WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.620 Let's read together the Lord's Prayer from Matthew's Gospel. 00:00:05.679 --> 00:00:09.140 So that's found in Matthew chapter 6, verses 9 to 13. 00:00:09.140 --> 00:00:13.839 And Jesus teaches us to pray like this. 00:00:14.260 --> 00:00:14.580 He says, 00:00:14.580 --> 00:00:15.780 Pray then like this. 00:00:16.780 --> 00:00:18.899 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 00:00:19.440 --> 00:00:23.520 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:26.980 Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, 00:00:27.240 --> 00:00:29.540 as we also have forgiven our debtors. 00:00:29.900 --> 00:00:33.320 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:35.260 This is God's holy word. 00:00:39.140 --> 00:00:41.439 And it's good to see so many of you here tonight. 00:00:41.759 --> 00:00:42.980 I'm really excited. 00:00:43.620 --> 00:00:45.359 Keep your Bibles open on the Lord's Prayer. 00:00:45.359 --> 00:00:46.399 Matthew chapter 6. 00:00:47.719 --> 00:00:51.159 We are going through the Lord's Prayer still, 00:00:51.380 --> 00:00:54.620 which is almost like a little series in another series. 00:00:54.820 --> 00:00:56.179 You know, we're still in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:00:56.760 --> 00:01:00.340 but Jesus is now teaching the people the Lord's Prayer. 00:01:01.679 --> 00:01:05.519 Lewis was last week preaching on the beginning of the Lord's Prayer, 00:01:05.620 --> 00:01:06.680 our Father in heaven, 00:01:06.680 --> 00:01:09.940 and the comfort we find in that, that we are praying to our Father. 00:01:09.940 --> 00:01:13.260 And this time we're looking at the next verse, 00:01:13.520 --> 00:01:16.020 which is about the kingdom of God. 00:01:16.720 --> 00:01:20.260 Martin Lloyd-Jones, the famous Welsh preacher in the city of London 00:01:20.260 --> 00:01:21.660 in the 20th century, 00:01:22.220 --> 00:01:23.680 he writes this about the Lord's Prayer. 00:01:24.480 --> 00:01:27.120 Any man who attempts to preach on the Lord's Prayer 00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:29.340 must surely find himself in great difficulties. 00:01:30.300 --> 00:01:34.000 There is a sense in which it's almost presumptuous to preach on it at all. 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:37.799 One should simply repeat these phrases and meditate upon them 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:39.200 and consider them from the heart. 00:01:39.900 --> 00:01:41.280 For they themselves say everything. 00:01:41.819 --> 00:01:43.120 And the more I study this prayer, 00:01:43.340 --> 00:01:47.180 the more I believe that if only one used these phrases 00:01:47.180 --> 00:01:49.060 as our Lord intended them to be used, 00:01:49.260 --> 00:01:51.099 there is really nothing more to be said. 00:01:51.939 --> 00:01:53.900 But on the other hand, he says, 00:01:54.319 --> 00:01:55.740 we're all frail and fallible. 00:01:56.039 --> 00:01:57.560 We're all sinful creatures. 00:01:57.560 --> 00:02:02.579 And the result is that we need to have these things analyzed and enforced. 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:05.519 So we'll try to do that a little bit today. 00:02:05.680 --> 00:02:07.520 We try to analyze and then enforce, 00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:10.920 apply to our hearts the words of the Lord's Prayer. 00:02:12.240 --> 00:02:16.020 But Martin Lloyd-Jones is giving us the application, 00:02:16.140 --> 00:02:17.920 the application in this series, right? 00:02:18.680 --> 00:02:19.500 It's a prayer. 00:02:19.800 --> 00:02:21.879 We have to pray the Lord's Prayer. 00:02:22.340 --> 00:02:23.400 It's something we can preach from, 00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:25.000 but if you don't pray it, 00:02:25.379 --> 00:02:27.539 then it doesn't really have any value. 00:02:29.560 --> 00:02:31.620 Verse 10, the kingdom of God. 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:33.800 It's a fairly short verse. 00:02:33.900 --> 00:02:34.540 Your kingdom come, 00:02:34.920 --> 00:02:35.680 your will be done, 00:02:35.800 --> 00:02:37.960 on earth as it is on heaven. 00:02:38.259 --> 00:02:39.939 This verse talks about the kingdom of God. 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:41.920 And the kingdom of God, I have to tell you, 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:45.599 is one of the biggest themes that we find in all of Scripture. 00:02:46.960 --> 00:02:47.759 During the summer, 00:02:47.939 --> 00:02:50.719 we had a sermon series called Kingdom Parables. 00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:53.419 So today I will try a little bit 00:02:53.419 --> 00:02:56.520 to explain what the kingdom of God is. 00:02:56.680 --> 00:02:58.840 But if you still want more explanation, 00:02:59.300 --> 00:03:01.699 you can go back on Spotify or on YouTube 00:03:01.699 --> 00:03:05.780 and listen to this sermon series on the kingdom, 00:03:06.319 --> 00:03:07.819 on parables about the kingdom. 00:03:07.939 --> 00:03:09.819 Because Jesus gives us pictures 00:03:09.819 --> 00:03:12.819 to explain what the kingdom of God is like 00:03:12.819 --> 00:03:16.819 because it is not all that easy to say it in words. 00:03:16.819 --> 00:03:23.579 My sermon today is two parts, okay? 00:03:23.620 --> 00:03:25.919 We will try to figure out what the kingdom of God is, 00:03:26.099 --> 00:03:27.620 and then we will try to figure out 00:03:27.620 --> 00:03:29.120 why we should pray for the kingdom. 00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:30.979 So let's start with the first. 00:03:31.180 --> 00:03:32.500 What is the kingdom of God? 00:03:33.299 --> 00:03:36.159 Sometimes it is helpful to look at words 00:03:36.159 --> 00:03:37.079 and where they come from 00:03:37.079 --> 00:03:40.219 because our English words and the biblical words, 00:03:40.419 --> 00:03:42.840 they are not always the same principles. 00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:44.060 So the word kingdom, 00:03:44.780 --> 00:03:46.640 we all know the word kingdom 00:03:46.640 --> 00:03:48.219 because if someone asks you, 00:03:48.319 --> 00:03:48.740 where do you live? 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:50.060 You say, I live in Scotland 00:03:50.060 --> 00:03:52.280 or I live in the United Kingdom. 00:03:52.860 --> 00:03:57.140 So we associate the word kingdom with a place. 00:03:57.319 --> 00:04:00.180 A kingdom is a place where a king rules. 00:04:00.340 --> 00:04:01.819 In the biblical languages, however, 00:04:02.460 --> 00:04:05.520 the word kingdom refers not only to a place, 00:04:05.640 --> 00:04:08.800 but it also refers to an action. 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:12.100 The word kingdom stuck with us 00:04:12.100 --> 00:04:13.180 from the King James Version 00:04:13.180 --> 00:04:16.060 and before that from William Tyndale's 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:17.160 translations of the Bible. 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:18.980 But in the biblical languages, 00:04:19.139 --> 00:04:22.840 it refers more to the activity of a king 00:04:22.840 --> 00:04:24.980 reigning over his people. 00:04:25.639 --> 00:04:27.000 So we could say it means, 00:04:27.580 --> 00:04:29.340 the kingdom of God means, 00:04:29.960 --> 00:04:32.139 it is, or the kingdom of God is 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:34.019 where God's will is done, 00:04:34.400 --> 00:04:36.120 where God reigns. 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:38.939 And that is why right after 00:04:38.939 --> 00:04:41.120 the first sentence in our verse, 00:04:41.740 --> 00:04:42.800 your kingdom come, 00:04:43.040 --> 00:04:45.600 we read, your will be done. 00:04:45.860 --> 00:04:47.840 It is two sides of the same coin. 00:04:48.220 --> 00:04:49.500 The kingdom of God is 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:52.120 where God's will is done. 00:04:53.500 --> 00:04:54.280 And you see, 00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:56.699 the world had become a place 00:04:56.699 --> 00:04:59.220 where God's will hadn't been done. 00:04:59.399 --> 00:05:01.240 It wasn't enforced. 00:05:01.240 --> 00:05:01.759 Therefore, 00:05:02.360 --> 00:05:03.980 Jesus is now announcing 00:05:03.980 --> 00:05:06.639 that God's reign has come. 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:08.220 However, 00:05:08.660 --> 00:05:09.139 kingdom, 00:05:09.620 --> 00:05:10.259 this word kingdom, 00:05:10.400 --> 00:05:12.280 still assumes a place 00:05:12.280 --> 00:05:14.220 because if you say, 00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:14.519 okay, 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:15.460 God's will is done, 00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:17.079 God is sovereign, 00:05:17.240 --> 00:05:17.920 God is ruling, 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:19.660 then it still assumes 00:05:19.660 --> 00:05:21.240 that he's ruling over people 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:22.120 somewhere, 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:23.100 right? 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:25.600 But if we look at the second part 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:26.500 of this word kingdom, 00:05:26.759 --> 00:05:27.000 dem, 00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:27.519 you know, 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:27.759 the, 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:28.920 what do you say, 00:05:29.019 --> 00:05:29.379 suffix, 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:29.900 prefix, 00:05:29.899 --> 00:05:30.500 I don't know. 00:05:31.419 --> 00:05:32.579 It's like boredom, 00:05:32.759 --> 00:05:32.979 you know, 00:05:33.099 --> 00:05:34.120 it's a state, 00:05:34.239 --> 00:05:35.079 it's a condition, 00:05:35.159 --> 00:05:36.439 the condition of being bored. 00:05:36.959 --> 00:05:37.099 Now, 00:05:37.179 --> 00:05:38.620 kingdom is the condition 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:39.459 of being kinged, 00:05:39.620 --> 00:05:40.339 of being ruled, 00:05:40.459 --> 00:05:41.899 of being reigned over. 00:05:42.459 --> 00:05:43.519 It's quite simple, 00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:44.179 the definition, 00:05:44.339 --> 00:05:44.779 admittedly, 00:05:44.859 --> 00:05:45.819 but maybe it's helpful 00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:46.979 to think about it like that. 00:05:47.699 --> 00:05:48.739 The second thing I want to say 00:05:48.739 --> 00:05:50.259 is that the kingdom 00:05:50.259 --> 00:05:51.719 is the gospel. 00:05:52.479 --> 00:05:53.739 And what I mean by that 00:05:53.739 --> 00:05:55.439 is that in the Bible, 00:05:55.759 --> 00:05:57.759 we always talk about 00:05:57.759 --> 00:05:58.379 the gospel 00:05:58.379 --> 00:05:59.560 as the key message. 