Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Context:
  • The reason for the gospel
  • Luke 13: murder, abuse of power, tragedy, rejection of Jesus, the foreshadowing of His death
  • Luke 13: in the middle – the kingdom of God
    • v18-21
    • Reading Luke 13:18-21
• Definition of the kingdom of God – "the rule/reign of God over everything"
  • The kingdom of God can be hard to discern when all around us is evil
    • Example of world news or arguments
      • God’s grace is on offer
    • Example of Redeemer Church
    • If you are tempted to despair because of the brokenness around you – the Spirit of God can strengthen you
      • God grows His Kingdom

God growing His Kingdom in the Church (v20-21)

• It can be hard to see His rule over everything – ‘it is not yet’
  • Luke 17:21, 11:22
  • He has conquered in His death and resurrection
  • He will return and His Kingdom will be perfected
• The place His rule is most visible, is in the Church
  • Like yeast – there is a change, that will become visible in time
  • There will be radical change – when people are born again
  • Thus the kingdom of God grows
  • Change is visible over time – though it may be hard to discern
  • Do not despise slow growth over revival
  • Encourage one another in the ordinary – don’t wait for the extraoirdinary

God growing His Kingdom in the World (v18-19)

• Perhaps Jesus was thinking of Ezekiel 17/31
  • Ezk 17:32
• Acts – the gospel spread across the world – to Wales and the USA
• God has expanded His Kingdom so that people from all nations are being gathered
  • From the safety of sin and the justice of God
  • Gathered by the grace of God
• Remember the reason for the gospel
  • Be confident in the message of the kingdom of God
  • To proclaim the message to all generations
    • Jesus Christ came to save sinners
    • Evidenced by miracles, wonders and signs
    • Jesus took our sin upon Himself
  • God’s message of grace
• We should respond by repenting – turn our lives to Him
• How is it that so many have been saved?
  • The grace of God
    • Have you lost the wonder of this?
  • If you do not see the work of God (starting from small things)
    • Faithfully proclaim the gospel

Closing Remarks

• Example of those who have been saved in Redeemer Church
• Encourage one another – in so doing you exalt Christ
• Encourage one another in the fruit of the Spirit
• No-one complains of ‘over’ encouragement

Closing Prayer