Dr. Barnhouse and the Bible

Announcer: The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals presents the timeless teaching of Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse.

Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse: His kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Oh, blessed Holy Spirit, who brings us all these gifts of Christ. Oh, blessed Christ, who purchased all these gifts for us. Oh, blessed Father, who planned all these things for us. Thy Kingdom come. Thy kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in me as it is in heaven.

Choir: God's Word is good for all who came, truth to teach, rebuke, correct and train. Equips by him we can to do the work God has for us to do. God's Word is all the Christian needs to grow in grace and to fulfill deeds.

Announcer: Over a half a century ago, the late Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse, then pastor of 10th Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, saw the need to spread God's Word beyond the hearing of his local congregation.

He started the radio ministry, which has become known as Dr. Barnhouse and the Bible. The application of God's Word as taught by Dr. Barnhouse is as relevant today as when he first taught over the radio airwaves decades ago.

The message we will be featuring on today's edition of Dr. Barnhouse and the Bible is entitled What the Kingdom Is Today. Many Christians often look toward the Kingdom of God as a future event that has yet to be established. But 2,000 years ago, Jesus told those around Him that the Kingdom of God is among you.

This is no less true in our time, as God has been building His kingdom and His Church among humanity for centuries. What are the characteristics of the Kingdom of God in our day? The scripture text for this edition of Dr. Barnhouse and the Bible, Romans chapter 14 and verse 17.

Here again is Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse with a message entitled, What the Kingdom Is Today.

Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse: Through the Lord Jesus Christ we come unto our Father and our God and in the Holy Spirit. We thank Thee that Thou hast come in Christ to be the Word made flesh dwelling among us, in order that we might be made partakers of the divine nature. Surely, without Thee we are at the very best, sorry creatures.

But in Christ we become all that Thou dost desire us to be. This is the work in which Thou art actively engaged, molding us, cleansing us, sand papering us, sculpturing us, making us in the likeness of Thy Son. Do Thy work we pray Thee that we may be more like Him.

We ask it in the name and for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our text is in Romans 14:17. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Having seen what the spiritual kingdom of God is not, we now proceed to see what the Bible teaches positively that it is. Our text declares it to be righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The New Testament has a great deal to say about the transformation that comes to a man when he's made alive in Christ. The Lord Jesus said to His disciples, the Holy Spirit dwells with you, and He shall be in you.

In the epistles we read, Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own. You were bought with a price.

And again, we, believers, we are the temple of the living God. As God said, I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from them and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean. Then I will welcome you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.

In this age in which we live, God is doing one main thing. He is calling a people out of the world in order to transform them into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He takes people from every imaginable condition, children of criminals and children of ethical leaders, people of every cultural class and condition, people of every kingdom, tongue, tribe and nation, and works His transformation within them.

He announces in advance that He has created them in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. He chose us in order that we might be shaped like Christ, conformed to the image of His Son.

The Kingdom of God in this spiritual aspect is the work of God in the lives of those individuals who have been born into this kingdom through the new birth, and who have been transferred into it by the power of Christ.

This text is not teaching that it is possible for a group of individuals, even for all the individuals combined in the collectivity of church organizations, even if they were all working together. It is not teaching that these could bring civic and social righteousness to the world that crucified Christ. It is teaching, rather, that the individual believer can have true righteousness, peace, and joy in his heart in the midst of this present evil world.

The work of Christ in His first coming was to take out a people for His name and to make it possible for them to live lives of triumph in a spiritual kingdom that would be established in the midst of Satan's kingdom.

The triumph of righteousness in the individual is a present possibility. The triumph of righteousness in the world is a matter for the second coming of Christ. His spiritual kingdom is present in the hearts of those whom He has redeemed, and His earthly kingdom is with Him in heaven, waiting for the time of His manifestation.

The Kingdom of God then is righteousness, peace, and joy in the citadel of the renewed heart. It is the answer to every great question that has occupied the human race since the time of the Fall.

We listen to the cry of Job, How can a man be just before God? And the answer is found in the Kingdom of God, coming in the heart through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We listen again to another cry of Job, Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul? I am not at ease, nor am I quiet. I have no rest, but trouble comes.

