FOUNDATIONS: KINGDOM COME LESSON #4: CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM Intro. In the Gospels, Jesus referred to the kingdom of God 54 times. He called it the kingdom of heaven in the gospel of Matthew 32 times. 1. We ve already talked about The Message of the Kingdom, The Seed of the Kingdom, and The Greatest in the Kingdom 2. Tonight we re going to look at being Children of the Kingdom a. We re not just Christians, we re God s kids b. Children of the kingdom 3. Most importantly, it means our Father is God a. We can come to Him at any time for any reason Luke 11:2 (NKJV) So He said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven b. When we pray, it s not only to God, it s to our Father We are children of the kingdom Luke 18:15-17 (NKJV) 15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. 4. There are qualities in kids that we all need to emulate a. Jesus said it s so important that we won t get into heaven without it Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 1
Luke 18:17 (NKJV) Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. I. BEING CHILDREN OF GOD MEANS WE ARE Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV) The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. A. HE LOVES LIKE A FATHER BECAUSE THAT S 1. This is the greatest revelation we can have about Him a. He loves like a Father because that s who He is Matthew 7:11 (NKJV) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV) The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. 2. I wonder how many of us can feel this about God When we re feeling lonely, afraid, or disconnected from God, we need to remember, He rejoices over us quote: What comes to mind when we think of God is the most important thing about us. b. It matters how we feel God thinks about us Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 2
Too many Christians have a hard time picturing God rejoicing over them We see Him being displeased or even disgusted far easier The greatest revelation we can have of God is of His love Being a child of God means we are greatly loved II. WHY WOULD WE EVER A. IF WE HAVE A HARD TIME COMING TO GOD OR BELIEVING THAT HE ACCEPTS US, WE HAVE A OF HIS LOVE Ephesians 1:6 (NKJV) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. Because God loves us, we can come to Him 1. This is the whole basis of being able to pray the right way Luke 11:2 (NKJV) So He said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven a. Over and over the Bible tells us we can come boldly to our Father Ephesians 3:12 (NLT) Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God s presence. Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 3
We need to know we can come boldly to Him and He won t be annoyed He s our Father If we have a hard time coming to God or believing that He accepts us, we have a faulty understanding of His love B. IF WE ARE IT S BECAUSE WE DON T UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH GOD LOVES US 1 John 4:18 (NKJV) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1. It s important to get this because many of us have times when we re are anxious, worried, and afraid a. If we understand how much God loves us it will help us not be afraid b. His perfect love (not ours) casts out fear. Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV) The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. 2. When we re afraid we need to let His love quiet us He will help us by letting us know It s all right, I m here! Hebrews 13:6 (NKJV) So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Definition: From Word Wealth in the Spirit Filled Life Bible, The word helper describes one who comes running when we cry for help. The word describes the Lord as poised and ready to rush to the relief of His oppressed children when they shout for His assistance. We need to carry this image of God in our minds Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 4
It will help free us from anxiety and fear Matthew 6:31-32 (NLT) 31 So don t worry about these things, saying, What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. C. FINALLY, ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE A HARD TIME WITH GOD S LOVE IS WE VE LOST OUR One of the most endearing qualities of children is their innocence 1. We live in a world that seems to have lost all innocence 2. It s not just unbelievers who ve lost this a. Many Christians live with a lot of guilt b. Some of it may be for things that are going on now c. Some of it can be from stuff God has long forgiven and forgotten d. It can leave its mark on our conscience and limit our ability to sense God s presence and love We need to regain our sense of innocence 3. The Bible tells us how Matthew 18:4 (NKJV) Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. a. God s forgiveness is a wonderful thing b. When we come to Him, humble ourselves and pray, God, I m sorry, help me, forgive me, He will. Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 5
When guilt is hindering our experience of God s presence and love we can find forgiveness and a restored sense of innocence 1 John 3:21 (NKJV) Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. Psalms 103:11-13 (NKJV) 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. Prayer and confession: Father, thank You for loving me so much. I believe You rejoice over me. I can come to You at any time for any thing. Because I know You love me, I will not be afraid or worried. Your perfect love casts out fear. Thank You for restoring my sense of innocence by forgiving me of all sin and failure. In Jesus name, Amen. Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 6
FILL IN THE BLANKS FROM LESSON #4 I. BEING CHILDREN OF GOD MEANS WE ARE (GREATLY LOVED) A. HE LOVES LIKE A FATHER BECAUSE THAT S (WHO HE IS) II. WHY WOULD WE EVER (DOUBT IT?) A. IF WE HAVE A HARD TIME COMING TO GOD OR BELIEVING THAT HE ACCEPTS US, WE HAVE A (FAULTY UNDERSTANDING) OF HIS LOVE B. IF WE ARE (ANXIOUS, WORRIED, OR AFRAID) IT S BECAUSE WE DON T UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH GOD LOVES US C. FINALLY, ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE A HARD TIME WITH GOD S LOVE IS WE VE LOST OUR (SENSE OF INNOCENCE) Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 7