Rules of the Kingdom

By William R. Cunningham

Introduction

Matthew 6:33 (NASB95) — 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Many times during Jesus’ ministry he revealed the Kingdom of God.  He told parables, gave similes, and other illustrations. The purpose was to reveal God’s Kingdom to us so that we would now how to operate in our lives or how we should operate.  Jesus, in the passage above, highlights the importance of this Kingdom.

In this lesson we are going to review some of the illustrations and parables that Jesus used to teach on the Kingdom of God.  I this way we can learn how we are to operate as Christians.

The Kingdom Revealed

Note that Matthew used the term “Kingdom of heaven” instead of “Kingdom of God.”  This was most likely because Matthew’s gospel was directed towards Jews and using the word “God” (Elohim) was not typically pronounced or written.  Therefore, Matthew avoids using it.

The kingdom of God refers to the sovereignty, reign, or rule of God.  It is the realm over which God rules and operates.  It has its own laws and ways as contrasted with the world.

Matthew 4:17 (NASB95) — 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent,
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The first thing that Jesus taught was that the kingdom of God was present and because of that the people should repent (change your ways—move from the old way to the new way by choice).  Perhaps this implies that the kingdom of God requires a different way of living than how we live outside of the kingdom, i.e., in the world.

Matthew 7:21 (NASB95) — 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

Entering the kingdom of God is not a matter of words, but a matter of action, i.e., obedience to God.  Therefore, we have to do what Jesus says to do in order to enter the kingdom of God. See also John 3:3,5-6.

Matthew 5:20 (NASB95) — 20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was a righteousness of works, i.e., self-righteousness. You cannot be self-righteous or make up your own rules of righteousness and expect to enter the kingdom of God.

The Sermon on the Mount

Let us go through the scriptures listed below to discuss what Jesus taught about the respective topics. These will give us a good idea of what the kingdom of God is like and how we should therefore operate.

  1. Murder and anger – Matthew 5:21-26
  2. Adultery – Matthew 5:27-30
  3. Divorce – Matthew 5:31-32
  4. The integrity of your words – Matthew 5:33-37
  5. Eye for an eye – Matthew 5:38-43
  6. Love your enemies – 5:43-48
  7. Doing good deeds – Matthew 6:1-4
  8. Praying – Matthew 6:5-8
  9. Fasting – Matthew 6:16-18
  10. Possessions – Matthew 6:19-24 (See also Matthew 19:21)
  11. Worrying about daily needs – Matthew 6:25-34
  12. Judging others – Matthew 7:1-6
  13. Pursue God’s kingdom – Matthew 7:7-11
  14. How to treat others – Matthew 7:12
  15. The way to life – Matthew 7:13-14
  16. How to know the heart – Matthew 7:15-19
  17. Known by Christ and entering God’s kingdom – Matthew 7:21-23
  18. Do what Jesus said – Matthew 7:24-27