Embodying God's Kingdom: Character, Power, and Holiness

 

Summary

Living in the kingdom of God is not just a concept but a transformative way of life that requires both character and power. To truly embody the kingdom, one must walk in the character of God, manifesting the fruits of the Spirit such as love, joy, and peace, while also embracing the power of God that enables these virtues to flourish. This duality is essential; attempting to cultivate one without the other leads to an incomplete spiritual life. The kingdom of God provides the foundation for "death to self," which is often misunderstood as a negative concept. Instead, it is about forsaking an inferior life for one that aligns with God's kingdom, allowing us to become the people we are meant to be.

Holiness, often perceived negatively, needs a redefinition. It is not merely about avoiding sin but about actively pursuing a life that reflects God's kingdom. This involves understanding that righteousness is not just about abstaining from wrongdoing but about engaging in actions that align with God's will. The kingdom of God nourishes us, enabling us to live a life of true holiness.

Being in the world but not of it is a central theme. Jesus prayed for us to be kept from evil while remaining in the world, highlighting the tension between living in a worldly system and being part of God's kingdom. The world operates on principles contrary to God's kingdom, driven by desires of the flesh, eyes, and pride. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to live by the truth of God's word, which sanctifies us and sets us apart.

The world is not inherently evil, but when it becomes the focus of our desires, it leads to spiritual death. We are called to live under God's sovereignty, relying on His primary causes rather than the secondary causes of the world. This means living by God's word, which endures forever, rather than the fleeting desires of the world.

Finally, the distinction between impulsive and reflective will is crucial. Impulsive will is driven by immediate desires, leading to anger and lust, while reflective will seeks what is truly good, guided by a relationship with Christ. Through Christ, we are liberated from the tyranny of our impulsive will, allowing us to live a life aligned with God's kingdom.

Key Takeaways:

- Living in the kingdom of God requires both character and power. One cannot truly embody the fruits of the Spirit without the power of God moving in their life. This duality is essential for a complete spiritual life. [02:29]

- Holiness is not just about avoiding sin but actively pursuing a life that reflects God's kingdom. It involves a positive engagement with God's will, moving beyond a negative conception of righteousness. [06:38]

- Being in the world but not of it involves living by the truth of God's word, which sanctifies us. Jesus prayed for us to be kept from evil while remaining in the world, highlighting the tension between worldly systems and God's kingdom. [14:06]

- The world is not inherently evil, but when it becomes the focus of our desires, it leads to spiritual death. We are called to live under God's sovereignty, relying on His word, which endures forever. [19:36]

- The distinction between impulsive and reflective will is crucial. Impulsive will is driven by immediate desires, while reflective will seeks what is truly good, guided by a relationship with Christ. Through Christ, we are liberated from our impulsive will. [28:32]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:29] - Introduction to Living in the Kingdom
- [01:28] - Character and Power in the Kingdom
- [03:23] - Fellowship and the Power of God
- [04:32] - Redefining Holiness
- [06:20] - The Positive Nature of Righteousness
- [07:28] - The Reality of God's Kingdom
- [08:33] - The Living God in Action
- [10:06] - The Drama of Redemptive History
- [11:45] - Jesus' Prayer for Us
- [14:06] - In the World, Not of the World
- [16:02] - The Power Beyond Human Ability
- [18:08] - The World as Socially Organized Flesh
- [20:03] - Love Not the World
- [22:29] - The Passing Nature of the World
- [24:03] - The Power of Jesus' Name
- [26:25] - Impulsive vs. Reflective Will

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 17:11-17
2. 2 Corinthians 10:2-5
3. 1 John 2:15-17

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Observation Questions:

1. According to John 17:11-17, what does Jesus pray for regarding His followers' relationship with the world? How does this relate to the concept of being "in the world but not of it"? [11:45]

2. In 2 Corinthians 10:2-5, what does Paul say about the nature of the weapons of our warfare? How does this passage describe the difference between walking in the flesh and warring in the flesh? [16:02]

