The Kingdom of God is not confined by time or geography; it is eternal and universal, surpassing all earthly empires and boundaries. This Kingdom is characterized by peace, justice, and righteousness, and as believers, we are already part of it. Our focus should be on the eternal salvation offered through Jesus Christ, rather than being consumed by temporal issues. This perspective shifts our priorities from the transient to the everlasting, encouraging us to live with an eternal mindset. [02:04]
"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from temporary concerns to the eternal Kingdom of God today?
Day 2: Raising Children in the Lord's Nurture
Our primary concern for our children should be to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, teaching them that their only hope in life and death is belonging to God and Jesus Christ. This transcends concerns about education or national security, emphasizing the importance of spiritual formation over worldly achievements. By instilling these values, we prepare them to be citizens of God's Kingdom, equipped to face life's challenges with faith and hope. [04:02]
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally incorporate spiritual teachings into your daily interactions with your children or young people in your life?
Day 3: Growth Through the Spirit, Not Conquest
The Kingdom of God grows not through military conquest but through the Spirit of God working in hearts as the Gospel is proclaimed. This growth is a testament to God's power, not human strength, highlighting the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in individuals and communities. As believers, we are called to participate in this divine mission, sharing the Gospel and witnessing the Spirit's work in the world around us. [06:11]
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you share the Gospel with this week, trusting in the Spirit's power to work in their heart?
Day 4: The Zeal of the Lord as the Kingdom's Driving Force
The zeal of the Lord of hosts is the driving force behind the Kingdom's growth and power. This divine zeal is a righteous jealousy for God's glory and His people's well-being, ensuring the Kingdom's ultimate triumph. It is a passionate commitment to His purposes, likened to a father's care for his daughter or a spouse's love. As we align ourselves with this zeal, we become instruments of God's will, participating in His redemptive work. [10:39]
"For the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." (Isaiah 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you align your passions and efforts with God's zeal for His Kingdom today?
Day 5: Invitation to the Eternal Kingdom
The Kingdom of this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord, and He will reign forever. The invitation is open to all to bow, believe, and become citizens of this eternal Kingdom. This call to submission and faith is an opportunity to experience the fullness of life in Christ, embracing His reign and participating in His eternal purposes. It is a call to transformation, inviting us to live as Kingdom citizens now and forever. [19:56]
"And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." (Daniel 7:27, ESV)
Reflection: Have you fully submitted to the reign of Christ in your life? What steps can you take today to deepen your commitment to His eternal Kingdom?
Sermon Summary
The Kingdom of God is neither temporal nor local; it is eternal and universal. This Kingdom transcends earthly empires, whether British, American, or any other. It is a Kingdom established by peace, framed by justice, and defined by righteousness. As believers, we are already part of this Kingdom, having come to Mount Zion, as Hebrews tells us, to the reality of things as they are now. This Kingdom began with the birth of a child, a throne that will never end, unlike earthly kingdoms that rise and fall. Our focus should not be on temporal issues but on the eternal salvation offered through Jesus Christ, who saves us from sin and its implications.
Our primary concern for our children should be to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, teaching them that their only hope in life and death is belonging to God and Jesus Christ. This Kingdom transcends national boundaries and is the ultimate expression of unity. It is not about politics or nations but about an eternal and universal reign. The Earth will be filled with God's glory, and our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. The Kingdom grows not through military conquest but through the Spirit of God working in hearts as the Gospel is proclaimed.
The Kingdom's power is not in human strength but in the zeal of the Lord of hosts. This divine zeal is like a father's care for his daughter or a spouse's love, a righteous jealousy for God's glory and His people's well-being. The astonishing growth of God's Kingdom, despite human limitations, is a testament to God's power. The blessings of this Kingdom are tied to Jesus, who is our peace and righteousness. As we share this truth, even if we feel inadequate, it is God's zeal that accomplishes His purposes.
In the end, the Kingdom of this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord, and He will reign forever. Are you part of this Kingdom? Have you submitted to the King? This is the invitation to bow, believe, and become a citizen of an eternal Kingdom.
Key Takeaways
1. being, ensuring the Kingdom's ultimate triumph. [10:39] 5. The Kingdom of this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord, and He will reign forever. The invitation is open to all to bow, believe, and become citizens of this eternal Kingdom.
