Bethany Independent Presbyterian Church

Myanmar

“Things pertaining to the kingdom of God” Acts 1:3

“Things pertaining to the kingdom of God” Acts 1:3



INTRODUCTION

1. The Kingdom of God (Heaven)

13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,

14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:

16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,

And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:13-17

2. The Focus of the Lord Jesus

14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God [g]is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15

 

THE GOSPEL NARRATIVES

23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom,

and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.

24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments,

and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

25 Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from [e]Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. Matthew 4:23-25

1. Three Significant Features

a) Teaching

b) Reaching (Preaching)

c) Healing

2. The Gospel of the Kingdom

a) Finding Faith

b) Following the Lord

c) Faithfulness

d) Fruitfulness

 

THE NEXT STAGE

1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,

3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs,

being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Acts 1:1-3

1. Reference to the former account (The Gospel of Luke)

a) All that the Lord Jesus began

b) Both to do and teach

c) Until the day in which He was taken up

2. The ministry of the Apostles

a) Through the Holy Spirit

b) Commandments to the Apostles whom He had chosen

c) Presented Himself alive after His sufferings

d) Many infallible proofs

3. Things pertaining to the Kingdom of God

a) This is the focus of the Book of Acts

b) This is the focus of the Pulpit for May-June 2024

 

ASPECTS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

1. The Place of the Lord Jesus in God’s Kingdom

a) The Son

b) The Saviour

c) The Shepherd

2. The Power of the Kingdom

a) Power to cast out demons

b) Power to heal

c) Power to save

3. The Word of God

a) The teachings of the Lord Jesus

b) They are Spirit and life

c) They are everlasting in worth and value

4. The Holy Spirit

a) He is promised

b) He will make His presence felt

c) He will empower

 

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To understand the Kingdom of God better

2. To appreciate it more

3. To be even more involved in the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God