Bridging the Gaps: Living as Kingdom Ambassadors
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the metaphor of "minding the gap" from a family vacation experience in Washington, D.C., and how it relates to our spiritual lives. We often encounter gaps in our faith journey that can cause us to stumble if we're not vigilant. This sermon marks the beginning of a six-week series titled "Bridge the Gap," where we will address various cultural and spiritual gaps that challenge our discipleship.
We live in a post-Christian world where the church no longer holds the cultural influence it once did. This world demands that we take sides on various social and political issues, often dividing even the church. However, our focus should be on being Christ-centered, Bible-centric, and gospel-focused. We are called to represent the Kingdom of God, not to align ourselves with worldly ideologies or political factions.
We examined the story of Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army in Joshua 5. Joshua asked if the commander was for them or their enemies, and the response was "Neither." This teaches us that our allegiance should be to God's Kingdom, transcending earthly divisions. We are to align ourselves under the authority of Jesus Christ, who is our true commander.
The sermon also touched on the importance of understanding our role as ambassadors of God's Kingdom. We are called to live out the values of the Kingdom, such as love, justice, and compassion, in a world that often pulls us in different directions. We must navigate these complexities with discernment, prayer, and a focus on God's will.
In the coming weeks, we will delve deeper into how to live as citizens of heaven while engaging with the world around us. The goal is to leave each sermon loving God and each other more, unified in our mission to represent Christ in this world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Mind the Gap in Your Faith Journey: Just as we must be cautious of physical gaps, we must also be vigilant about spiritual gaps that can cause us to stumble. These gaps can hurt our faith if we are not paying attention. Being aware and proactive in addressing these gaps is crucial for our spiritual well-being. [02:57]
2. Allegiance to God's Kingdom: Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army teaches us that our primary allegiance should be to God's Kingdom, not to earthly divisions. This transcends political, social, and cultural boundaries, calling us to align ourselves under the authority of Jesus Christ. [16:30]
3. Living as Ambassadors of Christ: As followers of Jesus, we are called to represent the Kingdom of God in this world. This involves living out the values of love, justice, and compassion, and seeking God's will on earth as it is in heaven. Our actions should reflect our heavenly citizenship. [09:38]
4. Navigating a Post-Christian World: In a world that no longer seeks the church's guidance, we must focus on being Christ-centered and gospel-focused. This means not getting caught up in worldly ideologies but standing firm in our faith and representing God's Kingdom with discernment and prayer. [05:33]
5. Engaging with Social Issues: While we are not adherents of secular social justice movements, we recognize the biblical call to care for the vulnerable and marginalized. Our approach should be rooted in the gospel, aiming for reconciliation and restoration, and addressing both physical and spiritual needs. [27:01]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:56] - Family Vacation and the Gap
[02:19] - The Angel's Help
[02:57] - Spiritual Gaps
[03:42] - Introduction to "Bridge the Gap" Series
[04:38] - Navigating a Post-Christian World
[05:33] - Cultural Influence and Division
[06:20] - The Church's Internal Divisions
[07:45] - Fear of Speaking Out
[08:26] - Being Christ-Centered
[08:59] - Representing the Kingdom of God
[09:38] - Goals for the Series
[10:09] - Seeking God's Kingdom
[10:41] - Prayer
[11:10] - Are You With Us or Against Us?
[12:13] - Historical Church Battles
[13:40] - Joshua's Encounter with the Commander
[15:18] - Joshua's Obedience
[16:30] - Allegiance to God's Kingdom
[17:51] - Joshua's Submission
[19:24] - God's Strategy for Jericho
[20:05] - Understanding the Teams
[21:13] - Ideological Confusion
[22:38] - Spiritual Armor
[23:39] - Practical Applications
[24:26] - Deeper Understanding
[25:07] - Denials and Affirmations
[27:01] - Biblical Justice
[28:29] - Social Justice and the Gospel
[30:20] - Woke vs. Awakened
[32:33] - Effects of Sin
[33:41] - Loving Our Neighbors
[35:41] - Critical Race Theory
[36:11] - Christian Nationalism
[37:16] - Gender Identity
[37:58] - Roles of Men and Women
[38:29] - Eternal Consequences
[39:25] - Engaging with the World
[40:20] - Living the Kingdom Values
[41:13] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Joshua 5:13-15 (NIV): "Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, 'Are you for us or for our enemies?' 'Neither,' he replied, 'but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.' Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, 'What message does my Lord have for his servant?' The commander of the Lord’s army replied, 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so."
### Observation Questions
1. What was Joshua's initial question to the man with the drawn sword, and what was the man's response?
2. How did Joshua react when he realized the identity of the man?
3. What command did the commander of the Lord's army give to Joshua, and how did Joshua respond?
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the commander's response of "Neither" suggest about God's position in human conflicts and divisions?
2. How does Joshua's reaction to the commander of the Lord's army demonstrate his understanding of authority and submission?
3. In what ways does the story of Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army challenge our own allegiances and priorities?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt pulled between two sides in a conflict. How did you navigate that situation, and what might you do differently in light of Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army?
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of aligning ourselves under the authority of Jesus Christ. What practical steps can you take this week to ensure your actions and decisions reflect this alignment?
3. How can you be more vigilant about identifying and addressing the "gaps" in your faith journey that might cause you to stumble?
4. In what ways can you live out the values of the Kingdom of God, such as love, justice, and compassion, in your daily interactions and decisions?
5. The sermon mentioned the challenge of navigating a post-Christian world. How can you stay Christ-centered and gospel-focused when engaging with social and political issues?
6. As ambassadors of Christ, we are called to represent the Kingdom of God. Identify one specific way you can act as an ambassador in your community this week.
