Road Trip

“Planning Your Trip”

 I. Jesus had a message.  Matthew 4:17, 23

“From that time on Jesus began to preach, repent for the Kingdom of
Heaven is near.”  v17

 “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news
of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” v23

•  His message was the good news of the Kingdom of God/Heaven
• What is the Kingdom of God:  The kingly rule or sovereignty of God over everything.

 II.  The Kingdom is both a future fulfillment and a present reality.

• It is a future fulfillment.  Mark 14:25

“I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until
that day when I drink it anew in the Kingdom of God.”

 It is a present reality.  Luke 17:20-21

“The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation,
nor will people say Here it is, or There it is, because the
Kingdom of God is within you.” 

III. How do we help bring about the Kingdom?

 A.  The Kingdom comes when people enter into a saving relationship with God.  John 3:3

“In reply Jesus declared, I tell you the truth, no one can see the
Kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

 B.  The Kingdom comes when we do the will and work of God in the world.
Matthew 5:13-16

• We are the salt of the earth.  Salt was a  seasoning and a preservative. 
•  We are the light of the world.  Light  reveals both the good and bad.

 C.  Two warnings:

1.  Don’t be useless.  Be what God has called you to be.

2.   We do it for God’s glory not our own.

 D.  Remember, little things mean a lot.  Matthew 13:31-33