Can the kingdom of God fail?

Can the kingdom of God fail?Can the kingdom of God fail?

Jesus made it very clear that it cannot!Jesus made it very clear that it cannot! (Mt 16:18)(Mt 16:18)



The kingdom of God has God’s authority The kingdom of God has God’s authority behind it.behind it. (Mt 28:28-20) (Mt 28:28-20)




God has plainly said it would never fail.God has plainly said it would never fail. (Isa 9:6-7; Dam 7:13-14)(Isa 9:6-7; Dam 7:13-14)




God has plainly said it would never fail.God has plainly said it would never fail. (Isa (Isa 9:6-7; Dam 7:13-14)9:6-7; Dam 7:13-14)

““Of the increase of His government and Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end”peace there will be no end”


Our problem is one of identifying and Our problem is one of identifying and seeing God’s kingdom.seeing God’s kingdom.


Our problem is one of identifying and Our problem is one of identifying and seeing God’s kingdom.seeing God’s kingdom.– Jesus warned about looking at the wrong things. Jesus warned about looking at the wrong things.

(Lk 17:20-21)(Lk 17:20-21)



(Lk 17:20-21)(Lk 17:20-21)

– Some were so confident in the Jewish nation.Some were so confident in the Jewish nation.



(Lk 17:20-21)(Lk 17:20-21)


– John the Baptist strongly taught them (Mt 3:9-10)John the Baptist strongly taught them (Mt 3:9-10)



(Lk 17:20-21)(Lk 17:20-21)



– The people of Jeremiah’s day were to learn a The people of Jeremiah’s day were to learn a horrible lesson. (Jer 7:4, 8-11)horrible lesson. (Jer 7:4, 8-11)



(Lk 17:20-21)(Lk 17:20-21)



– The people of Jeremiah’s day were to learn a horrible The people of Jeremiah’s day were to learn a horrible lesson. (Jer 7:4, 8-11)lesson. (Jer 7:4, 8-11)

– Many have done this with the name “churches of Many have done this with the name “churches of

Christ.”Christ.”

John the Baptist had a time of John the Baptist had a time of doubtdoubt

John expressed doubt in the identity of John expressed doubt in the identity of Jesus. Jesus. (Lk 7:19-20)(Lk 7:19-20)



What had John already seen and confessed? What had John already seen and confessed? (Mk 1:10-11; Jn 1:32-37)(Mk 1:10-11; Jn 1:32-37)




There are two possible reasons for John's There are two possible reasons for John's doubt.doubt.




There are two possible reasons for John's There are two possible reasons for John's doubt.doubt.– Jesus had not done what John expected. Jesus had not done what John expected. (Mt 3:11-12)(Mt 3:11-12)


John expressed doubt in the identity of Jesus. John expressed doubt in the identity of Jesus. (Lk 7:19-20)(Lk 7:19-20)


There are two possible reasons for John's There are two possible reasons for John's doubt.doubt.– Jesus had not done what John expected. Jesus had not done what John expected. (Mt 3:11-12)(Mt 3:11-12)

– John may have harbored a misconception about the nature John may have harbored a misconception about the nature of The kingdom!of The kingdom!


John was in prison and likely both isolated John was in prison and likely both isolated and discouraged.and discouraged.


John was in prison and likely both isolated John was in prison and likely both isolated and discouraged.and discouraged.– Any man who is isolated and suffering, Any man who is isolated and suffering,

depression and doubt will come.depression and doubt will come.



depression and doubt will come.depression and doubt will come.– The great prophet Elijah knew this feeling! The great prophet Elijah knew this feeling!

(1 Kgs 19:10, 14, 18)(1 Kgs 19:10, 14, 18)



depression and doubt will come.depression and doubt will come.– The great prophet Elijah knew this feeling! The great prophet Elijah knew this feeling!

(1 Kgs 19:10, 14, 18)(1 Kgs 19:10, 14, 18) Given the right circumstances it could be Given the right circumstances it could be

you or me! you or me!

Habakkuk had a time of doubtHabakkuk had a time of doubt

Habakkuk, a prophet of God had such Habakkuk, a prophet of God had such doubts. doubts. (Hab 1:1-4)(Hab 1:1-4)



God’s answer was not what Habakkuk God’s answer was not what Habakkuk wanted to hear. wanted to hear. (Hab 1:5-11)(Hab 1:5-11)



God’s answer was not what Habakkuk God’s answer was not what Habakkuk wanted to hear. wanted to hear. (Hab 1:5-11)(Hab 1:5-11)– It is important to know that God knows what he It is important to know that God knows what he

is doing.is doing.



God’s answer was not what Habakkuk God’s answer was not what Habakkuk wanted to hear. wanted to hear. (Hab 1:5-11)(Hab 1:5-11)– It is important to know that God knows what he It is important to know that God knows what he

is doing.is doing.– We need to now that some people are beyond We need to now that some people are beyond

repentance. God knows! repentance. God knows!


Habakkuk now has a greater problem. Habakkuk now has a greater problem.


Habakkuk now has a greater problem. Habakkuk now has a greater problem. – Have you ever had a problem that started out Have you ever had a problem that started out

bad and then grew worse?bad and then grew worse?



bad and then grew worse?bad and then grew worse?– How could God use such a wicked people? How could God use such a wicked people?

(Hab 1:12-13)(Hab 1:12-13)



bad and then grew worse?bad and then grew worse?– How could God use such a wicked people? How could God use such a wicked people?

(Hab 1:12-13)(Hab 1:12-13) ““How could God allow this to happen?”How could God allow this to happen?”

