Seeking the Kingdom of God #2

Text: Matthew 6:33

Introduction:
1. We noticed last Lord’s day that the term Kingdom of God 
   refers to the Church.  Matthew 13:31; Luke 13:18-19; 2 
   Thessalonians 1:3-9
2. We learned that the Kingdom was to be established:
   a. In Jerusalem.
   b. In the last days.
   c. John, Jesus, and Twelve preached Kingdom at hand.
   d. Disciples were taught to pray for it. Matthew 6:9-10
   e. Had not come at time of Ascension. Acts 1:6
   f. Christ promised that it would come during that 
      generation. Mark 9:1
   g. Was to come with power. Mark 9:1
   h. Power was to come with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8
   i. Holy Spirit came on Pentecost. Acts 2:1-4  Therefore, 
      the Kingdom came on Pentecost.
   j. The first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ 
      is referred to as the beginning. Acts 11:15
   k. After Pentecost the Church or Kingdom always spoken 
      of as being in existence.
   l. A mark of identity.
3. We also noted that the Kingdom or Church was and is a 
   spiritual Kingdom.

Body:
 I. In Seeking the Kingdom of God, it is necessary to know 
    what the Kingdom or Church was called in the New 
    Testament.
    1. Kingdom of Heave. Matthew 16:18-19
    2. My Church. Matthew 16:18-19
    3. Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33; John 3:5; Ephesians 
       5:5
    4. The Church. Acts 8:1
    5. House of God. 1 Timothy 3:15
    6. Church of the Living God. 1 Timothy 3:15
    7. The Church of God. Acts 10:28; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2
    8. Kingdom of His Dear Son. Colossians 1:13
    9. The Church of the First Born. Hebrews 12:23; 
       Colossians 1:18
   10. The Churches of Christ. Romans 1:16
   11. The Body of Christ. Ephesians 4:12; 1:22-23; 
       Colossians 1:18

II. Many are astounded to learn that the Churches of Christ 
    were not referred to in the New Testament, nor by the 
    inspired Apostles, by names which are used today.
    1. Because of this modern theology has coined the 
       statement “There is nothing in a name.”
    2. Name denotes ownership.
   *3. Illustrate: How many of you would buy a piece of 
       property and as the lawyer draws up the deed and 
       asks you what name you wanted on it would say, “just 
       put anybody’s name on it.  There’s nothing in a 
       name.”
    4. Christ purchased the Church. Acts 20:28; Romans 1:1-
       4; 2 Corinthians 11:
   *5. What would you think of a wife that refused to wear 
       the name of her husband?  Or of a wife that after 
       having worn the name of her husband for a while, 
       then decides that I’m going to keep right on being 
       your wife, but I’m going to wear someone else’s 
       name?
    6. That is the picture of the religious world today.
    7. The Church is the bride and Christ is the 
       bridegroom.
       a. 2 Corinthians 11:2
       b. Ephesians 5:22-32; Ephesians 3:14-15
    8. Can be saved by no other name. Acts 4:12

Howard See

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