The Promises of God - Lesson 12 To Establish His Kingdom - 3
Introduction:
1. In this lesson we are continuing our study of "God's promise to establish His kingdom." 2. We have examined a number of key prophecies from the Old and New Testaments. a. (Daniel 2:44) God would set up His everlasting kingdom when the kings of the 4th kingdom ruled [the Roman Empire was the 4th kingdom to rise to power]. b. (Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-8) God's kingdom would be established "in the last days" in Jerusalem where the Lord's law would go forth. c. (Joel 2:28-32) In conjunction with deliverance being found in Jerusalem, God's Spirit would be poured out on all flesh. d. (Matthew 3:1-2) John said that the kingdom was "at hand" [Tiberius Caesar was ruling the Roman Empire -- Luke 3:1-2]. e. (Matthew 4:17) Jesus said that the kingdom was "at hand." f. Matthew 16:13-19 1) Jesus said He would build His church on a "rock" [the fact that He is the Christ]. 2) Jesus said that "the gates of Hades" would not prevent His church from being built. 3) Jesus spoke about His "church" and the "kingdom" interchangeably. 4) The "keys of the kingdom" would be given to Peter. g. (Matthew 16:28) The kingdom would come during the lifetimes of some of those present on that occasion. h. (Mark 9:1) The kingdom would also come "with power." 3. By determining when these prophecies were fulfilled, we can know when and where God's kingdom was established.
Discussion:
I. THE "POWER" THAT JESUS MENTIONED IN MARK 9:1 IS SIGNIFICANT
A. (Acts 1:8) This "power" was the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. B. The apostles were "filled with the Holy Spirit" on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).
II. THE LOCATION OF THE APOSTLES IS SIGNIFICANT
A. (Acts 1:4-5) Jesus commanded the apostles not to depart from Jerusalem. B. (Acts 1:12) The apostles went to Jerusalem, and they remained there until Pentecost.
III. THE TIME ELEMENT FOR THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED ON PENTECOST IS SIGNIFICANT
A. The events recorded in Acts 2 occurred: 1. about 3 years after John and Jesus said that the kingdom was "at hand" 2. about 1 year after Jesus said that the kingdom would come during the lifetimes of those standing before Him. B. Tiberius was still ruling as Caesar [the kings of the 4th kingdom were ruling].
IV. SEVERAL SIGNIFICANT EVENTS OCCURRED ON PENTECOST
(ACTS 2)
A. (vs.1-4) We have shown that the apostles were baptized in the Holy Spirit -- they received the "power" that Jesus said would accompany the establishment of His kingdom. B. (vs.5-13) The people present had gone to Jerusalem from many different areas. C. (vs.14) Peter was the spokesman on this occasion. D. (vs.15-21) Joel's prophecy was fulfilled. E. (vs.22-35) The main point of Peter's sermon was that Jesus had overcome the gates of Hades when He was resurrected from the grave. F. (vs.36) Peter's conclusion was that Jesus is both Lord and Christ [the rock upon which Jesus said He would build His church]. G. (vs.37-40) Peter revealed "the keys of the kingdom." H. (vs.41) About 3,000 people from all over the world found deliverance from their sins. I. (vs.47) The church, God's kingdom on earth, was in existence after these events occurred. J. Eventually, the Lord's law went forth from Jerusalem (Acts 8:1, 4). K. Conclusion: God's kingdom was established in Jerusalem (where) on Pentecost (when).
