2. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God In this series we shall study – Plans, Prophecies, and Expectations – The Kingdom Is At Hand! – The Kingdom’s Nature – The Kingdom Comes – The Kingdom’s Citizens – The Kingdom’s Laws – The Kingdom’s Rewards – The Kingdom’s Defenders – The Kingdom’s Future – The Kingdom’s Alternative

3. Outline – God purposed and planned His kingdom – God gave prophesies of His kingdom – Men misunderstood, had wrong expectations We shall show each of these in the Scriptures! The Gospel of the Kingdom Plans, Prophecies, and Expectations

4. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…” But before God created, He foresaw and planned… – Ephesians 3:11 “eternal purpose” – 1 Corinthians 2:7 “predestined before the ages” – Isaiah 46:9-11 “I have planned it…surely I will do it” The Gospel of the Kingdom Plans, Prophecies, and Expectations

5. Before God created the world, He planned: – The purpose: to save the people He would create 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 1:9; Zechariah 8:7 – The means: the cross of Christ Acts 2:23; Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20 – The who to save: the individuals in Christ Romans 3:24; Romans 8:1; 2 Cor. 5:17-19; Eph. 1:3; Eph. 2:13; – The king: Jesus (Micah 5:2; Dan. 7:13-14; Matt. 2:2; Luke 1:31-33) – The timing: Days of the Roman Empire (Daniel 2:40-44) – The message: the Gospel (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-2; Eph. 1:13) – The proof: the resurrection (Acts 2:30-32; Acts 17:31; Acts 26:22-23) – The alternative: hell (Psa. 9:17; Matt. 25:46; Heb. 10:29; 2 Thess. 1:8-9) God planned to establish a kingdom composed of saved people! The Gospel of the Kingdom Plans, Prophecies, and Expectations

6. God gave prophecies of the His kingdom – 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (Peter confirmed in Acts 2:29-32) – Isaiah 2:2-3 Mountain/house is the church (1 Tim. 3:15, Heb. 12:18-24) – Isaiah 9:6-7 one to rule on David’s throne over kingdom – Jeremiah 23:5 a king descended from David – Daniel 2:44 a kingdom that will endure forever – Daniel 7:13-14 Son to receive everlasting kingdom – Daniel 7:22,27 Saints to possess an everlasting kingdom – Micah 5:2 One to be ruler in Israel – Zech. 6:12-13 Priest on His throne will build His temple Temple is the church (2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:21; Rev. 3:12) The Gospel of the Kingdom Plans, Prophecies, and Expectations

7. Expectations – Jews expected a literal, earthly fulfillment of the prophecies – They looked for an earthly kingdom, established in Jerusalem – They looked for an earthly king to deliver them from Rome – The wise men read the prophecies, sought Him (Matt. 2:2) – Jews did not understand Mark 12:24 – they didn’t understand the prophecies in Scriptures Matt. 13:10-16 – they didn’t understand the parables of the kingdom Luke 24:44-47; John 12:16 – Disciples needed help to understand – That’s why the Jews crucified the King Acts 2:23, 36 1 Corinthians 2:8 Premillenialism is also based on wrong expectations and misunderstanding! The Gospel of the Kingdom Plans, Prophecies, and Expectations

8. The actual fulfillment – God promised to build a kingdom – God built the church – The church is the kingdom: Compare Acts 20:28 to Revelation 5:9-10 “church of God which He purchased with His blood” “purchased for God with Your blood…made them to be a kingdom” Those purchased with Christ’s blood are the same group – Matthew 16:18-19 equates the church to the kingdom – Eph. 3:8-11 shows the church was always God’s plan! The Gospel of the Kingdom Plans, Prophecies, and Expectations

9. Summary – God purposed and planned His kingdom – God gave prophesies of His kingdom – Men misunderstood, had wrong expectations People still misunderstand the kingdom of God – Whether it was established – When/Who established it – Its nature and composition – We’ll tackle these issues in future lessons! The Gospel of the Kingdom Plans, Prophecies, and Expectations

10. The gates of the kingdom are open now and all are invited to enter Jesus is the door into the kingdom Those who are in Christ are in the kingdom, those not in Christ are not in the kingdom God has done His part to make the kingdom accessible to you today Will you do your part to enter it? Obey the Gospel: believe, repent, confess, be baptized, and God will add you to it! (Acts 2:38,47) The Gospel of the Kingdom

11. Hear, believe, and obey the Gospel today!