St. Aidan's Anglican Church
  • Home
  • Worship Online
  • The Preachers Blog
  • Bible in a Year
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Prayer Requests
  • Request Pastoral Care
  • Youth
  • Give
  • Statement of Faith
  • Video Archive
    • 2025 Videos
    • 2024 Videos
    • Real Lives
    • 2023 Videos
    • 2022 Videos
    • 2021 Videos
    • 2020 Videos
  • Sermon Audio Archive
    • 2020 Sermons
    • 2019 Sermons
    • 2019 Sermon Series >
      • Gospel Centered Eternities November 2019
      • The Real Joy of Easter - Holy Week 2019
    • 2018 Sermons
    • 2018 Sermon Series >
      • Gospel Centred Church Spring 2018
      • A Gospel Shaped Church Fall 2018
    • 2017 Sermon Series >
      • The Servant King Christmas 2016
      • The Saviour King Lent 2017
      • The Victorious King Holy Week 2017
      • The Living King Easter 2017
      • The Brother King Fall 2017
      • Worship the King Advent 2017
    • 2016 Sermon Series >
      • Real Obedience Lent 2016
      • Unity of the Church
      • The Servant King Christmas 2016
    • 2015 Sermon Series >
      • Real Gifts 2015
      • Real Mission 2015
      • Mission Discerned
    • 2014 Sermon Series >
      • Real Church 2014
      • Real Lives 2014
    • 2013 Sermon Series >
      • Real God 2013
    • Sermon Archive From 2014 - 2017
  • Christianity 101

the  Preachers  blog

Blogs are posted every Wednesday, except in July and August

The Kingdom is here! By Pastor Dave

8/25/2021

 
‘From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.”’
Matthew 4: 17 (and Matthew 3: 2)
 
Matthew 3-4 (Psalm 82)
 
Observe
  • John the Baptist arrives on the scene, fulfilling various Old Testament prophecies. He calls people to repentance and baptizes because the kingdom of God has come near. He is very clear, and robust, with the message of judgement and consequence if repentance does not take place (3: 12)
  • Jesus is baptized fulfilling all righteousness. His identity and mission are confirmed and affirmed by the Holy Spirit and the voice of God (3: 13-17)
  • Immediately Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit and tempted by Satan; He stands firm in faith, on the Word of God (4: 1-11)
  • Jesus fulfils another Old Testament prophecy. He begins His ministry with preaching, the call of the first disciples and in power (healing the sick), (4: 12-25)
 
Interpret
     Both John the Baptist and Jesus begin their ministry by calling people to “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near,” (3: 2, 4: 17). In doing so they are declaring God's priority and the absolute truth of our existence and purpose; to be in a relationship with the Father. In the same sentence they are clearly identifying the blockage to that relationship, our sin and denial of God; repentance (turning) is essential. Judgement and consequence are, unashamedly described; we are for or against God. The Triune God is present at Jesus’ baptism in which His identity and mission (ministry) is confirmed and affirmed by the Holy Spirit and God the Father. Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to complete His preparation for His ministry; Satan is defeated by faith and the Word of God. Jesus then begins His Kingdom based preaching. Such is His presence, empowered by the Holy Spirit, that the first disciples respond to His call to follow. The power of the Kingdom is further demonstrated by the healing of the sick and casting out of demons; the Kingdom rules over the physical and spiritual world.
     Of interest to us, having just read the Old Testament, Matthew is keen to point out how both John and Jesus fulfil prophecies (3: 3, 4: 14-16).
 
Application
     The Kingdom of God, the King’s domain, is where we are meant to be. Today we are able to spiritually live within His domain in this world. On Christ’s return, we will be able to live fully within His Kingdom; HALLELUJAH! Entrance to His Kingdom, both now and for eternity, is through repentance for the forgiveness of sins and by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; it is a very clear and definite situation. The world, Satan, principalities and powers will lure us away from God’s Kingdom. Satan tempted Jesus in the physical (food), with regards His position (the Son of God) and in relation to His pride (glorifying self rather than God). Jesus’ faith coupled with His knowledge and use of God’s Word, empowered by the Holy Spirit ensured He overcame. We are called, like the disciples, to follow Jesus and live within the Kingdom. We are then called to share this truth in word and deed, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Knowing God’s Word, written and living, will enable us to overcome the temptations we may face and the principalities and powers that are opposed to God.
 
The Question of Application
     Are you living in the wonder of God’s Kingdom? What physical, positional and pride based temptations are you facing; how might God’s Word empowered by the Holy Spirit help? 
   
Prayer
     Most merciful God, we confess to you, before the whole company of heaven and one another, that we have sinned in thought, word and deed and in what we have failed to do. Forgive us our sins, heal us by your Spirit and raise us to new life in your Kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen       
 
Praise 
King of Kings sung by St. Aidan’s (Nikita Labdon)


Comments are closed.
    Picture
    Picture

    Preachers Blog

    In 2025, each week's blog is a follow-up reflection written by the preceding Sunday’s preacher to dig deeper into the sermon topic and explore engaging discussion questions.

    ​All past blogs remain available if you wish to catch up with any days missed.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Who is Jesus?
At St Aidan's, it's our desire to know our Real God,
to grow as a Real Church and
​ to live Real Lives for Him.

Picture
St Aidan’s Anglican Church
274 Campbell Street | Winnipeg, MB R3N 1B5
Phone: 204.489.3390 Email: [email protected]
  • Home
  • Worship Online
  • The Preachers Blog
  • Bible in a Year
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Prayer Requests
  • Request Pastoral Care
  • Youth
  • Give
  • Statement of Faith
  • Video Archive
    • 2025 Videos
    • 2024 Videos
    • Real Lives
    • 2023 Videos
    • 2022 Videos
    • 2021 Videos
    • 2020 Videos
  • Sermon Audio Archive
    • 2020 Sermons
    • 2019 Sermons
    • 2019 Sermon Series >
      • Gospel Centered Eternities November 2019
      • The Real Joy of Easter - Holy Week 2019
    • 2018 Sermons
    • 2018 Sermon Series >
      • Gospel Centred Church Spring 2018
      • A Gospel Shaped Church Fall 2018
    • 2017 Sermon Series >
      • The Servant King Christmas 2016
      • The Saviour King Lent 2017
      • The Victorious King Holy Week 2017
      • The Living King Easter 2017
      • The Brother King Fall 2017
      • Worship the King Advent 2017
    • 2016 Sermon Series >
      • Real Obedience Lent 2016
      • Unity of the Church
      • The Servant King Christmas 2016
    • 2015 Sermon Series >
      • Real Gifts 2015
      • Real Mission 2015
      • Mission Discerned
    • 2014 Sermon Series >
      • Real Church 2014
      • Real Lives 2014
    • 2013 Sermon Series >
      • Real God 2013
    • Sermon Archive From 2014 - 2017
  • Christianity 101