1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:06,580 Well, please, open your Bible at Matthew chapter 6 in verse 10, we’re continuing our series 2 00:00:06,580 –> 00:00:10,280 Six Things to Ask of God. 3 00:00:10,280 –> 00:00:15,540 We’re looking together at the prayer that our Lord Jesus gave to us – the Lord’s 4 00:00:15,540 –> 00:00:21,360 prayer, which he gave in order to teach us how to pray. 5 00:00:21,360 –> 00:00:27,280 And we saw last time that the place to begin is with a relationship with God in which, 6 00:00:27,280 –> 00:00:34,400 through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, you come to know him as your own heavenly Father. 7 00:00:34,400 –> 00:00:39,959 Pray like this, Jesus says, our Father in Heaven. 8 00:00:39,959 –> 00:00:44,820 We saw that there are six petitions in the Lord’s Prayer. 9 00:00:44,820 –> 00:00:50,639 And these six requests that Jesus teaches us to pray, they’re really like pegs on 10 00:00:50,639 –> 00:00:54,540 which we can hang all of our prayers. 11 00:00:54,540 –> 00:00:56,759 In other words, this prayer is given to us as a template. 12 00:00:57,259 –> 00:01:00,700 It’s given to teach us how to pray. 13 00:01:00,700 –> 00:01:07,980 So, for example, if you are praying for a friend who needs some particular help or support, 14 00:01:07,980 –> 00:01:11,620 then what you’re asking for that person is really God’s provision. 15 00:01:11,620 –> 00:01:16,639 It’s part of what comes under give us today our daily bread. 16 00:01:16,639 –> 00:01:22,339 But when you pray in that way for God’s provision of help, whatever is needed for that person, 17 00:01:22,339 –> 00:01:24,900 you may also ask this question. 18 00:01:25,279 –> 00:01:30,760 Where will this person face the greatest temptations? 19 00:01:31,260 –> 00:01:36,239 And as you think about where this person in this situation is going to be most tempted, 20 00:01:36,239 –> 00:01:42,620 well, there you will pray for them to be delivered from that evil or you might ask this question. 21 00:01:42,620 –> 00:01:47,699 Now, as I think about this person and pray for them, where is it going to be hardest 22 00:01:47,699 –> 00:01:51,860 for this person to actually do the will of God? 23 00:01:52,180 –> 00:01:58,739 And there you’ll pray for where it will be hardest for them to do the will of God on Earth 24 00:01:58,739 –> 00:02:07,699 as it is in Heaven. So this is a very practical series Jesus gave us this prayer to teach us how 25 00:02:07,699 –> 00:02:13,619 to pray, what to ask. There are six areas in which we are to bring requests to God, and these six 26 00:02:13,619 –> 00:02:20,539 petitions of the Lord’s Prayer, they’re like pegs on which we can hang all of our prayers. 27 00:02:20,779 –> 00:02:27,179 So we have a very practical aim in the series. We want to learn to pray more effectively. Lord 28 00:02:27,179 –> 00:02:35,179 teach us how to pray. Now some of you may remember that a number of years ago, 29 00:02:35,179 –> 00:02:42,699 when we studied the Beatitudes, we found there that there is order and progress 30 00:02:42,699 –> 00:02:49,419 in the blessings that Jesus Christ calls us to pursue. And would it surprise you to 31 00:02:49,419 –> 00:02:55,899 know that there is indeed also order and progress in the six petitions of the 32 00:02:55,899 –> 00:03:01,100 Lord’s prayer. These are not six randomly chosen requests. There’s order 33 00:03:01,100 –> 00:03:07,020 in them. Each petition of the Lord’s prayer actually leads us to the next. 34 00:03:07,580 –> 00:03:14,059 So we began last week with, Hallowed be your name. Well, let’s ask the question, 35 00:03:14,059 –> 00:03:19,979 then, how is God’s name going to be honored? And the answer is, God’s name will be honored 36 00:03:19,979 –> 00:03:24,940 as his kingdom comes. That’s what we’ll look at today. But then if we ask, 37 00:03:24,940 –> 00:03:30,460 well, what will it look like when his kingdom comes, the answer is, well, it will be his 38 00:03:30,460 –> 00:03:37,979 will being done on earth as it is in heaven. And so each request you see leads to the next. 39 00:03:37,979 –> 00:03:42,860 And it’s for this reason, because we’re committed to honoring his name and the advance of his 40 00:03:42,860 –> 00:03:48,300 kingdom and doing his will, therefore, we ask that he will provide what we need, give us this day our 41 00:03:48,300 –> 00:03:55,179 daily bread and forgive our sins and deliver us from the many ways in which temptation and evil 42 00:03:55,740 –> 00:04:01,899 assails us. Now today then, we come to the second petition of the Lord’s prayer, 43 00:04:02,380 –> 00:04:12,539 your kingdom come. So Jesus speaks about a kingdom and that means that there is a great 44 00:04:12,539 –> 00:04:17,739 and a glorious king. So here’s the first thing that we’re learning today as we come 45 00:04:17,739 –> 00:04:24,859 to the second petition of the Lord’s prayer. God is a great and glorious king. 46 00:04:25,820 –> 00:04:35,980 Now today most kings and queens have a largely symbolic or ceremonial role, 47 00:04:37,100 –> 00:04:44,220 but in Biblical times all power and all authority lay in the hands of the king. 48 00:04:45,339 –> 00:04:53,260 The only question in Biblical times was, what are the boundaries of a particular king’s kingdom 49 00:04:54,220 –> 00:05:00,859 beyond his kingdom. Of course there would be other kings and they would reign in their kingdoms, 50 00:05:00,859 –> 00:05:10,380 but within his own kingdom a king reigned supreme, now the Bible confronts us with 51 00:05:10,380 –> 00:05:18,299 this wonderful truth that God is the great and glorious king, not only over a few people, 52 00:05:18,299 –> 00:05:25,260 but over the whole world. Sing praises to God we read in Psalm 47. 