The Parables of Jesus
The Kingdom of Heaven Part 1

The Kingdom of Heaven Part 1

Introduction
When Jesus taught, He often spoke in parables. Nearly every parable touched on the subject of the kingdom—what it is, who belongs to it, and how citizens of the kingdom are to live. The kingdom was central to His message. Even at the very beginning of His ministry, Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Sadly, many today misunderstand what the kingdom is. Some see it as a future physical reign. Others confuse it with earthly governments or political power. Yet Jesus clearly taught that His kingdom is spiritual, eternal, and already established. In this lesson, we will consider what the Bible actually says about the kingdom of God, removing misconceptions and affirming the truth revealed in Scripture.

The Kingdom Preached from the Beginning
From the start of His ministry, Jesus proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23). In the Sermon on the Mount, He declared blessings for those who would inherit the kingdom (Matthew 5:3, 10, 19–20). John the Baptist also pointed forward to the coming kingdom, preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). The consistent message was that the kingdom was near, not thousands of years away.

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God
Some have tried to make a distinction between the “kingdom of heaven” and the “kingdom of God.” Yet Scripture uses these terms interchangeably. Matthew records “kingdom of heaven” while Mark and Luke often write “kingdom of God”—both referring to the same teaching (compare Matthew 5:3 with Luke 6:20; Matthew 13:31 with Mark 4:30–31). To divide them is to insert something into the Bible that is not there.

The Nature of the Kingdom
Jesus emphasized that His kingdom is not earthly. When questioned by Pilate, He declared, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). The Pharisees expected a visible government, but Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). Paul wrote that the kingdom is “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). The kingdom is about God’s reign in our hearts, not about physical thrones or temples.

The Kingdom Foretold in Prophecy
The Old Testament foretold a kingdom that God Himself would establish. Daniel prophesied, “In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44). This kingdom would not be like earthly kingdoms that rise and fall. It would stand forever. That prophecy was fulfilled in the first century when Christ established His reign during the Roman Empire.

The Kingdom Delivered to the Father
When Christ returns, He will not set up a kingdom; He will deliver it back to the Father. Paul wrote, “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and all power” (1 Corinthians 15:24). Christ has been reigning since the first century (Revelation 1:5). His reign is ongoing and will continue until the last enemy—death—is destroyed.

The Danger of False Ideas
Premillennialism and other doctrines claim that Christ failed to set up His kingdom in the first century. They suggest that the church was an afterthought, a substitute until God could fulfill His original plan. But this denies God’s omniscience and sovereignty. If God failed, He would not be God. The church was always part of His eternal plan (Ephesians 3:10–11). The kingdom was never intended to be earthly or temporary—it is spiritual, eternal, and unshakable (Hebrews 12:28).

The Appeal of the Flesh
Why do so many still cling to a physical idea of the kingdom? Because it appeals to fleshly desires. A worldly throne, a visible temple, and earthly power excite human imagination. But Jesus taught a better way: a kingdom not of this world, where true blessing is found in humility, righteousness, and submission to God’s authority.

The Kingdom of God Sermon Outline

• Introduction
  • Parables emphasize the kingdom
  • Misunderstandings of the kingdom today
  • Jesus’ clear teaching: a spiritual reign
• I. The Kingdom Preached
  • Matthew 4:17, 23 – Jesus’ message
  • Matthew 5:3, 10, 19–20 – Kingdom blessings in the Beatitudes
  • John the Baptist’s proclamation (Matthew 3:2)
• II. Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God
  • Matthew 5:3 / Luke 6:20 – Same teaching
  • Matthew 13:31 / Mark 4:30–31 – Interchangeable usage
• III. The Nature of the Kingdom
  • Luke 17:21 – Within you
  • John 18:36 – Not of this world
  • Romans 14:17 – Righteousness, peace, joy in the Spirit
• IV. The Kingdom Foretold
  • Daniel 2:44 – God would establish it during Roman rule
  • Eternal, unshakable, unlike earthly kingdoms
• V. The Kingdom Delivered
  • 1 Corinthians 15:24–26 – Christ delivers the kingdom at His return
  • Revelation 1:5 – Christ already reigning in the first century
• VI. The Error of False Teachings
  • Premillennialism denies God’s omniscience
  • Church was part of God’s eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:10–11)
• VII. The Appeal of the Flesh
  • Why men want a physical kingdom
  • Contrast with the spiritual reality Jesus taught
• Conclusion
  • The kingdom exists now
  • We are citizens if we submit to Christ’s reign
  • The question is: Are we living under His authority?

Call to Action
The kingdom of God is not a future promise—it is a present reality. Jesus is reigning now. The question each of us must answer is this: Am I submitting to His reign in my life? Am I living in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit? The kingdom belongs to those who humble themselves, repent, and obey the will of the King. Do not wait for a kingdom of human imagination—enter the kingdom of God today by faith and obedience to Christ.

Key Takeaways

• The kingdom was preached from the very beginning of Christ’s ministry (Matthew 4:17).
• The terms “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” are used interchangeably (Matthew 5:3; Luke 6:20).
• Christ’s kingdom is spiritual, not earthly (John 18:36).
• The kingdom was prophesied and established in the first century (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 1:5).
• At His return, Christ will deliver the kingdom to the Father—not establish it (1 Corinthians 15:24).
• False teachings about a future physical kingdom deny God’s eternal plan (Ephesians 3:10–11).

Scripture Reference List

• Matthew 4:17, 23 – Jesus begins preaching the kingdom.
• Matthew 5:3, 10, 19–20 – Kingdom blessings in the Beatitudes.
• Luke 6:20 – Parallel use of “kingdom of God.”
• John 18:36 – Kingdom not of this world.
• Luke 17:21 – The kingdom within you.
• Romans 14:17 – Kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy.
• Daniel 2:44–45 – God would establish an eternal kingdom.
• 1 Corinthians 15:23–26 – Christ will deliver the kingdom at the end.
• Revelation 1:5 – Christ already reigning.
• Ephesians 3:10–11 – The church in God’s eternal plan.
• Hebrews 12:28 – Kingdom unshakable.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO