Posted on by Chris

Bringing it All Together: The Gospel in Our Lives Today, Part 1

“…Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33

  1. What are we promised if we will truly seek first God’s Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)?
    • Colossians 1:11-14
    • John 10:10
    • Matthew 11:28-30
    • Genesis 1:28-2:3 – Blessing and flourishing.
    • Matthew 10:16-33 – But, this choice does not come without difficulty.
  1. To seek the Kingdom, we must have an idea of what it is. How would you describe the Kingdom in these terms:
    • “What” is the Kingdom?
    • “Who” is the Kingdom?
    • “Where” is the Kingdom?
    • “When” is the Kingdom?
    • “Why” is the Kingdom?
  1. What are the potential responses to the Good News (gospel) of the Kingdom?
    • Positive Responses
      • Matthew 13:44-46 – If we truly encounter the Kingdom, what will it drive us to do?
      • Luke 8:8,15 – Growth
      • John 15:5 – Abiding in Christ
    • Negative Responses
      • Luke 8:4-15 – Bad soils
      • Matthew 22:1-14 – Ignoring the invitation or half-hearted response
  1. Salvation is a commonly used word in Christian circles, but what does it really mean? What is the definition of the Greek word for salvation, “sōtēria”? What idea is conveyed in these passages?
    • 1 Peter 3:18-20; 2 Peter 2:5; Genesis 8:13 – Noah and the Flood
    • Exodus 3:8; 6:6-8; 14:13,30; 15:2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 – The Hebrews and the Egyptians
    • Colossians 1:12-14 – Us
    • What are saved/delivered “from” and what are we saved/delivered “to“?
      • Matthew 6:9-13
      • Galatians 1:4
      • 1 Thessalonians 1:10
      • 1 Peter 2:9-10
      • 2 Peter 1:3-4
      • John 10:10
      • John 14:23 (Galatians 2:20)
  1. Baptism was the initial response of believers in the New Testament that symbolized this “dual deliverance.”
    • Acts 2:36-47 – Come out of the world’s current system and embrace the new creation! Be delivered!
    • Romans 6:3-6 – Die to the old life, be raised to a new life.
    • 1 Peter 3:18-22 – Brought out of peril and delivered to God
      • “Baptism saves you…as an appeal to God for a good conscience.
        • Appeal = Pledge; Conscience = attitude that reflects one’s loyalty (conscientiousness)
        • Baptism is a pledge of allegiance; a loyalty oath; a commitment.
        • We confess our belief in the good news of Christ and immerse ourselves in it.
    • 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 – Out of the flesh and into the Spirit.
    • Colossians 1:12-13 – Delivered out of the kingdom of darkness and into God’s Kingdom.
    • Mark 16:15-16
  1. Our eternal life with God starts with this deliverance in the here and now! That’s the good news. That’s the gospel! (John 17:3, 1 John 5:11-12)

Click here for referenced Scripture printout.

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