53 00:05:25,260 –> 00:05:33,660 Sing praises, sing praises to our King. Sing praises. Why? For God is the king over all the 54 00:05:33,660 –> 00:05:41,899 earth. There is no corner of the earth that is not under God’s sovereign control, 55 00:05:41,899 –> 00:05:49,739 no neighbouring kingdom over which he does not rule. Of course there are other powers, 56 00:05:50,700 –> 00:05:54,380 there are other authorities, there are other kings, there are other 57 00:05:54,380 –> 00:06:01,500 gods who do not recognize the Lord, but he is sovereign even over them. 58 00:06:01,500 –> 00:06:13,260 For the Lord is a grator God, we read in psalm 95, and a great king above all other gods. 59 00:06:13,260 –> 00:06:22,299 No one is outside of his rule or beyond his sway, and God is not only the great king, 60 00:06:23,500 –> 00:06:30,859 he is a glorious king. His people for that reason long for the day when they will see him 61 00:06:32,140 –> 00:06:39,500 lift up your heads, oh gates, and be lifted up, oh ancient doors, that the king of glory 62 00:06:39,500 –> 00:06:51,660 may come in. Who is this king of glory? Well, the Lord of hosts. He is the king of glory. So God 63 00:06:51,980 –> 00:06:59,579 is presented to us in Scripture as the great and the glorious king. 64 00:06:59,579 –> 00:07:05,660 And then we learn this, that God will establish a great and a glorious kingdom. 65 00:07:07,019 –> 00:07:16,299 God rules over all the earth, but clearly, this world in which we live does not recognize 66 00:07:16,299 –> 00:07:25,739 its king or his rule. And that, therefore, raises the question, where then will God’s kingdom be 67 00:07:25,739 –> 00:07:33,980 established? You remember that Pontius Pilate on one occasion asked Jesus, 68 00:07:33,980 –> 00:07:41,980 are you the king of the Jews? And Jesus gave a very clear answer to the question of where the 69 00:07:41,980 –> 00:07:53,660 kingdom will be established? Jesus answered, my kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were 70 00:07:53,660 –> 00:08:00,140 of this world, my servants would have been fighting but that I might not be delivered 71 00:08:00,140 –> 00:08:09,899 over to the Jews, but my kingdom is not from this world. Now notice Jesus repeats it twice, 72 00:08:09,899 –> 00:08:17,339 it’s very clear and very striking. Notice he doesn’t say my kingdom is not in this world, 73 00:08:17,339 –> 00:08:26,859 he doesn’t say that, he says my kingdom is not off this world and my kingdom is not from this world. 74 00:08:28,380 –> 00:08:35,020 So straight away we see this theme of the kingdom, it’s not easy to grasp. It’s in this world 75 00:08:35,179 –> 00:08:45,419 but it’s not from it and it’s not off it. So what then does it mean for us to pray as 76 00:08:45,419 –> 00:08:53,580 Jesus teaches us to pray your kingdom come? Well we’re going to look at three things together today, 77 00:08:53,580 –> 00:08:59,419 we’re going to look at the beginning of God’s kingdom, we’re going to look at the growth 78 00:08:59,419 –> 00:09:07,179 of God’s kingdom, and then we’re going to look at the coming of God’s kingdom. Let’s begin here 79 00:09:07,179 –> 00:09:16,619 then with the beginning of God’s kingdom. One night a very brilliant man came to Jesus. 80 00:09:17,500 –> 00:09:25,179 He was intrigued by what he saw in Jesus and he wanted to know more. His name was Nicodemus 81 00:09:26,059 –> 00:09:27,900 and Jesus said to him, 82 00:09:43,820 –> 00:09:51,179 Now think about it. This man was religious. He kept God’s law. He would have regarded his life 83 00:09:51,179 –> 00:09:55,979 as being under the rule of God. He knew the promise of God to establish the kingdom 84 00:09:55,979 –> 00:09:59,500 and he would have been very confident of his own place in it 85 00:10:01,500 –> 00:10:03,419 but Jesus says to this man, 86 00:10:03,500 –> 00:10:12,780 Unless you are born again you cannot see the kingdom of God. 87 00:10:15,900 –> 00:10:23,260 Any discussion of God’s kingdom surely must begin here you see what Jesus is saying to Nicodemus 88 00:10:24,219 –> 00:10:27,739 you can talk all you want about the kingdom 89 00:10:29,340 –> 00:10:33,580 but unless you are born again you won’t even see it 90 00:10:35,580 –> 00:10:45,580 born again we’re talking here about a fundamental restructuring of a person’s inner life 91 