GOD S PURPOSE FOR MAN I. God s purpose for man A. Gen. 1:26 1. Dominion Take dominion (control) over this Kingdom I have given you B. Gen. 2:15 1. Dress = Rule Further Instruction: Rule & Reign 2. Keep = Reign C. Gen. 3:8 1. Fellowship II. The Fall A. Gen. 3:1-14 1. Satan s scheme 2. Man s fall B. Gen. 3:15-24 1. Title transfer III. Kingdom of Darkness A. II Cor. 4:3-4 1. Satan is the God of this age B. Eph. 2:1-3 1. Prince of the power of the air C. John 8:24 1. You are of your father the devil D. I John 3:10 1. In this the children of the devil are manifest IV. Jesus A. Gen. 3:15 1. He shall bruise thy heel 2. Thou shalt crush his head B. Eph. 2:4-6 1. He gave us life 2. He sat us in the heavenlies a. II Kings 6:8-23 Elisha asks the Lord to open his servants eyes. (1) Ps. 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps around about those that fear Him C. Eph. 4:8-10 (This tells us where He went between the Cross and the Resurrection) 1. Securing the victory D. I Pet. 3:18-20 ( Jesus was proclaiming His victory) E. Col. 2:9-15 (This tells us what He did when He got there) 1. The enemy is disarmed a. spoiled = to disarm b. make an example = to display as a victor displays his trophies c. triumphed = a victorious general leading his prisoners in a triumphal procession (1) II Cor. 2:14 (a) He causes us to triumph. The triumphal entry of a military general. This is not in the eschatological sense but in the missionary sense. (2) Mt. 16:18 The gates of Hell shall not prevail against you. (a) prevail against = to over power, to gain mastery over. F. Col. 1:13 We have been delivered from the authority of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of His dear Son. G. John 1:12 Legal authority to become the Sons of God H. John 14:18 No longer orphans I. Romans 8:15 We have received the Spirit of adoption
V. Restoration Through Reconciliation A. Romans 5:8-10 1. v. 8 While we were sinners Christ died for us 2. v.10 While we were enemies we were reconciled B. II Cor. 5:18-21 1. v. 18 We have been reconciled 2. v. 18 We have been given the ministry of reconciliation 3. v. 21 Christ became sin 4. v. 21 We became the righteousness of God Note Reconciliation The end of a relation of enmity and the substitution of one of peace and goodwill. The initiator of reconciliation was God, who found through the death of His Son a way both for His love for the sinner and His wrath against sin to be accommodated. In this way, God remains righteous, but sinful humans can also be justified through faith in Jesus. Reconciliation restores us to our original state in relation to God and His purposes for us: 1. Gen.1:26 Take dominion 2 Gen. 2:15 Dress (Rule) 3. Gen.2:15 Keep (Reign) 4.Gen. 3:8 Fellowship VI. The Kingdom of God A. What is the meaning of the Kingdom of God? 1. The primary meaning of both the Hebrew word malkuth in the Old Testament and of the Greek word basileia in the New Testament is the rank, authority and sovereignty exercised by a King. 2. When the word refers to God s Kingdom, it always refers to His reign, His rule, His sovereignty, and not to the realm in which it is exercised. 3. The Kingdom of God is His Kingship, His rule, His authority. The Kingdom is not a realm or a people but God s reign. 4. The Kingdom of God is, then, the realization of God s will and the enjoyment of the accompanying blessings. B. What then should be our quest? 1. Mt. 6:10 To see God s rule set up in our lives. 2. Mt. 6:33 To have His sway, His rule, His reign in our lives. C. What does the word of God have to say about the Kingdom as to its time? We must realize that there are two manifestations of the Kingdom of God: one in power and glory when Christ returns, and that which is now present among us. We will now examine the present reality and the future hope of the Kingdom. 1. It is a present reality. a. Mt. 12:28 d. Luke 4:16-21 g. Luke 11:20 b. Mark 9:1 e. Luke 10:9 h. Luke 19:11 c. Mark 12:34 f. Luke 10:11 i. Acts 14:22 2. It is a future hope. a. Luke 22:16 b. Rev. 12:10 3. It is a future hope that has become a present reality. a. Mt. 6:10 c. Heb. 6: b. I Cor. 15:24
VII. The Mystery of the Kingdom. A. What is the mystery? 1. The mystery in the Biblical sense is not something mysterious, nor deep, dark profound or difficult. 2. The Biblical idea of mystery is something that has been kept secret through time eternal but is now made manifest. B. What is the mystery of the Kingdom? 1. The Kingdom now offers to men the blessings of God s rule, delivering them from the authority of Satan and sin. 2. The Kingdom of God has come but not with irresistible power. 3. The Kingdom of God has come among men and yet they can reject it. 4. God has entered into history in the person of Jesus Christ to work among men, to bring them the life and blessings of His Kingdom. 5. It brings the miracle of divine life to men. It introduces them to the blessings of His divine rule. IN SUMMARY The Old Testament perspective concerning the Kingdom of God is viewed as a single great event: a mighty manifestation of God s power which would sweep away the wicked Kingdom s of human sovereignty and would fill all the earth with righteousness. Whereas the New Testament perspective is not that of a single event but an ongoing process which would exist side by side with the present Kingdom s until Christ presents the Kingdom of God to the Father. Therefore the mystery of the Kingdom is this: that the Kingdom which will one day change the entire external order has entered into THIS AGE in advance to bring the blessings of God s Kingdom to men and women without transforming the old order. The old age is going on, yet men may already enjoy the powers of The Age To Come. The Kingdom of Satan still stands, but