And the answer comes only through the Kingdom of God, coming in the heart through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We listen yet again to the whole restless, ebbing and flowing of the human race in sorrow and death.

The wicked are like the tossing sea, for it cannot rest, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked. And the answer comes in the overwhelming flood of joy that quiets the ocean of unrest in the heart and brings the joy of the Lord, which is the very nature of His kingdom.

Now, it's important that we note the sequence of these characteristics of the Kingdom of God in the heart. Righteousness comes first. Peace comes second, and joy comes third. This is the amplification of Christ's words, but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.

One of the reasons for the terrible frustration of mankind is that peace and joy are sought without righteousness. This cannot be. Without the righteousness of God, there can be no peace, and without the peace of God, there can be no joy.

Imagine a man who has been in an automobile accident. His leg is twisted out of its socket and the bone is broken. He tells the doctor, give me some sedative quickly so that I can be at peace and rest. I want to sleep. Just give me a drug and go away and leave me. What a fool he would be.

No man in his right mind would say such a thing, and yet millions are seeking for some opiate of peace without righteousness. The doctor would tell the man that he must set the fractures and put the leg back into its socket. Then nature would take its course, and in time there would be healing and peace.

It is certainly thus in the sequence of God's dealings with man. God simply will not allow any man to know true peace until that man first possesses divine righteousness.

In our earlier studies in the first chapters of Romans, we have seen the righteousness of God at great length. We may summarize the process of its communication to us in the following way. In Romans 4:5, we read, To the one who does not work, but trusts Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.

On the basis of the payment, the expiation provided by the Lord Jesus Christ in the shedding of His blood on the cross, we are counted as justified, even while we are still ungodly. Apart from this justifying work of God, there is no righteousness for any man.

God describes in the 10th of Romans those who are religiously zealous, who refuse Christ. And He describes them as saying, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God's righteousness.

This righteousness of God, which is imputed to us in a bookkeeping transaction by the death of the Savior, and imparted and given to us in our new birth, must break out actively in our lives, as the oak tree must break out of the acorn. Such righteousness is an absolute surrender to the will of God.

It is a positive turning away from our own desires in order that His desires may be fulfilled in our hearts. This is the righteousness of God, which produces the ultimate in honesty, integrity, truth, and honor in an individual believer.

A butcher was once asked what difference it made to him when Christ entered his life. He replied, I stopped weighing my thumb. He then described how he sold meat before becoming a Christian. He put meat on the scales in such a way that his thumb trailed down approximately the weight of an ounce. He had included that thumb in the weight of beef, pork, lard, and every other item of his merchandise.

But when Christ came into his heart, he stood away from the scales and gave a full 16 ounces of meat. And when customers came whom he had formerly robbed, he added an ounce to make up for his past peculations. Now the Kingdom of God produces such honesty by producing a complete integrity in a believer.

Such a man is described in one of the Psalms, Psalm 15. He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth from his heart, who does not slander with his tongue, and does no evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor, in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord, who swears to his own hurt and does not change, who does not put out his money at usury, and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

But the righteousness of the Kingdom of God is even more than these positive actions. The righteousness which the Lord places in the heart is an infinite longing for growth in holiness. It is an ardent desire for the things of God.

It is an intense craving for truth in the inward parts. It is a lifting of the heart in aspiration for the consciousness of the Lord's presence. It's the panting of the deer after the water brooks. It is the hungering and thirsting after righteousness for which our Lord promised fulfillment.

When a believer knows this yearning for the righteousness of God, he possesses the passport that identifies him as a true citizen of the Kingdom of God. And such righteousness is not content to sit at home in the quietistic, pietistic frame of mind that is actually sanctimonious pretense.

The righteousness of the child of the Kingdom is a righteousness that is always moving. It will march in every crusade for righteousness. It will travel with the needy pilgrim. It will advance with every worthy cause. Even where it cannot go in person, its prayers will accompany the missionary on the field, the prisoner to his cell, the sick to the hospital bed.

The citizen of Christ's Kingdom will care for the needy and the afflicted, will sacrifice in order to minister to other's needs. Such a man will not be weary in well doing. He will travel the second mile with the simple, the ignorant and the cantankerous.

