WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.580 Once a month, the plan with God's help is to have one sermon that is teaching us from God's word what God says about the church. 00:00:14.019 --> 00:00:18.980 The Greek word for a gathering of God's people, an assembly of God's people is ecclesia. 00:00:19.699 --> 00:00:23.539 And so to study the assembly of God's people is ecclesiology. 00:00:23.859 --> 00:00:27.920 It's to study the doctrines of the church as God has given them to us. 00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:32.300 So this is our our once a month sermon on the church for the month of September. 00:00:33.579 --> 00:00:40.960 The letter of First Corinthians is written by Paul, the apostle, and it's to a local church in the city called Corinth. 00:00:41.320 --> 00:00:46.680 And it was a city with a lot of worldly temptations, a lot of worldly power. 00:00:47.020 --> 00:00:48.500 And yet here's this church. 00:00:49.060 --> 00:00:55.980 Now, the church had a lot of problems and a lot of worldly pressure and influences and much to be put in order. 00:00:55.979 --> 00:01:03.319 But we can notice both how how heavenly the vision God gives this local church is and it's for us as well. 00:01:03.619 --> 00:01:05.000 And also his grace. 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:08.359 The Lord did not give up on a church like that one in Corinth. 00:01:08.780 --> 00:01:12.879 Instead, he patiently encouraged them through the ministry and through his word. 00:01:13.359 --> 00:01:20.420 To give us a little bit of context, I'm going to begin reading in First Corinthians chapter five, starting at verse 12. 00:01:20.420 --> 00:01:31.680 And he's addressing that there is a man in this congregation who calls himself a brother that is committing sins that bring shame to the name of Jesus Christ. 00:01:31.939 --> 00:01:35.859 And within this church, he's admonishing the whole congregation. 00:01:36.680 --> 00:01:40.120 They have not done their part as members of Christ's body. 00:01:40.120 --> 00:01:41.719 That's the context. 00:01:41.840 --> 00:01:52.439 But I really want to focus on chapter six, verses two and three, because he talks about the kingdom of Christ and what would be the role of God's people in that future consummate kingdom. 00:01:52.640 --> 00:01:53.920 And that's our focus for today. 00:01:55.020 --> 00:02:00.659 I'll read this trusting that it's God's inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear, powerful word. 00:02:01.020 --> 00:02:03.219 And he has given it to you and me, his people. 00:02:03.939 --> 00:02:06.360 At the end, I'll say the word of God for the people of God. 00:02:06.359 --> 00:02:08.599 And if you receive it that way, please respond. 00:02:09.020 --> 00:02:09.840 Thanks be to God. 00:02:10.860 --> 00:02:13.919 First Corinthians five, starting at verse 12. 00:02:16.580 --> 00:02:20.719 For what have I to do with judging those who are outside? 00:02:21.300 --> 00:02:23.740 Do you not judge those who are inside? 00:02:24.300 --> 00:02:26.819 But those who are outside, God judges. 00:02:27.439 --> 00:02:31.120 Therefore, put away from yourselves the evil person. 00:02:31.120 --> 00:02:42.159 Dare any of you having a matter against another, against another, go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints. 00:02:42.719 --> 00:02:45.400 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? 00:02:45.740 --> 00:02:53.680 And if you and if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 00:02:54.099 --> 00:02:56.980 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? 00:02:56.979 --> 00:03:00.579 How much more things that pertain to this life? 00:03:01.519 --> 00:03:09.259 If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 00:03:09.899 --> 00:03:11.500 I say this to your shame. 00:03:12.179 --> 00:03:18.879 It is so that there is not a wise man among you, not even one who will be able to judge between his brethren. 00:03:19.919 --> 00:03:24.519 But brother goes to law against another and that before unbelievers. 00:03:24.520 --> 00:03:33.000 Now, therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. 00:03:33.540 --> 00:03:35.580 Why do you not rather accept wrong? 00:03:35.960 --> 00:03:38.320 Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 00:03:39.160 --> 00:03:44.939 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat and you do these things to your brethren. 00:03:45.820 --> 00:03:49.800 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? 00:03:49.800 --> 00:03:51.620 Do not be deceived. 00:03:52.219 --> 00:04:05.960 Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 00:04:06.180 --> 00:04:08.680 And such were some of you. 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:10.540 But you were washed. 00:04:11.220 --> 00:04:12.320 You were sanctified. 00:04:12.319 --> 00:04:19.000 You were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God. 00:04:19.719 --> 00:04:21.620 The word of God for the people of God. 00:04:23.139 --> 00:04:24.040 Thanks be to God. 00:04:24.099 --> 00:04:24.659 Please be seated. 00:04:24.660 --> 00:04:50.000 Lord, our minds are so limited and so full of concerns of this world. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:58.560 Lord, please shine the light of your word through Jesus Christ into our minds, Lord. 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:06.680 Father, our eyes are so often drawn to things that are visible by the power of your Holy Spirit. 00:05:06.839 --> 00:05:11.240 Please open our eyes of faith to behold what is unseen. 00:05:11.240 --> 00:05:11.340 Amen. 00:05:13.500 --> 00:05:21.500 We pray, Lord, that the reality that we already enjoy through union to Christ in the spiritual realm. 00:05:21.819 --> 00:05:29.460 We pray, Lord, that you will show us how this gets worked out in our lives and especially as a gathered congregation. 00:05:29.840 --> 00:05:30.980 For your glory we ask. 00:05:31.379 --> 00:05:31.699 Amen. 00:05:31.699 --> 00:05:31.800 Amen. 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:31.879 Amen. 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:44.340 An army at war needs a vision of their home country at peace again. 00:05:45.960 --> 00:05:49.379 You picture these soldiers in the trenches in a World War I setting. 