00:05:59.899 --> 00:06:01.259 But one scholar says 00:06:01.259 --> 00:06:03.139 that the kingdom of God 00:06:03.139 --> 00:06:03.959 is the idea 00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:04.799 that stitches 00:06:04.799 --> 00:06:06.719 the whole Bible together. 00:06:07.299 --> 00:06:08.319 And that's really helpful 00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:09.079 because it's true. 00:06:09.679 --> 00:06:11.120 From the first page 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:11.699 in the Bible, 00:06:12.419 --> 00:06:13.079 Genesis 1, 00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:14.659 to the last page 00:06:14.659 --> 00:06:15.199 in the Bible, 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:16.359 in the book of Revelations, 00:06:16.919 --> 00:06:18.839 we find this idea 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:20.779 of the kingdom of God. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:21.639 From the garden 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:22.299 to the city, 00:06:22.459 --> 00:06:22.879 from Eden 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:24.259 to New Jerusalem. 00:06:25.019 --> 00:06:25.899 And Jesus himself 00:06:25.899 --> 00:06:26.799 mentions the kingdom 00:06:26.799 --> 00:06:27.719 80 times, 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:28.099 I think, 00:06:28.100 --> 00:06:29.720 in the gospels. 00:06:30.280 --> 00:06:31.200 Which makes you think, 00:06:31.680 --> 00:06:31.860 okay, 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:33.000 I thought the gospels, 00:06:33.420 --> 00:06:33.640 you know, 00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:34.960 the gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:06:35.060 --> 00:06:35.680 he lived, 00:06:35.780 --> 00:06:36.100 he died, 00:06:36.180 --> 00:06:36.760 he was raised again. 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:38.400 That is the main message. 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:40.379 So why do I say 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:41.660 the kingdom of God 00:06:41.660 --> 00:06:42.620 is the main message? 00:06:42.840 --> 00:06:43.939 Because it's one, 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:45.420 it's the same thing. 00:06:46.460 --> 00:06:47.879 Even Jesus himself says, 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:49.160 he uses the phrase, 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:51.160 the gospel of the kingdom 00:06:51.160 --> 00:06:52.120 of God. 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:53.480 If you were here 00:06:53.480 --> 00:06:54.840 last Sunday morning, 00:06:55.379 --> 00:06:56.019 maybe you heard 00:06:56.019 --> 00:06:56.980 Corey preach 00:06:56.980 --> 00:06:57.819 on the question, 00:06:57.939 --> 00:06:58.699 what is the gospel? 00:06:59.259 --> 00:07:00.639 And he said something like, 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:03.160 the gospel is good news. 00:07:03.540 --> 00:07:04.660 It's an announcement. 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:06.540 It's like a newspaper article 00:07:06.540 --> 00:07:07.920 announcing something, 00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:09.319 giving you news. 00:07:10.300 --> 00:07:12.439 The gospel is news 00:07:12.439 --> 00:07:14.899 of the return of the king. 00:07:15.019 --> 00:07:15.660 That finally, 00:07:16.899 --> 00:07:18.040 in the midst of chaos, 00:07:18.180 --> 00:07:18.759 there will be order. 00:07:18.759 --> 00:07:20.459 In the midst of violence, 00:07:20.680 --> 00:07:21.379 there will be peace. 00:07:22.099 --> 00:07:23.500 And in the midst of darkness, 00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:24.480 there will be light. 00:07:25.180 --> 00:07:26.039 The good news, 00:07:26.180 --> 00:07:26.980 the gospel is, 00:07:27.459 --> 00:07:28.920 that the kingdom of God 00:07:28.920 --> 00:07:30.439 has arrived. 00:07:31.139 --> 00:07:32.039 Through the king, 00:07:32.259 --> 00:07:34.120 who comes in the middle of history 00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:36.420 to put things right again. 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:39.099 The kingdom is the gospel. 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:40.139 The whole Bible 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:42.079 is about God's kingdom. 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:43.519 Thirdly, 00:07:43.860 --> 00:07:45.800 kingdom means dominion. 00:07:46.719 --> 00:07:47.740 Dominion is not a word 00:07:47.740 --> 00:07:48.639 we use often. 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:51.259 in our day-to-day colloquial language. 00:07:52.099 --> 00:07:53.060 But it's throughout 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:53.819 the whole Bible. 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:54.079 Again, 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:55.379 it starts on the first page. 00:07:55.719 --> 00:07:56.599 Genesis 1, 00:07:57.079 --> 00:07:58.259 verse 26. 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:01.599 We read about this word, 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:02.480 dominion. 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:03.959 Interestingly, 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:05.060 it's not about 00:08:05.060 --> 00:08:07.079 God having dominion, 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:08.959 but it's about God 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:10.639 giving us dominion. 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:11.379 So what we learn 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:12.339 in that passage 00:08:12.339 --> 00:08:12.980 is actually 00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:14.099 that God 00:08:14.099 --> 00:08:15.319 wanted us 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:16.079 to rule. 00:08:16.839 --> 00:08:17.420 So we read, 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:18.620 God said, 00:08:18.620 --> 00:08:19.520 let us make man 00:08:19.520 --> 00:08:20.040 in our image 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:21.379 after our likeness 00:08:21.379 --> 00:08:23.040 and let them have dominion 00:08:23.040 --> 00:08:23.620 over the fish 00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:24.140 over the sea 00:08:24.140 --> 00:08:24.780 and over the birds 00:08:24.780 --> 00:08:25.400 of the heavens 00:08:25.400 --> 00:08:26.759 and over the livestock 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:27.960 and over all the earth 00:08:27.960 --> 00:08:29.600 and over every creeping thing 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:30.960 that creeps on the earth. 00:08:31.420 --> 00:08:31.920 So, 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:32.899 we see that 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:34.659 we have this dominion 00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:35.560 language 00:08:35.560 --> 00:08:37.259 right from the beginning 00:08:37.259 --> 00:08:38.220 of the Bible 00:08:38.220 --> 00:08:38.899 in the garden, 00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:41.179 not for God himself 00:08:41.179 --> 00:08:42.360 having dominion 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:43.179 over us, 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:44.500 but actually 00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:45.319 for us 00:08:45.319 --> 00:08:46.459 to rule 00:08:46.459 --> 00:08:48.000 over creation, 00:08:48.860 --> 00:08:50.399 intended in a very good way 00:08:50.399 --> 00:08:51.939 with responsibilities. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:53.939 Why? 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:55.019 Because we are 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:55.959 image bearers 00:08:55.959 --> 00:08:56.459 of God. 00:08:57.019 --> 00:08:58.179 We get this 00:08:58.179 --> 00:08:59.179 royal task 00:08:59.179 --> 00:08:59.759 of ruling, 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:00.639 of subduing 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:01.519 the creation 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:02.519 and caring for it. 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:03.539 We are all 00:09:03.539 --> 00:09:04.439 cultivators. 00:09:04.840 --> 00:09:05.699 We bring order 00:09:05.699 --> 00:09:06.659 into chaos. 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:07.639 We are all 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:09.120 gardeners in a way. 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:10.279 We cultivate, 00:09:10.419 --> 00:09:10.860 we develop, 00:09:11.059 --> 00:09:11.639 we are supposed 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:13.339 to reign over creation. 00:09:13.959 --> 00:09:14.659 We were given 00:09:14.659 --> 00:09:15.419 dominion. 00:09:16.819 --> 00:09:17.059 Now, 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:17.980 Richard Dawkins, 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:19.959 the popular 00:09:19.959 --> 00:09:20.579 atheist, 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:22.439 in his book 00:09:22.439 --> 00:09:23.480 The God Delusion, 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:24.139 he says 00:09:24.139 --> 00:09:25.039 a lot of things 00:09:25.039 --> 00:09:25.500 about God, 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:26.360 but one of the things 00:09:26.360 --> 00:09:27.259 he says is that 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:29.219 God is an unforgiving 00:09:29.219 --> 00:09:30.219 control freak. 00:09:30.980 --> 00:09:32.199 But in Genesis 1, 00:09:32.679 --> 00:09:33.459 we see 00:09:33.459 --> 00:09:34.500 God giving 00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:36.000 dominion over nature 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:37.000 and over animals 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:38.940 to human beings. 00:09:39.679 --> 00:09:40.559 God makes 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:41.740 Adam and Eve 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:43.139 co-rulers 00:09:43.139 --> 00:09:44.960 over his kingdom. 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:46.559 He gives them 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:47.039 the ability 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:47.539 to choose 00:09:47.539 --> 00:09:48.159 between right 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:48.620 and wrong. 00:09:49.139 --> 00:09:49.379 So, 00:09:49.700 --> 00:09:51.700 is that a control freak? 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:52.559 Is that what 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:53.659 a control freak does? 00:09:53.940 --> 00:09:54.899 I don't think so. 