Embracing God's Upside-Down Kingdom: Humility and Transformation
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. As we gather today, we come with our own sinfulness, our own successes, and failures. We ask the Lord to meet us where we are, to fill us, and to send us out into the world to pour ourselves out for the sake of our neighbors. We begin by greeting one another, setting up chairs if needed, and preparing our hearts for worship. The Lord longs for our hearts, not for perfection or polished performances. He meets us in our needs and forgives us of all our sins. We are washed, cleansed, and made new.
As we embark on the start of summer, we also begin a new sermon series on 2 Corinthians. Unlike previous summers where we focused on Bible characters, this summer we will go through 2 Corinthians chapter by chapter. This approach allows us to cover various topics such as comfort, forgiveness, restoration, and more. Even if you miss a week, you won't be lost as each chapter brings a new topic.
We start by turning to the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus teaches that the first will be last and the last will be first. This teaching is contrary to the world's values, which often prioritize wealth, success, and status. Jesus' kingdom operates differently, emphasizing humility, service, and sacrifice. The disciples struggled to understand this, expecting glory and victory in worldly terms. However, Jesus' path was one of suffering, humility, and ultimately, the cross.
The Corinthian church had forgotten this upside-down kingdom. They were influenced by new flashy leaders who valued wealth, status, and success. These leaders belittled Paul, who was poor and suffered in various ways. The church became ashamed of Paul and rejected his teachings. Paul wrote 2 Corinthians to remind them of his love and commitment and to reestablish the truth that God's kingdom is different from the world's.
In God's kingdom, the weak are made strong, the humble are exalted, and the poor are rich. This is contrary to the world's values, which often leave us empty and discontent. When we pursue worldly success and comfort, we miss out on seeing God at work in our lives. God shows up in discomfort, weakness, and poverty. He is present in the messes and hard situations of life.
As we walk through this sermon series, my prayer is that God's Word in 2 Corinthians will transform us. We will come out with a clearer understanding of God's upside-down kingdom, with values aligned with His. We will see God in the messes around us and have hearts that value what God values. We will fail at times, but God will meet us in our failures, wash us with forgiveness, and pull us back to our callings in Christ.
We conclude with a time of prayer, lifting up various needs and requests. We pray for those who are moving, for missionaries, for those celebrating birthdays, and for those recovering from surgery. We also pray for our church community, asking God to bless and protect us, and to help us walk in this world with a clear understanding of His values.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Meets Us Where We Are: We come to God with our own sinfulness, successes, and failures. He meets us in our needs and forgives us of all our sins. We are washed, cleansed, and made new. This is a reminder that we don't need to be perfect or polished to come to God; He longs for our hearts just as they are. [07:44]
2. The Upside-Down Kingdom: Jesus teaches that the first will be last and the last will be first. This is contrary to the world's values, which prioritize wealth, success, and status. In God's kingdom, humility, service, and sacrifice are valued. This teaching challenges us to re-evaluate our own values and align them with God's kingdom. [29:05]
3. God's Presence in Weakness: God shows up in discomfort, weakness, and poverty. He is present in the messes and hard situations of life. When we pursue worldly success and comfort, we miss out on seeing God at work in our lives. This is a call to embrace humility and service, trusting that God is with us in our struggles. [41:20]
4. Transformation Through Scripture: As we walk through 2 Corinthians, we pray that God's Word will transform us. We will come out with a clearer understanding of God's upside-down kingdom, with values aligned with His. We will see God in the messes around us and have hearts that value what God values. [47:51]
5. Prayer and Community: We lift up various needs and requests in prayer, trusting that God hears and desires our prayers. We pray for those who are moving, for missionaries, for those celebrating birthdays, and for those recovering from surgery. We also pray for our church community, asking God to bless and protect us, and to help us walk in this world with a clear understanding of His values. [01:00:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[04:55] - Announcements
[07:44] - Opening Prayer
[22:03] - Introduction to 2 Corinthians
[24:36] - Gospel of Matthew Reading
[29:05] - The Upside-Down Kingdom
[31:42] - God's Kingdom Values
[39:41] - Distorted Values
[41:20] - God's Presence in Weakness
[47:51] - Transformation Through Scripture
[50:08] - Invitation to Walk Through 2 Corinthians
[52:22] - Offering and Apostles' Creed
[57:29] - Prayers and Blessings
[01:00:00] - Community Prayers
[01:02:25] - Farewell Prayer
[01:04:25] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 19:30 - "But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
2. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
3. Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "the first will be last, and the last will be first" in Matthew 19:30?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, how does Paul view his weaknesses and hardships?
3. In Romans 12:2, what are believers instructed to do instead of conforming to the world?
4. How did the Corinthian church's values differ from the values of God's kingdom as described in the sermon? [32:53]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the "upside-down kingdom" challenge the way we typically view success and status? [29:05]
2. Why might Paul boast in his weaknesses according to 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, and how does this contrast with the world's view of strength? [36:15]
3. What does it mean to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind" in Romans 12:2, and how can this transformation impact our daily lives? [47:08]
4. How did the Corinthian church's shame of Paul reflect their misunderstanding of God's values? [33:51]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt weak or inadequate. How did you see God working in that situation, and how can you embrace your weaknesses as opportunities for God's strength to be displayed? [36:15]
2. In what ways do you find yourself conforming to the world's values of success, wealth, and status? How can you actively renew your mind to align more closely with God's kingdom values? [32:18]
3. Think about your current pursuits and goals. Are they more aligned with worldly success or with humility, service, and sacrifice? What changes can you make to prioritize God's values in your life? [38:11]
4. How can you be more present in the "messes and hard situations" of life to see God at work? Share a specific example of a situation where you can step in and serve others this week. [41:20]
5. The sermon mentioned that God shows up in discomfort and weakness. How can you create space in your life to rely more on God and less on your own comfort and routines? [41:57]
6. How can you support and pray for those in your community who are experiencing discomfort, weakness, or poverty? Identify one person or family you can reach out to this week. [50:08]
7. Reflect on the prayer and community aspect of the sermon. How can you be more intentional in lifting up the needs of others in prayer and building a supportive church community? [01:00:00]
Devotional
Day 1: God Meets Us Where We Are
Description: We come to God with our own sinfulness, successes, and failures. He meets us in our needs and forgives us of all our sins. We are washed, cleansed, and made new. This is a reminder that we don't need to be perfect or polished to come to God; He longs for our hearts just as they are. God’s grace is not dependent on our perfection but on His love and mercy. He desires a relationship with us, meeting us in our brokenness and transforming us through His forgiveness and love. [07:44]
Bible passage: "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." (Isaiah 1:18, ESV)
Reflection: Think about an area in your life where you feel you have failed or fallen short. How can you invite God into that space today, trusting that He meets you with grace and forgiveness?
Day 2: The Upside-Down Kingdom
Description: Jesus teaches that the first will be last and the last will be first. This is contrary to the world's values, which prioritize wealth, success, and status. In God's kingdom, humility, service, and sacrifice are valued. This teaching challenges us to re-evaluate our own values and align them with God's kingdom. The disciples struggled to understand this, expecting glory and victory in worldly terms. However, Jesus' path was one of suffering, humility, and ultimately, the cross. [29:05]
Bible passage: "But many who are first will be last, and the last first." (Matthew 19:30, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your daily priorities and values. Are there areas where you are seeking worldly success over humility and service? How can you realign your values with the teachings of Jesus today?
Day 3: God's Presence in Weakness
Description: God shows up in discomfort, weakness, and poverty. He is present in the messes and hard situations of life. When we pursue worldly success and comfort, we miss out on seeing God at work in our lives. This is a call to embrace humility and service, trusting that God is with us in our struggles. The Corinthian church had forgotten this upside-down kingdom, influenced by leaders who valued wealth and status. Paul reminded them that God's kingdom is different, where the weak are made strong and the humble are exalted. [41:20]
Bible passage: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a current struggle or weakness in your life. How can you invite God to show His strength in that area today, trusting that His grace is sufficient for you?
Day 4: Transformation Through Scripture
Description: As we walk through 2 Corinthians, we pray that God's Word will transform us. We will come out with a clearer understanding of God's upside-down kingdom, with values aligned with His. We will see God in the messes around us and have hearts that value what God values. This transformation is a process, and we will fail at times, but God will meet us in our failures, wash us with forgiveness, and pull us back to our callings in Christ. [47:51]
Bible passage: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you make time today to engage deeply with Scripture, allowing it to transform your heart and mind? What specific steps can you take to align your values with God's kingdom?
Day 5: Prayer and Community
Description: We lift up various needs and requests in prayer, trusting that God hears and desires our prayers. We pray for those who are moving, for missionaries, for those celebrating birthdays, and for those recovering from surgery. We also pray for our church community, asking God to bless and protect us, and to help us walk in this world with a clear understanding of His values. Prayer is a powerful way to connect with God and support one another, fostering a sense of community and shared faith. [01:00:00]
Bible passage: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your church community who may need prayer or support. How can you reach out to them today and offer your prayers and encouragement?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I know it sounds crazy and I can't really explain it, but God is there even now. I have heard it said that some people can't see God because they won't look low enough. And it's true. If you can't see Him, look lower. God is there. God is on the bathroom floor." [45:03]
2. "Don't be conformed to this world. I've said this before, but I always get the image of like a ball of clay as we walk through life, that the world's just trying to push us and make us look like different things, trying to conform us to be this way or that way, to kind of, this is how you should look, or this is what you should say, or this is what you should do, and we're just this clay, and God says, I don't want you to be conformed anymore by this world. I want you to actually be transformed." [47:08]
3. "We always say this around here. We don't claim to have a perfect church. We just claim to have a perfect God. And we're excited that you'll get to meet Him and experience Him here today through His Word. That's a promise. When we open up His Word, you hear from the Lord." [07:10]
4. "Being a Christian, however, means that we will have different values than this world does, and God is trying to speak to us through his word that his kingdom runs differently than this world's, nearly opposite at times. And it makes sense. The ruler of this world is Satan, and he despises everything about God, about God and all of God's ways." [29:58]
5. "God's kingdom says that you have value because of whose you are, not because of what you've done or haven't done. God's kingdom, God's mindset is so contrary to ours. And unless we stay connected to our King Jesus through his word, we will constantly be confused because we live in a world, a world that influences us and tries to conform us to think in a way that's contrary to the kingdom of God." [32:18]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Do you see the danger of pursuing wholeheartedly success and wealth and status? When Jesus was walking on earth in His ministry, He was always going to the outcasts of society, healing those with leprosy, going to the widows, the woman that was caught in adultery as they stand around her to throw stones. Jesus enters into those situations, and as we kind of pursue these big glamorous titles or kind of our lives that we can kind of frame and be super proud of, sometimes I wonder as we pursue that, are we not really pursuing our callings to enter it in, enter into the thick of people's lives, wherever that might bring us? Are our values too maybe slightly distorted?" [45:53]
2. "Through Scripture, we can understand that even if we gain all the success that the world has to offer, the best case scenario is that we could become first in whatever category we're pursuing. We already know from the Scripture this morning that that's not that great because the first will actually be last. It's so hard to walk in this world as a follower of Jesus if you don't have this in your hand. When we have the Word of God placed in our hands, it gives us a fighting chance that we can have a stability that we can rest on. Otherwise, we end up just getting tossed around and tossed back and forth by whatever the world values on this given day." [49:20]
3. "When we start to long to be first and forget that we're going to be last, it's a problem. When we exalt ourselves and forget that pride actually comes before the fall, when we try to avoid the tough and unglamorous things in life because they're undignified, or when we think that we could, you know, that we don't think we could be used in people's messes or the kind of entering into hard situations or other people's kind of hard situations, it just kind of makes us nervous because it would rob us of our comfort or our routine. Or when we kind of forget that we're going to be last, we kind of think that we're kind of too good for some simple service act. We miss out on so much of our walk with Jesus. We miss out on seeing God work, not just in others, but through us." [40:50]
4. "Paul, throughout this letter that we're going to be going through this summer, is loving them. And trying to show this church how God is actually working even in the midst of this relationship that has become hard and uncomfortable. And above all, Paul's trying to reestablish the truth that God's kingdom is different than the world's and God's kingdom is upside down compared to what they're experiencing. That the first are actually last and the last are first. That we are not supposed to be impressive. But point to the one that is impressive named Jesus Christ." [34:57]
5. "In short, he's starting to lay out that we as Christians have a theology of the cross, not a theology of glory. That being a Christian doesn't mean we're going to be healthy, wealthy, and wise. It doesn't mean we should even pursue those things. It means trouble's still going to be there. It means trouble's still going to be a part of our life. And in fact, there's great things that come through struggle and hardship. We get to see God in big ways when we are weak and over our heads. We have a theology of a cross, a theology of suffering, humility, laying ourselves down. It's a crucified way of life that expands the kingdom of God." [36:15]
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