Plantation SDA Church

Deeper Theme: Through Jesus the Kingdom of Heaven has invaded our world. His ideology/philosophy of life is radically different from this world. What is the impact of the Kingdom of heaven in our life? Can we live in the Kingdom of Heaven already?

Challenge


… with the Holy Spirit and fire?


Holy Spirit = fire → Acts 2:1-4


Context: Fire of Judgment


"His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will
thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather

His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the

chaff with unquenchable fire" (Matt. 3:12 NKJ)

Challenge

What is the Kingdom of Heaven Jesus is talking about?

• At hand = it has come near
• Two aspects of the Kingdom:

•Now (already) → grace
• Future (not yet) → glory

Challenge

What law is Jesus talking about?

• Law and the Prophets…

• He came to fulfill it: make it full/complete
→ I came to accomplish their purpose (NLT)

•There is a deeper level (vv. 21, 27):
• You shall not murder → angry without a cause
• You shall not commit adultery → to lust for her

Challenge

• Are there little commandments that wouldn’t exclude their transgressors from the Kingdom of Heaven?

• Pharisaic mentality
• The text doesn’t say the one called “least” will be in the Kingdom…
• We don’t know people’s motivation

Challenge


•What is the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees like?


"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you
cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are
full of extortion and self-indulgence. (Matt. 23:25 NKJ)


"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are
like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful
outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all
uncleanness. (Matt. 23:27 NKJ)

Your Take-Away

•The Kingdom of Heaven has two aspects:
• Kingdom of grace – now
• Kingdom of glory – then

• Deeper spirituality: not outward formalism, but Christ’s righteousness that thoroughly changes, inside-out!