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:56.440 The problem is not 00:09:56.440 --> 00:09:57.159 that God is 00:09:57.159 --> 00:09:58.539 a control freak. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:09:59.360 The problem is 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:01.100 that we as human 00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:01.840 beings, 00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:03.639 we want to set up 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:04.379 our own kingdom. 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:06.039 We didn't want 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:07.220 to share with God. 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:08.220 We wanted to be 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:09.059 God ourselves. 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:09.919 So, 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:10.620 we had to leave 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:11.019 the kingdom 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:12.080 to set up 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:13.279 our own kingdom. 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:14.899 And now, 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:15.539 the other part 00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:16.179 of Dawkins' 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:17.500 claim, 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:17.939 he says, 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:18.840 God is unforgiving. 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:20.759 That is not true. 00:10:21.460 --> 00:10:22.600 The rest of the Bible, 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:23.820 after the first 00:10:23.820 --> 00:10:24.419 three chapters, 00:10:25.059 --> 00:10:25.919 is the story 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:27.059 about how God 00:10:27.059 --> 00:10:28.419 is trying to save us 00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:29.799 from ourselves, 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:30.899 from our own kingdom 00:10:30.899 --> 00:10:31.759 that has gone wrong 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:32.519 again, 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:33.500 and again, 00:10:33.919 --> 00:10:34.759 and again, 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:36.559 culminating in 00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:37.659 Jesus Christ, 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:38.319 the Son of God, 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:40.080 becoming human himself, 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:41.960 leaving his glory, 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:43.159 writing himself 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:44.200 into history, 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:45.200 and dying 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:46.220 for our sin, 00:10:47.340 --> 00:10:49.000 dying for our rebellion, 00:10:49.980 --> 00:10:50.720 dying for the fact 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:51.919 that we weren't satisfied 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:52.939 with ruling 00:10:52.939 --> 00:10:53.939 alongside God. 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:56.720 God wants to say, 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:57.639 come back to the kingdom. 00:10:58.179 --> 00:10:58.439 Now, 00:10:58.480 --> 00:10:59.000 the problem is 00:10:59.000 --> 00:10:59.819 we can't do that. 00:11:00.540 --> 00:11:01.320 We have left 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:01.760 the kingdom. 00:11:02.400 --> 00:11:03.260 We are sinful. 00:11:03.700 --> 00:11:04.620 Sin is not permitting 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:05.340 us to come back 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:05.640 to him. 00:11:06.260 --> 00:11:07.660 So what did he do? 00:11:09.140 --> 00:11:10.360 He sent his own son. 00:11:10.800 --> 00:11:11.860 He sent Jesus Christ. 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:13.379 And what did Jesus do? 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:15.379 He took all the sin 00:11:15.379 --> 00:11:15.879 on himself. 00:11:16.440 --> 00:11:17.420 He became 00:11:17.420 --> 00:11:18.280 the sin 00:11:18.280 --> 00:11:19.740 that was keeping us 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:20.240 from entering 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:21.200 the kingdom of God 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:23.740 so that we might enter. 00:11:24.040 --> 00:11:24.800 He became 00:11:24.800 --> 00:11:25.480 the outsider. 00:11:25.920 --> 00:11:26.540 He became 00:11:26.540 --> 00:11:27.440 the outcast. 00:11:27.900 --> 00:11:29.020 He left the city 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:29.639 so that we 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:30.519 might enter 00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:31.220 the kingdom 00:11:31.220 --> 00:11:31.879 of God. 00:11:32.579 --> 00:11:32.919 That is, 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:34.159 today is Palm Sunday. 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:34.860 A lot of churches 00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:35.460 are celebrating 00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:36.139 Palm Sunday. 00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:37.039 What do we do? 00:11:37.319 --> 00:11:38.340 What do we read about 00:11:38.340 --> 00:11:38.779 in the Bible 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:39.659 on Palm Sunday? 00:11:40.120 --> 00:11:41.100 Jesus entering 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:41.679 Jerusalem. 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:43.220 He's received 00:11:43.220 --> 00:11:43.919 like a king. 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:45.340 And a few days later, 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:46.740 he's crucified 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:47.740 with a crown 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:48.480 of thorns. 00:11:50.079 --> 00:11:51.299 Outside of the city, 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:51.879 he is left 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:52.899 at becoming the sin 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:53.960 so that we 00:11:53.960 --> 00:11:55.480 might enter it. 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:58.680 fourthly, 00:11:58.820 --> 00:11:59.259 the kingdom 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:01.279 is already 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:02.300 but not yet. 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:03.659 Maybe you've 00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:04.279 heard this before 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:05.159 if you've been 00:12:05.159 --> 00:12:05.659 to church 00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:07.639 for a while. 00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:08.259 If you grew up 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:08.639 in church, 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:09.659 you've heard people 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:10.340 talking about the 00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:11.899 already but not 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:12.519 yet. 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:14.680 It's weird, 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:15.180 isn't it, 00:12:15.180 --> 00:12:15.800 that we read 00:12:15.800 --> 00:12:16.399 in the Gospels 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:17.300 that Jesus says 00:12:17.300 --> 00:12:18.539 the kingdom of God 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:19.120 is at hand. 00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:20.440 It has arrived, 00:12:20.700 --> 00:12:21.700 but in the Lord's prayer, 00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:22.279 he tells us 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:22.879 to pray for it. 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:25.340 How can that be? 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:27.159 And honestly, 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:28.100 that can be confusing, 00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:29.379 but it just shows you 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:30.259 how the kingdom of God 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:31.919 is a very complex idea, 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:32.980 that it's multi-layered, 00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:33.580 that there are 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:34.939 many aspects to it, 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:36.240 and one of those 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.419 aspects is time. 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:38.799 Because, 00:12:39.080 --> 00:12:39.559 as I said, 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:40.419 we read that the kingdom 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:41.659 of God is here, 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:43.419 but also that there 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:44.460 is so much more 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.039 to come. 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:46.779 Theologians, 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:47.179 therefore, 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.600 speak about the kingdom 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:49.299 of God having 00:12:49.299 --> 00:12:50.799 been inaugurated 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:51.200 already. 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:52.500 It's been established. 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.279 It is here, 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:54.960 through Jesus Christ. 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:55.879 However, 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:58.320 it is not yet 00:12:58.320 --> 00:12:59.460 fully realized, 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:01.220 not yet fully consummated. 