00:10:45,580 –> 00:10:53,979 see by nature we all seek our own kingdom we want to live under our own rule 92 00:10:55,419 –> 00:11:03,500 and jesus is saying unless there is a fundamental restructuring of your inner life 93 00:11:03,500 –> 00:11:08,780 your deepest affections and your deepest desires, unless that happens in you 94 00:11:09,659 –> 00:11:16,700 you will not see the kingdom of God 95 00:11:18,380 –> 00:11:27,900 now clearly restructuring a person’s inner life is something that only God could do 96 00:11:29,419 –> 00:11:34,059 only the creator can bring about a new creation 97 00:11:34,059 –> 00:11:41,979 and the Bible speaks about how God does that it speaks of how the father has delivered us 98 00:11:42,940 –> 00:11:50,940 from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved son 99 00:11:50,940 –> 00:11:58,940 in whom we have redemption the forgiveness of sins so what’s being said here is that God himself 100 00:11:59,500 –> 00:12:08,619 breaks the power of resistance to him that by nature is in us and he is the one who breaking 101 00:12:08,619 –> 00:12:17,419 that power brings us into transfers us into the kingdom of his dearly loved son Jesus Christ in 102 00:12:17,419 –> 00:12:24,059 whom we find redemption and forgiveness of sins now here’s the obvious question how 103 00:12:24,059 –> 00:12:30,859 then does that happen how can i be born again that was what Nicodemus asked when Jesus told 104 00:12:30,859 –> 00:12:38,380 him of course how is that possible how can I be transferred from the kingdom of darkness 105 00:12:38,380 –> 00:12:43,739 from the experience of the pool of my own heart away from the things of God and away from his 106 00:12:43,739 –> 00:12:49,659 ways how can I be transferred out of that and into the kingdom of his dearly loved son 107 00:12:50,140 –> 00:13:02,299 let the children Jesus said on one occasion come to me and don’t hinder them for to such 108 00:13:02,299 –> 00:13:12,219 belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you whoever does not receive the kingdom of God 109 00:13:12,979 –> 00:13:29,799 truly I say to you whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter 110 00:13:37,299 –> 00:13:40,299 if you are to be in it if you’re to belong to it you must be born again. 111 00:13:40,479 –> 00:13:45,859 Must be delivered from the kingdom of darkness that is something that only God himself can do for you 112 00:13:45,919 –> 00:13:50,840 but it happens and he will do it as you come to Jesus 113 00:13:53,760 –> 00:13:55,760 J. I packer says 114 00:13:56,479 –> 00:13:59,539 God’s kingdom is not a place 115 00:14:00,640 –> 00:14:02,640 But rather a relationship 116 00:14:03,119 –> 00:14:04,880 not a place 117 00:14:04,880 –> 00:14:08,400 But a relationship and it exists 118 00:14:09,119 –> 00:14:14,179 Wherever men or women enthrone Jesus as the master of their lives 119 00:14:15,599 –> 00:14:18,000 So if you come to Jesus 120 00:14:19,359 –> 00:14:23,840 If you will enthrone Jesus as the master of your life 121 00:14:25,280 –> 00:14:31,520 You will belong to the kingdom and God’s kingdom will belong to you 122 00:14:33,280 –> 00:14:36,179 So the kingdom begins where it begins in 123 00:14:36,559 –> 00:14:37,940 Us 124 00:14:37,940 –> 00:14:41,080 And the book of revelations states this very very clearly 125 00:14:41,679 –> 00:14:45,299 Revelation chapter one and verse six to him who loves us 126 00:14:45,619 –> 00:14:51,460 And has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom 127 00:14:52,659 –> 00:14:54,580 He’s made us a kingdom 128 00:14:54,580 –> 00:15:00,580 That’s what god has done by the new birth and by transferring us out of darkness into his marvelous light 129 00:15:01,219 –> 00:15:03,880 To him therefore be glory and dominion 130 00:15:04,280 –> 00:15:06,280 forever and forever 131 00:15:07,640 –> 00:15:09,640 Amen 132 00:15:09,799 –> 00:15:13,479 So when we pray your kingdom come 133 00:15:15,080 –> 00:15:22,520 The first thing we’re really asking of god, is this that our lives this is where the kingdom begins that our lives 134 00:15:23,479 –> 00:15:24,979 Will be more 135 00:15:24,979 –> 00:15:26,039 clearly 136 00:15:26,039 –> 00:15:28,039 evidently fully submitted 137 00:15:28,840 –> 00:15:34,280 To his reign and to his rule. Lord cast the idols down 138 00:15:34,760 –> 00:15:36,760 in this heart 139 00:15:37,380 –> 00:15:39,380 Reign supreme in me 140 00:15:41,559 –> 00:15:43,799 That’s the first thing we’re asking of god 141 00:15:45,320 –> 00:15:47,239 When we pray 142 00:15:47,239 –> 00:15:49,159 your kingdom come 143 00:15:49,159 –> 00:15:50,919 That’s where it begins 144 00:15:50,919 –> 00:15:54,140 Begins in us in all who will come to Jesus 145 00:15:54,140 –> 00:15:56,140 Liberty 146 00:15:56,140 –> 00:15:59,679 Now let’s look secondly at the growth of god’s kingdom 147 00:16:00,299 –> 00:16:05,979 We know that god’s kingdom is not off this world. We saw that clearly in the statement of jesus 148 00:16:05,979 –> 00:16:09,979 But what does it look like in this world? 