Embracing Kingdom Living: Growth in Faith, Hope, and Love
Summary
Living in the kingdom of God is about embracing the fullness of life that Christ offers. It's not merely about getting the uncommitted to commit but enabling those who are committed to grow into the life that God envisions for them. This growth is what the world is waiting for and what God desires. Kingdom living is about making the realities of scripture come alive in our lives. It involves living in the character and power of God, which we see exemplified in Jesus Christ and described in passages like 1 Corinthians 13 and Colossians 3:1-17. These scriptures provide a vision of kingdom living that can stabilize and direct us.
Faith, hope, and love are central to this life. Faith is confidence in God, hope is joyous anticipation of good, and love is the will for the good of others. These virtues are not just ideals but realities we can experience. God is full of joyous anticipation and hope, and He desires us to live in that same hope and love. The kingdom of God is available to us now, and by trusting Jesus, we can live within the range of God's effective will, right where we are.
Jesus taught and manifested the kingdom of God, showing that it is a kingdom of power and words. The power of the kingdom is available to do what needs to be done in God's eyes. Living in the kingdom involves both striving and receiving, a relationship where passivity and activity coexist. Forgiveness is crucial in this life, as it allows the power of God to flow freely. When we live in harmony with God's character, we align with His power.
God's intention is for us to grow in character to the point where He can empower us to do what we want to do, reflecting His will. This growth will eventually lead to a time when righteousness is as natural as breathing. The world is waiting to see this reality, where the character and power of the kingdom manifest in unity and love among God's people.
Key Takeaways:
- Kingdom Living and Growth: Kingdom living is about growing into the fullness of life that Christ offers, making the realities of scripture come alive in our lives. This growth is what God desires and what the world is waiting for. [00:40]
- Faith, Hope, and Love: These virtues are central to kingdom living. Faith is confidence in God, hope is joyous anticipation of good, and love is the will for the good of others. They are not just ideals but realities we can experience. [06:06]
- The Power of the Kingdom: The kingdom of God is a kingdom of power and words. The power of the kingdom is available to do what needs to be done in God's eyes. Living in the kingdom involves both striving and receiving. [23:06]
- Forgiveness and Power: Forgiveness is crucial in kingdom living, as it allows the power of God to flow freely. When we live in harmony with God's character, we align with His power. [27:04]
- Character and Empowerment: God's intention is for us to grow in character to the point where He can empower us to do what we want to do, reflecting His will. This growth will lead to a time when righteousness is as natural as breathing. [29:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:26] - The Great Issue We Face
- [01:14] - Kingdom Living Explained
- [02:11] - Scripture for Meditation
- [03:33] - Understanding 1 Corinthians 13
- [05:18] - Living in the Character and Power of God
- [06:06] - Faith, Hope, and Love
- [09:06] - The Secret of the Universe
- [11:17] - Reconciliation Through Christ
- [13:24] - The Good News of the Kingdom
- [16:19] - Manifesting the Kingdom's Power
- [21:57] - Faith and the Kingdom
- [26:43] - Forgiveness and Kingdom Living
- [29:06] - God's Intention for Empowerment
- [37:25] - Seeking the Kingdom and Righteousness
- [50:12] - Unity in the Body of Christ
- [53:13] - Acknowledging the Kingdom
- [56:23] - Investing in the Kingdom
- [59:35] - Resting in the Kingdom
- [01:01:02] - Accepting Our Death in Christ
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Colossians 3:1-17
- 1 Corinthians 13
- Matthew 4:17
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Colossians 3:1-17 describe as the characteristics of a life lived in the kingdom of God?
2. How does 1 Corinthians 13 define love, and why is it considered the greatest virtue among faith, hope, and love?
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus' message in Matthew 4:17 about the kingdom of heaven being at hand? [13:24]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between forgiveness and the power of God? [27:04]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living in the kingdom of God involves both striving and receiving? How does this duality affect a believer's daily life? [25:19]
2. How does the sermon explain the concept of God empowering believers to do what they want to do? What does this imply about the transformation of a believer's desires? [29:06]
3. What role does forgiveness play in aligning with God's character and power, according to the sermon? How might this understanding change one's approach to conflicts? [27:04]
4. How does the sermon interpret the idea of having the "faith of God"? What does this mean for a believer's confidence in God's actions? [22:12]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current understanding of faith, hope, and love. Which of these virtues do you find most challenging to live out, and what steps can you take to grow in this area? [06:06]
2. Consider a situation where you struggle to forgive. How might embracing forgiveness as a way to align with God's power change your perspective on this situation? [27:04]
3. The sermon suggests that kingdom living involves making the realities of scripture come alive in our lives. What is one specific scripture you can focus on this week to bring it to life in your daily actions? [01:14]
4. How can you actively acknowledge the kingdom of God in your everyday life, especially in the "little deals" that the sermon mentions? What practical steps can you take to include God in these moments? [53:32]
5. Identify an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to invest more deeply. What risks might you need to take to put yourself on the line for the kingdom of God? [56:23]
6. The sermon talks about resting in God's promises. Is there a specific promise from God that you find difficult to trust? How can you practice resting in that promise this week? [59:35]
7. Reflect on the idea of accepting your death in Christ. How does this concept challenge your current concerns about self-preservation or recognition? What changes might you need to make to embrace this new life fully? [01:01:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Fullness of Kingdom Living
Kingdom living is about growing into the fullness of life that Christ offers, making the realities of scripture come alive in our lives. This growth is what God desires and what the world is waiting for. Living in the kingdom of God is not just about getting the uncommitted to commit but enabling those who are committed to grow into the life that God envisions for them. This growth is exemplified in the character and power of God, as seen in Jesus Christ and described in passages like 1 Corinthians 13 and Colossians 3:1-17. These scriptures provide a vision of kingdom living that can stabilize and direct us. [00:40]
Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to make the realities of scripture come alive in your daily life?