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:02.120 So, 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:03.440 we live in the present, 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:04.899 knowing that we can be 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:05.860 part of this kingdom 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:06.740 if we repent 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:07.500 and believe, 00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:08.379 and also, 00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:09.559 that there is something 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:10.980 more to come. 00:13:12.059 --> 00:13:12.740 A reality 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:14.259 in which Christ 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:15.000 will sit 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:15.940 on the throne, 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:16.899 ruling 00:13:16.899 --> 00:13:18.639 over new creation. 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:20.740 Some people have 00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:21.899 compared it to 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:22.639 D-Day and 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:22.980 V-Day. 00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:23.639 So, 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:24.539 in the Second World War, 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:25.259 you had D-Day, 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:25.919 which is when 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:27.060 the Allies said, 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:28.259 we will free Europe, 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:28.879 and they've sent 00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:29.340 their soldiers, 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:30.720 and they landed 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:31.740 on the beaches 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:32.399 in France. 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:33.120 And then, 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:33.919 one year later, 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:35.100 you had V-Day, 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:36.379 when the actual 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:37.680 victory was 00:13:37.680 --> 00:13:38.340 accomplished. 00:13:39.340 --> 00:13:39.899 It was already 00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:40.899 decided the war 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:41.820 was going to end, 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:43.399 but the actual 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:44.360 victory came 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:45.299 a year later. 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:46.440 So, 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:47.500 it's a bit like that. 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:48.139 We live in the 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:48.720 here and now. 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:49.559 We're cleansed 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:50.100 from our sin. 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:51.019 We're able to 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:51.679 choose the right 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:52.059 thing, 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:53.100 yet we still 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:53.860 live in a fallen 00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:54.240 world, 00:13:54.340 --> 00:13:54.860 and the battle 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:55.960 is still going 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:56.940 on around us, 00:13:57.200 --> 00:13:58.100 so we still 00:13:58.100 --> 00:13:59.100 fall into sin. 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:01.080 We live in the 00:14:01.080 --> 00:14:01.740 understanding that 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.919 we have eternal 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:04.159 life in Jesus Christ, 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:05.179 yet we are still 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:06.100 surrounded by death. 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:07.779 We know that one 00:14:07.779 --> 00:14:08.899 day all tears 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:09.559 will be wiped 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:09.940 away, 00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:11.179 yet we mourn, 00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:12.179 and we grieve, 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:13.720 and we shed tears 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:15.139 as this life brings 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:16.000 us suffering and 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:16.320 troubles. 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.840 Yet we have the 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:20.340 promise that one 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:21.679 day that will all 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:22.480 be done away with. 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:23.779 And that is 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:25.240 unbelievable and 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:26.259 difficult sometimes 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.600 to fully realize, 00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:28.580 to wrap our 00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:29.200 heads around. 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.480 It seems too 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:32.799 good to be true 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:35.320 almost, even so 00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:36.279 good that a lot 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:36.720 of people have 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:38.179 struggled to see 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:38.399 it. 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:39.840 Friedrich Nietzsche, 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:41.039 I'm not the only 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:43.340 one who quotes 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:44.960 German thinkers 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:45.840 from this pulpit. 00:14:45.840 --> 00:14:47.160 We've heard a lot 00:14:47.160 --> 00:14:47.759 of Nietzsche and 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:48.379 other people 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:48.860 lately. 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:49.720 Nietzsche says 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:49.960 this, 00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:50.879 the kingdom of 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:51.600 heaven is a 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:52.280 condition of the 00:14:52.280 --> 00:14:52.560 heart. 00:14:53.180 --> 00:14:53.680 Is that correct? 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:54.200 Would we agree? 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:55.460 I think to a 00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:56.019 degree, yes. 00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:56.759 The kingdom of 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.360 heaven is a 00:14:57.360 --> 00:14:58.000 condition of the 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.200 heart. 00:14:58.399 --> 00:14:59.300 If God rules in 00:14:59.300 --> 00:14:59.740 your heart, 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:00.500 that's a good 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:00.780 thing. 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:01.379 Then the kingdom 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:01.960 of heaven is 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:02.399 within you. 00:15:03.420 --> 00:15:04.460 And here he goes 00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:05.000 wrong, because 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:05.740 what he says next 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:07.259 is, it is not 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:07.899 something that 00:15:07.899 --> 00:15:08.680 comes above the 00:15:08.680 --> 00:15:09.420 earth or after 00:15:09.420 --> 00:15:09.759 death. 00:15:10.180 --> 00:15:10.820 And that's where 00:15:10.820 --> 00:15:11.460 Nietzsche is 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:14.600 wrong, because it 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:15.080 will be. 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:16.080 It is promised. 00:15:16.340 --> 00:15:17.279 God has promised 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.860 that we will one 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:20.500 day see him face 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.000 to face. 00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:21.860 It's the already 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:23.080 but not yet. 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:24.519 Karl Marx says, 00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:25.860 religion is the 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:26.480 sigh of the 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:27.300 oppressed creature, 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:28.220 the heart of a 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:28.960 heartless world. 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:30.560 It's the opium of 00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:31.080 the people. 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:32.159 Karl Marx said, 00:15:32.220 --> 00:15:33.019 it's the opium of 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:33.460 the people. 00:15:33.560 --> 00:15:33.759 Why? 00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:34.860 Because he sees 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:36.560 that religion, it 00:15:36.560 --> 00:15:37.500 helps people. 00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.740 Somehow it gives 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.600 them strength to 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.759 keep on in this 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.440 cruel world. 