7. The sermon touched on the importance of prayer and discernment. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer and discernment into your decision-making processes?
Devotional
Day 1: Vigilance in Spiritual Gaps
In our faith journey, we often encounter spiritual gaps that can cause us to stumble if we are not vigilant. These gaps can manifest as doubts, distractions, or even complacency in our spiritual practices. Just as we must be cautious of physical gaps to avoid falling, we must also be proactive in identifying and addressing these spiritual gaps to maintain a strong and unwavering faith. Being aware of these gaps and taking steps to bridge them is crucial for our spiritual well-being. [02:57]
Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Reflection: What are some spiritual gaps in your life that you have been ignoring? How can you take proactive steps to address them today?
Day 2: Allegiance to God's Kingdom
Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army in Joshua 5 teaches us that our primary allegiance should be to God's Kingdom, not to earthly divisions. When Joshua asked if the commander was for them or their enemies, the response was "Neither." This response highlights that our loyalty should transcend political, social, and cultural boundaries. We are called to align ourselves under the authority of Jesus Christ, who is our true commander, and to represent His Kingdom above all else. [16:30]
Joshua 5:13-14 (ESV): "When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, 'Are you for us, or for our adversaries?' And he said, 'No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.'"
Reflection: In what ways have you allowed earthly divisions to influence your allegiance to God's Kingdom? How can you realign your focus to be more Christ-centered today?
Day 3: Living as Ambassadors of Christ
As followers of Jesus, we are called to represent the Kingdom of God in this world. This involves living out the values of love, justice, and compassion, and seeking God's will on earth as it is in heaven. Our actions should reflect our heavenly citizenship, and we must navigate the complexities of this world with discernment, prayer, and a focus on God's will. Being an ambassador of Christ means embodying His teachings and values in every aspect of our lives. [09:38]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: How can you better represent the values of God's Kingdom in your daily interactions and decisions? What specific actions can you take to embody love, justice, and compassion today?
Day 4: Navigating a Post-Christian World
In a world that no longer seeks the church's guidance, we must focus on being Christ-centered and gospel-focused. This means not getting caught up in worldly ideologies but standing firm in our faith and representing God's Kingdom with discernment and prayer. We are called to be a light in the darkness, offering hope and truth in a world that often pulls us in different directions. Our mission is to remain steadfast in our commitment to Christ and His teachings. [05:33]
Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: In what ways have you been influenced by worldly ideologies? How can you refocus your mind and heart on being Christ-centered and gospel-focused today?
Day 5: Engaging with Social Issues
While we are not adherents of secular social justice movements, we recognize the biblical call to care for the vulnerable and marginalized. Our approach should be rooted in the gospel, aiming for reconciliation and restoration, and addressing both physical and spiritual needs. We are called to engage with social issues in a way that reflects God's love and justice, seeking to bring healing and hope to those in need. [27:01]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: How can you actively engage with social issues in a way that reflects God's love and justice? What specific steps can you take to care for the vulnerable and marginalized in your community today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We, as Christians, are in this world. And there's these gaps that are all over the place. And we can see it. And we can know about it. But if we're not paying attention, we can fall in those gaps. And it can hurt us, hurt our faith. And so today is the beginning of a short sermon series, about six weeks long, called, not Mind the Gap, but Bridge the Gap." [02:57] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "How do we not live like the world, but live in the way that Christ has called us to live? This world is post-Christian. And by that, what I mean by that, is that we are not always the sought after ones anymore to give advice and to different policies and things like that." [05:33] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need to represent the kingdom of God. Because we stand with Christ. We stand in His kingdom. And that takes a lot of discernment. It will take a lot of discussions, a lot of prayer, to unfold what this looks like. So, that's what we'll be talking about these next few weeks." [08:59] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I hope that we leave here loving God more, loving each other. I hope that you embrace your call as an ambassador of God's kingdom. That we have been, we've given this calling to represent Him in this world. I hope that we leave here with a stronger identification of what that looks like." [09:38] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you are a follower of Jesus, if you are a Christian, you are in the kingdom of God. You are a citizen of him. And that's our authority. It's more transcendent. Remember Joshua was like, are you this country or this country? And he's like, we're this country. We're above it all. Look up. Look up and see." [22:38] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We just finished a sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount. Which Jesus said, you need to be different. Don't be like the rest of the world. What does that mean? Last week, Pastor Daniel talked on that firm foundation. The foundation that's built on the rock, not on the sand. And Jesus said, when you follow my word, you will stand solid, on solid ground." [04:38] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We are not adherents of the secular social justice movement as held in progressive circles. But we do believe that biblical justice has social implications. Particularly in protecting those who are most vulnerable and marginalized. You, you can't read the Bible without seeing this call. Old Testament and New Testament. This call to care for the poor. To defend the powerless. Seek justice for the orphan and the widow." [26:41] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We are not woke in the sense of having embraced a progressive ideology that's grounded in critical theory rather than the Bible. But, we do see the need to be awakened to the global and indeed cosmic impacts of sin including racial injustice. And to be attuned to the biblical call for gospel driven efforts towards reconciliation and restoration." [30:20] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are not Christian nationalists who believe that the federal government should declare the United States as a Christian nation. Or who believe that Americans are God's chosen people. But we do believe that a patriotic love for one's nation is appropriate. And that Christians should be good citizens and may freely advocate for God-honoring public policies." [36:11] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We believe in the good news of the kingdom. Announced and embodied by Jesus Christ. And that is the ultimate and final solution to this world's problems. It's Jesus Christ. But how do we participate? Because we get to love God and we love our neighbor. To which gospel? The gospel is called us. It requires that we seek the welfare and the common good of our communities, our families, our nations." [39:25] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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