Mark 4:21ff, The Kingdom of God by John.

The Kingdom of God
Mark 4:21-34

1. Jesus described the kingdom of God in many ways for at least two reasons.
(1) The Hebrews had great expectations for the kingdom, but they were a long way off the mark.
a. They believed it would be a physical kingdom.
b. Many of them believed it would follow a resurrection of the good people, but that things would be very similar to what they were before that time.
(2) The other reason that I see is, the whole world needs to recognize God and to understand what God is doing.
a. The Jews had a knowledge of God, but they did not share it with the rest of the world.
b. Aren't we in danger of doing that same thing ourselves?
c. How often do we share what we know about Jesus with people who don't know Him?
2. Jesus spoke to the people in parables because only those truly seeking God would understand Him; yet, all of them heard and were responsible for what they heard.
3. The kingdom of God is not something separate from Jesus. He is the very center of God's Kingdom.
4. Our text deals with two short parables about God's kingdom. Let's take them in the order they come.

I. God's Kingdom Slips Up on Us.

1. It was hidden from any who did not really want it to come.
(1) That included all the nations around Israel.
(2) That also included all the Scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians and anyone else who did not want the Kingdom of God to come!
(3) It is still hidden to anyone who does not desire God's rule in his/her life.
2. It slipped up on all of those people because God did not consider them worthy.
3. Even with that in mind, we have to be aware that God was, and is, willing to overlook any person's sin IF he will turn to Jesus for forgiveness and salvation!
4. Jesus paid the full price for the sins of the whole of mankind, but few meet God's simple condition for receiving His Free gift!
5. I've known some men who wanted a wife but didn't want to be married, and there are many, many people who want heaven, but are not willing to allow God to change them!
6. If you are unwilling to let God change you, the Kingdom of God will never be a reality to you until after you die. Then it is too late for you to change!

II. God's Kingdom Is Big Enough to Take Care of Every One of God's Creatures.

1. I used to worry about heaven being too crowded, and I didn't, and don't, like crowds!
2. Dr. DeHaan who had a radio program for years, figured out the size of the New Jerusalem, and by his figures, there would be room for every Christian to have an apartment in it!
3. I appreciated him, but I think he was way off base on that.
4. Just a cursory scan of the heavens around us should convince us that God's spiritual heaven is far greater than anything we can see.
(1) I also believe when we have telescopes that are powerful enough to see far beyond what we can now see, that we will see more stars and planets!
(2) I believe heaven will be so vast, that people will never have to rub elbows if they don't want to!
5. I'm also one of those who believe there will be animals and plants of all kinds in heaven.
(1) I don't have Biblical proof for that belief.
(2) I base my belief on what we find beautiful and useful and things to be loved.
(3) God gave us all these things to enjoy, to take away boredom, to give us thrills and challenges.
(4) I think we will need those same things in heaven, and they will be there, because God will supply our every need!
6. Now, the Kingdom of God is and will be made up of all who belong to Jesus, and those who are already with God.
(1) Who do we know is with God right now?
a. What about Moses?
b. What about Enoch?
c. What about Elijah?
d. Enoch was not because God took him.
e. Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus at the mount of transfiguration!
(2) We know these are alive and well, and they are with God already.
7. As for the rest of us, there are many Scriptures that tell us who will be with God, but one of the best is I Thessalonians 4:13-18. (Read aloud).
8. We will always be with the Lord, and there will be plenty of room in heaven because John 14:1-4 tells us that Jesus has prepared our places, and He Himself is coming to take us to them!

III. God's Kingdom Is Loaded with Power.

1. We believe gunpowder was invented in 9th. century China.
(1) We don't know how it happened.
(2) It was neither called "gunpowder," nor was it used destructively.
(3) It was used in firecrackers and other fireworks displays on special occasions.
2. In the 14th c., Marco Polo may have brought it to Europe where it revolutionized war.
3. Alfred Bernhard Nobel a Swiss chemist patented dynamite in 1866, and it's power was far greater than gunpowder.
4. The atomic age started in WW II, and atom bombs were dropped on Hiroshema and Nagasaki, Japan in 1945.
5. Now, our armed forces have "smart" bombs of all sorts.
(1) Some work best in open air.
(2) Others work best in buildings or caves, and that type was used extensively in Afganistan.
6. Who knows what the future hold for destructive power?
7. One volcanic eruption puts to shame all of the destructive power man has developed!
8. I've mentioned these things simply to point out that only God has unlimited power!
(1) Jesus healed with a touch, a word, and spit.
(2) God caused the sea to swallow up Pharaoh and the Egyptian army.
(3) God caused the ground to open and swallow up Korah and his family in Numbers 16.
(4) God also caused fire and brimstone to fall on Sodom and Gomorrah without it bothering the other towns nearby.
9. We human beings have used TNT and Dynamite in building, too, but only God has the power to create!
10. Humans are learning how to clone life, but only God is able to create life.
11. God shared one of the greatest creative powers with His children.
(1) We can share the Gospel with lost people, and God will honor His Gospel.
(2) He promises that when His Word goes out, it will bear fruit to life eternal!

Conclusion:

1. John 3:36 gives us an insight into the Kingdom of God. "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
(1) It's important to note "believes" and "has" are present tense verbs.
(2) "Rejects" is also in the present tense, and it is followed by "will not see" in future tense.
(3) The final verb is again present tense, "remains."
(4) The importance of the tenses should be clear.
a. What happened in the past is not important.
b. Where you are right now is vital!
c. Without a change in you, you will remain lost!
2. There is no reason for the Kingdom of God to slip away from anyone!
3. There is no reason for anyone to worry about heaven being too crowded, or about being unhappy there. There's room for you and anyone and everyone else who will trust Jesus.
4. There is no reason to be concerned about evil beings, Satan, or demons! God has all of the real power, and He is willing to use it to bring you into His presence, and there will be no crying there!
5. He does everything through His Son Jesus, and all you have to do is put your trust in Him.
6. You can do that right now as we pray.

Emmanuel Community Church 1/7/2007