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:42.580 For him, of course, 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:43.279 it's just a 00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:45.379 distraction of his 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.240 cause of social 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:46.720 liberation. 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:47.799 But what he fails 00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:48.620 to see is that 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.860 actually it's not 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.679 just opium. 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:53.139 It's the medicine 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:54.000 that gives you 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:54.339 healing. 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:56.579 It's a true hope. 00:15:56.579 --> 00:15:58.179 It is something so 00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:59.399 much bigger than 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:01.539 just a nice idea. 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:02.980 It is real. 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:06.959 Secondly, why 00:16:06.959 --> 00:16:08.179 should we pray for 00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:09.000 the kingdom to 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:09.240 come? 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:11.320 I've tried to 00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:11.980 come up with a 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:13.419 list of ideas 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:15.440 and reasons why 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:16.600 we should pray for 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.200 the kingdom of 00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:17.759 God to come. 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.779 And the first 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:20.460 reason is this, 00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:21.539 because Jesus 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.159 tells us so. 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:24.440 Jesus tells us to 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:25.560 pray for it because 00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:26.919 it is for our 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:27.799 good, ultimately. 00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:29.220 That's the first 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:29.460 reason. 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.100 Second reason, 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:32.299 Sinclair Ferguson, 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:34.580 the great Scottish 00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:35.299 theologian, he 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:35.639 says, 00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:37.340 out of love for 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.200 him and our 00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:39.060 concern for his 00:16:39.060 --> 00:16:40.580 glory, we pray 00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:41.920 that his kingdom 00:16:41.920 --> 00:16:44.000 will come out of 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:46.240 love for God and 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:47.379 out of our own 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.960 concern for his 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.440 glory. 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:52.120 As I said, we 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:53.040 already live in the 00:16:53.040 --> 00:16:54.759 kingdom, yet its 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:56.300 final flowing is 00:16:56.300 --> 00:16:57.019 still awaited. 00:16:58.280 --> 00:16:59.440 We therefore pray 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:00.540 that the kingdom 00:17:00.540 --> 00:17:01.340 that has already 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:01.960 been established 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:02.980 will express its 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:04.340 presence more and 00:17:04.340 --> 00:17:05.220 more throughout the 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.039 earth, he writes, 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:07.139 until the day 00:17:07.139 --> 00:17:07.899 comes when the 00:17:07.899 --> 00:17:08.599 kingdom of the 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.879 world has become 00:17:09.879 --> 00:17:11.039 the kingdom of 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.259 our Lord and of 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.960 his Christ, and he 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:15.799 will reign forever 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:17.000 and ever. 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:19.700 It's about God's 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:21.379 glory, about God's 00:17:21.379 --> 00:17:21.619 glory. 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:24.420 Thirdly, we should 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.859 pray for the 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:29.680 kingdom so that the 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:30.940 kingdom grows within 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:32.500 our own hearts and so 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:34.440 that we submit to 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:35.360 God's will. 00:17:36.320 --> 00:17:37.160 Praying for the 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:39.279 kingdom will bring 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:39.940 the idea of the 00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:41.080 kingdom into our 00:17:41.080 --> 00:17:41.480 minds. 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:42.559 It will make us 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:43.900 kingdom-minded 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:44.460 people. 00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:46.240 Praying for the 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:47.640 kingdom will make 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:48.500 you see the world 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.680 around you with 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.620 different eyes, 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:52.039 through a different 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:52.539 lens. 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:53.820 Why? 00:17:54.820 --> 00:17:56.100 One of the main 00:17:56.100 --> 00:17:57.080 purposes of prayer 00:17:57.080 --> 00:17:59.700 is not to ask God 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:00.720 the Father to change 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:02.360 his will, but 00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:03.400 actually to submit 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:04.240 to his will. 00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:07.240 It's a warming up 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:08.300 to the promises he 00:18:08.300 --> 00:18:08.980 has given us. 00:18:09.820 --> 00:18:11.360 It's an act of 00:18:11.360 --> 00:18:12.600 accepting and 00:18:12.600 --> 00:18:14.259 submitting to God, 00:18:14.320 --> 00:18:15.320 to the hard things 00:18:15.320 --> 00:18:16.580 that we are walking 00:18:16.580 --> 00:18:17.660 through, in the 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.840 knowledge that in 00:18:18.840 --> 00:18:19.800 all things God 00:18:19.800 --> 00:18:21.160 works for the good 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:22.800 of those who love 00:18:22.800 --> 00:18:23.019 him. 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:25.400 Tim Keller writes 00:18:25.400 --> 00:18:25.840 about this. 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:26.780 He says, 00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:28.060 Jesus submitted to 00:18:28.060 --> 00:18:28.820 the Father's will, 00:18:29.820 --> 00:18:30.840 under circumstances 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:32.039 far more crushing 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:33.559 than any of us 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.740 will ever face. 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.819 Jesus admitted to 00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:37.559 his Father's will 00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:38.179 rather than 00:18:38.179 --> 00:18:39.579 following his own 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:41.179 desires, and it 00:18:41.179 --> 00:18:41.939 saved us. 00:18:42.639 --> 00:18:43.799 That's why we 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:44.619 can trust him. 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:46.399 Jesus is not 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:47.899 asking us to do 00:18:47.899 --> 00:18:48.859 anything for him 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:50.139 that he hasn't 00:18:50.139 --> 00:18:51.459 already done for us. 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.959 Under conditions 00:18:53.959 --> 00:18:54.759 of difficulty, 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:55.980 beyond our 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.699 comprehension. 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:58.519 You see, we 00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:59.840 can trust Jesus 00:18:59.840 --> 00:19:00.900 when he says, 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:01.680 pray for the 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.660 kingdom, submit 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:03.360 to his will. 00:19:04.340 --> 00:19:05.180 Without this 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:06.519 trust, what 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:06.940 happens? 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:08.319 We will try to 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:08.940 take God's 00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:09.840 place, and we 00:19:09.840 --> 00:19:11.080 will pray, my 00:19:11.080 --> 00:19:12.539 kingdom come, my 00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:14.319 will be done, on 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:15.100 earth as it is in 00:19:15.100 --> 00:19:15.819 my imagination. 