1. Our Father’s Kingdom

2. INTRODUCTION
Our Father
Hallowed be your name
Your kingdom come. Kingdom = kingdom of heaven / God
Kingdom and the Gospel / Good News
Popular Assumption: separation of faith and politics

3. MATTHEW’S STORY OF THE KINGDOM
Birth of Jesus and the kingdom
“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:1-2)

4. MATTHEW’S STORY OF THE KINGDOM
“And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 3:9-10).

5. MATTHEW’S STORY OF THE KINGDOM
The kingdom is Good News because …
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17).
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19).

6. MATTHEW’S STORY OF THE KINGDOM
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3)
“Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” (Matthew 11:4-5) 

7. MATTHEW’S STORY OF THE KINGDOM
Matthew  Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.

8. MATTHEW’S STORY OF THE KINGDOM
Triumphal entry
Cleansing of the temple
Cursing of the fig tree (Matthew 21:1-17)
Parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32)
Parable of the tenants (Matthew 21:33-44) “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”

9. MATTHEW’S STORY OF THE KINGDOM
Parable of the wedding banquet. “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.”
The Jewish people are to repent because the kingdom of heaven is about to go to the nations of the world.

10. MATTHEW’S STORY OF THE KINGDOM
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:18-19).
Destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70

11. New Beginnings
24 elders before the throne of God

12. Revelation 21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 

13. Revelation 21 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes
Revelation 21 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

14. highlights God has a wonderful plan Kingdom never defined
The Person, Program, and Purposes of OUR FATHER
Seek first the Kingdom of God and it’s righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well.

15. highlights It’s so hard to align my life to God’s program! Why?
The call to die daily. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
The call to die in baptism. “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:4)

16. highlights
John 13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

17. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness
conclusion
Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness