Embracing God's Kingdom: A Call to Action
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound significance of the Lord's Prayer, particularly focusing on the phrase, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done." This prayer, given by Jesus, is not just a routine recitation but a powerful declaration and a call to action. We explored the concept of the "decaying kingdom"—the current state of the world marred by darkness, decay, and evil. This kingdom is evident in the broken systems and the pervasive sense of frustration and hopelessness in various sectors of society, from education to law enforcement.
In contrast, Jesus introduces us to the "glorious kingdom" of God, a realm characterized by light, truth, and life. This kingdom is already invading our world, much like the Allied forces landing in Normandy during World War II. We are called to rejoice in this good news and to participate in the divine conspiracy against the powers of darkness by living out the values of God's kingdom in our daily lives. This involves acts of love, justice, and hope, which serve as a foretaste of the complete shalom that will come when God's kingdom is fully realized.
However, praying "Thy kingdom come" is also a dangerous prayer. It requires us to acknowledge our dependence on God, live simply, forgive others, and recognize our own weaknesses. It demands that we surrender our own agendas and egos to align with God's will. This is a radical and challenging call, but it is made possible by understanding the depth of Jesus' love for us. Jesus, the crown prince of heaven, submitted to the Father's will, even to the point of death, to bring us into this kingdom. His sacrificial love empowers us to genuinely pray for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done in our lives and in the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Decaying Kingdom: The current state of the world is marked by darkness, decay, and evil. This is evident in the broken systems and pervasive frustrations in various sectors of society. Recognizing this helps us understand the urgency and necessity of praying for God's kingdom to come. [50:19]
2. The Glorious Kingdom: Jesus' announcement of the kingdom of God is akin to the Allied forces landing in Normandy. It is a call to rejoice and participate in the divine conspiracy against the powers of darkness. Our actions, motivated by hope, serve as a foretaste of the complete shalom that will come when God's kingdom is fully realized. [56:41]
3. A Call to Action: Praying "Thy kingdom come" is not just a passive wish but a call to live out the values of God's kingdom in our daily lives. This involves acts of love, justice, and hope, which serve as a rebellion against the powers of darkness and decay. [58:46]
4. Dependence and Simplicity: This prayer requires us to acknowledge our dependence on God and live simple, humble lives. It calls us to daily reliance on God for our needs, to forgive others, and to seek forgiveness for our own wrongdoings. This humility and simplicity are essential for aligning with God's will. [01:03:36]
5. Empowered by Love: The only way we can genuinely pray "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done" is by understanding the depth of Jesus' love for us. His sacrificial love, demonstrated by His submission to the Father's will even unto death, empowers us to surrender our own agendas and align with God's will. [01:10:39]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:53] - Introduction to the Lord's Prayer Series
[41:43] - The Familiarity of the Lord's Prayer
[42:46] - The Need for God in Our Church's New Season
[43:49] - Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done
[44:22] - The Decaying Kingdom
[45:27] - The Kingdom of God in Jesus' Teachings
[47:02] - Chiastic Structure in Scripture
[48:42] - The Centrality of the Lord's Prayer
[49:46] - The Two Kingdoms at Work
[50:51] - The Origin of Decay and Darkness
[53:32] - The Reality of Evil
[54:36] - The Jewish Expectation of God's Kingdom
[55:09] - The Glorious Kingdom
[56:41] - Participating in the Divine Conspiracy
[58:46] - Actions Reflecting the Kingdom
[01:00:22] - The Vision of Shalom
[01:01:24] - The Importance of Our Work
[01:02:28] - The Dangerous Prayer
[01:03:36] - Dependence and Simplicity
[01:04:40] - The Challenge of Forgiveness
[01:05:15] - The Radical Nature of the Prayer
[01:06:18] - The Plague of Frogs and Our Reluctance
[01:07:25] - The Enemy Within
[01:08:03] - The Love of the King
[01:10:39] - Empowered by Jesus' Love
[01:11:47] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:10 - "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
2. Luke 11:1-4 - "One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.' He said to them, 'When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."'"
3. Isaiah 9:6-7 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the two kingdoms mentioned in the sermon, and how are they described? ([49:46])
2. According to the sermon, what does praying "Thy kingdom come" imply about the current state of the world? ([50:19])
3. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus in the "glorious kingdom"? ([55:09])
4. What are some specific actions mentioned in the sermon that reflect living out the values of God's kingdom? ([58:46])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the "decaying kingdom" help us understand the urgency of praying for God's kingdom to come? ([50:19])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' announcement of the kingdom of God is similar to the Allied forces landing in Normandy? ([56:41])
3. What does the sermon mean by calling "Thy kingdom come" a dangerous prayer, and how does it challenge our personal agendas? ([01:02:28])
4. How does understanding Jesus' sacrificial love empower us to genuinely pray for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done? ([01:10:39])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the current state of the world around you. Where do you see evidence of the "decaying kingdom"? How does this recognition affect your prayer life? ([50:19])
2. Jesus calls us to participate in the divine conspiracy against the powers of darkness. What are some practical ways you can live out the values of God's kingdom in your daily life? ([58:46])
3. Praying "Thy kingdom come" requires us to live simply and humbly. What are some areas in your life where you can practice greater simplicity and humility? ([01:03:36])
4. Forgiveness is a crucial part of aligning with God's will. Is there someone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? How can you take steps towards reconciliation this week? ([01:04:09])
5. The sermon mentions that praying "Thy kingdom come" implies surrendering our own agendas. What personal agendas or ego-driven goals do you need to surrender to align more closely with God's will? ([01:04:40])
6. Reflect on the depth of Jesus' love for you as described in the sermon. How does this understanding motivate you to pray more earnestly for God's kingdom to come in your life and in the world? ([01:10:39])
7. The sermon challenges us to recognize our dependence on God. What are some specific ways you can cultivate a daily reliance on God for your needs? ([01:03:36])
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing the Decaying Kingdom
The world we live in is often marked by darkness, decay, and evil. This is evident in the broken systems and pervasive frustrations in various sectors of society, from education to law enforcement. Recognizing this helps us understand the urgency and necessity of praying for God's kingdom to come. By acknowledging the current state of the world, we can better appreciate the need for divine intervention and the hope that God's kingdom brings. This awareness also calls us to be vigilant and proactive in our prayers and actions, seeking to bring light into the darkness and to be agents of change in a world that desperately needs it. [50:19]
Ephesians 5:11-13 (ESV): "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible."
Reflection: What specific areas of darkness and decay do you see in your community? How can you pray and act to bring God's light into these areas today?
Day 2: Rejoicing in the Glorious Kingdom
Jesus' announcement of the kingdom of God is akin to the Allied forces landing in Normandy. It is a call to rejoice and participate in the divine conspiracy against the powers of darkness. Our actions, motivated by hope, serve as a foretaste of the complete shalom that will come when God's kingdom is fully realized. This glorious kingdom is characterized by light, truth, and life, and it is already invading our world. As believers, we are called to rejoice in this good news and to actively participate in bringing about God's kingdom through our daily actions and choices. [56:41]
Isaiah 60:1-2 (ESV): "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in bringing about God's kingdom in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to reflect the light, truth, and life of God's kingdom?
Day 3: Living Out the Call to Action
Praying "Thy kingdom come" is not just a passive wish but a call to live out the values of God's kingdom in our daily lives. This involves acts of love, justice, and hope, which serve as a rebellion against the powers of darkness and decay. By embodying these values, we become agents of change and hope in a world that desperately needs it. This call to action requires us to be intentional in our daily interactions and to seek opportunities to demonstrate God's love and justice in tangible ways. [58:46]
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: What specific acts of love, justice, and hope can you incorporate into your daily routine? How can you be more intentional in living out the values of God's kingdom?