00:05:50.259 --> 00:05:53.960 What is it that keeps them there day after day in miserable conditions? 00:05:54.980 --> 00:06:00.019 They're thinking of the joy of being back home with their loved ones at peace once again. 00:06:01.800 --> 00:06:09.540 The church militant now needs to look to God's vision of the church victorious one day. 00:06:11.160 --> 00:06:15.720 Proverbs 29, 18 says where there is no vision, the people perish. 00:06:16.280 --> 00:06:21.699 The vision we need is of Christ's consummate kingdom. 00:06:21.699 --> 00:06:35.899 The word consummate, according to Noah Webster's dictionary of 1828, it means completed, perfected, finished, carried to the utmost place, the final destination. 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:39.219 That's the consummate kingdom of Christ. 00:06:39.220 --> 00:06:52.920 And as God elevates our view of his kingdom in heaven, we trust and we pray, and I ask you to please pray with me, that God will elevate our vision of his kingdom on earth as well. 00:06:54.040 --> 00:07:02.080 May the vision of Jesus Christ's consummate kingdom in the eternal state strengthen you and me and us as a local church. 00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:08.039 We gather now as sojourners, as pilgrims, but we are citizens of heaven now. 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:10.099 We need his strength. 00:07:10.839 --> 00:07:16.319 So I want to walk through four questions relating to the consummate kingdom of Christ. 00:07:16.439 --> 00:07:18.000 The first one is the concept. 00:07:18.259 --> 00:07:23.339 Where does this concept of his consummate kingdom in the eternal state, where does this come from? 00:07:23.339 --> 00:07:26.019 Does it come from man? 00:07:26.619 --> 00:07:27.459 Men's ideas? 00:07:29.779 --> 00:07:33.199 Well, take a look at 1 Corinthians chapter 6, verse 2. 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:44.299 Paul has a clear picture of the consummate kingdom in mind as he's exhorting this church, this local church in the city of Corinth with a bunch of problems. 00:07:44.919 --> 00:07:51.159 But he says in verse 2, the saints will judge the world. 00:07:51.160 --> 00:07:54.620 He knows what this is all going toward. 00:07:55.100 --> 00:08:12.460 Your life as a local body, it's preparing you for the wonderful ministry God is going to give his church in the eternal state, where the saints, who are the saints, former sinners, all true Christians are the saints, anyone clothed in Christ's righteousness. 00:08:13.180 --> 00:08:15.379 You will judge the world. 00:08:15.740 --> 00:08:17.920 And the word judge is to rule. 00:08:18.320 --> 00:08:20.420 You will rule over the world. 00:08:21.160 --> 00:08:22.420 Now look at verse 9. 00:08:23.040 --> 00:08:25.080 It's not just the one thought that Paul has. 00:08:25.160 --> 00:08:28.560 This is really in context with everything he has to say here. 00:08:29.380 --> 00:08:30.340 He asks it in the negative. 00:08:30.540 --> 00:08:35.920 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? 00:08:36.860 --> 00:08:38.519 And he's very clear on that point. 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:39.519 Do not be deceived. 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:44.340 He says there's no place for those who love sin in Christ's consummate kingdom. 00:08:45.659 --> 00:08:52.539 But to put it in the positive, you saints will inherit the kingdom of God. 00:08:53.539 --> 00:08:54.740 Look at verse 11. 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:59.360 He says, oh, remember, such were some of you. 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:03.080 All of those worst sins committed in the world. 00:09:03.080 --> 00:09:06.659 That's exactly who the church is made up of. 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:07.759 That's us. 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:10.799 But now we're washed by his Holy Spirit. 00:09:10.799 --> 00:09:12.039 We're united to Christ. 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:14.319 We have been sanctified already. 00:09:14.319 --> 00:09:15.460 In verse 11. 00:09:15.819 --> 00:09:20.939 You were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God. 00:09:20.940 --> 00:09:25.880 Though that's what we all are outside of Christ. 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:30.720 We who are covered by Christ's righteousness have this promise. 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:35.080 We will inherit the kingdom of God. 00:09:37.180 --> 00:09:42.100 You see how Paul addresses really practical, messy problems within the life of a church. 00:09:43.160 --> 00:09:49.480 It's because he has a clear picture and he's confident in what this is all leading toward. 00:09:49.480 --> 00:09:51.539 Where did Paul get that from? 00:09:53.420 --> 00:10:00.220 To take a bit broader context, his second letter to the same church as 2 Corinthians in chapter 12 of that letter. 00:10:00.960 --> 00:10:07.399 He talks about how by the spirit he was caught up in what he called the third heaven. 00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:11.720 So not the atmosphere right here, not even just the stars, but heaven. 00:10:12.259 --> 00:10:14.080 The presence of God himself. 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:17.700 Whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know. 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:18.539 God knows. 00:10:18.539 --> 00:10:22.000 So he's even saying even with that, there's a veil here. 00:10:22.439 --> 00:10:26.219 We can't try to peer beyond what God has kept veiled in his wisdom. 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:30.699 But yet there's promise there for the church, for our good. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:40.480 He wrote, I was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for man to utter. 00:10:40.819 --> 00:10:42.740 Again, God showed him some things. 00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:46.639 He's not even given permission to give to the church now. 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:52.259 But it certainly tells us this vision of the consummate kingdom of Christ is clear. 