Open School of the Bible (OSB) training
Forming proper ethics and understanding what is acceptable behaviour in the family of God and our church community
Introduction
Accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour is not the end of our lives where we sit and wait to die and go to heaven. Getting born again in Christ is the beginning of a new life in Christ. It’s where our spiritual journey begins. We’re just leaving Egypt, having been delivered by the blood of the Lamb. There are waters to cross, a wilderness to travel and a Canaan to enter and possess. There are gifts of the Spirit to obtain and use; there are many great and precious promises to realise and enter into. We will receive talents and spiritual gifts that we must invest in, multiply and become skilful in using.
Introducing the Kingdom
We’re born into a new world and a new family. We now have access to a new country and Kingdom whose King is Jesus Christ.
Matthew 3:2 – John the Baptist preached the Kingdom: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Matthew 4:17 – Jesus preached the Kingdom. “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 10:7-8 – The disciples were given instructions to preach… “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.”
Acts 28:30-31 – Paul preached the kingdom. “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ.”
What is the Kingdom?
Kingdom – a country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen
The Kingdom of Heaven is a spiritual Kingdom over which God is the King. John 18:36: “My kingdom is not of this world…”
Matthew 6:10
Jesus, in His prayer, reaffirmed the coming of God’s Kingdom to this world – “Thy Kingdom come thy will be done…”
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:10
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:19
“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:20
“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
As we would expect of a natural kingdom, so also with the Heavenly Kingdom. It has…
Government – A monarchy, a theocracy that enacts and enforces laws.
A central City or a capital – Psalm 87:3 – “Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.” We must remain within the boundaries and laws of the kingdom – Cities of refuge.
Citizens – or subjects who are rewarded for obedience and punished for disobedience. It is a spiritual kingdom, so one must be born of the Spirit to enter.
Economy – Acts 4:32-37 All must be equal in resources; none must be in need.
Army and defence – A hierarchy of ranked angels
Postal and messaging system – Example Gabriel – Messenger angels Daniel 10: Luke 2:10 “I bring you good tidings of great joy…”
Centralised worship – Temple or tabernacle for worship and praising God – Revelation 5: Luke 2:13-14
A Society – Ethics [rules for social engagement and relationships- We must live with and treat each other as God treats us.
Kingdom Living
Understanding Boundaries, laws and Ethics
Ethics means the moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour.
1 Thessalonians 4-12 “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. 9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.”
We do not enter the Kingdom of God knowing the will of God, how to live or how to behave to please the King. “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” 1 Peter 2:1 We are born as babies that must then develop in the wisdom and knowledge of God, clearly discerning right from wrong. We must learn to walk, talk and live acceptably in our newfound family and community. We must get to understand the will of God and the rules of Father’s house. We must grow up to become highly skilled soldiers with mastery over sin, self and Satan.
Entering the Kingdom
John 3:3-5 “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… 5 Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’”
Of all the five senses, Jesus chose sight. Why? Because the born again must now begin to look intently into things concerning the Kingdom. We must search diligently for the Kingdom.
Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”
Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
The word ‘find’ is an indication that the narrow gate must be sought. We must search for it. The fact that only a few find it is an indication that it’s not easy to find. Only the diligent have a chance. The casual seeker will not find it.
Other qualifications for entering
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
Acts 14:21 “And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’”
Homework Activity- Presentations and Tutor Feedback
Read the following parables and say what is the moral of the story. What is the main point Jesus is trying to communicate? What is Jesus trying to tell us about the Kingdom?
Group 1: Matthew 13:31
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…”
Group 2: Matthew 13:33
“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven…”
Group 3: Matthew 13:44
“the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field…”
Group 4: Matthew 13:47
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet…”
Group 5: Matthew 25:14
The Parable of the Talents
Group 6: Matthew 22:1-14
The Parable of the Wedding Feast