Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More
Text: Luke 4:33-44
Now, let me address the obvious question. Why were these miraculous things going on then, but we don’t seem to see that today? In the same way that the old covenant was introduced with power under Moses followed by teaching, the new covenant would be introduced with power followed by powerful teaching. So not everyone gets to heal or cast devils out like Jesus Christ, who then deputized the apostles to do similar things, just like not every Israelite in the old covenant could do what Moses did. But the introduction of God’s words was accompanied by powerful miracles, both the old covenant and the new covenant. After the establishment of these things, the prophets that follow are generally preachers, not miracle workers. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Zechariah, and Zephaniah, these men were preachers, not miracle workers. Most Christians in the new testament are not miracle workers, but messengers. That said, let’s look at this.
The door of God’s kingdom is opening to the Jew first then to the Gentile. Matthew would say, And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. As God’s kingdom was embodied in the person of the LORD Jesus Christ, several characteristics of this heavenly kingdom become clear.
Powerful kingdom
- First of all, the God of this kingdom is much more powerful than the god of this world. In the same way that light overcomes darkness, God’s kingdom is superior to the god of this world and its devils. Turn on the lights in this sanctuary and see how long the wrestling match between light and dark lasts.
- KOG is the power to remove the curse of sin and restore things to good
- Power over devils (vss 33-37) who hate the light, hate criticism of their evil and hate Jesus Christ. The devils in that man hiss at Jesus Christ, but by God’s words, Jesus Christ commands them to be quiet and leave.
- Power over distresses (vss 38-39) like Peter’s mother-in-law (no, Peter was not an unmarried pope). After the power of God restores her, it’s notable that Mark says she’s able to minister now.
- Power over diseases (vss 40-44) to restore the body to a healthy condition.
- KOG is the authority of the words of the true King of all creation
- It is not the power of physical strength or the power of military might or the power of technology. None of these things last, nor can any of these things change the heart of man, nor can they remove sin.
- …flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption… It’s a power that doesn’t fit in physical strength, military strength, or technological strength.
- It is the power of the gracious words of God in the establishment of a new covenant in Jesus Christ that can take away man’s sin and return the creature to a right relationship with God and with each other.
Pure kingdom
- Second, it is a pure kingdom
- The LORD Jesus Christ removes UNCLEAN spirits.
- The LORD Jesus Christ removes uncleanness in the body like sickness and disease.
- Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
- It is a powerful kingdom BECAUSE it is a pure kingdom.
- The beauty of holiness as the prophets called it.
- While the world makes fun of purity like virginity until marriage, or being sober and avoiding drugs and excessive alcohol, the world also knows its impurity that gets them hurt.
- God’s kingdom is the kingdom man doesn’t realize he wants until it’s too late.
- A drunk driver kills someone you love. An adulterous relationship destroys a marriage. A thief robs you to buy drugs. When the sin is against you or someone you love, you realize that holiness and holy lives are what you want.
- The spiritual blueprints for this world are so contradictory. Do what you want, but when your selfishness destroys part of my life I don’t like it.
- KOG is a clean kingdom that gives light to its citizens and puts love in the heart of people. These are pure things.
- Paul testified that when Jesus Christ changed his life he was commissioned to open other people’s eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Jesus Christ.
Purposed kingdom
- Jesus said I’m here to preach God’s kingdom.
- All things were in place.
- The promised Seed has become the Son and the heir.
- The schoolmaster of Moses’ law served its purpose and it was graduation time.
- The garden was planted, watered, pruned, and protected and it was time for the LORD to enjoy the fruit.
- The preaching of God’s kingdom is both a warning and an invitation.
- The invitation into this kingdom is to come by faith trusting the words of God, but a faith more than devils. The devils know who Jesus is, but they aren’t about to yield to him.
- Jesus would say to the unbelieving Jews, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
- The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gospel.
- It is the power of God. It is the purity of God. It is all found in the LORD Jesus Christ. Trust him. Follow him. Love him. Obey him.
