Some Things the Kingdom of God is Not

Text: Matthew 16:18-19

Many people have misconceptions about the kingdom of God – which is also the church (cf. Matthew 16:18-19). We will examine some of these in this lesson.

The Kingdom of God is Not in the Future

  • Prophecy spoke of Jesus establishing His kingdom during the days of the Roman Empire (Daniel 2:44-45)
  • While on earth, Jesus spoke of the kingdom being “at hand” (Mark 1:14-15) – established on Pentecost (Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 47)
  • Those in the church now are in the kingdom (Colossians 1:13)

The Kingdom of God is Not Perishable

  • According to Daniel’s prophecy, the kingdom would “never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44) – it “cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28)
  • Hades (death) would not overpower the kingdom (Matthew 16:18) – the death of Christ would not prevent Him from establishing it (Acts 2:23-24); the death of His people will not destroy it (1 Corinthians 15:22-26)

The Kingdom of God is Not a Democracy

  • Jesus is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23) – He is the king of His kingdom (John 18:36-37)
  • He gave the apostles the “keys of the kingdom” (Matthew 16:19) – not to establish their own doctrine, but to reveal the things from above (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13)
  • We are to continue in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42) – not concoct our own doctrine (Matthew 15:9)

The Kingdom of God is Not of This World

  • Jesus plainly told Pilate that His kingdom was not an earthly one (John 18:36) – it would not come like an earthly kingdom would (Luke 17:20-21)
  • Even the apostles thought the kingdom was either earthly or would have an earthly component (Acts 1:6)
  • Yet the church is the “kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:19) – Jesus’ throne (Acts 2:33) and our citizenship (Philippians 3:20) are in heaven

The Kingdom of God is Not Food or Drink

  • Some things that may be good in themselves have no place in the kingdom (Romans 14:16-17)
  • Just because an individual may do something, that does not mean the church may do it (1 Corinthians 11:22)
  • Many people are only looking for “food and drink” (John 6:26, 66) – but we are to simply preach Christ (1 Corinthians 2:2; John 12:32)

The Kingdom of God is Not Home to All

  • Those in the kingdom would come from “all the nations” (Isaiah 2:2-3) – the invitation would go to “all the world” (Mark 16:15)
  • But some would have no place in the kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
  • The kingdom is open to all, but not home to all – repentance is required (1 Corinthians 6:11)