3. What are the three things mentioned in 1 John 2:15-17 that are in the world, and how do they contrast with living under God's sovereignty? [20:03]

4. How does the sermon describe the duality of character and power in living in the kingdom of God? Why is it important to have both? [02:29]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Jesus' prayer in John 17:11-17 reflect the tension between living in a worldly system and being part of God's kingdom? What does it mean to be sanctified by the truth? [14:06]

2. In 2 Corinthians 10:2-5, Paul talks about the destruction of strongholds. What might these strongholds represent in a believer's life, and how can divine power be used to overcome them? [16:02]

3. The sermon mentions the concept of "death to self" as a positive transformation. How does this idea challenge common perceptions of self-denial, and what does it mean to forsake an inferior life for one aligned with God's kingdom? [03:49]

4. Reflect on the distinction between impulsive and reflective will as discussed in the sermon. How does this distinction impact a believer's daily decision-making and relationship with Christ? [26:25]

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Application Questions:

1. Jesus prayed for His followers to be kept from evil while remaining in the world. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are living by the truth of God's word in your daily life? [14:06]

2. Consider the strongholds in your life that may be hindering your spiritual growth. What specific actions can you take to rely on God's power to overcome these obstacles? [16:02]

3. The sermon redefines holiness as actively pursuing a life that reflects God's kingdom. What are some ways you can positively engage with God's will this week, beyond simply avoiding sin? [06:38]

4. Reflect on a recent situation where your impulsive will led to a negative outcome. How can you cultivate a more reflective will that seeks what is truly good, guided by your relationship with Christ? [26:25]

5. The world is not inherently evil, but when it becomes the focus of our desires, it leads to spiritual death. Identify one area in your life where worldly desires have taken precedence. How can you realign this area under God's sovereignty? [19:36]

6. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living in a fellowship where the power of God is moving. How can you actively participate in or contribute to such a community? [03:08]

7. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) that you want to cultivate more in your life. What specific action will you take this week to nurture this virtue? [02:49]

Devotional

Day 1: The Duality of Character and Power
Living in the kingdom of God requires a harmonious balance between character and power. To truly embody the kingdom, one must not only walk in the character of God, manifesting the fruits of the Spirit such as love, joy, and peace, but also embrace the power of God that enables these virtues to flourish. This duality is essential; attempting to cultivate one without the other leads to an incomplete spiritual life. The kingdom of God provides the foundation for "death to self," which is often misunderstood as a negative concept. Instead, it is about forsaking an inferior life for one that aligns with God's kingdom, allowing us to become the people we are meant to be. [02:29]

1 Corinthians 4:20 (ESV): "For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to balance character and power? How can you invite God's power to help you manifest the fruits of the Spirit more fully today?


Day 2: Redefining Holiness
Holiness is often perceived negatively, but it needs a redefinition. It is not merely about avoiding sin but about actively pursuing a life that reflects God's kingdom. This involves understanding that righteousness is not just about abstaining from wrongdoing but about engaging in actions that align with God's will. The kingdom of God nourishes us, enabling us to live a life of true holiness. By redefining holiness, we move beyond a negative conception of righteousness and embrace a positive engagement with God's will. [06:38]

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to actively pursue holiness in your life, rather than just avoiding sin?


Day 3: In the World, Not of the World
Being in the world but not of it involves living by the truth of God's word, which sanctifies us. Jesus prayed for us to be kept from evil while remaining in the world, highlighting the tension between living in a worldly system and being part of God's kingdom. The world operates on principles contrary to God's kingdom, driven by desires of the flesh, eyes, and pride. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to live by the truth of God's word, which sanctifies us and sets us apart. [14:06]

John 17:15-17 (ESV): "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."

Reflection: How can you intentionally live by the truth of God's word today, even when surrounded by worldly influences?


