Dr. Dwight A. Pryor's Kingship video Part 2

"There is no other subject more important to the life of the man Yeshua than the subject of the kingdom of heaven." If you don't have a clear understanding of the good news message of the kingdom of God, which was the focus of Jesus message and life example, I'd highly recommend watching these two videos. Yes they are a bit long - the length of a regular sermon or lecture. But shorter than most movies and many TV shows. I'd urge you to make time to watch them.

I've summarized some of the main points bellow.

This is Part 2. Part 1 is here.



0:00

"Yeshua not only announces, proclaims, explains, illustrates and demonstrates the kingdom Himself in His ministry.... He also empowers and sends out His own disciples to announce and implement this good news."

0:46

"... heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you'". Luke 10:9

The disciples did not heal people, and tell them the kingdom of God would come many years from now... they were saying the kingdom of God is present.

3:18
Luke 11:20

"But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."

5:22

"The kingdom is already... and yet even more. It does have a future indicative but it's a present imperative. The kingdom is advancing... and it will come to fruition."

Typically Kingdom in the gospels is referring to the present, but there are cases that are referring to the future. Typically Jesus used "coming" language, and "Son of Man" language to talk about the future.

8:40

"The good news of the kingdom, the poor being comforted and encouraged, the lame being healed, the blind seeing, the mourners comforted - that's the first aspect of the kingdom. The judgment of the apocalypse is coming later."

Luke 17:20-21

Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." (NIV)

Jesus is telling them that they shouldn't be looking for the kingdom of God coming in a visible way. And neither should we. He said it is "within you" or "in your midst".

Then Jesus goes on talking about the days of the 'Son of Man'. And those are references to the future.

14:34
3 things about he kingdom
When Jesus talks about the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God he is emphasizing 1 of 3 things (or all 3).

1. A Person - That He is King
   
2. A Power at work in a process - the power of the spirit of God in the people of God
   
3. A People - all those who submit to His authority, who receive him as King, they are joined to a community that bears wittiness to the fact that for us there is one God and one Lord. Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
   

17:30
I appreciate the explanation given here for this verse. I didn't understand the forcefully advancing, or forceful men lay hold of it. His explanation here makes sense... it's a bit long for me to repeat here though... so watch the video at 17:30 if interested.
Matthew 11:12 "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it."

Matthew 7:21

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (NIV)

This is not a verse about how to get to Heaven when we die. This is talking about who is part of Christ's kingdom here and now.

28:40

"It takes more than verbal affirmation to be part of Jesus people. It takes the fruits of repentance. It takes the obedience of faith."

John 8:31-32

"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)

The kingdom is about setting captives free.

To have the fullness of the kingdom you must have

• redemption
• revelation
• responsibility
  

32:50
Distinction between God's kingship/kingdom and God's sovereignty.

• Kingship - particular, conditional, volitional
• Sovereignty - universal, unconditional, inescapable

We can choose to be under God's Kingship, but being under God's Sovereignty happens whether we like it or not.

Matt 6:9-13

"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.'

I pray we can understand the good news of the kingdom of God, be able to apply it to our lives, and share this good news with the world around us.