Such righteousness is the patent of nobility in the Kingdom of God. Righteousness will not trample another man's feelings. It will not take advantage of him in any way. Righteousness will know nothing of a defiling love.

Righteousness will also wound where wounding is necessary and will help bind up the wounds without telling anyone about them. Righteousness respects the feelings and interests of others, and righteousness will not gossip.

We could continue the list indefinitely since righteousness touches every phase of life. But we can conclude by saying that this righteousness, which is the mark of the Kingdom of God, is the indwelling life of the King, the Lord Jesus Christ, shining through the life of the yielded believer.

When a man possesses the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ, and has begun to live in such a way that men can see that righteousness, and so glorify God the Father who is in heaven, that man will begin to know what it is to dwell in God's peace.

For peace is the second mark of citizenship in the spiritual Kingdom of God. We're not talking here about peace with God. We're talking about the peace of God.

Peace with God is similar to the peace that exists between nations after a war. We were at enmity with Him, God, and Christ made peace by the blood of His cross. This is the peace which we get by coming to Him who said, Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.

But the peace of God is the second rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls.

Now, having been justified by faith, so that we have become the very righteousness of God, and having allowed that righteousness to use us as the home from which all its sorties are made into the world in which we must live, the believer finds a rest that cannot be described. God Himself says that it is peace that passes all understanding.

It's possible to have a sanctuary in the heart which is completely soundproof, and into which we can retreat with God in order to be strengthened and refreshed, to go out once more to the conflict. That haven is in the heart, and at the same time, it is in the heavenly places where God already counts us as having ascended with Christ, that we might share with Him in His enthronement and His intercession.

Our life is a constant shifting from the place of conflict to the place of peace and back again. Only thus can we understand the meaning of a phrase in the great promise of Christ. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out, and find pasture. What is it to go in and out? The answer is in our text. We go into the haven of peace, to the heaven of peace and power. And we go out to the conflict of daily life. We feed in the pasture and go forth refreshed to live as good citizens of the heavenly kingdom, strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

And when such peace reigns within the heart, the believer will always be at peace with all other men of good will. Oh, how we should understand this, that our citizenship must reflect the fact that we belong to Him.

I saw Dave Garroway one morning on television talking about his trip to the Caribbean. Someone asked him a question whether Americans traveling abroad were a good witness for the United States. He asked what we would think if we saw a boatload of tourists land and walk through Wall Street or Fifth Avenue, Times Square, or Park Avenue, clad in nothing but bras and shorts, and walking about looking down upon everything they saw.

And he said, I'm afraid Americans who do this in Caracas and in other cities in the Caribbean are not very good witnesses for the United States. And so it is that we, as we go forth, must remember that we must be dressed in the righteousness of heaven, and we must go forth conformed to the image of God's Son.

Now, when such peace reigns within the heart, the believer will always be at peace with all other men of good will. Alexander McLaren described it, the herald angels sang on Earth, peace.

19 centuries have passed, and Christianity is still a revolutionary and disturbing element wherever it comes. And the promise seems to linger, and the great words that declared, unto us a child is born, and His name shall be the Prince of Peace, seems as far away from fulfillment as ever they were.

Yes, because He is first of all, King of righteousness, and must destroy the evil that is in the world before He can manifest Himself as King of peace. His kingdom of peace will be set up through confusion and destruction, overturning and overturning, until the world has learned to know and love His name.

First, King of righteousness. That at all hazards, that though conflict may dog His steps, and warfare ever wait upon Him. First, King of righteousness, and after that, King of peace. So the sum of the whole thing is, peace is sure. Peace with God, peace in my own tranquil and righteous heart. Peace for a world from out of which sin shall be scourged.

Peace is sure because righteousness is ours since it is Christ's. Now when righteousness has struck deep into our being, so that it enters the sanctuary where peace may dwell, we also discover that the springs of joy pour forth in flood.

Joy is the first outward mark of the presence of Christ in a man. If a man does not have joy, it's almost certain that he does not have peace, and it is even doubtful if he has righteousness. Now joy must not be confused with mirth. Mirth is effervescence. Joy is the steady underlying fabric of all being.