00:10:52.899 --> 00:11:00.620 And there's a witness, an apostle, by the inspiration of the spirit, exhorting the church to look to that day for our good. 00:11:00.620 --> 00:11:11.500 The realities of God's kingdom in heaven elevated Paul's perspective of God's kingdom on earth. 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:20.240 This concept of the consummate kingdom of God originates with God himself. 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:28.740 The consummate kingdom, which is the holy God uniting a people that he redeemed for himself. 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:32.220 This is God's eternal decree. 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:37.539 This is God's divine wisdom before the foundations of the world. 00:11:37.539 --> 00:11:44.259 This is the immutable will of God, the creator. 00:11:45.059 --> 00:11:54.399 In Ephesians 1 verses 3 through 6, we read that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. 00:11:54.980 --> 00:12:00.539 As Christ is already seated at the right hand of God, the father, and we're united to him by the ministry of the spirit. 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:07.439 We already enjoy the blessings that are immeasurable through union to Christ now in this life. 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:11.539 Just as he chose us in him, when? 00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:14.000 Before the foundation of the world. 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:18.480 There's the concept of the church in God's mind, so to speak. 00:12:19.199 --> 00:12:24.860 That we should be holy and without blame before him in love. 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:28.679 Verse 5 of Ephesians 1. 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:34.079 Having predestined us to the adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself. 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:35.399 Listen to this part. 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:39.120 According to the good pleasure of his will. 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:43.980 It's the love of God that conceives the church. 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:52.939 To the praise of the glory of his grace by which he has made us accepted in Christ the beloved. 00:12:52.940 --> 00:13:01.600 God designed, decreed, and predestined his future kingdom because of his good pleasure. 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:07.080 According to the abundance of his mercy for his glory and his praise. 00:13:07.260 --> 00:13:14.520 This is where the concept of God's consummate kingdom accomplished through Christ originates. 00:13:15.040 --> 00:13:18.040 God alone established his kingdom. 00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:23.419 Because Christ is the head and the king of kings. 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:26.439 He alone rules over his church. 00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:29.000 Even now in churches like this. 00:13:29.219 --> 00:13:31.419 He alone sustains his church. 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:33.240 He alone protects it. 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:35.079 He alone builds his church. 00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:37.480 He alone legislates. 00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:43.980 And he alone can secure his kingdom until that consummate eternal state. 00:13:45.659 --> 00:13:48.300 Well, scripture doesn't leave us guessing beyond that. 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:55.560 We do have wonderful promises given now about the setting and the nature of Christ's consummate kingdom as well. 00:13:56.759 --> 00:14:04.240 In our sermon passage in verse 9, he refers to this kingdom that the saints will inherit. 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:13.600 There will be a great day of judgment and those who love their sin and despise Christ and his work have no place in this consummate kingdom. 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:19.700 But those who were sinners who are now saints united to Christ, they will inherit this kingdom. 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:26.419 To get the most clear and long description, could you please turn to Revelation 21? 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:33.740 As you're turning to Revelation 21, let me read a couple other witnesses. 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:40.299 Through the prophets, God inspired from the Old Testament and the New Testament leading up to that consummate vision. 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:43.039 Isaiah 65, 17. 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.759 God reveals this. 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:55.620 I will create a new heavens and a new earth and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:58.740 Isaiah 66, 22. 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:11.299 As the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make shall remain before me, so shall the name of the Messiah and those born of Christ remain before God forever. 00:15:12.299 --> 00:15:14.659 So what's the setting that's promised? 00:15:15.179 --> 00:15:17.139 A new heavens, a new earth. 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:20.500 How glorious will it be? 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:29.019 It'll so fill our minds that this world with all of the trouble and the sin and the sickness and problems, it won't even come to mind. 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:31.699 And what will it be like? 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:33.019 What's the nature of this kingdom? 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:38.939 The name of the Messiah will be exalted in the consummate kingdom. 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:49.980 And the people that this Messiah secured for himself will be before Christ, the Messiah, and before God forevermore. 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:52.200 That's the nature of this kingdom. 00:15:54.720 --> 00:16:00.140 And this will happen when the Lord returns for his second coming, a great day of reckoning. 