Occasions of doubt in church Occasions of doubt in church historyhistory

The aftermath of a great apostasy. The aftermath of a great apostasy. (2 Thess 2:2-4)(2 Thess 2:2-4)


The aftermath of a great apostasy. The aftermath of a great apostasy. (2 Thess 2:2-4)(2 Thess 2:2-4)– You cannot imagine what it would be like to You cannot imagine what it would be like to

rebuild! (Ex. Daniel, Nebraska)rebuild! (Ex. Daniel, Nebraska)


The aftermath of a great apostasy. The aftermath of a great apostasy. (2 Thess 2:2-4)(2 Thess 2:2-4)– You cannot imagine what it would be like to You cannot imagine what it would be like to

rebuild! (Ex. Daniel, Nebraska)rebuild! (Ex. Daniel, Nebraska)– What will Birmingham, AL be like in 200 What will Birmingham, AL be like in 200

years?years?


Personal disappointments of men and local Personal disappointments of men and local churches. churches.


Personal disappointments of men and local Personal disappointments of men and local churches. churches. – Men’s actions may cause others to quit. They Men’s actions may cause others to quit. They

should not! should not! (Mk 9:42; 14:27)(Mk 9:42; 14:27)



should not! should not! (Mk 9:42; 14:27)(Mk 9:42; 14:27)– Jesus tried to prepare them about the nature of Jesus tried to prepare them about the nature of

the kingdom. the kingdom. (Jn 16:1)(Jn 16:1)



should not! should not! (Mk 9:42; 14:27)(Mk 9:42; 14:27)– Jesus tried to prepare them about the nature of Jesus tried to prepare them about the nature of

the kingdom. the kingdom. (Jn 16:1)(Jn 16:1)– How many have quit after a church split?How many have quit after a church split?



should not! should not! (Mk 9:42; 14:27)(Mk 9:42; 14:27)

– Jesus tried to prepare them about the nature of the Jesus tried to prepare them about the nature of the kingdom. kingdom. (Jn 16:1)(Jn 16:1)

– How many have quit after a church split?How many have quit after a church split? Some have identifies a human movement with Some have identifies a human movement with

God’s kingdom. (Ex. The Boston Movement)God’s kingdom. (Ex. The Boston Movement)

How to deal with the How to deal with the disappointments that will comedisappointments that will come

John sought more information from Jesus! John sought more information from Jesus! (Lk 7:19-20)(Lk 7:19-20)


John sought more information from Jesus! John sought more information from Jesus! (Lk 7:19-20)(Lk 7:19-20)– Always take your doubts to the Lord! Always take your doubts to the Lord!


John sought more information from Jesus! John sought more information from Jesus! (Lk 7:19-20)(Lk 7:19-20)– Always take your doubts to the Lord! Always take your doubts to the Lord! – Jesus removes John's doubt by scripture. Jesus removes John's doubt by scripture.

(Lk 7:21-23)(Lk 7:21-23)


John sought more information from Jesus! John sought more information from Jesus! (Lk 7:19-20)(Lk 7:19-20)– Always take your doubts to the Lord! Always take your doubts to the Lord! – Jesus removes John's doubt by scripture. Jesus removes John's doubt by scripture.

(Lk 7:21-23)(Lk 7:21-23) Habakkuk resolves to give God the praise. Habakkuk resolves to give God the praise.

(Hab 3:1-2)(Hab 3:1-2)


God was doing the very best for His people. God was doing the very best for His people. (Hab 3:13)(Hab 3:13)


God was doing the very best for His people. God was doing the very best for His people. (Hab 3:13)(Hab 3:13)– All of history stands because of what God All of history stands because of what God

wants for His people.wants for His people.


God was doing the very best for His people. God was doing the very best for His people. (Hab 3:13)(Hab 3:13)– All of history stands because of what God All of history stands because of what God

wants for His people.wants for His people.– When we give up our faith we pervert the When we give up our faith we pervert the

purpose for the whole universe. purpose for the whole universe.


Lessons for us during times of doubt.Lessons for us during times of doubt.


Lessons for us during times of doubt.Lessons for us during times of doubt.– Learn how to renew your faith from a study of God's Learn how to renew your faith from a study of God's

word. word. (1 Pt 3:15)(1 Pt 3:15)



word. word. (1 Pt 3:15)(1 Pt 3:15)

– Do not let doubts linger! Go to God and to spiritual Do not let doubts linger! Go to God and to spiritual men for help.men for help.



word. word. (1 Pt 3:15)(1 Pt 3:15)


– Always express yourself, including your doubts, to God Always express yourself, including your doubts, to God in prayer! in prayer!



word. word. (1 Pt 3:15)(1 Pt 3:15)


– Always express yourself, including your doubts, to God Always express yourself, including your doubts, to God in prayer! in prayer!

– Always distinguish between the actions of men and that Always distinguish between the actions of men and that of God.of God.


Lessons for us during times of doubt.Lessons for us during times of doubt.– Learn how to renew your faith from a study of God's word. Learn how to renew your faith from a study of God's word.

(1 Pt 3:15)(1 Pt 3:15)– Do not let doubts linger! Go to God and to spiritual men for Do not let doubts linger! Go to God and to spiritual men for

help.help.– Always express yourself, including your doubts, to God in Always express yourself, including your doubts, to God in

prayer! prayer! – Always distinguish between the actions of men and that of Always distinguish between the actions of men and that of

God.God.– Deal quickly with sin in your life. Most of our doubts lie Deal quickly with sin in your life. Most of our doubts lie

here. here. (Lk 8:14; Rev 3:1-2)(Lk 8:14; Rev 3:1-2)

Can the kingdom of God fail?

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