the Kingdom of God has invaded the Kingdom of Satan. Men and women may now be delivered from this power, delivered from this bondage, delivered from the mastery of sin and death. This deliverance is accomplished because the power of the future Kingdom of Glory has come among men in a secret, quite form to work in their midst. Eternal life belongs to the future Kingdom of glory and to the Age to Come; yet this Eternal life has become available to man in this present Age. VIII. The Invasion of the Kingdom When Jesus came to earth he took dominion (control). He knew who He was and why He was here. He walked in authority and exercised the power of the Kingdom. And he kept in constant communion with God. You see all that man LOST in the fall Jesus was about to restore. A. What was lost in the fall? 1. Gen. 1:26 Dominion 3. Gen. 2:15 Keep = Reign 2. Gen. 2:15 Dress = Rule 4. Gen. 3:8 Fellowship NOTE This is what man lost but that was all about to change!!! B. We are part of a Royal family. (We need to realize who we are and begin to walk in it). [Napoleon] For out of the seed of Abraham began to arise a royal family, and we are now part of that royal family. We are royalty. 1. We come from a Kingly lineage. a. We are of the seed of Abraham. (1) Gen. 13:14-18 The dust of the earth = Natural Israel (2) Gen. 15:1-6 The stars of heaven = Spiritual Israel (3) Gen. 22:15-19 The sand upon seashore and the stars of heaven = Natural & Spiritual Israel b. We come from a line of Kings. Our brother is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. [Donny] (1) David, Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Hezikiah, Josiah, Jesus
2. I Kings 3:7-14 From servant to King. (Caring for others and not serving self.) NOTE Luke 22:24-30 A King In Man s Eyes How can you serve me A King in God s eyes How can I serve you 3. Rev. 1:5-6 He hath made us 1. Kings ( 2. Priests ( a. You see it s not one or the other, its both. We are Kings and Priests!!! b. We hold two offices. Kings Priests 1. Take Dominion 1. Give sacrifices 2. Rule 2. Render service (to God and man) 3. Reign 3. Worship 4. Rev. 5:10 He hath made us 1. Kings ( Priests ( We shall reign ( we are vested with Kingly power 5. Luke 22:28-29 He will give a Kingdom unto us. (future) God has a purpose for us in the age to come. And it involves more then eating grapes and skipping stones on the River of Life. 6. I Cor. 4:8 We are in the process. 7. Rms. 5:17 We are to reign in life. This literally meant to Reign as Kings. 8. II Tim. 2:12 We shall reign with Him (future) C. The making of a King. All that Jesus was (in the Natural) we are to be (in the Spiritual). 1. We must be members of the Royal family. a. Jn. 1:12 ( AUTHORITY) 2. The Lord will never ask you to do something and then not give to you that which you need to perform the task!!! a. Luke 22:49 (POWER) You must be endued ( to be clothed) with power from on high. This is not a nicety it is a necessity Going into the world without being clothed with power from on high would be like sending a Marine into combat without his battle dress.(m-16a1 Rifle, M17A1, Field Protective mask, 782 Gear) (1) It is so important that we are clothed with power otherwise we find our selves (spiritually) in the buff. Naked and powerless. If you don t think it is so ask the seven sons of Sceva. D. From Mystical to Practical. 1. We must translate Mystical aura into practical application a. Such words as Dominion, Rule, Reign, they all have a mystical aura around them. And if we cannot translate these neat words into some kind of practical application, at the end of the day all we have are a bunch of neat words. 2. First we must take these Biblical words and translate them into some terms which will lead us to some practical application. a. Dominion: To take responsibility over that which God has placed you over. b. Rule: To set into motion a plan and act upon it to accomplish a particular task. c. Reign: Once that plan or act has been acted upon, over see and maintain it.
IX. The New You A. The Restoration of the Kingdom. a. Fellowship I Pet. 3:18 Bring us to God b. Character Gal. 5:20:21 Fruit of the Spirit c. Power I Cor. 12:8-10 Gifts of the Spirit d. Authority Eph. 4:11-12 Ministries of the Spirit NOTE You see, you were saved to do more then buff a pew 1. II Cor. 5:17 A new creature a. Gal. 1:19 Christ formed in you b. Col. 1:26-27 Christ in you the hope of glory (1) Character Gal. 5:22-23 (2) Power I Cor. 12:8-10 (3) Authority Eph. 4:11-12 Rms. 12:6-8 POWER AUTHORITY I Cor. 12:8-10 Eph. 4:12/ Rms. 12:6-8 (3 GIFTS OF KNOWING) 1. Apostles 1. Wisdom 2. Prophets 2. Knowledge 3. Evangelists 3. Discerning of Spirits 4. Pastors 5. Teachers (3 GIFTS OF SPEAKING) 6. Helps 1. Tongues 2. Interpretation of tongues CHARACTER 3. Prophecy Gal. 5:22-23 (3 GIFTS OF DOING) 1. Love 1. Healing 2. Joy 2. Miracles 3. Peace 3. Faith 4. Longsuffering 5. Gentleness 6. Goodness 7. Faith 8. Meekness 9. Temperance
Two Great Events In The Conquest Of Evil The Second Coming of Christ is necessary to complete the work begun in His Incarnation. There are, in other words, two great events in God s conquest of the powers of evil, two invasions of God into history: the Incarnation and the Second Coming. One scholar has illustrated this by an analogy from World War II. There were two steps in the victory over Nazi Germany: D-Day and V-Day. Once the allies had launched a successful invasion upon the continent and the allied armies had secured a foothold and started their drive across France, the tide of battle turned. The allies were advancing, Germany was in retreat. But there remained much bitter fighting, which lasted until the complete capitulation of the enemy V-Day. Then the fighting ceased; peace reigned.