What an incredible wild journey this morning through the Bible. Comparing scripture with scripture is the key to rightly dividing the Word of truth. You can see the entire class video at rdtw.org RDTW Week 120. Understanding the imptortance of the Abrahamic Covenant concerning the nation of Israel and the everlasting kingdom that will be ruled by Messiah King Jesus is critical to the gospel presented by John the Baptist and the Lord himself in the four gospels. Without the Abrahamic covenant, there would be no Davidic covenant nor would there be a new covenant for the kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 lays the groundwork of the physical kingdom of heaven on earth, and describes who will be allowed in and how they will be allowed in to the messianic kingdom. Jesus made it clear in Matthew 6:33 that seeking the kingdom of God (spiritual kingdom) is critical to entering the kingdom of heaven (physical kingdom). John 3:3-8 is also a key scripture to understanding the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Paul reitierates the difference between the two kingdoms, in Colossians 1:12-20. Colossians 1:16-20: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. The kingdom of God is spiritual - heavenly / invisible. The kingdom of heaven is physical - earthly / visible. Paul speaks of heaven and earth / visible and invisible. The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the body, the Church age saints. The new covenant is instituted through his death, burial, and resurrection. The four gospel (good news) commands: 1. The Ministry of Reconciliation, which we are all called to participate in – God, in Christ, is actively seeking to reconcile the world to himself. This message connects us all the way back to Adam, who is responsible for alienating all of humanity from God through sin. The faith of the operation of God is reconciliation! Romans 5:1-12, 10:9-13, 11:15, 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, Colossians 2:12-15 2. The Gospel of the Uncircumcision / Grace – the dispensation of the grace of God revealed to Paul by our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the gospel message of the dispensation of the grace of God, and directly connected to the ministry of reconciliaiton. Progressive revelation establishes this gospel message superseding the message given to the apostles during the ministry of Christ. This gospel connects us to Abram, who believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. He believed what God said concerning a people and a place to dwell, as Genesis 13 states below. From our perspective in the dispensation of grace, we can see two groups of people who will be the descendants of Abram: A. The dust of the earth = a terrestrial people – Israel Genesis 13:16-17 B. The stars of heaven = a celestial people – spiritual children of grace through faith Genesis 12:1-3, 13:14-17, 15:5-6, Romans 4:1-10, Galatians 2:7 3. The Gospel of the Circumcision – the gospel message that was uniquely Jewish, and preached to Israel / the Jews by the apostles after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is the gospel of prophecy and is directly connected to the gospel of the Kingdom that was preached in the gospels. Genesis 17:3-12, Acts 2:29-38, 3:19-26, Galatians 2:7 4. The Gospel of the Kingdom – the gospel message preached by John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, as prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6. Jesus said if the Jews would accept John's message, he is Elijah. They did not accept his message, and they did not accept the message of Jesus, either. The kingdom has been put on hold until the accepted time of the return of Christ. Psalms 89:34-37, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Matthew 1:17,21, 3:1-2, 4:17,23, 9:35, 10:7, 24:14 We will complete our study of the four gospel messages this coming Sunday. We will begin to study the book of Titus after that.