00:19:16.860 --> 00:19:17.140 You know? 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.100 But if you see, 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:20.580 if we pray for the 00:19:20.580 --> 00:19:22.059 kingdom to come, we 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:23.700 are aware that if 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.580 God would have 00:19:24.580 --> 00:19:25.600 given us what we 00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:27.639 deserved, then none 00:19:27.639 --> 00:19:28.659 of us would be part 00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:29.519 of his kingdom. 00:19:30.659 --> 00:19:32.039 We submit to his 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:32.219 will. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.859 And actually, we 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:34.919 want to love his 00:19:34.919 --> 00:19:35.139 will. 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.019 Submission is not 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.959 going far enough. 00:19:37.219 --> 00:19:37.899 I know some of 00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:39.959 you here submit to 00:19:39.959 --> 00:19:40.599 his will and do 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.000 his will. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:42.799 We all try to do 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:44.439 that as a Christian 00:19:44.439 --> 00:19:46.459 family together, but 00:19:46.459 --> 00:19:48.039 not all of us love 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:48.539 his will. 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:49.299 And that's 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:49.659 difficult. 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.480 It's difficult to 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:51.480 love God's will. 00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:52.779 But that is the 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:53.419 idea of this 00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:55.240 prayer, to warm up 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:55.720 to that. 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:57.099 Your will be 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:57.400 done. 00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.500 Jesus praying in 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.259 the garden, kneeling 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:00.579 down. 00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:04.319 If you can, let 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.140 this cup pass. 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:07.200 But if not, then 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:07.880 your will be 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:08.099 done. 00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:09.660 Your will be 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:09.859 done. 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:12.940 Why else? 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:13.920 Why should we pray 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.680 for the kingdom 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.380 of God? 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:16.920 As an encouragement 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:18.839 for us, it reminds 00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:20.160 us of our identity 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:21.839 in Christ, that we 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:23.500 are adopted, that we 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.940 are accepted, and 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:26.160 that we are loved. 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:27.660 It helps our 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.700 assurance. 00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:30.200 It frees us from 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:30.819 our doubts. 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:32.240 If we pray this 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.279 prayer and preach 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:35.200 to ourself that the 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:36.539 kingdom will come, 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:38.759 that God's will be 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:40.740 done on earth as it 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.240 is in heaven. 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.640 C.S. Lewis says 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:45.980 that often we are 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:47.000 satisfied with playing 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:48.640 in mud puddles because 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:50.099 we can't imagine what 00:20:50.099 --> 00:20:51.680 a holiday at the beach 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.480 would look like. 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.759 Sometimes this idea 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:55.259 of heaven to come, 00:20:55.580 --> 00:20:56.440 the kingdom of God 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.620 seems too good to be 00:20:57.620 --> 00:20:57.860 true. 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:59.680 But if we pray for the 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.720 kingdom to come, we 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:02.180 remind ourselves and 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:03.340 we preach to ourselves 00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:05.120 the reality of God's 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:07.120 will to come even 00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:08.779 more and even better 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.759 than what it is now. 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:12.320 In Lord of the Rings, 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:13.480 in the third book or 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.680 third movie, depending 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:16.100 on whether you read 00:21:16.100 --> 00:21:17.519 or watch it, I mean 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.740 all of us have read or 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.600 watched it, I hope, 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:21.199 we get this illustration. 00:21:21.459 --> 00:21:24.480 We get Aragorn and he 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:26.379 is the king of Gondor 00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:28.759 and the book is giving 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:32.399 us him as an illustration 00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:33.899 of what a just king 00:21:33.899 --> 00:21:34.939 looks like, a humble 00:21:34.939 --> 00:21:36.500 king, a kind king, 00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:38.259 powerful, wise, worthy. 00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:40.159 And all of that is just 00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:42.079 a mere glimpse of what 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:43.819 the true king Jesus is 00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:44.159 like. 00:21:45.379 --> 00:21:46.379 Now the difference 00:21:46.379 --> 00:21:47.199 between Aragorn and 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.960 Jesus is this. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.940 Aragorn is fictional. 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.720 Jesus Christ isn't. 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.440 Jesus Christ is the 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.480 king who will return 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:56.680 and then the world 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:58.460 will see and know. 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:01.059 And when we pray for 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.920 the kingdom to come, 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.779 we are praying for 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:04.240 God's upside down 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.100 kingdom to come. 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.539 Remember, the kingdom 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.400 is good news. 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.059 It's the gospel. 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.600 I say upside down 00:22:09.600 --> 00:22:11.080 kingdom because in 00:22:11.080 --> 00:22:12.000 God's kingdom, the 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:13.340 king is the servant. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:15.100 In God's kingdom, 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.620 tears are wiped away. 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:17.519 In God's kingdom, 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:19.599 the judge becomes the 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.719 one who is judged. 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:22.379 The sad will be happy. 00:22:22.479 --> 00:22:23.379 The desperate will be 00:22:23.379 --> 00:22:23.779 joyful. 00:22:24.179 --> 00:22:25.079 Anger will become 00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:25.699 kindness. 00:22:26.439 --> 00:22:27.719 Sin will be done 00:22:27.719 --> 00:22:28.539 away with. 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:30.339 Selfishness will not 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:32.219 exist and love will 00:22:32.219 --> 00:22:32.579 rule. 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:34.799 And it's already here. 00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:35.939 The prince of peace 00:22:35.939 --> 00:22:37.159 will sit on his throne 00:22:37.159 --> 00:22:38.579 of mercy and he will 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.899 wipe away our tears. 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:43.640 We should pray for the 00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:45.340 kingdom of God, for our 00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:46.460 own sanctification as 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:46.620 well. 