Kingdom Message:

The Gospel of Matthew presents the central message of Jesus as the message of the kingdom of heaven. According to Matthew 4:17, Jesus began his public ministry by proclaiming, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” This statement signifies that the long-awaited reign of God on earth, which was prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures, was finally being fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry.

The term “kingdom of heaven” used by Matthew is equivalent to “kingdom of God” used by the other Gospels. This kingdom is not a physical place, but rather a reign of God in the hearts of people, a reign characterized by justice, love, and peace. Jesus taught that the kingdom of heaven is already present among us, but it will be fully realized in the future when God’s will is completely done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus urged people to repent and turn towards God because this kingdom was now close at hand.

Kingdom Citizens:

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount by presenting the Beatitudes, a series of blessings that describe the characteristics of citizens of the kingdom of heaven. According to Jesus, the citizens of the kingdom are poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Throughout the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus continues to describe the attitudes and behaviours of kingdom citizens. He teaches about the importance of loving one’s enemies, not judging others, and practicing forgiveness. He also instructs his followers to live with integrity and honesty, to pray and give generously, and to seek first the kingdom of God above all else. Jesus is calling them to a higher standard of living that is in line with God’s will and purposes for the world.

Kingdom Ambassadors:

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says in Matthew 10:39, “Anyone finding his life will lose it, and anyone losing his life because of Me will find it.” To be an Ambassador of Jesus means to give up one’s own desires and priorities and to submit to God’s will and purposes for one’s life. Jesus goes on to describe the challenges and hardships that His Ambassadors will face, including persecution and rejection. He tells them that they will be hated by others because of their association with Him, but He also assures them that God will be with them and will provide for their needs. Despite the challenges, Jesus calls His followers to persevere and to continue to proclaim the message of the kingdom of heaven. He tells them that their reward will be great in heaven.

Kingdom ekklesia (Church):

Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 16:18, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”. In Matthew 18, Jesus teaches that the church is to be a community of love, forgiveness, and service. He tells his disciples to love one another, to serve one another, and to be willing to forgive one another. The church is called to be a witness to the world, to be a demonstration of blessing, grace and hope when people live under the authority of Jesus Christ, prioritizing love and forgiveness over condemnation and punishment. Matthew is the only Gospel writer who uses the word ekklesia, which is translated as “church” in English.

Kingdom Mission:

Kingdom mission is rooted in Jesus by proclamation that the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 4:17) and commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). It’s mission action is by witness to the world the Grace, Love and Hope of Jesus Christ, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God and growing the community of believers of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 10, Jesus sends out his disciples on a mission to proclaim the good news of the kingdom, to heal the sick, and to cast out demons. Jesus gives his disciples the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to follow everything that he has commanded them (Matthew 28:19-20). Become agents bringing light to the darkness and hope to those who are lost.

Kingdom Enemies:

Throughout the gospel, Jesus casts out demons, showing His great power over the forces of evil. In Matthew 8, He heals a man possessed by demons, and they beg him not to send them into the abyss. In Matthew 12, Jesus is accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, but he refutes this accusation and affirms that it is by the power of the Spirit of God. Matthew emphasizes that the ultimate source of evil is Satan, who is depicted as the adversary of God’s kingdom and the one who opposes Jesus followers. In Matthew 25, Jesus speaks of the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. In Matthew 28, Jesus declares that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him, indicating his ultimate power and great victory over the forces of darkness. This power is available in His name “JESUS”, given to Church and every believer in Christ by Holy Spirit and Jesus promises to be with them always, even to the end of the age.

Kingdom Hope:

The hope of the kingdom is found in Jesus himself. He is the King who has come and will come again, and he is the one who gives us the power to live in his kingdom both now and in the future.

Kingdom Hope in the present age: powers to live with confidence and courage, knowing that God is with us and that he is working all things together for our good. It gives assurance that God is in control and that He loves us and having meaning that our lives are significant because we are part of God’s plan. Hope empowers to live with purpose and joy, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Kingdom Hope in the age to come: We will be with Jesus, our King, forever and ever, and we will be part of a new creation where there is no more pain, suffering, or death. The hope of the kingdom means that we will be reunited with loved ones who have gone before us, and that we will be part of a community of believers from every tribe, nation, and language, worshipping God together in perfect unity. we will receive rewards for the good works we have done in this life, and that we will reign with Christ as co-heirs of his glory. We know that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).