When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, ‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’ So
they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that
I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you,
Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are
Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the
kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
(Matthew 16:13-18 NKVJ)
The universal kingdom of Jesus is the most misunderstood monarchy to have ever existed. Some believe that it will be established when the King
returns to earth, while others believe that it already stands today. Which is it? Let us reason together from the pages of the Bible.
1. (Read Matthew 16:18,19)
What did Jesus promise to build upon Peter’s confession?
Would the gates of Hades (death) be able to prevail against it?
What keys did Jesus promise to give Peter?
2. (Read Matthew 3:1,2)
What message from God did John preach?
Does at hand imply very soon?
3. (Read Matthew 4:17)
In this verse, for what reason did Jesus tell the people to repent?
4. (Read Matthew 10:1-7)
What did Jesus tell his 12 disciples to preach to the Jews?
5. (Read Mark 9:1)
Does it sound to you like the kingdom of God was coming very, very soon?
6. (Read Matthew 11:12 and John 6:14,15)
Did some people try to force Jesus to establish an earthly kingdom?
Did He withdraw from them?
7. (Read John 18:36)
Did Jesus come to build a kingdom of this world?
8. (Read Luke 17:20,21)
Since God’s kingdom is not of this world, can it be seen with the natural eye?
Where was God’s kingdom to be found?
9. (Read Romans 14:17)
What is God’s kingdom about?
Since God’s kingdom is not of this world, and since it is to be found within a person, is it reasonable to conclude that Christ was establishing a
spiritual rule and reign in the hearts and lives of people?
10. (Read Matthew 16:18,19)
Is the church the kingdom?
1. (Read Matthew 16:28)
Was the Son going to come in His kingdom before some standing there would die?
Do you know of anyone who is about two thousand years old?
2. (Read Matthew 26:26-29)
When did Jesus say He would commune with His disciples again?
3. (Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
Is this the communion which the Lord instituted on the same night in which He was betrayed?
4. (Read 1 Corinthians 10:16)
Do we commune with the body and blood of Christ when we observe the Lord’s Supper?
When did He say he would commune again with His disciples?
5. (Read Colossians 1:13)
What have Christians been delivered from?
What have Christians been conveyed into?
6. (Read Acts 2:14-36)
a. (v. 21) What did the prophet Joel say about the Lord?
Is a lord a ruler?
b. (v. 22,23) What did the people do to Jesus?
c. (v. 24-28) What did God do for Him?
d. (v. 29,30) What was Christ raised from the dead to sit upon?
e. (v. 31) Did Hades prevail?
(Recall Matthew 16:18,19)
What could Hades not prevail against?
f. (v. 32-36)
Who is both Lord and Christ?
g. Has Jesus been made King?
Can you have a King without a kingdom?
h. (v. 14) Which apostle preached this sermon?
(Recall Matthew 16:18,19) Who was given the keys to unlock God’s kingdom?
1. (Read Acts 2:37,38)
What was the reaction of those with honest hearts?
What did Peter command them to do?
2. (Read Acts 2:47)
What did the Lord add the saved to?
Is the church the kingdom?
3. (Read Philippians 3:20)
What kind of citizenship does a Christian have?
4. (Read Hebrew 12:28,29)
What kind of Kingdom are Christians in?
5. (Read Acts 10:34,35)
Is citizenship in God’s kingdom universal - open to every person, everywhere?
6. (Read Galatians 3:26-29)
What puts people into Christ?
7. (Read Hebrews 1:8,9)
Is the Son’s kingdom eternal?