When all is chaos on the surface, deep down there can be joy. There has never been a storm on the Atlantic, even though its waves were so great that they combed over the bridge of a battleship, whose roots were any more than on the surface. A submarine always finds 50 feet down, as calm as any pond on a clear June day.

Recently, the British papers published the first photograph of Buckingham Palace at night with the new floodlighting, which accents the royal standard, flying over the palace to show that the sovereign is in residence. Day or night, the flag can be seen, and the subject can know that the ruler is not away, but at home. Thus, joy flies as the flag over our lives to show that Christ is in residence.

At the crowning of Solomon, we read in First Kings that all the people went up after him, playing on pipes and rejoicing with great joy, so that the Earth was split by their noise.

When the Word of God was found and read to the people after it had been lost for many years, Nehemiah said to them, this day is holy to our Lord, and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

We go to the Psalms and read, Thou dost show me the path of life, in Thy presence there is fullness of joy, in Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, oh righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart. I will go to God, to God my exceeding joy.

When Christ was born, the angel said, Be not afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for to you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

And when we turn to the legacy which Christ left to His people, we read, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. These things I have spoken unto you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

So, said He, you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. Oh, thank God. His kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, in the Holy Spirit.

Oh, blessed Holy Spirit, who brings us all these gifts of Christ. Oh, blessed Christ, who purchased all these gifts for us. Oh, blessed Father, who planned all these things for us. Thy Kingdom come. Thy kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in me as it is in heaven.

And our God and Father, we pray Thee to bless these truths to our hearts. That the cleansing righteousness may do its work in the hearts of all Thy people. That their peace shall show them as men who dwell in Thee and that their joy shall manifest the glory of Thy presence. We ask it in the name and for the sake of our Savior God, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Announcer: Have you become a citizen of God's glorious eternal Kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ? We hope you've benefited from today's message, What the Kingdom Is Today. You may listen to additional teaching by Dr. Barnhouse via our website at alliancenet.org.

An audio copy of today's teaching is available by calling us toll free: 1-800-488-1888. Today's message again is entitled What the Kingdom Is Today, or simply request message number R14-38.

We would also like to make available to you a free copy of our booklet entitled Overcoming Fear in Witnessing. Are you intimidated about sharing your faith? Does fear hold you back from telling your family, friends, and coworkers about Christ? This free booklet will help you overcome the barriers to effective witnessing so that you can share the Gospel clearly, in love, and without fear. If you want to be a bold, confident witness for Christ, ask for your free copy of Overcoming Fear in Witnessing when you call or write.

Dr. Barnhouse and the Bible is a radio ministry of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We exist to promote a biblical understanding and worldview, drawing upon the insight and wisdom of Reformation theologians from decades and even centuries gone by. We seek to provide contemporary Christian teaching which will equip believers to understand and meet the challenges and opportunities of our time and place.

The Alliance also produces the radio broadcast, The Bible Study Hour, featuring the teachings of the late Dr. James Montgomery Boice, and Every Last Word, featuring the Bible teaching of Dr. Philip Graham Ryken. For a full list of radio stations carrying our programs, visit our website at alliancenet.org.

Dr. Barnhouse and the Bible comes to you through the generous gifts of listeners like you. If you have benefited from the broadcast and would like it to continue, please prayerfully consider a donation to help us keep this ministry on the air. For more information or to make a contribution to help further our work, contact us by calling toll free 1-800-488-1888. Again, that's 1-800-488-1888.

You may also write to us at Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Box 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, or visit us online at alliancenet.org. Be sure to ask for a free resource catalog, featuring books, audio teachings, commentaries, booklets, videos, and a wealth of other materials from outstanding reformed teachers and theologians, including Drs. Donald Grey Barnhouse, James Montgomery Boice, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and Philip Graham Ryken.

Thank you for listening today. Join us again next time for more classic teaching on Dr. Barnhouse and the Bible.

Choir: The Bible has come and equals, who to do the saving work for us, which draws our souls from death to life and rescues us from the despites. Amazing gifts, wonders so hard, the life imparting word of God.