149 00:16:10,539 –> 00:16:11,340 well 150 00:16:11,340 –> 00:16:16,400 Jesus spoke about what it looks like in this world very clearly and repeatedly 151 00:16:17,260 –> 00:16:18,940 in the parables 152 00:16:18,940 –> 00:16:21,979 Let me give you one example from mark and chapter four 153 00:16:22,780 –> 00:16:24,619 Jesus says 154 00:16:24,619 –> 00:16:29,099 With what can we compare the kingdom of god or what? 155 00:16:29,640 –> 00:16:32,460 Parable shall we use for it? 156 00:16:33,500 –> 00:16:35,500 And here’s the analogy he chooses 157 00:16:36,700 –> 00:16:39,820 It is like a grain of mustard seed 158 00:16:40,780 –> 00:16:46,059 Which when sewn on the ground is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth 159 00:16:47,179 –> 00:16:48,619 yet 160 00:16:48,619 –> 00:16:54,539 When it is sewn it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out 161 00:16:55,099 –> 00:17:00,940 Large branches so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade 162 00:17:02,380 –> 00:17:05,900 Now you see what jesus is saying? What is the kingdom of god like? 163 00:17:05,979 –> 00:17:11,579 What does it look like in this world? Well what it looks like in this world is the tiniest of seeds 164 00:17:13,339 –> 00:17:16,479 See here are a handful of disciples 165 00:17:16,479 –> 00:17:18,260 disciples 166 00:17:18,260 –> 00:17:20,339 The kingdom is in them 167 00:17:21,780 –> 00:17:27,699 Well, what can a handful of disciples do in a vast world like this? 168 00:17:29,380 –> 00:17:36,180 Well, jesus says yes the kingdom in its beginning it is like a tiny seed, but it’s a living seed 169 00:17:37,219 –> 00:17:41,060 And because it is a living seed though. It is small. It will grow 170 00:17:41,199 –> 00:17:47,199 And this tiny seed will become larger than all the garden plants 171 00:17:48,760 –> 00:17:49,939 And so 172 00:17:49,939 –> 00:17:52,199 Jesus is telling the disciples now 173 00:17:53,160 –> 00:17:56,300 The kingdom has this very small beginning 174 00:17:57,560 –> 00:17:58,680 in 175 00:17:58,680 –> 00:18:00,680 your hearts 176 00:18:00,760 –> 00:18:04,439 We look around at other believers and we don’t seem to be very much 177 00:18:05,800 –> 00:18:09,479 But here’s the promise what god is doing in you 178 00:18:10,380 –> 00:18:12,380 Will spread through you 179 00:18:13,339 –> 00:18:16,140 To the lives of others this seed will grow 180 00:18:17,400 –> 00:18:21,400 Now, of course, we all know that only god can make things grow 181 00:18:22,199 –> 00:18:24,199 And that’s why we pray this prayer 182 00:18:24,839 –> 00:18:25,880 Father 183 00:18:25,880 –> 00:18:27,880 your kingdom come 184 00:18:28,280 –> 00:18:32,359 We can’t make that happen. Only you can make this living seed grow 185 00:18:33,400 –> 00:18:36,119 We can plant the seed of god’s truth 186 00:18:36,119 –> 00:18:40,439 We can water it with our prayers, but only god makes things grow 187 00:18:41,319 –> 00:18:44,280 father your kingdom come 188 00:18:45,400 –> 00:18:51,640 Now do you see then that when we pray this prayer? This is where we pray for our loved ones who don’t yet know 189 00:18:52,199 –> 00:18:53,479 Jesus 190 00:18:53,479 –> 00:18:57,979 This is where we bring all of our prayers for the advance of the gospel 191 00:18:58,599 –> 00:19:01,260 In the world and around the nations 192 00:19:01,900 –> 00:19:09,420 And so this is the place to ask this question, why would a person want to be part of this kingdom 193 00:19:11,260 –> 00:19:13,260 Why would you want to be part of it 194 00:19:14,939 –> 00:19:18,760 Well at the very center of the bible story 195 00:19:20,699 –> 00:19:29,260 God our great and our glorious king comes into the world in the person of his son. Jesus christ 196 00:19:29,660 –> 00:19:33,939 And when the king came into the world 197 00:19:35,260 –> 00:19:37,920 He gave us a marvelous sample 198 00:19:39,819 –> 00:19:42,859 Of what life will be like under his rule 199 00:19:44,939 –> 00:19:46,939 He stilled the storm 200 00:19:48,780 –> 00:19:56,219 He fed the hungry, think what that means! No more natural disasters when the king comes 201 00:19:56,939 –> 00:20:00,619 No more hungry when the kingdom comes 202 00:20:01,900 –> 00:20:04,619 He healed the sick, no more illness 203 00:20:05,819 –> 00:20:08,780 When the kingdom comes, he raised the dead 204 00:20:09,760 –> 00:20:14,479 No more death when the kingdom comes 205 00:20:16,640 –> 00:20:20,640 But you know the story of the gospels 206 00:20:20,640 –> 00:20:28,239 When the son of god came and gave us a sample of what life will be like under his rule 207 00:20:29,160 –> 00:20:35,160 Our response was we will not have this man to reign over us 208 00:20:35,660 –> 00:20:39,680 And so we crucified him 209 00:20:40,140 –> 00:20:43,660 We ran him out of our world 210 00:20:44,400 –> 00:20:47,119 There is no place for you here 211 00:20:47,520 –> 00:20:50,119 And certainly no place for him 212 00:20:50,199 –> 00:20:54,199 Certainly not for your unique claim to sovereign rule 213 