. Lets consider Jesus words for a moment. I. A kingdom is typically a distinct place or domain where a king rules. A. A king is not much of a king if he does not rule over his kingdom. B. Jesus associates rulership with His kingdom in the same verse in which He is asking God to establish the kingdom. C. We might then deduce that Jesus is asking His Father to establish a place on earth where the Father rules. II. Consider that the Bible reveals three kingdoms or places of Gods rule. A. Gods kingdom in heaven. 1. There is no question that God rules in heaven. 2. He does and always has. 3. \#10\ alludes to the fact that what Jesus is asking for is that Gods rule on earth would be like it is heaven. 4. We might elaborate to say Gods rule in heaven is absolute and complete. 5. Not only does nothing happen in heaven without Gods permission, but nothing bad or sinful happens in heaven at all! 6. Wont it be good when that kind of rule is established on earth? B. Gods kingdom which will be set up on earth. 1. Most consider that this is the kingdom that Jesus is speaking of and it probably is. 2. On Sunday mornings, we have been studying about the events which God has predetermined will happen in mankinds future. a. We have not gotten to the best part yet. b. God will created an earthly kingdom. c. Jesus will rule over the earth from Jerusalem. d. He will use some of His own people to help Him rule the earth (not because He needs them but because He wants to us them). e. During that time, very little in the way of sin and evil will happen on earth. 3. So, does that mean that this prayer can have no fulfillment until after the rapture of the church, the tribulation, and the establishment of Gods kingdom on earth? No. Not entirely. C. There is a third kingdom. 1. It is Gods kingdom within us. 2. This is not a pretend kingdom or a spiritualized kingdom. 3. Jesus spoke of it. Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. III. To appreciate the Third Kingdom, its necessary to step back and to see the whole picture. A. God created this world as an extension of His heavenly kingdom. 1. God has always intended the earth to be His earthly kingdom. a. God lent out the kingdom to man, but it was always Gods intention to have it be a place where He ruled. b. This planet was to be a place of order, of obedience to God in love. c. It was never Gods desire that sin or evil enter here. 2. Satan saw this as his chance to attack God. a. Satan is a limited being. b. When God originally cast Satan out of heaven, his access and abilities within that kingdom were greatly limited. c. He might have been able to persuade some angels to follow him before that, but not after. 3. So Satan tried, and very successfully so, to steal this earthly kingdom from God. B. That being the case, God decided to create yet another kingdom. 1. When Jesus came, He gave each of His children the ability to establish a small area of Gods control within oneself. 2. These are pockets where Gods will can be carried out. 3. Each believer has one of these Third Kingdoms within him. C. Unlike the other two kingdoms, control of the third kingdom is left up to the individual. 1. God controls heaven. 2. Satan controls a good bit of what happens on earth. 3. But you claim what happens within you! a. This is why God gave us a free will. b. Even as a believe in Jesus Christ, you still choose whether you will live for God or live for Jesus. c. In essence, you are a kingdom up for grabs. D. Understand that we are not talking about ownership here but control. 1. If you are saved, you are Gods. 2. Neither is there any doubt about what you are supposed to do. You are supposed to let God rule you. 3. However, the choice is up to you. 4. You can be owned by God and still be renting your kingdom out to the devils control. IV. What must we do to establish a godly kingdom within us? A. Be saved. 1. A lost person living on earth by default goes to the ruler of this earth. That is Satan. 2. The starting place of every act of God is always the same-at the foot of the cross. B. Be baptized. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 1. The first commandment to a believer. 2. It does not GET you saved but you cannot be surrendered to God and not obey His commands. 3. Surrender to and participate in this beautiful picture of Christs death and resurrection. C. Study the Word. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 1. The Bible is a Christians compass. 2. No Christian can know which way to go without spending regular time in the Word of God. D. Locate and attend a Bible-believing, Bible-preaching church. Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 1. There is a new attack on the church from within the church these days. (a) Some church-goers are attempting to teach that the church is not important or essential. (b) They like to give as their example that the church did not meet like we do in the Bible. (c) They are right. They meet a lot MORE than we do. Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Acts 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. 2. In my opinion, this is a deadly, Satanic attack. (a) Those who advocate such a false doctrine are fragmenting and weakening the body of Christ. (1) We are the called-out assembly, the ecclesia of God, the body of Christ. (2) A single family does not make a body. (3) As churches continue to abandon the gospel and close their doors to worship, the home church will probably become needed; but as long as there is a fellowship of believers that is faithful, the assembled church is Gods order. (b) What makes it so powerful is that it is not coming from outside the church, but from inside the church. (1) Any family that wants to meet to worship together can meetand should meettogether. (2) They have any other minute and every other minute that the body of Christ is not assembled to meet together. (3) But when the church, the called-out assembly of God is meeting, they have a command to be there. 3. God has blessed us with several visitors in recent days. (a) We are always glad to have visits. (b) Some who visitfor whatever the reasondo not always want to be a part of our church. 4. My counsel to you is find a church where the Bible is preached! (a) If they are not opening the Bible and looking at Bible verses, you do not want to go there. (b) You certainly do not want to go to a church where they teach no doctrine or just a single doctrine. (1) The most common single topic churches teach i. How to feel good about yourself. ii. How to be prosperous. (2) These are good and important topics but the Bible is more than just two topics. (c) Every church needs to preach about sin, obedience to God, and to give plan, forceful calls to salvation. (d) Then that church needs to teach you the whole Bible. (1) There should be some verse-by-verse teaching/preaching. (2) But even if there is not, the pastor should cover the whole range of Bible topics. 2Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. E. Begin to pray. 1. I say "begin" because this is a practice that you will become more familiar with as you continue to grow in Christ. 2. As the Word of God is our compass, prayer is the gasoline in our engine or the wind in our sails. 3. Prayer is our power. 4. God does what God does for many reasons. a. Somethings God does because He has previously obligated Himself to do them. b. Somethings God does because of His nature. He is just and merciful, among other qualities. c. But somethings God will only do because we ask Him to do them. d. We ought to pray about everything but we must pray about these things. James 4:2 Ye desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. F. Grow in faith- 1. Faith in Gods existence. 2. Faith in Gods goodness. 3. Faith in Gods will and willingness. 4. Faith in Gods power. G. Obey H. In all of this, you are to be learning more about God and allowing Him to develop a relationship with you. The question comes around again. What kind of kingdom have you created?