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:07.100 And we have these promises scattered throughout the Psalms and the New Testament as well, as well as books of prophecy. 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:11.799 That when the kingdom of heaven comes to earth, it will come in power. 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:14.519 And he will reign and he will judge. 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:20.539 He'll demolish the strong towers of the enemy and of man. 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:23.360 He will crush those who oppose him. 00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:26.919 He will judge the living and the dead. 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:29.500 All will stand before him and give account. 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:41.419 Revelation 21, starting at verse 1, another apostle, John, is given a glimpse of this consummate kingdom. 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:44.659 And the spirit breathed out these words through his pen. 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:55.580 I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride, adorned for her husband. 00:16:55.580 --> 00:17:09.779 And I heard a loud voice, verse 3 says, from heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people. 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:13.019 God himself will be with them and be their God. 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:17.360 Verse 4, God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. 00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:26.899 There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor shall there be pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:32.899 Then he who sat on the throne said, behold, I will make all things new. 00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:35.900 And he said to me, write for those. 00:17:36.280 --> 00:17:38.220 These words are true and faithful. 00:17:38.580 --> 00:17:40.620 In verse 6, he said to me, it is done. 00:17:41.600 --> 00:17:44.880 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:50.900 I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:54.600 He who overcomes shall inherit all things. 00:17:55.080 --> 00:17:58.780 And I will be his God and he shall be my son. 00:17:58.779 --> 00:18:14.500 Do you see how that the same imagery from Isaiah and from the Psalms is now fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Alpha, the Omega, the one who adopts a people into the family of God. 00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:19.779 Jesus Christ, who tabernacled among us, John says, is now inaugurating. 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:23.059 Well, he already inaugurated in his in his work on earth. 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:24.200 Now he's consummating. 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:28.359 He's bringing down from heaven onto the new earth, this kingdom. 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:36.259 So that's the setting and the nature of how our redemption will be finally completed. 00:18:37.379 --> 00:18:52.539 Ephesians 110 says in the administration of the fullness of the times, he will gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in him. 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:58.000 Jesus Christ and John chapter 12, verse 31. 00:18:58.579 --> 00:19:03.339 He pronounced that the kingdom of heaven is coming and it's now at hand. 00:19:03.379 --> 00:19:09.119 He said in Matthew, John 12, 31, he says, now is the time for the judgment of the world. 00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:12.200 Now the prince of the world will be driven out. 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:15.380 And so this is the language we get in scripture. 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:20.220 It's an already inaugurated, already begun, but not yet consummated. 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:22.440 We still look forward to that that great day. 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:27.059 We do enjoy a foretaste now of this nature of the new kingdom. 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:42.319 When Christ rules over his people, the setting of this new kingdom will be so glorious and so vast that the earth and the heavens recreated, made new in such a way that we won't even be able to remember what this old world was like. 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:47.200 The third question is, what will we do? 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:52.759 What will be part of our job and our role in this consummate kingdom of Christ? 00:19:54.840 --> 00:20:02.420 There's much that all of the scriptures say, and we could spend many weeks just on on all that we can wonder about relating to heaven. 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:07.100 I have to limit it for today to what we've seen in our passage in First Corinthians. 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:09.039 One of the things we will do. 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:15.080 Would you look at First Corinthians chapter six in our sermon passage? 00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:19.759 In chapter six, verses two and three. 00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:22.960 In verse two, he says, you saints. 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:27.599 You are worthy to judge all sorts of matters. 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:33.159 Those who don't know Christ are not worthy to judge those matters relating to the church. 00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:38.139 Even relationships or problems within members of the church. 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:45.059 And in verse three, he says, we, we who are saints in Christ, we shall judge angels. 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:48.500 We shall rule over angels. 00:20:49.919 --> 00:20:54.819 This is quite a statement because in Psalm eight, we're given the order of created beings. 