THE VALUE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

IS IT WORTH EVERYTHING TO YOU?

By DELANO STEWART , July 28, 2019

The Value of the Kingdom of God

Introduction:

Many have set out to clearly define the Kingdom of God (KoG) also called the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus never left us a statement saying, “The definition of the Kingdom of God is…” Instead he often said, “The KoG is like…” Knowing this, we begin to understand that the kingdom of an infinite God is too big to totally grasp with our finite minds but by saying what it is like, we can know some things about the KoG. One thing we know is that if it is God’s kingdom, then it is a kingdom where He reigns (Ps 99:1, Isa 52:7, and Rev 19:6). We also know that the kingdom came with Jesus (Matt 4:17, Luke 11:20) but is still yet to come in complete power with the return of Jesus (Mark 8:38, Acts 1:11, and Rev 21:1-2). We also know that God’s people are in that kingdom and it is eternal (Dan 2:44, 7:18 and Rev 21:1-4). Finally, we enter that kingdom through faith in Jesus (John 3:5, 14:6, Acts 14:21-22, 2 Pet 1:3-11). With all this said, I ask the question: “How much do you value the Kingdom of God?”

Matthew 13:44-46

In these parables, Jesus lets us know what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. Jesus spoke in many parables and in Matthew 13 explains why. According to Mark L. Bailey, a parable simply put is a figurative narrative that is true to life and is designed to convey through analogy some specific spiritual truth usually associated with the KoG.

Much have been said about what these parables exactly mean. Interpretations include:

• The man being Jesus finding people (the people represents Israel) and giving up everything for them.

• The man being Jesus who finds people in his church and purchases them with his blood (everything he had).

• The man being us who stumble upon the Gospel of Jesus i.e. the KoG and all that it entails and we give up everything to follow Jesus.

I believe that the last interpretation is how Jesus intended his disciples to understand the parable. The reign of God in our lives is so valuable that nothing else in our lives is as valuable as God’s kingdom. In fact everything else is worth giving up in comparison to the KoG. With that said, how much do you value the kingdom of God?

What you value gives you meaning. If you value something temporary, you have a temporary and often mercurial meaning in your life but if you value something that transcends the material world and is eternal, you have a meaning that is also transcendent and eternal.

There are four areas where we must value the KoG above all else:

  1. KoG and Metanoia (Greek for mind change)- Changing our thinking about the KoG.

  2. KoG and Lordship- Living under the Reign of Jesus as Lord

  3. KoG and Discipleship- Jesus sent his disciples on a kingdom mission

  4. KoG and our Oikos- Showing others the value of the KoG

    1. KoG and Metanoia- Greek for mind change- Changing our thinking about the Kingdom of God- Matthew 4:17
  1. Jesus called people to repent (metanoia) because the Kingdom was near.
  2. When confronted with the Kingdom (God’s reign), we all have to decide what value it is in our lives just like the men in the parables.
  3. They saw so much value to the KoG that they sold everything that had for it.
  4. The call of repentance is to make God and His kingdom first in our hearts, minds and in our actions (Matthew 6:33)

• What value do you see in the KoG? • What mind change did you undergo when you first encountered the kingdom of God? • What were you willing or what did you give up when you realized its value? • Does the kingdom (God’s reign) still have the same value in your heart, mind and actions?

  1. KoG and Lordship- Living under the Reign of Jesus as Lord- Philippians 2:8-11
  1. Everyone will acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus in the end.
  2. How we view him now will determine if that proclamation is going to be one of victory and joy or defeat and regret.
  3. To be in the KoG, we must embrace that reign of Jesus in our lives- our relationship with God, our relationship with His people (the church), our physical families, and our neighbors (Matthew 7:21-23).
  4. Living under the Lordship of Jesus is not religion but relationship because religion depends on rules and relationship depends on love.

• Is the Lordship of Jesus evident in your life today? • Has religion become more the norm than relationship? • If Jesus was to look at your life- what takes your time, energy, effort and affection- would He be secure as your lord? • What needs to change in your life if the answer to the previous question is “No”?

  1. KoG and Discipleship- Jesus sent his disciples on a kingdom mission- Matthew 28:18-20
  1. The kingdom mission: Making disciples of Jesus that make disciples Jesus.
  2. There are two parts to the mission, conversion and continuing to teach and follow Jesus’ teachings.
  3. Jesus calls disciples to have an attitude similar to the men in the parables-Luke 9:23-25.
  4. A disciple is one who follows Jesus (Head), is changed by Jesus (heart) and is devoted to Jesus’ mission (hands)- Matthew 4:19 ESV.
  5. Once a disciple of Jesus stops following, or changing or is no longer committed to the mission, their discipleship ceases.

• Have you ever made a decision to follow Jesus as His disciple? • If you made a decision to follow Jesus recently or in the past, does your life still reflect being the head, heart and hands of Jesus? • Is there a need for change in any of those areas? • If so, what specific decision do you need to make and who will you share it with to help you with those changes?

  1. KoG and Your Oikos (Greek word for household)- Showing others the value of the KoG- Mark 5:19
  1. Jesus wants you to tell others what he has done in your life?
  2. You have been strategically and supernaturally placed in your oikos and the same goes for the people in your oikos.
  3. One sees the true value of the KoG not when he hoards it but when he shares it.
  4. The life you live in front of your oikos shows them how much you value the KoG.

• What is your story and who in your oikos needs to hear it? • Why is it important to believe that God has strategically and supernaturally placed you in your oikos? • How can you share the value of KoG more with your oikos? • In what ways can the KoG increase in value in your life? • It has been said “I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” What are you preaching to your oikos?

Conclusion:

How much do you value the Kingdom of God (KoG)? It will show in your life in what you do or what you don’t do. The KoG is about a relationship with King Jesus. To truly have him as your king and be in his kingdom, you must have a mind-change- He is king and I am his servant. I.e. He is lord and He determines my steps. This attitude is the essence of discipleship. The greater the value of the KoG in your life, the greater your discipleship. This value is what you share with your oikos through your words but more importantly through your life. With Christ’s help, may the people in your oikos find the Kingdom of God, a treasure that is worth far more than anything this world has to offer.

Sermon Slides