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Christ is King // The Church and the Kingdom - Part 2

September 24, 2023 • Mark Davies • Ephesians 4:11–16, Luke 15:1–7, Matthew 16:19, Jeremiah 29:7, Acts 1:4–8

The Church and The Kingdom Pt. 2


Four Realms of Authority

Self 

Church 

Family 

Civil Life 


What does Christ expect from the church? 

Submission to Jesus’ authority 

Live a life aimed at loving service 

Unity - Submitting to one another 

Realize: Christianity is not just about you


Context: Historic Theological Views of the Church’s Role 

Dominance Theology 

Escapism Theology

Engagement Theology


Model’s of Church

The Attractional Model 

The Intentional Model 


How Does The Kingdom Advance? 


The Kingdom Advances Through Influence. 


Matthew 16:19 ESV

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”


How Do You Gain Influence? 


Influence is gained through: Prayer, Being Equipped, and Serving


Pray Like This 

Pray For Your City


Matthew 6:9-10 ESV

“Pray then like this: 

Our Father in heaven, 

hallowed be your name. 

Your kingdom come, 

your will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven.”


You cannot change that which you do not love. - David Powers 


Jeremiah 29:7 ESV

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”


Pray for the Holy Spirit’s Power

Acts 1:4-8 ESV

“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 


So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”


Pray for God’s strategy


Be Equipped Like This 


Ephesians 4:11-16 NLT

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”


Proverbs 22:29 ESV

“Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”


Serve Like This



Mark 10:45 NLT

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”


Jesus’ Model of Serving 


Mark 10:45 NLT

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”


John 13:3-5 ESV

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”











Luke 15:1-7 The Message

“By this time a lot of men and women of questionable reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.” Their grumbling triggered this story. 


“Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.”




Luke 4:43 ESV

“But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.”


Mark 10:46-52 The Message

“They spent some time in Jericho. As Jesus was leaving town, trailed by his disciples and a parade of people, a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting alongside the road. When he heard that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by, he began to cry out, “Son of David, Jesus! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Many tried to hush him up, but he yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!” 

Jesus stopped in his tracks. “Call him over.” They called him. “It’s your lucky day! Get up! He’s calling you to come!” Throwing off his coat, he was on his feet at once and came to Jesus. Jesus said, “What can I do for you?” The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “On your way,” said Jesus. “Your faith has saved and healed you.” In that very instant he recovered his sight and followed Jesus down the road.”