KINGDOM 6 – Billy Moore

(THE KINGDOM THAT CANNOT BE DESTROYED)

I.  Introduction

·  Universal Dominion, Israel, Church, Heavenly Kingdom

·  Established Pentacost  -  Spiritual in Nature

·  Work – Evangelism, Edification, Benevolence  -  Value is Kingdom Comes First 

A.  We are familiar with God’s promise to set up a kingdom.

1.  Daniel gave the interpretation of Nebu’s dream: “In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed.” (Dan. 2:44).

a.  Establishes time when kingdom was to be set up, “in the days of these kings” (Roman kings).

b.  Teaches the kingdom of God shall never be destroyed.

c.  “Wherefore we receiv­ing a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Heb. 12:28 

B.  Many kingdoms have fallen through the centuries. Governments continue to rise and fall.

1.  Example: Iraq Government has fallen, others such as Pakistan and Iran look shaky. 

C.  We want to study the kingdom that cannot be destroyed.

1.  Why will it never be destroyed?  What makes it different from the kingdoms of men? 

II.  FIRST, THE KING IS INDESTRUCTIBLE.

A.  Christ is the King of this kingdom.

1.  ASV - 2 Sam. 7:12-16 - When thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, that shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.  He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.  I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;  but my lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.  And thy house and thy kingdom shall be made sure for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

a.  God had promised to raise one up of “the seed of David” to sit upon the throne

·  This is not Solomon – Is. 53:5 – Also, when was Solomon beaten?

b.  Matt. 1:1 - Jesus is “the seed of David”  

2.  Jesus was born to be the king.

a.  Luke 1:32-33, John 18:37, Mat. 27:11 

3.  When he was raised from the dead:

a.  Matt. 28:18 – Given all power

b.  Eph. 1:20-23 – Head over all things

c.  “at the right hand of God exalted…and made both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:33,36) 

4.  He is “king of kings” (I Tim. 6:15), and is presently reigning and will reign until the last enemy has been put under his feet (I Cor. 15:25-26).
 

B.  This king cannot be destroyed.

1.  Heb. 9:27 - Every king among men has died or shall die, not a one of them is free from destruction. But Christ shall never be destroyed!

2.  All the powers of Satan were used in an attempt to destroy him, from the temptation (Matt. 4), to mock­ery, to the crucifixion.

3.  Rev. 4:9 – Jesus is a King that shall live for­ever.

a.  Many Citizens have cried unto their ruler, “Long live the king.” But we can say, Our King liveth forever! He cannot be destroyed!

·  This gives security to all his subjects. No “coup” or over­throw. 

III.  SECOND, THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS KINGDOM IS INDESTRUCTIBLE.

A.  Define ‘constitution”.

1.  “The system of fundamental laws and principles that prescribes the nature, functions, and limits of a government or other institution.” (The American Heri­tage Dictionary)

a.  Example: The constitution of the United States. Adopted in 1787 and put into effect in 1789. 

2.  All the constitution of men are destructible.

a.  The constitution of the U. S. has had many amend­ments. 

B.  The constitution of this kingdom is the word of God, the New Testament in particular.

1.  This constitution prescribes the “nature, functions and limits of the kingdom of God”.

a.  John. 18:36 - Its nature is spiritual, not physical.

b.  Its functions are: preaching the word, edifying the saints, Benevolence especially to needy saints, while we con­tend for the faith and worship God.

c.  Eph.. 6:12 - It is limited to these spiritual activities. It does not engage in carnal warfare, or managing governments of the earth, recreation, social activities, etc. It is limited to “speak­ing as the oracles of God” (I Peter 4:11)

·  Because we recognizc the new testament as our constitution (rule of faith and practice) we crv out against every departure from this constitution  saying, “It is not scriptural’;

·  As a citizen of the U.S. would cry out when someone tries to destroy our constitutional rights, by saying, “It is uncon­stitutional,” 

2.  This constitution cannot be destroyed. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away.” Mt. 24:35

a.  When we come to the judgment that word will be there

·  John 12:48

3.  This constitution needs no amendments. In fact all men and angels who amend it, or seek to amend it, are condemned (Gal. 1:6-10).

a.  We do not have the right to “vote” to see whether we shall amend the laws of the kingdom. We cannot amend them.

b.  70 AD Church Women and men Voted about actions of church. 

4.  This constitution is a perfect and complete guide for every subject of the king (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

a.  Since it is perfect it needs no amending. You cannot improve on that which is perfect, and any change will destroy its perfection.
 

IV.  THIRD, THE FOUNDATION OF THE KINGDOM IS INDESTRUCTIBLE.

A.  Christ, the Son of the living God, is the foundation.

1.  Isa. 28:16; I Pet. 2:4-8

a.  Jesus is a “tried stone’, tested in every possi­ble way:

b.  He is a precious corner stone

c.  He is a “sure founda­tion’.

d.  We would not build a Giant structure upon an un­tried foundation

e.  We should not build our spiritual house on any foundation but Christ. 

B.  Destroy the foundation and the building falls, or the kingdom falls.

1.  We know this is true of the physical building and it is true of the spiritual.

2.  Foundations of some spiritual houses:

a.  Joseph Smith is the foundation of Mormonism.

b.  Mary Baker Eddy is the foundation of Christian Scientists.

c.  Ellen G. White is the foundation of Seventh Day Adventists.

d.  Charles Russel and Judge Rutherford the foundation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

e.  Dogmas of Rome the foundation of the Roman Catho­lic Church.

·  Note: All of these are mere men.  It is easy to destroy these foundations. 

C.  Christ shall never be destroyed.

1.  “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19).

2.  All the powers of earth cannot shake, move or destroy the foundation of the kingdom of God. 

V.  FINALLY, THE SUBJECTS SHALL NEVER BE DESTROYED.

A.  The subjects are the souls of men.

1.  His kingdom is spiritual.

2.  Only the “saved souls” are added to the church (Acts 2:47).

3.  Those who are not faithful are separated from the flock – Mat. 25:31-34 

B.  These subjects cannot be destroyed.

1.  Men can and do kill the body, but they never destroy the soul

a.  Mat 10:28 - And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

2.  1^st century persecution brought upon the kingdom of God, did not destroy it, but made it stronger. 

a.  Your soul can be a part of the kingdom of God, a living stone built upon the sure foundation, and no man can de­stroy you! 

VI.  Conclusion:

A.  Isn’t it great to be part of an indestructible kingdom?

a.  Indestructible King, Constitution, Foundation, and Subjects.

B.  Would you like to be in this kingdom? Jesus said, you must “be born again of water and of the Spirit” to be in the kingdom (John 3:3-5).

C.  If you believe in God, and in Christ as the Son of God, and you are willing to obey him today, he will “translate you out of the power of darkness and into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col. 1:12-14).