What
is the second petition [of the Lord's Prayer]?
Thy
kingdom come. That is: So govern us by Thy Word and Spirit that we may more and
more submit ourselves unto Thee. Uphold and increase Thy church. Destroy the
works of the Devil, every power that raises itself against Thee, and all wicked
schemes thought up against Thy holy Word, until the full coming of Thy kingdom
in which Thou shalt be all in all.
I.
Organize Priorities
A. When the expansion and prosperity of God's kingdom takes its proper
place in life everything else of importance will follow.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow:
for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the
day is the evil thereof. (Matthew
6:33-34)
B. When Solomon prayed this petition, God made him the most outstanding
king in the world. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing,
and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself,
nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself
understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words:
lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none
like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I
have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so
that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
(1 Kings 3:11-13)
C. Proper concern for the Bible will reveal the elements of proper
respect for the kingdom of God. O
that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
(Psalm 119:5)
D. Solomon summarized his experience.
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with
thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to
understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for
understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid
treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the
knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge
and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler
to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth
the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment,
and equity; yea, every good path. (Proverbs 2:1-9)
II.
Build the Church
A. The welfare and expansion of the church is the proper concern of every
believer. Do good in thy good
pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
(Psalm 51:18)
B. Building the kingdom is a primary way to practice the chief end of
life. For Zion's sake will I not
hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness
thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
(Isaiah 62:1)
C. Jesus promised success. Fear
not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdom. (Luke 12:32)
III.
Destroy the Opposition
A. The rule of grace and the rule of evil cannot both prosper. He that
committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For
this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of
the devil. (1 John 3:8)
B. Evangelism destroys the population of Satan's kingdom.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say,
Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the
water of life freely. (Revelation
22:17)
C. All of history is part of the fundamental struggle between God and
Satan. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain
together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the
firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for
the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but
hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
(Romans 8:22-24)
D. Knowing the outcome, all which remains to consider is the form in
which the victory will become obvious. But
now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that
slept. (1 Corinthians 15:20)
E. Believers pray with full confidence because they expect total success.
And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also
himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all
in all. (1 Corinthians 15:28)