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:49.019 We are promised in the 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:50.920 Bible that we will be 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:53.220 co-heirs with Christ. 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:55.160 We are, if we believe, 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:56.360 if we repent and believe 00:22:56.360 --> 00:22:58.080 in Jesus Christ, we are 00:22:58.080 --> 00:23:01.140 his brothers, which means 00:23:01.140 --> 00:23:02.220 we are adopted. 00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:04.100 We are part of God's 00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:04.400 family. 00:23:04.540 --> 00:23:06.040 We are sons and 00:23:06.040 --> 00:23:07.060 daughters of the king. 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:09.099 When I was a child, my 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:10.159 mom used to read stories 00:23:10.159 --> 00:23:11.179 to me before I go to bed. 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:12.639 And this is one story. 00:23:13.139 --> 00:23:15.079 And I tried to translate 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:15.639 the title. 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.659 It's a bit wooden. 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.819 But it's something like 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:19.879 Not Like With Robbers. 00:23:20.419 --> 00:23:20.619 Okay. 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:23.779 Now, it is a story about 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:25.200 two children, Tom and 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:25.460 Jenny. 00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:27.440 And they live with 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:29.700 robbers in a den. 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:31.319 And it's dirty there. 00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:32.240 It's not nice. 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:33.559 The robbers aren't really 00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:34.240 nice to them. 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.059 They're just being brought 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.480 up there. 00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:36.220 They don't really have 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:36.919 nice clothes. 00:23:37.059 --> 00:23:38.039 When there is food, they 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:39.220 just have to get as much 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:40.299 as they can, stuff it in 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:41.480 their pockets, run into 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.559 the corn and eat it there 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.599 so nobody steals it away 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.039 from them. 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:46.240 And one day this man comes 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:48.099 and he goes to the robbers 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:49.099 and says, I want these 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:50.179 two children and I want 00:23:50.179 --> 00:23:52.319 them to come with me to 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:52.700 my house. 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.419 I will care for them. 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:54.799 And the robbers say, ah, 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:55.480 they're not good for 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:55.819 anything. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.859 But yeah, they take his 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:58.019 money and the children 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.559 go with him. 00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:59.460 And the next day they 00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.819 wake up and they are in 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.339 a palace. 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.799 And it turns out the king 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:05.259 came and bought them and 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:05.779 redeemed them. 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:07.579 And what happens? 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:09.420 Tom wakes up and he goes 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.899 into the kitchen. 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:12.399 There's a big table and 00:24:12.399 --> 00:24:13.259 there are other children 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.619 sitting there and eating. 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:17.039 And he runs to the table 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:18.180 and it's full with good 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:19.299 food and he steals the 00:24:19.299 --> 00:24:20.339 food and he runs away 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:21.920 into his corner and eats 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:24.500 it, kind of like trying to 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.339 make sure nobody steals 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:25.759 his food. 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.899 And nobody, nobody's even 00:24:27.899 --> 00:24:28.399 trying to. 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.960 The kids, they come over to 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.240 him and they say, what are 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.639 you doing? 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:33.620 You can come sit at the 00:24:33.620 --> 00:24:34.280 table with us. 00:24:34.600 --> 00:24:35.320 It's okay. 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:36.800 And all of them are kind 00:24:36.800 --> 00:24:38.620 and loving and Tom doesn't 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.940 understand why that is. 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:42.160 But the reason why that is 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:43.160 is because there's enough 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:43.440 food. 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:44.960 There's enough of 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.360 everything. 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:48.400 They live in a palace and 00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:50.100 they're the children of the 00:24:50.100 --> 00:24:50.400 king. 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:52.020 And that shows in how they 00:24:52.020 --> 00:24:54.000 act and how they behave. 00:24:54.520 --> 00:24:56.040 So what I'm saying is that 00:24:56.040 --> 00:24:57.640 we are princes and 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:59.220 princesses in a way. 00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:00.740 We are children of the 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.420 highest king. 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:02.960 Therefore, the Bible says 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:04.420 we should behave like that 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:05.360 as well. 00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:06.900 God bought us with a 00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.240 price. 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.480 He clothed us with the 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.240 robe of righteousness. 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:11.000 He sees you and he says, 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:13.100 my son died for you. 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:14.339 You are adopted. 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.319 It's a huge privilege. 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:18.100 Praying for the kingdom 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:19.860 should remind us that we 00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:21.839 are co-heirs, co-heirs, 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.799 it's hard to say for me, 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.539 co-heirs with Christ. 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.519 We are his children. 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:29.000 Lastly, we should pray 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:31.099 because it will be 00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:32.319 heaven on earth. 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.799 It's for our 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.500 consolation. 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:36.940 I know that many of us 00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:38.079 are struggling with 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:39.119 difficult situations 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:41.160 in life, with the loss 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:42.460 of loved ones, with 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.819 sickness, with 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:45.319 suffering that is 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.480 unexpected, with a lot 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.339 of different things. 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:49.180 Listen to what John 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:50.200 writes in the book of 00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:50.559 Revelation. 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:52.039 He says, 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:53.200 then I saw a new 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:53.880 heaven and a new 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.200 earth. 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.779 For the first heaven 00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.900 and the first earth 00:25:56.900 --> 00:25:58.099 had passed away and 00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:58.980 there was no longer 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.539 any sea. 