Embracing Kingdom Principles: Unity, Humility, and Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Disciplined Thought

Disciplined thinking is not merely an intellectual exercise; it is a spiritual discipline that enables believers to discern and follow God's will for their lives. Just as solving complex geometric problems requires a methodical approach, so too does understanding and applying the teachings of Scripture. It is through disciplined thought that one can move from a superficial engagement with the Bible to a deeper, transformative practice of godly living. This process involves regular reflection, prayerful consideration, and the application of biblical principles to everyday situations. By doing so, believers can navigate life's complexities with wisdom and discern the next steps in their spiritual journey [21:58].

Proverbs 4:25-27 (ESV)
"Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where disciplined thinking could help you better understand God's direction? How can you cultivate this discipline in your daily routine?

Day 2: Cultivating Unity in Faith

Unity within the church is not about uniformity of thought or action but about a collective commitment to the foundational truths of the Christian faith. It is about standing together, despite differences, on the bedrock of shared beliefs. This unity is essential for the body of Christ to function effectively, allowing believers to support one another, work together for a common purpose, and represent Christ to the world. It is through this spirit of unity that the church can navigate doctrinal complexities and maintain a testimony of love and agreement in a divided world [45:58].

Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV)
"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: How can you contribute to fostering unity within your church community, especially with those who may have different perspectives?

Day 3: The Greatness of Humility

In a society that often values self-promotion and competition, the biblical principle of humility stands in stark contrast. True greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in the simplicity and trust of a childlike spirit. This humility is not about self-deprecation but about recognizing one's need for God and others. It is a posture of the heart that God cherishes and seeks to cultivate within His people. As believers embrace humility, they become more like Jesus, who exemplified this virtue throughout His life and ministry [42:58].

Matthew 18:3-4 (ESV)
"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility today, and how might this change your interactions with others?

Day 4: The Freedom of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a liberating act that frees individuals from the chains of bitterness and resentment. It is not about excusing the wrongs of others but about choosing to release oneself from the burden of unforgiveness. This act reflects the redemptive heart of God and paves the way for healing and restoration. As believers practice forgiveness, they not only find personal freedom but also open the door for reconciliation and the restoration of broken relationships [57:02].

Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV)
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Reflection: Who do you need to forgive, and what steps can you take today to begin the process of forgiveness and healing?

Day 5: The Cost and Reward of Discipleship

The call to discipleship is a call to a life marked by sacrifice, responsibility, and submission to Christ. It is a journey that demands the laying down of personal desires and ambitions to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. This path, though it may involve loss and hardship, ultimately leads to the discovery of true identity and purpose in Him. The cost of discipleship is high, but the reward is the incomparable joy and fulfillment found in living for Christ [31:58].

Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"

Reflection: What does taking up your cross and following Jesus look like in your life today, and what might you need to surrender to Him?

Sermon Summary

In today's teaching, I focused on the profound truths found in the book of Matthew, particularly the teachings of Jesus concerning the Kingdom of God. I began by reflecting on the importance of disciplined thinking, drawing a parallel to my own struggles with plain geometry in high school. This discipline is crucial for Christians to navigate life's complexities and to understand the next steps in our spiritual journey.

I emphasized the necessity of unity and agreement within the body of Christ, using the analogy of a car journey where agreement on the destination and route is essential. This unity is rooted in our shared declaration of faith and is vital for walking together in the principles of the Kingdom.

I then delved into the teachings of Jesus on humility and forgiveness, highlighting the need for a childlike spirit of submission and trust. Jesus taught that the greatest in the Kingdom are those who humble themselves like little children, and that offenses and a lack of forgiveness are akin to heavy millstones around our necks, hindering our spiritual progress.

The cost of discipleship was a central theme, as I recounted Jesus' call for self-denial, taking up one's cross, and following Him. This path requires sacrifice, responsibility, and submission, which leads to true life in Christ. I warned against the temptation to prioritize worldly gains over the invaluable worth of one's soul.

I also addressed the issue of forgiveness, underscoring its non-negotiable nature in the Kingdom. Forgiveness is not about excusing others' wrongs but about freeing ourselves from bitterness and enabling restoration and reconciliation.

Finally, I touched on the proper understanding of binding and loosing in the context of church discipline and restoration, cautioning against misapplying these concepts to serve personal agendas.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jesus say is required to follow Him in Matthew 16:24-28?
In Matthew 18:1-6, how does Jesus describe the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?
According to Matthew 18:21-22, how many times does Jesus say we should forgive someone who sins against us?

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to "deny oneself" and "take up one's cross" as described in Matthew 16:24-28? How does this relate to the concept of sacrifice and responsibility mentioned in the sermon? [27:02]
How does Jesus' teaching on humility in Matthew 18:1-6 challenge the cultural norms of self-promotion and competition? [37:02]
Why is forgiveness considered a non-negotiable principle in the Kingdom of God according to Matthew 18:21-22 and the sermon? [56:02]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you had to make a significant sacrifice to follow Jesus. How did that experience shape your faith and understanding of discipleship? [27:02]
In what ways can you cultivate a childlike spirit of humility and trust in your daily life? Are there specific areas where you struggle with pride or self-promotion? [37:02]
Think of a situation where you found it difficult to forgive someone. How did holding onto unforgiveness affect you? What steps can you take to practice forgiveness in that situation now? [56:02]
How can you contribute to unity and agreement within your church community, especially when there are differences in opinions or beliefs? [45:02]
Identify one area in your life where you need to apply more disciplined thinking to understand and follow God's Word. What practical steps can you take to develop this discipline? [22:02]
How do you handle offenses and conflicts within your relationships? What can you learn from Jesus' teachings on dealing with offenses in Matthew 18:15-20? [49:02]
Reflect on the value of your soul as described in Matthew 16:26. Are there any worldly gains or ambitions that you need to reevaluate in light of this teaching? [27:26]

Sermon Clips

1) "It's not the stroke of the ego that makes us worth something, it's recognizing who we are in Christ and that's about our being more than our doing. Now some of us want to be caressed and affirmed for our doing, but if you are not a Christian being, then you are only going to produce false fruit, not real fruit." [39:58]( | | )

2) "Unity and agreement is necessary if we're going to walk together and project the kingdom principles together. Unity and agreement within the church are not about uniformity but about standing together on the foundational truths of our faith." [46:58]( | | )

3) "Make a sacrifice, decide to make a sacrifice, accept the responsibility for the journey and then assume that you are going to submit to him and follow him because whosoever saves his life will lose it but he that loses his life shall find it." [31:58]( | | )

4) "One of the principles of the kingdom of God is humility. God hates a haughty spirit but he loves a humble heart and so God help us to have the humble heart of a child. The greatest in the kingdom will be represented in the kind of character that a little submissive child would be in who has a humble heart." [42:58]( | | )

5) "Forgiveness is not optional and it's not negotiable in the kingdom. Forgiveness is a kingdom principle right there with humility. Forgiveness actually frees you so that you can relate to one another without having to carry that great burden." [57:02]( | | )

6) "The cost of discipleship and the Bible says many of them turned back and walked no more with him. Some people just can't handle an expectation, some people can't handle rules, they don't want to have to do anything, have to do anything, they want to choose what they want to do." [29:58]( | | )

7) "The very structure, the thinking that has to go into it, what's the next step thinking, and you know, regrettably there are a lot of Christians who don't know how to get to the next step. They may be able to even tell you how this thing is going to end up, we're all going to heaven, well, we're not all going to heaven." [21:58]( | | )

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