Your Kingdom Come

Luke 11:1-4


 
Introduction:

Do you know how many countries there are in the world? About 191. The average student in America knows very little about what is happening in other countries. On the other hand, students in other countries often know much about the US.

Our society has the tendency to look inward, paying little attention to other countries. If not for 911, we would care less where Afghanistan is. Now, because of Bin Laden, not only can we locate Afghanistan on the map, we have also become familiar with where its mountains and caves are. 911 broadened our world perspectives. How about Andorra, Belarus, Berim, Eritrea, Kiribati, or Vanuata? We probably will say, how interesting, but who cares? If your company is sending you to one of these places, you will be in a hurry to find out more about it. Often, it is self-interest that causes us to notice others existence.

In this prayer that Jesus taught his disciples, he directed their attention not just on themselves but on the father who is in heaven. Jesus knew that his disciples were very much concerned with the fate of the Jewish nation. Some of them might be hoping that Jesus' mission, and therefore their mission was to establish a new political kingdom on earth. In this prayer, He calls their attention not on the kingdom they are in, that is the earthly kingdom, but on another kingdom: God's kingdom, the heavenly father's kingdom, the kingdom of heaven.

This kingdom of God is a repeated theme throughout the Bible. In the OT, it was promised the coming of Messiah, establishing his kingdom. In the NT, when John the Baptist appeared on the scene, his first words were, "Behold, the kingdom of God is near, Repent". When Jesus began his ministry at 30, he proclaimed, "The kingdom of God is near, repent." Late he told his followers that the kingdom of God is in their midst.

This morning we want to explore this theme of God's kingdom. We'll take a closer look at the 2nd petition in the Lord's Prayer: Your Kingdom Come.

I. God's sovereign rule over the earthly kingdoms.

Let's first look at the earthly kingdoms. First there are the different political systems. Some are democratic, others are dictatorial. There is the socialist versus the capitalist; plus some in between. Some are more successful than others.

These different kingdoms come and go. Historians told us that looking at the world history, there are 21 major civilizations. At one time, Egypt was a super power, center of knowledge, not anymore. We may still remember the height of USSR. Then there was a time when Britain was known as the Great Britain or the Great British Empire. Today USA is the remaining super power in world politics, but China is the one to watch in the 21st century.

Even within the same country, we see government/administrations come and go. In China, we learned that if you don't like the present regime, just wait another 50 years, or 100 years. Here in America, we say just wait 4 more years. Looking at our kingdoms from the earthly perspective, one rises and takes the place of another.

However, there is another way of looking at these kingdoms or human history. In the book of Daniel(5:11-12, 26,18-21), there was an incident with king Belshazzar of Babylon. While hosting a big banquet, he displayed items that his father took from the temple in Jerusalem. This was greatly displeasing to God. In the middle of the dinner, a hand appeared and wrote certain words on the wall. In great fear, they found Daniel who interpreted these words, God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end." Daniel also gave a more detailed explanation of these words, The most high God gave your father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honor….But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and God took his glory from him……till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointed over it whomsoever he will. And now, you, his son has not humbled your heart, though you know all this…" That evening, Belshazzar was killed and Darius became the king.

This incident clearly tells us of God's sovereign rule over the kingdoms of the world. Yes, it is the human kingdoms, some of them even working against him, yet they are still under his sovereign control. No matter what country we live in, he is the sovereign ruler of human history.

II. God establishing his kingdom on earth.

On the one hand God is sovereign over human kingdoms and history. On the other hand, he also established his kingdom on earth. In the OT, he called Abraham to be the father of all nations. And out of those nations, he has chosen the Israelites to manifest his rule among them. While the surrounding nations had kings to rule them, God told the Israelites that He would be their king. They disobeyed him and wanted a king like the other nations. So Saul became their first king. Because of Saul's disobedience, God chose David and told him, Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me, your throne will be established forever."(2 Sam 7:16) David clearly recognized that this is a reference to God's kingdom. Even though David's kingdom enjoy great expansion, but the OT writers also pointed us to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

When Jesus Christ came into the world, the first utterance of his words when he began his public ministry was, "Behold, the kingdom of God is near, Repent." With his coming, the kingdom of God has arrived. Some of his disciples and many followers were expecting a visible and politically powerful kingdom. Jesus repeatedly taught them that his kingdom is not like that. Later, Paul explained in Romans 14:17, For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit…" In Boice's words, "this kingdom comes today whenever and wherever God's righteousness, peace, and joy transform a life and bring the fullness of spiritual blessing. That is, whenever, God rules in a human life, there is his kingdom. This is a spiritual kingdom. This spiritual kingdom is also expressed in the visible church.

1. Characteristics of God's kingdom on earth.

Mary in Luke 1:51-53,He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things.." Jesus in Luke 4:18-19, The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,…"

Who is in his kingdom? The blind, the sick, the weak, the oppressed, the widows and the orphans. Later on, Paul added that God had not called the wise but the foolish. It is just the opposite of the worldly kingdom, isn't it? The world wants those with 20/20 vision, the strong, the powerful, and those high profile people. But God's kingdom is not so. Remember one time David was on the run from Saul and ended up in a cave. Who came to him? All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him." (1 Sam 22:1-2). This incident also fore tells what God's kingdom will be like. God brings such people into his kingdom and transforms them with his power into individuals who will manifest his glory and beauty.

