Thy Kingdom Come
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 6/5/2016 AM |
Text: | John 18:36; Lord's Day 48 |
Psalters: | 273, 40, 193, 49 |
- His kingdom.
- “Thy kingdom” is the spiritual (not physical) rule of God.
- Note that our Father’s kingdom is called “the kingdom of heaven” (Luke 17:20,21; John 18:36).
- It is a spiritual rule and kingdom (not a rule of might).
- It is not physical or external, so every effort to bring about this kingdom on earth is in error.
- The presence of the kingdom consists of all the spiritual powers, graces, and blessings in Christ.
- Our Father’s kingdom “comes” through-out the history of this world.
- After the fall the coming of the kingdom of God in the world is antithetical because there is also the kingdom of Satan.
- The kingdom of God comes only in and through Jesus Christ. Thus it is called the “kingdom of Christ.”
- Christ’s redeeming work establishes the righteousness of the citizens.
- He gathers the citizens (Isa. 43:5,6; Luke 13:29), into the earthly church institute through the preaching (Matt. 16:18,19).
- Christ delivers up the finished work of the developed kingdom to God the Father (I Cor. 15:24,28).
- The kingdom will be perfectly and fully realized in the new heaven and earth (Matt. 25:34).
- We are taught to pray that our Father’s kingdom come.
- First, we personally desire to be more and more ruled by God’s Word and Spirit, until we submit perfectly.
- Secondly, we pray for the preservation and increase of the instituted church.
- Third, we pray antithetically, i.e., that every manifestation of the kingdom of Satan be destroyed.
- Finally, we pray that Jesus return with glory and power to establish the His rule in the new heavens and earth.