00:20:56,280 –> 00:20:58,160 So we nailed him to the cross 214 00:21:00,180 –> 00:21:04,079 But on the third day he rose from the dead 215 00:21:04,079 –> 00:21:08,680 He ascended to the right hand of the father in heaven 216 00:21:08,880 –> 00:21:12,819 And there today he reigns and waits 217 00:21:12,819 –> 00:21:18,079 For the day when his kingdom in all of its blessing and all of its good 218 00:21:18,099 –> 00:21:20,000 Will surely come 219 00:21:20,000 –> 00:21:23,060 And we are to say among the nations 220 00:21:23,060 –> 00:21:24,959 The Lord reigns 221 00:21:27,319 –> 00:21:29,579 The risen lord Jesus Christ is 222 00:21:29,959 –> 00:21:30,760 King of kings 223 00:21:30,959 –> 00:21:32,339 And lord of lords 224 00:21:32,660 –> 00:21:35,479 He will return in power and glory 225 00:21:35,479 –> 00:21:36,900 And when he does 226 00:21:36,900 –> 00:21:39,300 The blessing of his kingdom will be known 227 00:21:41,119 –> 00:21:43,680 Here’s how Micah describes it in the old testament 228 00:21:43,680 –> 00:21:45,540 Here’s what life will be like 229 00:22:15,839 –> 00:22:17,319 Make them afraid 230 00:22:20,160 –> 00:22:24,619 Does that sound like the kind of kingdom you would want to be part of? 231 00:22:26,739 –> 00:22:28,859 Your kingdom come 232 00:22:30,500 –> 00:22:33,859 Lord may your rule be seen more clearly 233 00:22:33,859 –> 00:22:37,280 More evidently in this heart in our lives 234 00:22:38,579 –> 00:22:39,880 Lord 235 00:22:40,819 –> 00:22:46,540 May your reign spread into the hearts of millions of others 236 00:22:47,939 –> 00:22:50,280 around the circumference 237 00:22:50,839 –> 00:22:52,839 the breadth and the length 238 00:22:53,599 –> 00:22:55,599 of this world 239 00:22:56,880 –> 00:22:59,160 The beginning of God’s kingdom 240 00:23:00,400 –> 00:23:03,839 the growth of God’s kingdom 241 00:23:05,680 –> 00:23:09,400 And then most important of all the coming 242 00:23:09,979 –> 00:23:11,979 of God’s kingdom 243 00:23:12,099 –> 00:23:17,859 You see this is what Jesus tells us to pray for not simply that the 244 00:23:18,859 –> 00:23:25,579 Kingdom will begin in us and not only that the kingdom will spread across the world 245 00:23:26,979 –> 00:23:32,939 but that God’s kingdom in all of its fullness and all of its joy, and in all of its wonder will 246 00:23:33,819 –> 00:23:35,819 come 247 00:23:36,859 –> 00:23:38,859 Your kingdom come 248 00:23:39,880 –> 00:23:47,800 Now surely the most obvious thing here is that the coming of the kingdom requires the presence of the king 249 00:23:48,699 –> 00:23:49,719 and 250 00:23:49,719 –> 00:23:54,319 When we pray your kingdom come we are praying for and anticipating 251 00:23:55,000 –> 00:23:57,579 What will happen when the king comes? 252 00:23:58,560 –> 00:24:04,959 When our Lord Jesus Christ returns in power and in glory and reigns as he has promised to do 253 00:24:06,040 –> 00:24:09,099 What will happen when the king comes? 254 00:24:10,640 –> 00:24:15,680 Well let me point you to three things in the New Testament the first is that the King will defeat death 255 00:24:17,160 –> 00:24:19,520 When he comes the King will defeat death 256 00:24:20,560 –> 00:24:23,439 that’s 1st Corinthians in Chapter 15 257 00:24:23,439 –> 00:24:29,359 Then the end comes when he Christ delivers the kingdom to God the Father 258 00:24:30,420 –> 00:24:35,060 After so here’s what happens in the coming of the kingdom 259 00:24:36,060 –> 00:24:42,140 The destroying of every rule and every authority and power for He Christ must reign 260 00:24:42,520 –> 00:24:49,180 Until he has put all his enemies under his feet and the last enemy to be destroyed 261 00:24:50,739 –> 00:24:52,739 Well, it’s death itself 262 00:24:54,260 –> 00:25:00,959 So when the king comes all who have ever resisted his rule will be completely overwhelmed 263 00:25:01,959 –> 00:25:09,300 All of the king’s enemies will be completely and utterly defeated when he comes and the last enemy to be defeated 264 00:25:10,619 –> 00:25:12,619 Will be death 265 00:25:13,119 –> 00:25:15,119 When God’s Kingdom comes 266 00:25:16,439 –> 00:25:18,439 Death will be no more 267 00:25:19,719 –> 00:25:21,760 Neither will there be mourning 268 00:25:23,119 –> 00:25:25,119 There’ll be no more crying 269 00:25:25,640 –> 00:25:27,640 There’ll be no more pain 270 00:25:28,219 –> 00:25:32,579 For the former things have passed away 271 00:25:34,400 –> 00:25:38,599 When the king comes he will defeat all of his enemies and 272 00:25:39,479 –> 00:25:41,579 especially the last enemy death 273 00:25:42,760 –> 00:25:44,760 itself death will be no more 274 00:25:45,739 –> 00:25:48,699 And then when the king comes he will judge 275 00:25:49,300 –> 00:25:54,119 the world we read earlier in the service from Revelation and chapter 11 the 276 00:25:54,800 –> 00:25:59,359 Extraordinary description of the day when the kingdom will come 277 00:26:00,079 –> 00:26:02,520 verse 15 of Revelation 11 278 00:26:02,520 –> 00:26:05,140 Then the seventh Angel blew his trumpet 279 00:26:05,400 –> 