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:59.819 So that's God, the creator overall in taking on a flesh. 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:03.039 Jesus Christ made himself lower than the angels. 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:09.379 And Adam, you know, in that sense was was put lower than the angels, but ruling over the created realm. 00:21:10.439 --> 00:21:13.899 Now in the new heavens and the new earth, the consummate kingdom of Christ. 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:19.000 It's not angels who get to enjoy union to God. 00:21:19.380 --> 00:21:20.940 It's human beings. 00:21:21.280 --> 00:21:23.920 Those those man and woman made in God's image. 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:27.759 You know, Christ did not take on the form of an angel. 00:21:28.320 --> 00:21:30.700 He took on the form of a man. 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:47.920 He elevates mankind from our low position being dust of this earth and elevates us above to rule over the angels and his consummate, consummate kingdom in the order of the new creation, the new heavens and the new earth. 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:54.900 You see, in the messiness of the church in Corinth and Corinthian city, this is what Paul wants them to think about. 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:59.240 Want to settle all the problems and issues within your church. 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.860 Think about the position. 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:05.439 You former sinners listing all these sins that you once were. 00:22:05.919 --> 00:22:11.079 This is your position in Christ in the consummate kingdom forevermore in all eternity. 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:17.919 How could that not elevate your thoughts about belonging to him now in his local church? 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:26.199 The argument Paul is making to this church is from the greater to the lesser. 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:46.559 Since his saints are going to be judging the spiritual beings like angels with Christ in his future kingdom when he ushers in the new heavens and the new earth, then surely his gathered saints have everything we need to judge human beings on matters within Christ's special kingdom on earth. 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.759 The local church. 00:22:48.080 --> 00:22:49.259 You see the argument? 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:54.880 You have everything you need, church, to be an outpost of the kingdom of heaven. 00:22:54.880 --> 00:23:01.840 In Matthew 19, 28, Jesus also promised this order in the new consummate kingdom. 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:10.960 He said to his disciples, truly, I say to you in the new world, when the son of man will sit on his glorious throne. 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:13.940 That's that revelation 21 vision. 00:23:15.040 --> 00:23:23.820 You, my disciples, you who have followed me will also sit on thrones ruling with Christ. 00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:28.920 That's the spiritual reality Christians enjoy. 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:35.640 The local church is that central to the coming kingdom of God. 00:23:36.780 --> 00:23:43.480 First Corinthians, this passage that we see, there's a clear line between the church and the world. 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:53.660 In chapter five, verses 12 and 13, which we read, the church is to judge those who are inside in a Christ honoring way. 00:23:54.460 --> 00:24:00.579 Now, as Christ is the head, there's to be order under Christ as the king of his church. 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:04.579 He says God will judge those who are outside of the church. 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:06.500 And there's a clear line. 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:09.960 You are of the world or you are of the church. 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:14.919 Calvin's comment was this on those verses. 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:24.139 Whenever believers meet in one place, I can clarify, he means as a biblically ordered local body of Christ. 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:34.200 There is already in their assembly an image of the future judgment, which will be perfectly brought to light on the last day. 00:24:35.020 --> 00:24:44.200 The authority of the church is greater than that of the world because there in the church, Christ's tribunal is erected. 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:50.340 There in the local church, Christ exercises his authority. 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:53.519 I love that powerful image. 00:24:53.939 --> 00:25:01.959 When a local church meets and gathers in the name of Jesus, where they are gathered in his name, he is with them. 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:11.500 And the reformers who would agree with John Calvin said there in a local church, Christ's tribunal is erected. 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:15.199 Christ sits as the Lord and ruler of all. 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:24.600 And his people, his saints who are united with him, you could say, are getting practice on what it means to rule as Christians. 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:27.559 And again, he's writing to the members of this local church. 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:38.960 Everyone who is a believer has a responsibility to be prepared for this high place that God has for us in the eternal consummate kingdom, the new heavens and the new earth. 00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:44.539 And Christ's rule is already begun in a special way within the local church. 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:47.380 That's the role of God's people. 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:51.279 The last question is, who are these people? 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:55.900 Who are these citizens in Christ's consummate kingdom? 