Ministry in a Multi-Cultural and Unchurched Society

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Mi n i s t r y i n a Mu l t i -Cu l tura l and Unchur ched Soc i et y

III. “Thy Kingdom Come”: Living under God’s Reign in the Already/Not Yet Kingdom

A. The distinctiveness of Jesus’ gospel: “The Kingdom is at hand,” Mark 1.14-15

B. Jesus and the inauguration of the Age to Come into this present age

1. The coming of John the Baptist, Matt. 11.2-6

2. The inauguration of Jesus’ ministry Luke 4.16-21

3. The confrontation of Jesus with demonic forces, Luke 10.18ff.; 11.20

4. The teaching of Jesus and his claim of absolute authority on earth, Mark 2.1-12; Matt. 21.27; 28.18

C. “The Kingdom has come and the strong man is bound”: Matt. 12.28,29

1. The kingdom of God “has come” – ephtasen

2. The meaning of the Greek verb: proximity or actual presence

3. The invasion, entrance, manifestation of God’s kingly power

4. Jesus as the binder of the strong man