00:26:09,839 and there were loud voices in heaven saying the 280 00:26:10,079 –> 00:26:15,760 Kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ 281 00:26:15,800 –> 00:26:18,520 and he shall reign 282 00:26:19,900 –> 00:26:21,900 forever and ever 283 00:26:22,859 –> 00:26:29,239 So you see what we have here in Revelation 11, it is a description of what will happen when the kingdom comes 284 00:26:30,319 –> 00:26:50,079 Now notice what happens when the kingdom comes 285 00:26:50,180 –> 00:26:53,660 He said to be judged. See that’s what happens at the coming of the kingdom 286 00:26:54,640 –> 00:27:00,319 And for destroying the destroyers of the Earth 287 00:27:00,319 –> 00:27:06,180 When the king comes he will judge the world 288 00:27:08,040 –> 00:27:16,640 Now do you see then, what we are asking God to do 289 00:27:16,640 –> 00:27:22,520 When we pray your kingdom come 290 00:27:23,319 –> 00:27:27,199 Father in heaven, come 291 00:27:27,199 –> 00:27:32,959 Defeat the enemies that are arrayed against you 292 00:27:33,359 –> 00:27:39,260 Father, come judge the world in righteousness 293 00:27:39,260 –> 00:27:46,020 Come, destroy the destroyers of the Earth 294 00:27:46,579 –> 00:27:50,800 This is a serious prayer to pray 295 00:27:51,680 –> 00:27:57,219 Peter Lewis who writes very helpfully on the Lord’s Prayer says this 296 00:27:57,219 –> 00:28:00,479 When we pray your kingdom come 297 00:28:00,479 –> 00:28:04,359 We are praying about something that will be as 298 00:28:04,359 –> 00:28:10,339 terrible to some as it will be joyful to others 299 00:28:10,339 –> 00:28:14,260 We are praying about the closing of the door 300 00:28:14,319 –> 00:28:17,800 As well as the opening of the gates 301 00:28:17,800 –> 00:28:22,500 We are praying for the end of the old order 302 00:28:22,500 –> 00:28:25,239 with its space for repentance 303 00:28:25,239 –> 00:28:30,859 as well as with its pain and with its tears 304 00:28:32,520 –> 00:28:40,180 Of course we long for the day when the pain, and the tears, and the death will be gone 305 00:28:41,180 –> 00:28:45,780 But you see, when the pain, and the tears, and the death of this world are gone 306 00:28:45,780 –> 00:28:50,160 the space for repentance will be gone as well 307 00:28:52,079 –> 00:28:58,000 So, when the kingdom comes, it’s the end of grace 308 00:29:00,400 –> 00:29:06,339 This old world, with its godless kingdoms, and its wars, and its viruses 309 00:29:06,739 –> 00:29:09,839 and its endless political arguments 310 00:29:11,020 –> 00:29:13,339 It’s passing away 311 00:29:13,859 –> 00:29:19,339 and a new and better world is coming, Christ’s kingdom will come but 312 00:29:20,280 –> 00:29:24,479 this is the world in which you must enter that kingdom 313 00:29:25,579 –> 00:29:30,819 As long as you live in this world, the door of that kingdom is open to you 314 00:29:31,780 –> 00:29:35,219 But when the kingdom comes, the door will be closed 315 00:29:35,560 –> 00:29:41,079 and those who are outside when the kingdom comes, they’re going to be outside forever and forever 316 00:29:43,880 –> 00:29:48,160 So you see when we pray your kingdom come 317 00:29:49,859 –> 00:29:52,839 It should light a fire in 318 00:29:53,400 –> 00:29:59,160 every believer’s heart, to do all that we can every day of our life in this world 319 00:29:59,579 –> 00:30:00,599 to 320 00:30:00,599 –> 00:30:05,780 Bring those who are outside of the Kingdom of God in before it is too late 321 00:30:08,560 –> 00:30:11,800 Because when the kingdom comes 322 00:30:14,040 –> 00:30:20,260 Not only will the king defeat all his enemies including death itself, he will judge the world in 323 00:30:21,640 –> 00:30:23,199 righteousness 324 00:30:23,920 –> 00:30:28,420 And then there’s one more thing that will happen and it’s very wonderful indeed that when 325 00:30:28,800 –> 00:30:33,160 The king comes, of course. He will be with his people 326 00:30:34,479 –> 00:30:37,079 You know Jesus spoke about this so many times 327 00:30:38,199 –> 00:30:44,900 people he said in Luke 13 will come from the east and from the west and from the north and from the south and they 328 00:30:44,920 –> 00:30:46,680 will recline 329 00:30:46,680 –> 00:30:48,680 at the table in 330 00:30:49,439 –> 00:30:51,439 the kingdom of God 331 00:30:52,420 –> 00:30:56,719 Jesus spoke about his kingdom being like a great banquet 332 00:30:57,680 –> 00:31:00,359 to which everyone is invited and 333 00:31:02,020 –> 00:31:04,020 When the day comes 334 00:31:05,599 –> 00:31:11,400 Those who are there who have responded to this invitation those who have come to Jesus 335 00:31:12,760 –> 00:31:19,560 We are going to raise our voices with joy and Revelation says we will shout aloud 336 00:31:20,119 –> 00:31:22,119 hallelujah 337 00:31:22,420 –> 00:31:25,540 For the Lord our God the almighty reigns 338 00:31:25,640 –> 00:31:30,959 Let us rejoice and exalt and give him glory for the marriage 339 00:31:31,280 –> 00:31:35,459 feast of the lamb has come and his bride 340 00:31:36,680 –> 00:31:38,880 Has made herself ready 341 00:31:40,680 –> 00:31:42,680 Ready 342 00:31:42,900 –> 00:31:44,900 Are you ready? 