Advancing the Kingdom of God

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Advancing the Kingdom of God
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• "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of
  women there has not risen one greater than John
  the Baptist but he who is least in the kingdom
  of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the
  days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of
  heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it
  by force. Matt 1111-12 (NKJV)

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• "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes
  in Me, the works that I do he will do also and
  greater works than these he will do, because I go
  to My Father. John 1412 (NKJV)

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• If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against
  himself. How then will his kingdom stand? Matt
  1226 (NKJV)

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• 1. What is the kingdom?
• We know that whoever is born of God does not
  sin but he who has been born of God keeps
  himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.
  19 We know that we are of God, and the whole
  world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
  20 And we know that the Son of God has come and
  has given us an understanding, that we may know
  Him who is true and we are in Him who is true,
  in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and
  eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves
  from idols. Amen. 1 John 518-21 (NKJV)

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• who gave Himself for our sins, that He might
  deliver us from this present evil age, according
  to the will of our God and Father, Gal 14 (NKJV)

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• redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
  Eph 516 (NKJV)

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• in which you once walked according to the course
  of this world, according to the prince of the
  power of the air, the spirit who now works in the
  sons of disobedience, Eph 22 (NKJV)

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• A. Blinds the minds of unbelievers
• But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled
  to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god
  of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest
  the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,
  who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2
  Cor 43-4 (NKJV)

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• B. Steals the Word away
• And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside
  and the birds came and devoured them. Matt 134
  (NKJV)

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• When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and
  does not understand it, then the wicked one comes
  and snatches away what was sown in his heart.
  This is he who received seed by the wayside. Matt
  1319 (NKJV)

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• C. Uses deceptive signs and wonders
• For false christs and false prophets will rise
  and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if
  possible, even the elect. Matt 2424 (NKJV)

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• The coming of the lawless one is according to
  the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and
  lying wonders, 2 Thess 29 (NKJV)

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• D. Devil uses other people to hinder us from
  believing
• But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is
  translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the
  proconsul away from the faith. Acts 138 (NKJV)

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• E. Evil one tries to hinder the advance of the
  kingdom
• But we, brethren, having been taken away from
  you for a short time in presence, not in heart,
  endeavored more eagerly to see your face with
  great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to
  you--even I, Paul, time and again--but Satan
  hindered us. 1 Thess 217-18 (NKJV)

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• 2. What is the message of the kingdom?
• and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven
  is at hand!" Matt 32 (NKJV)

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• But when they believed Philip as he preached the
  things concerning the kingdom of God and the name
  of Jesus Christ, both men and women were
  baptized. Acts 812 (NKJV)

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•   And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly
  for three months, reasoning and persuading
  concerning the things of the kingdom of God. Acts
  198 (NKJV)

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• And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom
  I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will
  see my face no more. Acts 2025 (NKJV)

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• and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my
  only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who
  are of the circumcision they have proved to be a
  comfort to me. Col 411 (NKJV)

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• 3. So when is the Kingdom?
• Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the
  kingdom of God would come, He answered them and
  said, "The kingdom of God does not come with
  observation 21 nor will they say, 'See here!' or
  'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is
  within you." Luke 1720-21 (NKJV)

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• A. Jesus tells them the kingdom is not
  observable.
• B. Jesus corrects misconceptions.
• But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God,
  surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matt
  1228 (NKJV)

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• C. The kingdom is still to come.
• The kingdom is present the yet to come

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• Now as they heard these things, He spoke another
  parable, because He was near Jerusalem and
  because they thought the kingdom of God would
  appear immediately. 12 Therefore He said "A
  certain nobleman went into a far country to
  receive for himself a kingdom and to return. Luke
  1911-12 (NKJV)

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• 4. How do we advance the kingdom?
• Then He called His twelve disciples together and
  gave them power and authority over all demons,
  and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach
  the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke
  91-2 (NKJV)

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• But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit
  has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to
  Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
  and to the end of the earth." Acts 18 (NKJV)

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• Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a
  centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,
  6 saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home
  paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." 7 And Jesus
  said to him, "I will come and heal him." Matt
  85-7 (NKJV)

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• The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not
  worthy that You should come under my roof. But
  only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.
  9 For I also am a man under authority, having
  soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,'
  and he goes and to another, 'Come,' and he
  comes and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does
  it." Matt 88-9 (NKJV)

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• When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to
  those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I
  have not found such great faith, not even in
  Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come
  from east and west, and sit down with Abraham,
  Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But
  the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into
  outer darkness. There will be weeping and
  gnashing of teeth."

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• 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your
  way and as you have believed, so let it be done
  for you." And his servant was healed that same
  hour. Matt 810-13 (NKJV)

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