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:01.379 I saw the holy city, 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:02.699 the new Jerusalem, 00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:04.480 coming down out of 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.159 heaven from God, 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.339 prepared as a bride 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:07.839 beautifully dressed for 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.259 her husband. 00:26:08.959 --> 00:26:10.019 And I heard a loud 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.819 voice from the throne 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.439 saying, look, 00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:13.559 God's dwelling place 00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.599 is now among the 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:16.139 people and he will 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:17.000 dwell with them. 00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:18.839 They will be his 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:20.199 people and God 00:26:20.199 --> 00:26:21.419 himself will be with 00:26:21.419 --> 00:26:22.259 them and be their 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:22.659 God. 00:26:23.219 --> 00:26:24.519 He will wipe away 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.539 every tear from 00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:26.039 their eyes. 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:27.480 there will be no 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.339 more death or 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:29.539 mourning or crying 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:31.279 or pain for the 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:32.420 old order of things 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.379 has passed away. 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.619 We should pray for 00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:37.839 the kingdom of God. 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.599 We should look at 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:42.579 the king on the 00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:43.240 cross with the 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.940 crown of thorns 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:45.799 on his head, 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.819 becoming the 00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.460 outsider, the 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.299 outcast, so that 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:48.980 we may enter. 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.420 Have you been 00:26:50.420 --> 00:26:51.379 struggling lately to 00:26:51.379 --> 00:26:51.579 pray? 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.079 Have you been 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:53.079 struggling to think 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:54.279 about the kingdom 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:54.720 of God? 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.079 Have you been 00:26:55.079 --> 00:26:55.980 struggling to pray 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.839 for the kingdom 00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:57.339 of God? 00:26:58.480 --> 00:27:00.160 I hope that I'm 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:01.119 able to help you a 00:27:01.119 --> 00:27:01.639 little bit with 00:27:01.639 --> 00:27:03.139 this, to be excited 00:27:03.139 --> 00:27:04.319 for the kingdom of 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:04.579 God. 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.599 The only reason I 00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:08.099 see not to be 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.899 excited about the 00:27:08.899 --> 00:27:09.740 kingdom of God is 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:11.099 if you're not sure 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:11.660 if you're in it, 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:13.200 if you're not sure 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:14.000 if you can enter. 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.700 So my question to 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.200 you is tonight, 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.359 would you consider 00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:19.180 what I've just 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:19.819 talked about? 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:21.639 Would you consider 00:27:21.639 --> 00:27:22.720 the kingdom of God 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.819 not out of fear, 00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:25.299 not because you 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.360 need some sort of 00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:27.579 opium to distract 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:28.100 you from your 00:27:28.100 --> 00:27:30.039 pain, but because 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:31.000 God is actually 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:32.920 offering you to 00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:33.759 become part of his 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:35.299 family and part of 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:35.720 his kingdom? 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:38.120 Do you feel like 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:38.700 you're not in the 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:38.960 kingdom? 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.640 Then listen to the 00:27:40.640 --> 00:27:41.440 king as he says, 00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:43.120 come to me all you 00:27:43.120 --> 00:27:44.000 who are weary and 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:45.120 heavy laden and I 00:27:45.120 --> 00:27:45.880 will give you rest. 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.299 Do you feel bored? 00:27:47.380 --> 00:27:48.160 Do you feel without 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:48.720 purpose? 00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.500 Then look to Jesus 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:52.099 Christ who offers 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:53.660 you his hand so 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:55.240 you can help expand 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:56.660 his kingdom. 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:59.680 We are to pray for 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.460 the kingdom because 00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:01.619 it's the gospel. 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.660 It's the good news 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:04.019 that things are 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:05.119 being made right 00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:06.539 again by the 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.920 servant king who 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:08.480 in the middle of 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:10.059 history became a 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.819 human being just 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:12.019 like us to 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:13.140 fulfill what we 00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:14.079 as image bearers 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:14.759 couldn't fulfill. 00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:16.559 And he will reign 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:18.220 forever and ever. 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:20.160 We are praying for 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:21.420 the king to return. 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.240 That's the good 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.660 news today. 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:23.600 Let us pray. 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:28.079 Heavenly Father, it's 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:29.640 like Martin Lloyd 00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:30.799 Jones says that we 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:33.480 are overwhelmed with 00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:34.720 the truths and the 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.799 depth that we find 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:36.819 in scripture and 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:38.220 even in the Lord's 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:39.180 prayer, even in just 00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:39.960 one verse. 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:41.460 So we ask, would 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.600 you with your Holy 00:28:42.600 --> 00:28:43.680 Spirit move in our 00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:44.059 hearts? 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:46.019 Would you help us to 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:47.120 understand what it 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:48.200 means to pray for you? 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:48.519 the kingdom? 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:50.100 Would you help us to 00:28:50.100 --> 00:28:51.319 become kingdom-minded 00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:53.880 people, to be 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:55.080 peacemakers and to 00:28:55.080 --> 00:28:57.900 seek justice and to 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:58.940 love our neighbors 00:28:58.940 --> 00:29:00.420 well, just like 00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:01.039 Jesus did? 00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:02.700 Would you help us to 00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:03.660 become more like him 00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:04.100 every day? 00:29:04.580 --> 00:29:05.400 In Jesus' name we 00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:05.700 ask. 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.200 Amen. 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:06.299 Amen.