Title: The Coming Kingdom that is here

Focus: The Kingdom of God calls us to turn from our former way of life to follow our new master, Jesus even to the point of death.

Function: To motivate the hearers to be committed to the vision of God in their lives

Text: Mark 1:14-20


Intro:
1.  Warm weather is coming, get out the badminton set
2.  Played with my Dad and Stacey's Dad last summer
3.  Bragged about how we young guys would take it easy on the old guys
4.  Should have learned, never, never brag.  Will have to eat your words
5.  Will always be someone better and mightier than you.
6.  John the Baptist understood, which is why he pointed the way to Christ
7.  Text:  Mark 1:14-20 - Jesus says to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand

I.  What exactly is his kingdom?
	A.  Many debated on that just as many still do today
		1.  Some Jews believed it had already come, others still waiting
		2.  Not a whole lot different even today is it?
		3.  Some say it is coming on the earth, some say it is the church
	B.  The words used:
		1.  Hebrew phrase:  "malkut shemayim" (Kingship/Reign of Heaven) 
			a.  Not Mamlekah Shemayim (Kingdom of Heaven)
			b.  Two words related but slightly different, Malkut more inclusive
		2.  Greek:  "basileia tou ouranou/theou"  (Kingdom of Heaven/God)
			a.  In Greek, same word for kingdom and kingship/reign
			b.  Have to look at context
		3.  Context is Old Test.  Concept of rule of God comes from Old Testament
		4.  So the kingdom of God is the "kingship/reign/rule" of God
	C.   ScripturePassages:
		1.  Ps 103:19 - His reign/kingship rules over all
		2.  Ps 24 - The earth is the Yahweh's and all it contains....
		3.  Ps 29:10 - Yahweh sat as king of the flood
		4.  Ps 89:8-9 - God who is like you...you rule the swelling of the sea
	D.  So the kingdom of God is not limited to a political entity with boundaries
		1.  God's rule extends to the ends of the universe
		2.  God's kingship rules over all

II.  If God's rule is always constant, how can Jesus say the kingdom is at hand?
	A.  Text begins the story of Jesus with power
		1.  Heavens ripped open (Mk 1:10)
		2.  Healings and casting out of demons (Mk 2)
		3.  Binds the strong man and sets the captives free (Mk 3:27)
	B.  Display of power Daniel 2 -  Statue destroyed by rock which becomes mountain
		1.  Mic 4:1-5 - Kingdom to be characterized by peace
		2.  Zech 9:9 - Endowed with salvation, mounted on donkey - peace
		3.  Zech 14:9-11 - Lord will be king, no more curse, dwell in security
	C.  The people were still captives to Satan, death, and sin
		1.  Evidence for this was demonic activity
		2.  But the king is coming to establish his rule
			a.  Looking for a utopia, no war and only peace
			b.  Plenty in the land, time of prosperity
			c.  Not the good old days, but the good new days

III.  So is the kingdom here now, or is it still to come?
	A.  It was "at hand" in Mark 1:15
		1.  Lk 11:2 - Thy kingdom come
		2.  Lk 11:20 - If I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom 
		     of God has come (past tense) upon you.  (What?  Did we miss it?)
	B.  Luke 17:20-21 - Lit:  "The kingdom of God inside of you is!"
		1.  It is not a political entity
		2.  It is not of this world
		3.  If it is not of this world, can we say the kingdom has already come?
	C.  More passages:
		1.  Eph 5:5 - For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure 
		     person or covetous man, who is an idolater has an inheritance in the 
		     kingdom of Christ and God
		2.  2 Tim 4:18 - The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will 
		     bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom;
		3.  2 Pet 1:10-11 - the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and 
		       Savior Jesus Christ will be abundatly supplied to you.
		4.  Rev 11:15 - 7th trumpet - The kingdom comes, finally
		5.  Rev 21 - The New Jerusalem finally comes, God on throne (Rv22:3)
	D.  Has the kingdom still come, or is it to come?  Answer --  Yes

IV.  How do you enter the kingdom?
	A.  Mark 1 - "Repent, and trust the Gospel" - And they followed him
	B.  His disciples wanted to participate in his kingship/reign
		1.  Mark 10:35-38 - Are you able to drink the cup which I am to drink?
			a.  What does that have to do with taking part in his reign?
			b.  It was not just to be given out for the asking
		2.  Phil 2:5-11 - Jesus humble & obedient to death, then exalted as Lord
		3.  Mk 5:3 - Blessed poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven
		4.  Lk 12:29-34 - Seek his kingdom (his rule). - Don't seek material things
		5.  Mk 9:46 - If eye cause stumble, pluck it out, better enter kingdom w/one eye
		6.  2 Tim 2:11-12 - If died w/him, live w/him; endure, we shall also reign with Him
		7.  Rev 22:5 - "They" (us) shall reign for ever and ever
	C.  So God gives the kingdom to those who faithfully and humbly endure to the end.

Concl:  The Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the Gospel
1.  What does that mean for you?  Do you want the kingdom?
2.  One things for sure, simply asking for it wont do it
3.  For Simon, Andrew, James & John, it meant quitting their job to follow Jesus
4.  For others, it may mean amputation (Mark 9:47)
5.  For others, it may mean being faithful to the point of death
		a.  You have to die in order to live
		b.  You have to become a slave (as Jesus did) in order reign (be in the 
		      kingdom/heaven)
			-You are no longer a truck driver, you are a Christian who drives trucks
			-You are no longer a teacher
			-You are no longer a business owner
			-You are no longer a farmer
			-You are no longer a computer programmer


1.  You can let him rule your heart this morning, and look forward to the consumation in Heaven
2.  If you believe in him, and are willing to turn your life around, you can be saved
3.  Begin turning your life around by publically acknowledging him as your Lord and Savior
4.  Be baptized, Have your sins washed away and start with a clean slate with God
5.  Become his child, part of his family, give all of yourself to him, live a life of service to him