00:25:57.000 --> 00:26:03.740 Taking it from our sermon passage, 1 Corinthians chapter 6, verse 2, simply calls them the saints. 00:26:04.840 --> 00:26:05.460 The saints. 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:07.840 These are the ones who will judge the world. 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:20.279 This is a reference to what the creeds, like the apostolic creed and the Nicene Creed, they call the invisible or universal holy Christian church. 00:26:22.439 --> 00:26:26.459 These are the saints, those who are already united to Christ. 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:32.160 And they are safe and secure through faith alone, united to Christ. 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:37.000 They're the ones who will rule over the world in his consummate kingdom. 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:41.579 Hebrews 12, 23 is helpful to us. 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:47.000 The language in Hebrews 12 is the saints are the general assembly. 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:56.440 General meaning, meaning the broadest sense, the greatest gathering assembly is, you know, the ecclesia, you know, the broadest view of the church. 00:26:57.880 --> 00:27:07.740 And the church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven to God, the judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect. 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:13.339 See, just how it was God's eternal plan to manifest his glory in the church. 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:19.240 It's the church now that becomes the magnifying glass of this glory of God to the world. 00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:23.819 That's why he leaves his church in the world for this time. 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:25.599 Our years on earth are so short. 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.960 And he's not left us as orphans. 00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:40.740 As we gather in his name, his spirit is with his church in a special way to magnify his grace and his glory and extend his mission until every last one that Christ purchased with his own blood comes to believe in him. 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:53.779 Colossians 118 says that Jesus Christ is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he may have preeminence. 00:27:53.779 --> 00:28:11.660 Christ is displayed to the world as local churches make him preeminent, lift up his glory and show that he is the ruler of our lives individually in our households and in a special way when we come together as a church. 00:28:12.639 --> 00:28:19.799 The Second London Confession of Faith, chapter 26, verse one, describes the universal church this way. 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:28.700 It's universal, which with respect to the internal work of the spirit and truth of grace may be called invisible. 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:38.619 And it consists of the whole number of the elect that have been, are or shall be gathered into one under Christ, the head thereof. 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:45.240 This church is the spouse, the body and the fullness of him that fills all in all. 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:50.539 Taking some of the images God has given us in the New Testament to describe the church. 00:28:53.940 --> 00:29:01.640 17th century congregationalist named Jonathan Edwards wondered at this glorious truth that we've seen today. 00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:04.680 He came to this conclusion from scripture. 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:14.339 God the Father created the world in order to prepare a bride for God the Son. 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:15.759 God the Son. 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:15.759 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:15.759 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:15.759 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:15.759 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:15.759 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:15.759 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:15.759 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.759 God the Son. 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:19.759 God the Son. 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:19.759 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:20.759 God the Son. 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:25.120 That's how much the consummate kingdom of Christ is secured. 00:29:25.120 --> 00:29:27.460 It's God's concept. 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:29.059 It's God's work. 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:36.140 It's God's sustaining power from the very beginning to the very end. 00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:42.740 And it's for sinners like you and me that he will call saints by grace alone. 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:47.279 We heard last week of the criminal on the cross. 00:29:48.880 --> 00:29:54.180 That man will be a citizen in the consummate kingdom of Christ. 00:29:54.180 --> 00:30:04.960 If God takes one of our precious children that's in this room who already trusts in Christ as Savior and Lord, 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:10.440 before that child gets baptized, before they ever get to taste the Lord's Supper, 00:30:11.320 --> 00:30:15.539 that child will still be in the consummate kingdom of Christ. 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:21.480 If God has already saved you, already united you to Jesus Christ, 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:24.359 you are safe, secure in him forever. 00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:29.980 Your place in the eternal kingdom of God is guaranteed by God himself. 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:33.359 You can never get kidnapped away. 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:38.920 You can never suffer identity theft or be taken hostage. 