Thy Kingdom Come

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