Kingdoms of Darkness and Light

Acts 1:1–8 (NIV84) After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Jesus main message was the .

Matthew 4:17 (NIV) From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Matthew 4:23 (NIV) Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

Luke 4:43 (NIV) But he said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”

Luke 8:1 (NIV) After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him…

Luke 9:1-6 (NIV) When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, ²  and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick… ⁶  So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.

Luke 10:9 (NIV) Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’

Matthew 13:19 (NIV) When anyone hears the message about the kingdom (of heaven) and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

Luke 16:16 (NIV) Since [John the Baptist], the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

Matthew 24:14 (NIV) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Acts 1:3 (NIV) After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Two eye-opening parables in Matthew 13:44-46 (NLT2)

1. ⁴⁴  “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
2. ⁴⁵  “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. ⁴⁶  When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

What makes the good news of the kingdom of God so enticing that people want to force their way into it? Or trade everything they own to get into it? 

Jesus taught that there are 2 kingdoms:

Matthew 9:35–38 (NIV84) Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

• How compelling might it be to those needing healing that it can be found in God’s kingdom? 

Psalm 30:11 (NIV) You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

1Cor 2:16b …We have the mind of Christ.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them…

…because they were harassed…

…and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

• Our message: Does Jesus ever have an invitation for you!
  • How compelling is that? 

Psalm 67 (BCP) ¹ May God be merciful unto us, and bless us, *

…and show us the light of his countenance… ² Let your way be known upon earth,

• Is the kingdom of darkness interested in knowing God? 
  • What does the world say about knowing God? 
  • What does Satan say about knowing God? 

⁴ O let the nations rejoice and be glad, *

Matthew 11:28 (NLT2)
²⁸  Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

• So how do get in? How do you get from one kingdom to another?

Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT2) For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, ¹⁴  who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

• Jesus puts you into the Kingdom of Light
• It has been done for you, because you CAN’T do it yourself!

1 John 2:2 (NIV) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

• All we have to do is…

Acts 16:31 (NIV) “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…”

– learning how to live there

– inviting people into the Kingdom

• • To come through the doorway
  • Into the wardrobe
  • By trusting in Jesus who died on a cross for the sins of the world and rose again

What I’m ready to do because of what I’ve heard: 

Matthew 6:10-13 (KJV) ¹⁰  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. ¹³  …For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

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