Quest for the Kingdom Series by Pastor Daniel Wee (QK2)

QUEST FOR THE KINGDOM 2: THE FOUR GOSPELS

WHY were the Gospels written?
Our primary source of information about Jesus and the Kingdom of God.
The kingdom, a central concern of the Gospels, originates with God and draws
its character from God. It precedes any human response to it, even though its
presence invites (or demands) human response.
WHY four Gospels?
Each Gospel provides a unique perspective on the person and work of Jesus
Christ, and the Kingdom of God
See pages 3 to 4 for more information on the Gospels
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
During the 400 years of silence, the Jews were obedient to the Law, they abhorred
idolatry and faithfully worshiped God. Yet the much anticipated kingdom did not come.
Instead came the fearful persecution in the Maccabean times by Antiochus IV
Epiphanes, the worldly rule of the Hasmoneans, and Romans. The Jews longed for the
coming of an anointed one or a messiah who would act on Gods behalf to set up a
just and righteous kingdom on earth.
Around 4 BC, God finally acted in history and sent His only Son, Jesus. Who is Jesus
whom God has sent? What is the nature of Kingdom that has been established? Let us
examine the Gospels to find the answers:
1. Each Gospel provides a unique perspective of Jesus. How does each Gospel portray
Jesus?
Matthew 1:1, 1:18-241, 12:17-212

Mark 10:45, 15:39:

Luke 2:11; 19:10:

John 3:16-18: 8:19:

1
2

OT reference Isaiah 7:14

OT reference Isaiah 42:1-4

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Quest for the Kingdom Series by Pastor Daniel Wee (QK2)

2. How do the 4 Gospels portray the Heavenly Kingdom? Matthew 9:2; Mark 6:12-13;
Luke 1:32-33, John 10:10.

3. The Disciples of Christ are the citizens of the Kingdom. Identify the characteristics of
a true (committed) disciple and a false (uncommitted) disciple from the following
passages: Mark 8:34-38, 9:33-37.

Application Question (Q): What sometimes keep you from being a true disciple of
God? How do you plan to change?

4. The Kingdom draws its characteristics from God. What do Jesus actions reveal
about his character and values in Luke 5:27-32?

Application Q: How would you emulate Jesus in your attempt to reach out to others?

5. Jesus has ascended to heaven after His resurrection. The responsibility of extending
the Kingdom invitation to the world falls on the disciples. How will the disciples
manage after He leaves? Read Matthew 28:18-20; John 15:26-27; 16:7-15.

Application Q: In what ways would this understanding impact you in your work /
ministry / family?

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Matthew
Theological
Themes

Mark

Luke

John

The Kingdom of
The Kingdom of God Gods Kingdom/
Eternal Life is the
Heaven3 the
As in Matthew,
Salvation extended
Life of the Kingdom
sovereign & dynamic
Gods kingdom has
to the whole world
The concept of
(spiritual) reign of
both present and
Jesus befriends the
eternal life takes the
God in the lives of
future dimensions.
marginalized and
place of Jesus
His people. Jesus
Jesus demonstrates
outcasts of His time
teaching on Kingdom
Kingdom teaching
the nature of Gods
(Gentiles, the poor,
eternal life is the life
contains both the
kingdom (eg. healings,
women, sinners, and
of the Kingdom.
present and future
exorcisms) and
tax collectors), offering
Eternal life is both a
elements. Jesus
inaugurates it not
salvation to all (4:16future (12:25) and
actual presence
through conquest, but
19, 7:1-10, 19:10).
present blessing
God with us is
through sacrifice.
(3:16). The emphasis
Promise-Fulfilment
emphasized (28:20).
in John is on the
Jesus the ServantGod is working out a
present a new
Promise-Fulfilment
Messiah Though He
plan that was set
quality of life that
The life of Jesus is
is the Messiah, his role
revealed in the OT.
Jesus gives (5:24-26;
seen as the
is to suffer and die as
Certain events must
10:10; 11:25; 20:31).
fulfilment of
the Servant of the
occur, especially
prophecy (e.g., 1:22;
LORDan atoning
Jesus death on the
The Revelation of
2:15, 17-18, 23;
sacrifice for sins. He
cross (9:22; 17:25;
the Father through
4:14-16; 8:17; 12:17fulfils the role of the
22:37; 24:7, 44).
the Son As Gods
21; 13:35; 21:4-5).
humble servant of
Word made flesh,
Jesus came to fulfil
Isaiah 53 (8:27-16:8;
Jesus has perfect
the destiny mapped
10:45).
knowledge of the

Matthew uses both expressions Kingdom of Heaven [32 times] & Kingdom of God [4 times]. Scholars are divided over
Matthews preference for Kingdom of Heaven. Some scholars think that it is Matthews Jewish tendency to substitute the term
Heaven for God. Others believe that Matthews preference for Kingdom of Heaven could be on account of the influence of Daniel
27, which highlights the differences between earthly kingdoms and the heavenly kingdom. In other words, Matthew uses kingdom
of heaven to emphasize the heavenly origins and nature of the kingdom.
3

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Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Father and now offers

Discipleship
The Coming of the
this knowledge and
Correlates Jesus
Spirit The Spirit is
relationship to all who
sufferings with the
the fulfilment of
Jesus and the Law
believe.
cost of discipleship
prophecy and the
Jesus calls the
(8:26-10:52). True
evidence of the
followers not to the
The Paraclete The
followers
of
Jesus
dawning
of
the
new
legalism practiced by
Counsellor or
must be willing to take
age of salvation (1:15,
the Pharisees but to
Advocate
up
their
crosses
and
41).
Jesus,
endowed
the heart(paraclete). He is the
follow him, even to
with Gods Spirit
righteousness which
Spirit of Truth who
suffering
and
death.
during
his
earthly
comes through the
bears witness
True disciples have in
ministry, now mediates
inward
concerning Jesus. The
mind
Gods
values,
not
the
Spirit
to
the
church
transformation of the
Spirit will mediate his
human values.
(3:22; 4:1; Acts 2:17Spirit. Jesus never
presence to the
41).
requires them to
disciples (14:16-26;
break the law but
15:26-27; 16:7-15),
encourages them to
thus enabling them to
live to even higher
do even greater works
standards (5:19-48).
(14:12; 16:7).
out for Him in
advance by God.

Authorship

Tradition ascribes
authorship to Matthew,
a tax collector, a
disciple of Jesus

John Mark, the son of a

certain Mary, in whose
house the Jerusalem
church met (Acts 12:12)

Luke, a physician.
Tradition tells us that
Luke was a converted
Gentile.

Most likely candidate is

the apostle John.

Place of
Writing

Many have proposed

Antioch in Syria as a
likely location

Rome is the most likely

provenance (place of
origin)

Unknown

Church tradition claims

that John wrote the
Gospel in Ephesus

Date

It could be written
between AD80 to 90

Some evidence points

to a date AD50/60

May be written between

AD80 to 90

Most scholars today

date the Gospel AD90
to110

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Main References:
Alexander, T. Desmond and Brian S. Rosner, eds. New Dictionary of Biblical Theology.
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Carson, D. A. and Douglas J. Moo. Introducing the New Testament: A Short Guide to Its
History and Message. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010.
Elwell, Walter A. and Barry J Beitzel. Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible. Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Book House, 1988.
Green, Joel B., Jeannine K. Brown, and Nicholas Perrin, eds. Dictionary of Jesus and
the Gospels. 2nd ed. Downers Grove, IL; Nottingham, England: IVP Academic, 2013
Strauss, Mark. Four Portraits, One Jesus: An Introduction to Jesus and the Gospels.
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007.

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