Day 4: The Enduring Word of God
The world is not inherently evil, but when it becomes the focus of our desires, it leads to spiritual death. We are called to live under God's sovereignty, relying on His primary causes rather than the secondary causes of the world. This means living by God's word, which endures forever, rather than the fleeting desires of the world. By focusing on God's enduring word, we align ourselves with His eternal purposes and find true life. [19:36]

Isaiah 40:8 (ESV): "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."

Reflection: What worldly desires are competing for your attention today, and how can you refocus on the enduring word of God?


Day 5: The Liberation of Reflective Will
The distinction between impulsive and reflective will is crucial. Impulsive will is driven by immediate desires, leading to anger and lust, while reflective will seeks what is truly good, guided by a relationship with Christ. Through Christ, we are liberated from the tyranny of our impulsive will, allowing us to live a life aligned with God's kingdom. By cultivating a reflective will, we can make choices that honor God and reflect His kingdom in our lives. [28:32]

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: Identify one impulsive behavior you struggle with. How can you practice reflective will today to make a choice that aligns with God's kingdom?

Quotes

To live in the kingdom of God is to walk in the character and power of God so character and power and we spent that whole evening just talking about those two sides and especially trying to impress upon our minds and souls the fact that you really can't have one without the other and the one of the greatest hindrances to the work of Christ in individual lives is trying to have one of these without the other. [00:01:38]

Death to self is understood often as a negative thing in terms of what you don't do and indeed we're in a peculiar phase in the history of the church now where a version of holiness that was primarily negative lost its credibility and we have not yet recovered a real-life conception of holiness. [00:03:49]

When you if you want to talk about holiness you go through death to self and you have to understand that death for self means forsaking a life that is inferior to your nature in favor of one in the kingdom of God that alone that alone will nourish you and enable you to be not just the person that God wants you to be but also the person that you yourself in your heart wants to be. [00:05:29]

We have to stop thinking about righteousness as I didn't do anything wrong that's the fair circle motion of righteousness I didn't do anything wrong well what else did you do you know that's what I want to say did you do anything right today and what what is our life directed towards that's the pull of holiness in our life. [00:06:46]

The world is a different system works on different principles the world hates them basically it hates them because they have what the world can never give because they are not of the world notice the preposition are they're not although they're in the world but they're not on the world he's going out of the world and eventually they will be taken out of the world. [00:14:12]

For though we walk in the flesh we do not war in terms of the flesh for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but divinely powerful for the destruction of strongholds you know there are a lot of things in life are there not that when we throw ourselves against them we can't budge them those are strongholds. [00:16:02]

Paul knew that he could work and he did work in a power which was not his own it was beyond any human ability flesh is human ability nothing wrong with flesh indeed there's nothing inherently wrong with the world but if you get them out of place they'll kill you they'll kill you and that's what Paul means when he says the mind of the flesh is death. [00:16:41]

The world is not a bad thing until it gets out of place and so first John - and if you don't know these verses you want to look at them carefully first John 2:15 through 17 love not the world that's where the problem is just like money you know money is not the root of all evil what is the root of all evil love of money the world is not the root of all evil love of the world. [00:19:56]

John tells you there are three things that are in the world the lust of the flesh natural desires the lust of the eyes looking good and the pride of life and the pride of life is basically dominion over others now then you look at the world and that's what you see that's what you see the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. [00:20:35]

The world is passing away and also its lusts a lust as I like the word it's a punchy you know it's got something new it's a desire and supply well you know and I'm glad I use the American Standard Version I'm glad they retained lust because it has some punch in it and really lust that word is epithelia and it doesn't just refer to desires like you might be thirsty and want to drink of water. [00:22:08]

Impulsive will is caught up in the song I want what I want when I want it that's that's impulsive will an impulsive will is at the basis of the ravages of anger rage lust all of the other things that we talked about in the world there at the the impulsive will is at the basis of that. [00:26:22]

To be free of that is an essential part of the salvation that is in Jesus Christ that means to have a reflective will that is directed towards God the reflective will is the will that acts for what is truly good and that has to come through our relationship to Christ our subordination to His Word and as we live out the reflective will that is United with Christ. [00:28:13]

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Transcript
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