Day 2: Experiencing Faith, Hope, and Love
Faith, hope, and love are central to kingdom living. Faith is confidence in God, hope is joyous anticipation of good, and love is the will for the good of others. These virtues are not just ideals but realities we can experience. God is full of joyous anticipation and hope, and He desires us to live in that same hope and love. The kingdom of God is available to us now, and by trusting Jesus, we can live within the range of God's effective will, right where we are. [06:06]
1 Thessalonians 1:3 (ESV): "Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate faith, hope, and love in a challenging situation you are currently facing?
Day 3: Tapping into the Power of the Kingdom
The kingdom of God is a kingdom of power and words. The power of the kingdom is available to do what needs to be done in God's eyes. Living in the kingdom involves both striving and receiving, a relationship where passivity and activity coexist. Jesus taught and manifested the kingdom of God, showing that it is a kingdom of power and words. [23:06]
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely more on God's power rather than your own strength?
Day 4: The Role of Forgiveness in Kingdom Living
Forgiveness is crucial in kingdom living, as it allows the power of God to flow freely. When we live in harmony with God's character, we align with His power. Forgiveness is not just a one-time act but a continual process that reflects the heart of God. It is through forgiveness that we can experience the fullness of God's power and presence in our lives. [27:04]
Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV): "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
Day 5: Growing in Character and Empowerment
God's intention is for us to grow in character to the point where He can empower us to do what we want to do, reflecting His will. This growth will eventually lead to a time when righteousness is as natural as breathing. The world is waiting to see this reality, where the character and power of the kingdom manifest in unity and love among God's people. [29:06]
2 Peter 1:5-8 (ESV): "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What is one area of your character that you feel God is calling you to grow in? How can you take practical steps to develop this area this week?
Quotes
The great issue that we face is not trying to get people who are uncommitted to be committed but to enable those who are committed to grow into the fullness of the life that Christ offers. And that's what the world is waiting on and that's what God is looking for is people who will grow and continue to move forward until all of the things that we see in the scripture about life in God become real in their lives. [00:00:26]
Kingdom living means very simply living in the character and power of God. May I give that to you and ask you to try to hold on to that? Kingdom living means living in the character and the power of God. It means that inwardly we take on the qualities of God and we of course we see that in Jesus Christ. That's where we primarily see it. [00:05:23]
Faith is confidence. You know sometimes we need to just sort of take our Bible and go through and write another word. Faith is confidence. How you doing with your confidence? Could you use a little more possibly? Faith is confidence. My word when you look at life you and all of the things that it contains one might say how can you have confidence? [00:06:10]
Hope is joyous anticipation of good. Joyous anticipation of good. See is your life full of hope? Paul describes God as the God of hope, the God of hope. Why? Because he's a good God and he's a God who himself is full of joyous anticipation. Do you ever think of God like that, that God is actually full of joyous anticipation? [00:06:48]
Love is simply the will for the good of others. Now you've got to have faith and hope to sustain that and love is really what it's all about. And when you get the center of this great amazing universe down what you find is not some black hole sucking everything in and spewing out debris on the other side. It's love. [00:08:14]
What is the good news that Jesus brings? It is simply that by trusting him, we can come to live now within the range of God's effective will. We can come to live now in a place right where we are and right who we are. We don't have to become someone else and move someplace else, no matter what the circumstances are in that place where we are. [00:13:56]
The kingdom of God is a great power structure that works by words. One of the things you'll notice here is when Jesus got ready to deal with the fruit tree, he didn't get down on his knees and pray about it. He didn't ask in prayer that God would strike the tree. He spoke to the fruit tree from his position in the kingdom of God. [00:19:41]
When you are not in harmony with God's character, you cannot be in harmony with his power. When you're not in harmony with God's character, you cannot be in harmony with his power. I want to say something to you now that I will return to. God's intention for all of his people is that they should come to the place grow to the point to where he could empower them to do what they want to do. [00:28:40]
A time is coming in actual world history where people will be as surprised when people do something wrong as they now are when they do something right. The law of God is going to be written on the hearts of human beings in such a way that they will naturally do what is in the character of God. [00:30:24]
The life that is in the kingdom of God is one that has much power in it, but the two things the power and the character go together and it's absolutely crucial for us to understand that. And we see so many illustrations of power without the character. Some you know write off Samson. Samson is one of the all-time biblical characters for illustrating power without character. [00:36:04]
The fruit of the spirit is the same for all the gifts of the spirit are not the same for all because you see the gifts of the spirit intent are intended to act like a cement of love that holds everything together in the body of Christ. The gifts of the spirit are distributed separately as first Corinthians 12 tells us as the spirit sees fit. [00:46:16]
We are a people who have gone to the cross with Jesus Christ and in embracing the cross we have accepted the fact that our natural life apart from God is over. We are, as Bob Pierce used to say, dead men on furlough. We we're it's all over and we've got this life now that's going on and if ye then be risen with Christ you see that's the new life. [01:01:02]
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