343 00:31:45,839 –> 00:31:53,500 You know when Jesus died on the cross there were two thieves one on either side of him 344 00:31:55,280 –> 00:32:01,520 The Bible tells us that at first both of them hurled abuse at Jesus 345 00:32:03,099 –> 00:32:05,739 But then something changed in 346 00:32:06,479 –> 00:32:08,260 one of them 347 00:32:08,260 –> 00:32:11,739 He realized that Jesus was a king 348 00:32:12,500 –> 00:32:14,500 He had heard Jesus 349 00:32:14,500 –> 00:32:16,500 Praying father 350 00:32:17,020 –> 00:32:19,020 Forgive them 351 00:32:19,020 –> 00:32:21,339 They do not know what they are doing. I 352 00:32:22,500 –> 00:32:25,060 Wonder if when he heard that he thought forgiveness 353 00:32:26,459 –> 00:32:29,520 Is that possible even for someone like me? 354 00:32:32,540 –> 00:32:38,079 There was a change in his heart and he said to the thief on the other side don’t you fear God I 355 00:32:39,560 –> 00:32:42,140 Mean we are being punished justly 356 00:32:42,140 –> 00:32:46,660 He said we’re getting what our deeds deserve, but this man Jesus has done nothing wrong 357 00:32:47,479 –> 00:32:49,920 And then he said to Jesus 358 00:32:51,859 –> 00:32:53,859 Jesus 359 00:32:54,439 –> 00:32:59,160 Remember me when you come into your kingdom 360 00:33:01,640 –> 00:33:03,359 And 361 00:33:03,359 –> 00:33:05,319 Jesus said to him 362 00:33:05,319 –> 00:33:06,800 today 363 00:33:06,800 –> 00:33:08,800 You will be with me 364 00:33:09,680 –> 00:33:11,680 in paradise 365 00:33:12,459 –> 00:33:14,459 Do 366 00:33:14,599 –> 00:33:16,599 You see what the thief did 367 00:33:18,280 –> 00:33:19,680 He 368 00:33:19,680 –> 00:33:27,380 Recognized his own sinful condition no excuses no evasion so I’m a sinner before God, and I need a Savior 369 00:33:28,819 –> 00:33:30,599 He asked 370 00:33:30,599 –> 00:33:32,640 Jesus to save him and 371 00:33:33,660 –> 00:33:38,560 then he believed the promise that Jesus spoke to him and 372 00:33:39,380 –> 00:33:43,739 And however far you are from God today 373 00:33:43,739 –> 00:33:49,739 I want to invite you to do what the thief on the cross did 374 00:33:50,520 –> 00:33:53,239 that you today would recognize your 375 00:33:53,439 –> 00:33:57,939 Sinful condition before God that you would believe in the Lord 376 00:33:58,280 –> 00:34:01,280 Jesus Christ and that you would ask him 377 00:34:02,420 –> 00:34:04,420 to save you 378 00:34:05,719 –> 00:34:07,719 And when you do 379 00:34:08,139 –> 00:34:11,739 God’s kingdom will begin in you 380 00:34:15,300 –> 00:34:20,540 Now there’s one more thing just very briefly before we come to prayer today 381 00:34:22,580 –> 00:34:24,060 Jesus 382 00:34:24,060 –> 00:34:25,540 prayed 383 00:34:25,540 –> 00:34:29,260 every petition of the Lord’s Prayer either for himself or 384 00:34:30,340 –> 00:34:32,340 for others and 385 00:34:32,979 –> 00:34:34,979 That is wonderfully good news 386 00:34:35,959 –> 00:34:39,260 Because whatever Jesus prays for always gets answered 387 00:34:41,000 –> 00:34:48,520 So think about it we looked today at the beginning of the kingdom how it begins in us 388 00:34:50,639 –> 00:34:52,639 But don’t you sometimes wonder 389 00:34:53,760 –> 00:35:00,479 Will there ever really come a day for every trace of sin in my heart really is removed 390 00:35:00,479 –> 00:35:05,800 Will there ever really come a day where I will serve God 391 00:35:06,620 –> 00:35:12,580 With all of my being and love him with all of my mind and heart and soul and strength 392 00:35:14,340 –> 00:35:20,919 Will that day ever come and I want to say to you today. Yes, it will because Jesus prayed for it 393 00:35:22,500 –> 00:35:25,100 John chapter 17 in verse 17 394 00:35:25,159 –> 00:35:32,159 Sanctify them in the truth. That’s what he’s praying for 395 00:35:33,020 –> 00:35:37,020 That the day will come when you will be everything that God has called you to be 396 00:35:38,840 –> 00:35:44,000 And then we looked at the growth of the kingdom how it spreads around the world 397 00:35:46,080 –> 00:35:52,280 But in this divided world don’t you sometimes wonder will there ever come a day 398 00:35:52,340 –> 00:35:53,919 when 399 00:35:53,919 –> 00:35:55,919 even believing people 400 00:35:56,060 –> 00:36:02,739 from every tribe and nation in this deeply divided world will actually live together in 401 00:36:03,199 –> 00:36:07,739 Perfect love under the rule of the Lord Jesus Christ. Well that ever happen 402 00:36:08,760 –> 00:36:11,620 And I want to say to you today. Yes it will and 403 00:36:12,260 –> 00:36:19,340 Here’s how you can know that it will because Jesus prayed for this too in John chapter 17 and verse 20. I 404 00:36:20,320 –> 00:36:23,659 Do not ask for these that’s the disciples only 405 00:36:24,219 –> 00:36:29,020 But for those who will believe in me through their Word. That’s us 406 00:36:30,399 –> 00:36:34,419 that they all may be one and 407 00:36:35,820 –> 00:36:39,459 That prayer of Jesus is going to be gloriously answered all 408 00:36:39,760 –> 00:36:44,739 One from every language and tribe and nation around the throne of the Lamb 409 00:36:46,560 –> 00:36:48,959 And we looked at the coming 410 00:36:49,580 –> 00:36:51,580 of the kingdom 411 00:36:52,060 –> 00:36:55,560 How Christ will return in power and in glory? 