When we lose sight of this, we get into trouble. When Constantine in the 4th century gave God's people political power and prestige, corruption entered. When the pope gained military power, the church became the Holy Roman Empire. When Martin Luther started the Reformation movement, many of the German princes were with him not because of doctrines, but because they were tired of the church's rule over them. When God's church, his kingdom on earth began to go after wealth, prosperity and power, the church will become corrupted.

2. Imperfection in God's kingdom on earth.

I think many of us have expressed our disappointment with God's visible kingdom on earth, the church. We have seen behaviors, attitudes and values that are inconsistent with the King of this heavenly kingdom. Sometimes so great is our disappointment, that we withdraw from the visible community of God's people.

We probably remember Jesus' parable of the farmer sowing seeds. Some of the seeds were in good soil, others in thorns, rocky soil or road side. Only the ones in good soil gave good harvest. There was also another parable about the wheat and the weeds. The servant noticed that weeds were growing alongside with the wheat and asked if they should pull them out. And the owner's response was leave them there and wait till the harvest time. Then, the wheat and the weeds will be separated.

These parables tell us that while on earth, God's kingdom will not be perfect. Because members of his kingdom still carry with them the marks and consequences of sins. Sometimes it is personal sins from the past, other times, the impact of our society has greatly and adversely affected us. There may even be those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ, but in reality, they do know Him. As long as we human beings are in this visible kingdom of God on earth, there are problems and imperfections. And this is why we look to

III. God's kingdom to come.

We have seen God's kingdom in the past and present. Now, let's take a look at the future aspect. Your Kingdom Come. There is the aspect of the kingdom that is to come. In Matthew 24:30-31, At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." In the book of Acts, we read about Jesus ascending into heaven. Acts 1:10, They were looking intently up into the sky as he (Jesus) was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Both these passages tell us that there will come a time, when Jesus Christ will return to this world and establish his kingdom in its full glory. Yes, the kingdom has come, it is a limited form, but it will come again in full force.

On June 6, 1944, the Allied Army landed in Normandy. This is known as the D-day. But the final victory did not come until one year later. When Jesus died on the cross and resurrected 3 days later, he triumphantly defeated Satan. Yes, Satan is defeated, but he still has the power to influence us. But on the day when Jesus Christ comes again in his full glory, Satan, the devil will be completely subdued. We live in between D-day and V-day. We are joyous because our lord has already won the war. We also look forward to the day to see his full glory. Yes, he has come, yet he is still to come.

So, what do we mean when we pray, Your Kingdom Come? F

1. God's kingdom will continue to expand in my life.

We understand that God rules in our lives. He has transformed us by his power. This transformation is an on going process. There may still be some areas of my life that he is not in charge of. I could be very disciplined in my reading of his word and praying, but I still have some reservations to handing over how I do business. Or I am a very good husband and father, yet I am hesitant to have him rule over how I spend money and reluctant to give 1/10 of what I have to God.

Instead of asking God to expand my territory, we are to ask God to expand his territory in our lives. We want him to expand his rule in all areas of our lives. Let him be the king of my entire life.

2. Use my witness to expand his kingdom on earth.

When I pray, Your kingdom come, I am also asking God to use me to expand his kingdom on earth. C.S. Lewis describes this world as "enemy occupied territory." And Christianity as "the story of how the rightful king has landed in disguise and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage." I ask him to help me to tell others the good news of the heavenly kingdom. The message of how Jesus came into the world to deliver us from God's wrath and the bondage of sins.

I am no better than any other persons. Personal evangelism is like two beggars meet on the street. One beggar tells the other where he can find water and bread.

When I pray, Your Kingdom Come, I am also asking God to help me live a life that will point others to his kingdom. I will ask him to help me to live a life of integrity, love, acceptance and forgiveness. Through words and deeds, God uses me to expand his kingdom into other people's lives. Conclusion:

Too often when I pray, I find myself focusing on my own immediate world. This or that need I have; or this or that person's/family's needs. No wonder a former Buddhist made the comment, "listening to you Christians praying, is like asking blessing from the Buddha."

However, we are to remember that we have been invited by God to bring our needs to him. As a matter of fact, he invites us to bring all our needs to him. So we don't have to be apologetic when we pray for others and ourselves. We are to fervently and persistently pray for each other. At the same time, we also need to remember to lift our eyes up and see God's kingdom. Not just an abstract concept, but his kingdom is in those who have trusted him. His kingdom is in those whose lives have been transformed by his righteousness, peace and joy. His kingdom is in those who have received all the heavenly spiritual blessings. Not only this, we also remember our role in expanding his kingdom both in our own personal lives and on earth. And moreover, we are looking towards the day when his kingdom will come in full glory and power. This is what Jesus taught in Mat 6:33.

 

Rev. William Hsueh   Feb. 17, 2002    Houston Chinese Church,  Houston, Texas