1. Archa

2. JESUS OBEDIENCE SCHOOL

3. Quick Review Week 1: STAY in Jesus’ words
Week 2: Jesus’ first words: “in my Father’s house”
Week 3: Jesus’ temptation: WORD not WORLD

4. Quick Review
Week 4: Jesus’ first miracle: fill thirsty world w/JOY Week 5: Jesus’ first message: REPENT: the kingdom of heaven is near!

5. JESUS’ FIRST MESSAGE (Part 2)

6. Key Verse
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
(Matthew 4:17)
Immediately after temptation in the desert.
Interestingly, John the Baptist said the exact same thing when he started his ministry (Matt. 3:2).

7. What exactly does repent mean?
Last Week’s Question
What exactly does repent mean?

8. Key OT Repentance Verses
Job 36:10-12
Isaiah 59:20
Jeremiah 15:19-20
Ezekiel 14:6, 18:30-32
God’s intervention or suspension of the natural laws of the universe. AKA “sign” and “wonder.”
Sign: Event foretelling future happenings or a miracle confirming a person’s faith.
(Source: Layman’s Bible Dictionary)
Job 36:10-12: Repentance goes all the way back to what many scholars believe is the oldest book in the Bible. “Repent of their evil.” If do, blessed. If don’t, die.
Isaiah 59:20: Redeemer will come to Zion, to those who repent of their sins.
Jeremiah 15:19-20: Repent = restored.
Ezekiel 14:6, 18:30-32: Repent! (note the exclamation point) Turn away from offenses and get a new heart + new spirit. God takes no pleasure in death of anyone. Repent and live! (another exclamation point)

9. Key NT Repentance Verses
Matthew 11:20-24, 21:32
Luke 13:1-5, 15:7
Acts 2:38, 3:19, 17:29-31, 26:20
Revelation 2:5, 2:20-22, 3:3, 3:19
Matthew 11:20-24, 21:32: Woe on unrepentant cities; prostitutes, etc. repented but not religious people.
Luke 13:1-5, 15:7: repent or die; much rejoicing in heaven over repentant sinner.
Acts 2:38, 3:19, 17:29-31, 26:20: Peter + Paul preached repentance – receive HS; sins “wiped out”; times of refreshing; “commands all people everywhere to repent’; “prove their repentance by their deeds.”
Rev: If don’t repent = “remove your lampstand” + suffering; “wake up”; “be earnest and repent.”

10. (Layman’s Bible Dictionary)
The act of turning from sin and changing one’s orientation from rebellion against God to acceptance of God’s will and lordship.
(Layman’s Bible Dictionary)

11. What exactly is the kingdom of heaven?
This Week’s Question
What exactly is the kingdom of heaven?

12. Jesus on the Kingdom Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Matthew 18:1-4, 23-35
Matt. 13: Parables of mustard seed, yeast, treasure, pearl, net
Matt. 18: Little children, humble yourself; Parable of king/accounts
Matt. 19: Hard for rich to enter
Matt. 20: Parable of vineyard workers
Matt. 22:1-4: Parable of wedding banquet
Matt. 25: Parables of 10 virgins, talents

13. (Layman’s Bible Dictionary)
The spiritual reign of God in the hearts of believers. Partially attained in this life for those who seek God’s will. God’s kingdom will be fully established in the world to come.
(Layman’s Bible Dictionary)

14. Jesus preached that: (1) his disciples should actively seek his kingdom and pray for its arrival on earth and (2) the kingdom is reserved for those who repent and experience spiritual rebirth. (Layman’s Bible Dictionary)
Agree based on what we just read together? Disagree? Discuss.
So, when his disciples asked him how to pray, how did he answer? Kingdom right in the middle of it. Let’s pray . . .

15. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

16. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever. AMEN!