00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:44.759 You can't even do anything so bad as to break the tie, 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:49.100 the bond that Christ has on you through his covenant of grace. 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:53.000 You could go on the rest of your life. 00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:56.800 You could accuse me of being licentious for what I'm about to say. 00:30:57.380 --> 00:30:59.500 You could go on the rest of your life, 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:03.200 not obeying a single one of the Ten Commandments. 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:09.660 Never make your union to Christ public by becoming a member of a local church. 00:31:10.080 --> 00:31:13.660 Never commit your discipleship to the oversight of a local body. 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:17.120 Never really study what discipleship to Christ means. 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:22.019 Never carry out a single duty he has given to Christians. 00:31:25.600 --> 00:31:27.519 And he calls you a saint. 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:27.580 Amen. 00:31:33.200 --> 00:31:41.340 Why would anyone want to or bother walk in obedience to Christ if that's the case? 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:47.680 Any step of obedience we take should only have one motive, 00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:50.940 and it's given to us in 1 John 4.19. 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:57.660 We love him because he first loved us. 00:31:57.660 --> 00:32:04.340 Our obedience to Jesus Christ is a reflex, a response of love. 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:06.400 It's a response of gratitude. 00:32:07.680 --> 00:32:13.500 And it's only those who truly see how much he has loved us in Jesus Christ that will desire that. 00:32:16.320 --> 00:32:21.500 It's the Holy Spirit in a believer that lets you rest in this promise, 00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:26.220 that this grace that doesn't depend on any work of man, 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:30.200 it's all of God because God is that loving. 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:37.480 I want to end today by encouraging you and reminding you one more time 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:41.079 of how much God loves you in Jesus Christ. 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:44.440 Isaiah 49 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:49.920 sends a message out from a prophet of Israel to all the world. 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:50.539 He says, 00:32:51.080 --> 00:32:52.700 Here, O coastlands, 00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:56.759 there's a servant prepared. 00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:02.360 The servant is God the Son. 00:33:04.140 --> 00:33:06.980 And he's prepared for the fullness of time 00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:10.100 to carry out and execute the plan 00:33:10.100 --> 00:33:12.140 of the triune God. 00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:14.000 Why? 00:33:14.920 --> 00:33:17.640 Because God so loved the world 00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:20.680 that he gave his only begotten Son 00:33:20.680 --> 00:33:23.160 that whosoever would believe in him 00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:24.480 should not perish, 00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:28.240 but will have everlasting life in him. 00:33:30.140 --> 00:33:31.900 The rest of Isaiah 49, 00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:33.500 it's a dialogue 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:35.560 between God the Father 00:33:35.560 --> 00:33:36.800 and the servant, 00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:37.960 the Messiah, 00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.160 Jesus Christ, 00:33:39.280 --> 00:33:39.880 God the Son. 00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:42.940 The Puritan John Flavel 00:33:42.940 --> 00:33:44.940 paraphrased this dialogue 00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:46.280 from Isaiah 49 00:33:46.280 --> 00:33:47.320 this way. 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:51.800 The Father pulls the Son next to him 00:33:51.800 --> 00:33:52.320 and says, 00:33:53.180 --> 00:33:53.520 Look, 00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:56.100 here is a vast multitude 00:33:56.100 --> 00:33:56.840 of poor, 00:33:57.420 --> 00:33:57.880 miserable sinners 00:33:58.420 --> 00:34:00.340 condemned by their guilt. 00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:03.120 Divine justice 00:34:03.120 --> 00:34:04.620 must be satisfied. 00:34:06.360 --> 00:34:07.240 The Son says, 00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:10.480 to magnify our divine love 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:12.300 and glorious holiness 00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:15.239 rather than letting them perish eternally, 00:34:15.679 --> 00:34:17.679 I will be responsible for them 00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:18.860 as their surety. 00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:20.900 Bring me all their bills. 00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:23.079 Let me see all they owe us. 00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:25.860 I choose to suffer divine wrath 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:27.780 rather than they suffer it. 00:34:28.239 --> 00:34:29.380 Upon me, my Father, 00:34:29.699 --> 00:34:32.119 upon me be all their debt. 00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:37.559 The Father continues this conversation. 00:34:39.179 --> 00:34:40.000 Oh, but my son, 00:34:40.699 --> 00:34:42.519 if you undertake for them, 00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:45.819 you must reckon to pay the last penny. 00:34:47.159 --> 00:34:48.759 Expect no reduction. 