Kingdom Invites Your Response
(Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23)
A. What Happens When People Hear the Word of the Kingdom?
Jesus uses the parable of the sower to show how the word of the Kingdom lands on different hearts. There are four types of soil where the seed of God's word can fall:
i. By the Wayside — This represents people who hear the word, but it doesn’t penetrate
their hearts. The enemy snatches it away before it can take root.
ii. On Stony Places — These are people who initially receive the word with joy, but when trouble or persecution arises, they fall away because they have no depth in their faith.
iii. Among Thorns — This represents those who hear the word, but the cares of life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things choke the word, making it unfruitful.
iv. On Good Ground — These are people who hear the word, understand it, and produce fruit in their lives, yielding a harvest of righteousness.
B. The Meaning of Soil (Greek: Ge 1093)The Greek word Ge (1093) refers to the physical earth, land, or region, but it also represents the "arena" in which we live, both physically and spiritually. It is the place where we experience life, make choices, and live out moral decisions. God uses this earthly life to prepare us for eternity.This "arena" is where God records everything we do, and through faith, every moment becomes eternally significant. Our response to God’s word in our lives shapes our future in His Kingdom.
C. The Condition of Your Heart
The condition of the soil represents the state of our hearts. The way we receive the Holy Spirit's communication about Christ’s life and purpose determines how deeply the Kingdom takes root within us. Ultimately, the personal impact of God's Kingdom power in our lives is determined by our response to it.
The Kingdom’s King
(Matthew 4:23, 24, Acts 1:3)
A. What Did Jesus Preach?
In Matthew 4:23, Jesus went throughout Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom and healing every disease and sickness among the people. His preaching centered on the arrival of God's Kingdom on earth and the need for repentance, as well as the promise of salvation. The message was not just about rules but the arrival of God's transformative reign.
B. What Did Jesus Do?
In Matthew 4:24, Jesus demonstrated the power of the Kingdom through healing the sick, casting out demons, and performing miracles. These signs and wonders were the evidence of the Kingdom's power breaking into the physical world, showing the world what life in the Kingdom could be like. Jesus’ actions reflected the love, compassion, and power of God’s Kingdom.
C. What Is the Relationship Between These Two Activities? Are Both Needed?
Both the preaching and the miracles were essential in revealing the Kingdom. The preaching of the Kingdom communicates the truth, while the miracles demonstrate the reality of that truth. Together, they show the fullness of God’s reign on earth. Jesus did not just preach about the Kingdom, He demonstrated its power. We too must not only declare the Kingdom but live and act in a way that demonstrates it to others.
The Best News About the Kingdom Is the King Himself
Jesus clearly understood His identity and mission. After His resurrection, He continued to teach about the Kingdom of God.
In Acts 1:3, it says that Jesus, after His suffering, appeared to the disciples and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God. He had come to release humanity from the bondage of sin, sickness, and Satan. He came to restore what was lost in the Fall and to restore our relationship with God. His death on the cross laid the foundation for all other blessings, including Kingdom life and ministry.
Allow the Holy Spirit to Reveal Jesus in a New Way
Each of us should allow the Holy Spirit to reveal a fresh, deeper understanding of who Jesus is. "I will see Jesus in this ___________"—let the Holy Spirit open your eyes to see Christ in every circumstance.
Jesus had three titles:
Son of David — This title affirms Jesus as the rightful heir to the throne of David, the Messiah who fulfills the prophecy of the coming King.
Servant Son of Man — Jesus identified with humanity, came to serve, and showed the path to redemption.
Divine Son of God — Jesus was fully God, coming to earth to reveal the Father and to establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
These titles were prophesied centuries before Jesus was born. Matthew points to these prophetic promises, showing how Jesus is the fulfillment of all Messianic hopes.
Messianic Promises Fulfilled by Christ’s Coming:
Matthew 1:23 / Isaiah 7:14 — The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel.
Matthew 2:5-6 / Micah 5:2 — The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:15 / Hosea 11:1 — Out of Egypt, I called my son.
Matthew 2:18 / Jeremiah 31:15 — A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and mourning for the children.
Matthew 2:23 / Isaiah 11:1 — He will be called a Nazarene.
Matthew 3:3 / Isaiah 40:3 — A voice calling in the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord.
Matthew 4:14-16 / Isaiah 9:1-2 — The people living in darkness have seen a great light.
Matthew 16:13-16Who do people say Jesus is?
Matthew 16:16 — Peter declares, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 16:17 — Jesus reveals that Peter’s understanding was given by the Father.
Matthew 22:41-45 In this passage, Jesus challenges the Pharisees’ understanding of the Messiah. He asks them, "What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is He?" They answer, "The Son of David." Jesus points out that David calls the Messiah "Lord," indicating that the Messiah is more than just a human descendant of David. He is divine.
Jesus, the Servant Son of Man
The book of Mark emphasizes Jesus’ actions over His teachings, showcasing Him as the miracle-working servant. The title “Son of Man” is used throughout Mark to highlight Jesus’ humanity, His identification with us, and His role in fulfilling God’s plan of salvation.
Misunderstandings About Jesus' Identity:
Matthew 12:32
Mark 2:10-11
Mark 2:27-28
Luke 7:34
Luke 19:10
In these passages, Jesus clarifies His mission as the "Son of Man" — not as a political ruler, but as a servant, coming to seek and save the lost.
Ransom (Lutron)The term “ransom” in Scripture means to release someone from captivity by paying a price. Jesus paid the ultimate price to release us from slavery to sin and death. He became the ransom for our salvation, paying the price through His death on the cross.
The Mighty God (El Gibbor)
In Isaiah 9:6-7, Jesus is described as "El Gibbor," the Mighty God, the Warrior who brings victory. God’s might is not just seen in His creation or His judgment, but in His act of salvation, delivering His people from the enemy and setting them free. Psalm 18:2 declares, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer." God is our Mighty Warrior, always prevailing, always delivering.
John 12:32-34
Jesus speaks of being lifted up, indicating His coming death on the cross. His sacrifice would draw all people to Himself, offering salvation to the world. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus fully establishes the Kingdom of God, not by wielding earthly power but through sacrificial love and service. The Kingdom of God is not just about authority but about humility, sacrifice, and service.
This part of the series on life in the Kingdom invites us to reflect on the nature of the King and His Kingdom, and how we are to respond to His call. Jesus is not only the King who reigns but the Servant who came to save. As His followers, we are invited to participate in this Kingdom, not just by hearing the word but by responding with transformed lives and service.
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