1. This morning we studied these verses to help us know the truth about Christ and the church. 2. We pointed out that Jesus spoke about His church and the kingdom of heaven interchangeably in vs.18-19. 3. To know the truth about the church we must study the information presented in the Lord's Word concerning the kingdom of heaven. 4. In our lesson we are concentrating on 3 main points. a. The kingdom of heaven has a King. b. The kingdom of heaven has subjects. c. The kingdom of heaven has a law. 5. Let us begin by showing that . . . Discussion: I. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN HAS A KING
A. In order for a kingdom to exist there must be a king. B. A king is one who: 1. possesses power and authority 2. reveals his law to his subjects 3. receives honor and respect from his subjects. C. In the kingdom of heaven, Jesus is King. 1. In 1 Timothy 6:15 Jesus is described as "King of kings, and Lord of Lords." 2. As King, Jesus possesses all authority (Matthew 28:18). 3. He alone is the head of His church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). D. The fact that Jesus is the head of His church brings us to our next point. II. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN HAS CITIZENS
A. In order for a kingdom to exist there must be citizens or subjects. B. In the kingdom of heaven, Christians are citizens. 1. (Ephesians 2:19) Christians are "fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God." 2. (Colossians 1:13) The citizens of God's kingdom are those who have been delivered "from the power of darkness" and "translated" into it (see 2:12-13). 3. Jesus explained how we enter God's kingdom in John 3:3,5. C. The citizens of the kingdom are subject to the King (Colossians 3:17). D. For our final point we need to understand that . . . III. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN HAS A LAW
A. In order for a kingdom to exist it must have a law or system of laws. B. In God's kingdom, the New Testament of Christ is the law. 1. (Hebrews 9:15) Jesus, the King, "is the mediator of the new testament." 2. (Hebrews 8:6) Jesus "is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." C. Citizens of the kingdom of heaven have a responsibility concerning our law (Colossians 3:16a). D. Those who comply with the Lord's law enjoy special blessings. 1. See James 1:25. 2. To be more specific, see John 8:31-32; John 14:21, 23; John 15:7. Conclusion:
1. Jesus had much to say about the kingdom of heaven during His ministry (Matthew 4:17; 5:1; 7:21; ch.13; 25:1, 14). 2. To know the truth about the kingdom of heaven we must continue in the Lord's Word (John 8:31-32). 3. Are you a citizen of the kingdom?