00:34:50.179 --> 00:34:52.839 For divine grace to spare them, 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:56.679 divine justice may not spare you. 00:34:56.679 --> 00:35:00.279 The Son responds, 00:35:01.339 --> 00:35:02.539 I am content. 00:35:03.279 --> 00:35:03.719 Father, 00:35:04.259 --> 00:35:05.219 let it be so. 00:35:06.179 --> 00:35:08.519 Charge it all upon me. 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:11.579 I am able to bear it. 00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:14.419 And though it impoverished me 00:35:14.419 --> 00:35:15.839 of all my riches 00:35:15.839 --> 00:35:17.139 and emptied me 00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:18.460 of all my treasures, 00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:20.000 for indeed it did. 00:35:20.079 --> 00:35:22.099 2 Corinthians 8, 9 says, 00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:23.739 Though he was rich, 00:35:23.839 --> 00:35:25.739 yet for our sakes he became poor. 00:35:25.739 --> 00:35:28.279 God the Son says, 00:35:28.399 --> 00:35:29.879 yet I am content 00:35:29.879 --> 00:35:31.279 to undertake it. 00:35:33.779 --> 00:35:35.799 You see how the church 00:35:35.799 --> 00:35:39.359 is Christ's beloved. 00:35:40.799 --> 00:35:43.439 The church was God's eternal plan 00:35:43.439 --> 00:35:44.979 to manifest his glory 00:35:44.979 --> 00:35:47.279 through the church 00:35:47.279 --> 00:35:48.339 to the world. 00:35:49.739 --> 00:35:51.279 And it's the church, 00:35:52.039 --> 00:35:53.199 not only universal, 00:35:53.399 --> 00:35:55.079 but also visible. 00:35:55.739 --> 00:35:57.059 Not only the, 00:35:57.199 --> 00:35:57.959 you know, 00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:59.619 the global and invisible church, 00:35:59.739 --> 00:36:00.959 but also the local, 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:01.759 little body, 00:36:02.139 --> 00:36:03.939 even the simple one here like ours. 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:05.279 Christ says, 00:36:05.379 --> 00:36:06.079 this is precious. 00:36:07.159 --> 00:36:09.699 This is the most exalted institution 00:36:09.699 --> 00:36:10.719 in the world. 00:36:12.719 --> 00:36:14.159 Think of Jesus' prayer 00:36:14.159 --> 00:36:15.299 in Matthew 6, 9. 00:36:16.419 --> 00:36:16.939 Disciples, 00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:18.319 when you pray, 00:36:18.439 --> 00:36:19.199 pray like this. 00:36:19.199 --> 00:36:20.739 Our Father, 00:36:20.859 --> 00:36:21.679 who art in heaven, 00:36:22.239 --> 00:36:23.259 hallowed be your name. 00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:25.139 Your kingdom come, 00:36:25.239 --> 00:36:26.159 your will be done, 00:36:26.359 --> 00:36:28.559 on earth as it is in heaven. 00:36:30.399 --> 00:36:31.939 And it's the local church, 00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:34.159 this is where 00:36:34.159 --> 00:36:36.539 the prayer of our eternal King Jesus 00:36:36.539 --> 00:36:37.319 comes true. 00:36:38.519 --> 00:36:39.960 Until he consummates 00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:41.339 his reign in majesty, 00:36:41.339 --> 00:36:42.379 in power, 00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:43.660 and in dominion. 00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:45.000 Till his justice 00:36:45.000 --> 00:36:46.059 and his peace 00:36:46.059 --> 00:36:48.180 cover this world 00:36:48.180 --> 00:36:49.119 with his glory. 00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:50.980 And every knee will bow 00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:52.220 and every tongue 00:36:52.220 --> 00:36:53.340 will confess 00:36:53.340 --> 00:36:54.400 that Jesus Christ 00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:55.500 is Lord 00:36:55.500 --> 00:36:56.940 to the glory of God. 00:36:57.700 --> 00:36:59.160 Let's pray and thank him. 00:37:04.420 --> 00:37:05.420 Oh Lord, 00:37:05.920 --> 00:37:07.840 your spirit stirs up our minds 00:37:07.840 --> 00:37:10.579 and makes us homesick 00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:12.860 for this consummate kingdom. 00:37:14.860 --> 00:37:15.360 Lord, 00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:16.039 we confess 00:37:16.039 --> 00:37:17.360 we're so limited 00:37:17.360 --> 00:37:18.420 we can barely even 00:37:18.420 --> 00:37:20.300 receive these glorious truths. 00:37:21.280 --> 00:37:22.340 We trust, Lord, 00:37:22.420 --> 00:37:23.100 that there will be 00:37:23.100 --> 00:37:23.700 a cosmos 00:37:23.700 --> 00:37:25.039 recreated, 00:37:25.800 --> 00:37:26.600 a new heavens, 00:37:26.720 --> 00:37:27.340 a new earth, 00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:28.900 that Jesus Christ 00:37:28.900 --> 00:37:29.579 will reign, 00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:31.840 that his peace 00:37:31.840 --> 00:37:34.200 will be all that we know 00:37:34.200 --> 00:37:34.780 and enjoy. 00:37:35.400 --> 00:37:36.400 We do long 00:37:36.400 --> 00:37:37.340 for that day, Father. 00:37:38.280 --> 00:37:39.200 In the meantime, 00:37:39.380 --> 00:37:40.720 we are so limited 00:37:40.720 --> 00:37:41.620 and constrained 00:37:41.620 --> 00:37:42.340 and weak. 00:37:43.300 --> 00:37:44.880 We depend on your spirit. 00:37:45.380 --> 00:37:46.440 We depend on your word 00:37:46.440 --> 00:37:47.460 to build your church 00:37:47.460 --> 00:37:48.340 as you say you will. 00:37:49.039 --> 00:37:50.000 Please do this, Father, 00:37:50.079 --> 00:37:50.680 even in this 00:37:50.680 --> 00:37:51.660 small, 00:37:51.940 --> 00:37:52.820 local congregation. 00:37:53.740 --> 00:37:54.900 As we decrease, 00:37:55.039 --> 00:37:55.880 may you increase. 00:37:56.019 --> 00:37:56.559 May Christ 00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:58.180 be lifted up. 00:37:58.539 --> 00:37:59.460 May he be preeminent. 00:38:00.180 --> 00:38:01.320 And through this congregation, 00:38:01.579 --> 00:38:01.780 Father, 00:38:02.079 --> 00:38:03.220 may the world see 00:38:03.220 --> 00:38:04.760 how lovely you are 00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:05.539 in the person 00:38:05.539 --> 00:38:06.360 and work of God, 00:38:06.360 --> 00:38:07.099 the Son, 00:38:07.400 --> 00:38:08.120 Jesus Christ. 00:38:07.960 --> 00:38:09.780 For your glory we ask. 00:38:10.160 --> 00:38:10.519 Amen.