412 00:36:57,719 –> 00:37:04,679 But don’t you ever find yourself wondering, you know, is the day really going to come when my faith is turned to sight 413 00:37:06,080 –> 00:37:07,780 Is it ever really gonna happen 414 00:37:07,780 –> 00:37:12,659 Can I really imagine what it will be for me to see the king and all of his glory? 415 00:37:13,979 –> 00:37:16,659 Is that really going to happen? 416 00:37:17,459 –> 00:37:19,080 And 417 00:37:19,080 –> 00:37:21,179 I say to you from the Scriptures today 418 00:37:21,179 –> 00:37:26,820 Yes, it will and the reason you can be sure it will is that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself prayed for it 419 00:37:26,820 –> 00:37:30,879 He prayed for it in John chapter 17 and in verse 24 420 00:37:31,600 –> 00:37:38,939 Father I desire that they also whom you have given to me will be with me where I 421 00:37:39,179 –> 00:37:42,699 am to see my glory 422 00:37:42,780 –> 00:37:44,780 Glory 423 00:37:45,679 –> 00:37:47,679 Father hasten the day 424 00:37:49,120 –> 00:37:51,479 Your kingdom come 425 00:37:54,860 –> 00:38:01,520 Well, will you join with me now in praying this prayer let’s pray together 426 00:38:04,320 –> 00:38:07,760 Our Father in heaven we bow before you our 427 00:38:08,679 –> 00:38:10,840 great and glorious King 428 00:38:11,840 –> 00:38:17,560 This world gives no weight to you, but we draw near to you in worship 429 00:38:19,239 –> 00:38:26,679 All power and authority belong to you and we thank you that you have chosen to establish a kingdom in 430 00:38:27,919 –> 00:38:35,879 Perfect justice you could have written off the entire human race and left us to the ruin of our own rebellion 431 00:38:37,360 –> 00:38:39,360 But in love and in mercy 432 00:38:39,439 –> 00:38:40,979 you 433 00:38:40,979 –> 00:38:44,040 chose to bring us into your kingdom and 434 00:38:44,760 –> 00:38:46,760 we are so thankful and 435 00:38:47,159 –> 00:38:51,100 We gladly embrace you as our Lord and our King 436 00:38:53,199 –> 00:38:58,040 Father we pray that your rein may be seen more clearly in our lives 437 00:39:00,879 –> 00:39:02,879 You have said 438 00:39:02,879 –> 00:39:04,679 If your I 439 00:39:04,719 –> 00:39:09,979 Causes you to sin pluck it out if your hand causes you to sin cut it off 440 00:39:09,979 –> 00:39:15,780 It is better to enter into the kingdom named than to enter into hell 441 00:39:16,739 –> 00:39:18,739 So forgive us 442 00:39:19,300 –> 00:39:21,300 for the complacency 443 00:39:21,840 –> 00:39:29,139 With which we have given room to sin in our lives that has no place in your kingdom 444 00:39:30,860 –> 00:39:33,340 May the truth that we have heard from your word 445 00:39:33,699 –> 00:39:35,699 Sanctify us today 446 00:39:38,020 –> 00:39:41,979 Father we pray for the spread of your Gospel in our world 447 00:39:43,419 –> 00:39:47,159 There are people father who we love and 448 00:39:48,300 –> 00:39:51,159 Today, they are outside of your kingdom 449 00:39:52,080 –> 00:39:55,979 Lord in your love and in your mercy bring them in 450 00:39:56,580 –> 00:39:58,620 Cause them to be born again 451 00:39:58,620 –> 00:40:04,659 We pray deliver them from the kingdom of darkness bring them into the kingdom of your son 452 00:40:05,100 –> 00:40:07,100 Jesus Christ and 453 00:40:08,600 –> 00:40:12,300 Light in our hearts today a passion 454 00:40:13,639 –> 00:40:17,399 to spread the gospel in this generation 455 00:40:19,399–> 00:40:25,320 Father we pray for the day when Christ will return in glory 456 00:40:26,719 –> 00:40:28,500 And 457 00:40:28,500 –> 00:40:34,179 We pray that this longing will light indeed the fire for us to use 458 00:40:34,520 –> 00:40:38,219 Every day that we have while it is day 459 00:40:38,860 –> 00:40:41,860 Before the night comes when no one can work 460 00:40:44,239 –> 00:40:47,800 Father we long to see your Son our King Jesus 461 00:40:47,800 –> 00:40:49,800 Jesus 462 00:40:50,080 –> 00:40:56,459 He’s in the day when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ and 463 00:40:56,639 –> 00:40:58,959 He shall reign forever and forever 464 00:41:00,760 –> 00:41:05,340 Come defeat the enemies who are arrayed against you 465 00:41:06,179 –> 00:41:09,000 Come judge the world in righteousness 466 00:41:09,919 –> 00:41:12,300 Come and bring us together 467 00:41:13,219 –> 00:41:15,219 Into your presence 468 00:41:15,620 –> 00:41:20,760 To live under the blessing of your rule forever and forever 469 00:41:22,419 –> 00:41:24,139 Father 470 00:41:24,139 –> 00:41:26,479 Your kingdom come and 471 00:41:28,020 –> 00:41:33,000 We pray this through Jesus Christ your son our Lord 472 00:41:34,780 –> 00:41:36,780 Amen