NT Framework - A Rejected Kingdom

The Kingdom of God, that earthly rule of Messiah King, the Christ, over those alive on the earth was rejected by the proper subjects of that kingdom; and so now we wait, not for some spiritual kingdom but for the physical rule of our king.

More information about Beyond the Walls, including additional resources can be found at www.beyondthewalls-ministry.com 

This series included graphics to illustrate what is being taught, if you would like to watch the teachings you can do so on Rumble (https://rumble.com/user/SpokaneBibleChurch) or on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtV_KhFVZ_waBcnuywiRKIyEcDkiujRqP).

Jeremy Thomas is the pastor at Spokane Bible Church in Spokane, Washington and a professor at Chafer Theological Seminary. He has been teaching the Bible for over 20 years, always seeking to present its truths in a clear and understandable manner. 

Transcript

Setting The Kingdom Context

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to Beyond the Walls with Jeremy Thomas and our series on the New Testament framework. Today, a smaller, bite-sized piece from the larger lesson. We hope you enjoy it.

Words And Works As Credentials

Sermon On The Mount’s Role

SPEAKER_02 0:10

Verse 2 is just, there's the twelve apostles, right? And he's going to send them out two by two. And you can see there in verse 5, very interesting commission. These 12 Jesus sent out after instructing them. And here's what he instructed them. Does that sound like the Great Commission that we follow in Matthew 28, 19? Does it sound the opposite? Yeah. Something has to happen between this point in Matthew 10 and that point in Matthew 28. Right? I mean, something serious has to happen for the change. Do not. And then verse 6, but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach saying what? Kingdom of heaven is at hand. I mean, essentially the same exact message, right? So we're on board with during this period of time, this is what I call the kingdom offer. And the message was to the nation Israel, alone. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The nation needed to have a change of mind about source of righteousness. It's not from doing good works like the Pharisees and the scribes, it's by believing in the Messiah. And so the rest of these chapters here, between Matthew 3 and 11, are where you see the credentials of the king laid down. I mean, is he really the Messiah? If he's the Messiah, he has to have the credentials of the Messiah. Well, the Messiah would have orthodox teaching, his words, and he would have miraculous works. So the words and works would be his credentials. In fact, Dwight Pentecost wrote a book called The Words and Works of Jesus Christ. Well titled, because what it's doing in the Gospels, he's making doing a harmony, teaching a harmony of the gospels in that book, and focusing on his credentials, the Messiah's credentials. What is Matthew 5 through 7? It's a famous section of scripture. It's the most famous sermon in the history of the world. Sermon on the Mount, right? Why is that in Matthew 5, 6, and 7 and not Matthew 25 or something? The reason is because it's it's teaching, it's showing that Jesus has orthodox teaching.

SPEAKER_01 2:35

He's orthodox.

Miracles And Rising Popularity

John’s Doubt From Prison

Jesus’ Proof: Isaiah’s Signs

SPEAKER_02 2:38

That's what it's there for. So the people can compare his teaching to the teaching of the Pharisees and say, now wait, which one is true teaching? Oh, what Jesus taught. And the end of that ceremony, or not ceremony, sermon, what does he say? The people, it says they were amazed because Jesus was teaching as one having authority and not as their scribe. There was a contract contrast between the way Jesus taught and as well as what he taught and what the scribes taught. And people saw it. They were, what were they seeing? Oh, this guy is orthodox. Guess what? The Messiah is supposed to be orthodox. Then you also start seeing him do miracles. And this is when he's going around teaching publicly. You know, you see him at the Sea of Galilee, you know, and there's large crowds come and he feeds the 5,000 and things like that. That's this early period in his ministry where he's gaining popularity. He's teaching straightforwardly. There's no parables or anything like that. I mean, the Sermon on the Mount is there's no parables. It's just straightforward teaching, right? No hidden ideas, like what does he mean by that? It was just very straightforward, crisp, clear, orthodox teaching. Then he starts doing miraculous works. You've got to have the words, but you've got to have the works too. And he's doing miracles to authenticate that indeed he is the Messiah. Now, something happens though, because in chapter 11, look at what John, what is happening with John. John, who brought the king, presented the king, forerunner of the king. And while Jesus has gained popularity and so forth, something's not right. Something is not right. And John senses it. Here's John. He's in prison, right? 11 2. Now, when John, while in prison, heard of the works of Christ, meaning his miraculous works, right? He sent word by his disciples and said to him, Are you the expected one, or shall we look for someone else? Now you're all thinking, What? What why do you think he's not the one? John, what's wrong with you? Why are you doubting that Jesus is really the expected one, the Messiah?

SPEAKER_01 4:49

The King of the universe? Real simply, the kingdom hadn't come.

Takeaway And Closing

SPEAKER_02 4:58

He did not intervene in the Roman Empire and totally defeat it and establish his kingdom on earth yet. He hadn't done that. And so John is wondering. And Jesus answered in verse 4 and said to them, Go and report to John what you hear, that's the words, the orthodox teaching, and what you see, that's the miraculous works. Right? The words and the works. And here's the works, verse 5, as he quotes from the Old Testament: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who does not take offense at me. So is Jesus the Messiah? Is he the expected one? Well, absolutely. The words and the works prove it. That's what Matthew 1 through 11 is essentially laying out. That argument. But John was not sure because these things weren't happening on his timetable. Like, come on, let's get this. I'm in prison. Can you get me out of here? Destroy the Romans. Get me out of prison. Let's go into the kingdom. See?

SPEAKER_00 6:02

Thank you for joining us on Beyond the Walls with Jeremy Thomas. If you would like to see the visuals that went along with today's sermon, you can find those on Rumble and on YouTube under Spokane Bible Church. That is where Jeremy is the pastor and teacher. We hope you found today's lesson productive and useful in growing closer to God and walking more obediently with Him. If you found this podcast to be useful and helpful, then please consider rating us in your favorite podcast app. And until next time, we hope you have a blessed and wonderful day.