To listen to the full audio of this message you can click here: God’s Kingdom Come - God’s Kingdom Comes Near We’ve entered a new season in the life of the church.
Every year, Christians move through a rhythm that shapes our imagination and our lives. Our “new year” doesn’t begin on January 1, but with Advent, as we prepare for Christ’s coming. That preparation gives way to the twelve days of Christmas, which conclude on January 6 with Epiphany—the season when we reflect on what it means for Jesus to be revealed as Messiah, King, and Emmanuel, God with us.
Epiphany is a season of unveiling. In some traditions it’s marked by special services, familiar hymns like We Three Kings, and even cultural celebrations like king cakes. But beneath all of that symbolism is a deeper question: What does it mean that Jesus is King—and what kind of kingdom does he bring?
Epiphany also serves as a bridge. It continues our preparation and leads us toward Lent. And so, over the next several weeks, we’re going to spend time wrestling with Jesus’ announcement of God’s kingdom.
What Are We Really Praying For?
Every week, when we gather for worship, we pray the Lord’s Prayer:
“Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.”
(Matthew 6:10)
We pray this so often that it can become familiar—almost automatic. But have we really paused to consider what we’re asking for?
When we pray for something specific—healing, guidance, provision—we usually have a clear picture in mind. But when we pray “your kingdom come,” what are we envisioning? What would it actually look like if God’s kingdom showed up right here, right now? Would we recognize it? Would we be ready for it? Or might we be looking for something else entirely?
These are the questions we’ll be sitting with together.
Our Assumptions About Kings and Kingdoms
When we hear the word kingdom, most of us immediately picture a king—someone with power, wealth, armies, and authority over others. Whether our image is romantic or cynical, it usually involves domination, control, and expansion.
Worldly kingdoms operate this way. Power flows from the top down. Success is measured by territory, influence, and strength. History gives us countless examples—from the Roman Empire to modern nations.
But is that what Jesus means when he announces the kingdom of heaven?
The Gospels suggest otherwise.
The kingdom Jesus brings is upside down. It does not operate by power over others, but by power with others. It does not move from the top down, but from the bottom up. Our King does not arrive on a warhorse with chariots and weapons. He comes as an infant—and leaves the scene on a cross (Philippians 2:6–8).
This kingdom reshapes everything we think we know about power, authority, and success.
The Kingdom Begins in an Unexpected Place
Matthew tells us that Jesus’ public ministry begins after John the Baptist is arrested (Matthew 4:12). With John’s voice silenced, Jesus steps forward and begins proclaiming the kingdom.
But notice where he goes.
Rather than launching his ministry in Jerusalem—the center of religious, political, and economic power—Jesus withdraws to Galilee (Matthew 4:13). Specifically, to Galilee of the Gentiles.
Galilee was a crossroads. Jews and Gentiles lived side by side. Commerce flowed through the region. It was a place where the message could spread outward. From the very beginning, Jesus signals that this kingdom is not reserved for one group or one nation. It is universal in scope (Matthew 28:19).
Matthew connects this moment to the prophet Isaiah:
“The people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land
of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”
(Matthew 4:16; cf. Isaiah 9:1–2)
The kingdom of heaven arrives as light breaking into darkness.
“Repent, for the Kingdom Has Come Near”
Jesus’ message is remarkably simple:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
(Matthew 4:17)
Unfortunately, the word repent carries a lot of baggage for us. Many of us hear it and immediately picture angry street preachers shouting threats of hellfire. Turn or burn.
But that is not what Jesus is doing here.
The word repent literally means to turn—to change direction. It’s a 180-degree reorientation of one’s life. Yes, it involves turning away from sin (cf. Colossians 3:5–9). But more importantly, it involves turning toward something.
Jesus is inviting people who are walking toward darkness—toward fear, death, and brokenness—to turn toward light, life, and wholeness. He is announcing that a new way of living is now available because the kingdom has drawn near.
Repentance is not just about what we leave behind. It’s about what we move toward.
From Darkness to Light
Throughout Scripture, the kingdom of God is described as a movement:
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from darkness to light (Isaiah 9:2; John 1:5)
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from death to life (John 5:24)
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from fear to love (1 John 4:18)
Jesus later says it plainly:
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
(John 10:10)
To repent, then, is to turn toward that life. To choose the way of love instead of fear. Grace instead of control. Light instead of darkness.
This kingdom is marked not by domination, but by the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).
Paul describes this movement clearly:
“He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.”
(Colossians 1:13)
A Question to Carry With Us
As we begin this journey through the teachings of Jesus about the kingdom, I want to invite you to hold one question in the back of your mind:
Which kingdom am I walking toward?
Am I oriented toward a dominion shaped by fear, anger, resentment, and power?
Or am I turning—again and again—toward the kingdom of the beloved Son, a kingdom rooted in light, love, mercy, and grace?
Jesus announces that God’s kingdom has come near. The invitation before us is not simply to believe that—but to turn toward it, and to learn how to live under a different King.