Day 4: Embracing Dependence and Simplicity
This prayer requires us to acknowledge our dependence on God and live simple, humble lives. It calls us to daily reliance on God for our needs, to forgive others, and to seek forgiveness for our own wrongdoings. This humility and simplicity are essential for aligning with God's will. By embracing a lifestyle of dependence and simplicity, we can better align ourselves with God's purposes and experience the peace and contentment that come from trusting in Him. [01:03:36]
Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV): "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge your dependence on God? How can you simplify your life to better align with God's will and experience His peace?
Day 5: Empowered by Jesus' Love
The only way we can genuinely pray "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done" is by understanding the depth of Jesus' love for us. His sacrificial love, demonstrated by His submission to the Father's will even unto death, empowers us to surrender our own agendas and align with God's will. This understanding of Jesus' love gives us the strength and motivation to live out the values of God's kingdom and to seek His will in all aspects of our lives. By focusing on Jesus' love, we can find the courage to surrender our own desires and trust in God's perfect plan for us. [01:10:39]
Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Reflection: How does understanding the depth of Jesus' love for you empower you to surrender your own agendas and align with God's will? What specific steps can you take to focus on Jesus' love and trust in His plan for your life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Our hope for you as you worship with us virtually is that you would experience the wonder and the welcome of God and that you would have a genuine encounter with a love that is far greater than we can ever imagine, the love of God in Jesus Christ." [03:53] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You want to connect with the divine? You want to experience God? This is the way. So these are two benefits that come from meditating on the Lord's Prayer." [42:14] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus is beautiful His life His teaching, His treatment of people His moral beauty is unequaled and whenever you read the gospel accounts of His life whether you're religious or not you can't but come to the conclusion that He is beautiful." [44:22] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "To live and experience the kingdom of God which the sermon is about you need to have a personal intimate relationship with God and that's what prayer is for and that's why this prayer is in the very center because prayer is the nuclear power of spiritual life." [48:42] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus announcing that the kingdom of God was at hand and that we should pray for it to come good news and a call to action but what action? actions that point forward to the final state the sick patient must eat right do PT, exercise even though she is not fully well yet and so with us the kingdom of God may not be fully here until Jesus returns but there are things that we can do to express our rebellion against death and the powers of this decaying world we can do to express our hope." [58:15] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We pray this prayer every Sunday, have you noticed? And because we pray it every Sunday we may have become so familiar with it it's lost its impact on us. And so it's white noise for us now. And so by meditating on it in this way every Sunday we may recover its power." [41:43] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If we're to be a blessing to our new leader if our church is to reach new heights new ways of being a blessing to our city if the new building is to be a blessing to us and to our new neighborhood then we need God now more than ever before. And so as we come to this passage over and over again this summer may God instill in us a deep hunger for Him." [43:17] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "To pray your kingdom come implies there is another one at work now one that we don't want one that we are sick of your kingdom come is a yearning for something better so think with me if as the bible says God is the source of light truth and life that is why we are asking for it to come then that means that the kingdom that is now at work in the world is a kingdom of darkness falseness and decay." [50:19] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Praying that kingdom come means we start working motivated by the internal hope of the glory that is coming but someone may object but the German soldiers would have noticed I know I blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven there is danger and we'll see that more in point number three but when we pray thy kingdom come we start working motivated by the internal hope that we have for what is coming." [59:53] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Thy kingdom come is a prayer that God answered with himself isn't it? Jesus, the crown prince, the eternal son of God came down from heaven into our darkened world even though he knew what it would mean to rescue us thy kingdom come but there's also thy will be done and he answered this as well as we see the crown prince of heaven knowing that to rescue us he would need to die in our place that was what the father has sent him to do that was the mission to die for sinners for Nazi soldiers as it were because he loved us as well." [01:08:29] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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