According to the sermon, what are the defining characteristics of the Kingdom of God? How do these characteristics differ from earthly kingdoms? [02:04]
What does the sermon suggest is the primary concern for raising children in the context of God's Kingdom? [04:02]
How does the sermon describe the growth of God's Kingdom, and what role does human strength play in it? [06:11]
What is the significance of the "zeal of the Lord of hosts" in the context of the Kingdom's power and growth? [10:39]
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Interpretation Questions:
How does the eternal and universal nature of God's Kingdom challenge or change the way believers view their earthly citizenship and responsibilities? [01:05]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Kingdom of God transcends national and political boundaries? How might this influence a believer's perspective on global issues? [04:36]
The sermon mentions that the Kingdom grows through the Spirit of God working in hearts. How does this understanding affect the way believers might approach evangelism and discipleship? [06:26]
What does the sermon imply about the relationship between God's zeal and the believer's sense of inadequacy in sharing the Gospel? [14:52]
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Application Questions:
Reflect on your current focus in life. Are there temporal issues that are distracting you from the eternal salvation offered through Jesus Christ? How can you shift your focus this week? [02:04]
Consider the way you are raising or influencing children in your life. How can you prioritize teaching them about their hope in God and Jesus Christ over other societal concerns? [04:02]
The sermon emphasizes the growth of God's Kingdom through the Spirit rather than human strength. How can you rely more on the Spirit in your daily interactions and ministry efforts? [06:11]
Think about a situation where you felt inadequate in sharing your faith. How can you remind yourself of God's zeal and power in those moments? [14:52]
The sermon invites listeners to bow, believe, and become citizens of God's eternal Kingdom. Have you fully submitted to the King? If not, what steps can you take to do so? [19:56]
How can you actively participate in the global impact of Christianity, considering the Kingdom's transcendent nature? Is there a specific mission or outreach you feel called to support? [07:39]
Reflect on the concept of God's righteous jealousy for His glory and His people's well-being. How can this understanding influence your personal worship and relationship with God? [10:39]
Sermon Clips
It is important that we understand what this Kingdom isn't and what this kingdom is. First of all, we need to notice that this kingdom is neither temporal nor local. In other words, it is an unbounded Kingdom both geographically and temporarily. Now you see how important this is for us as Christian Believers. [00:00:53]
We are members of a kingdom, a kingdom that is established by peace. We are committed to peace, a kingdom that is framed by Justice. We are committed to Justice, a kingdom that is defined by righteousness. We are committed to righteousness. But there is no place on the face of the earth that is peculiarly selected by God to be the sphere of his influence. [00:01:50]
Our concern for our children must always be fundamentally that we bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, that they might be able to answer the first question of that catechism: what is your only hope in life and death? My only hope in life and death is that I do not belong to myself but I belong Body and Soul, life and death, to God and to My Savior Jesus Christ. [00:03:43]
This kingdom is neither temporal nor is it local. What is it then? Well, it's the reverse. It is eternal and it's Universal. It is eternal and it's Universal. Habakkuk reiterates what God had told Moses when he writes the Earth shall be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea. [00:04:50]
The growth of this kingdom is not as a result of military conquest. That's how kingdoms have largely grown, often by the tyranny of people. But this Kingdom grows as a result of the gracious work of the spirit of God working in the hearts and minds of men and women as the good news of the Gospel is made clear to them. [00:06:04]
The astonishing effects produced by feeble means in the promotion, preservation, and extension of God's kingdom can only be explained upon the principle that the Zeal of the Lord of hosts affected it. Do you see what he's saying there? He said if you think about what we've got by way of human product, you know, raw material for seeing the kingdom of God come in our generation. [00:11:36]
The blessings that are described in these verses are tied exclusively to the one who sits on the throne. So, for example, Ephesians 2 says of Jesus, he himself is our peace. In Romans chapter 3, Paul describes Jesus as the one who is just and the justifier of those who have faith in him. [00:12:27]
The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever. Are you in that Kingdom? Have you bowed your knee to that King? Have you submitted to his authority? Have you been knighted as a knight of the realm? You may believe him, trust him, bow to him. [00:19:56]
The Zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. In other words, these events won't transpire in any ordinary course of Affairs. For all of this to take place, God, unbounded in his power, Unlimited in his resources, has to be involved. And that's the significance of the Zeal of the Lord of hosts. [00:10:27]
The Zeal of God for his own glory, to protect his own honor, to provide for his own people so that they might be as a light in a dark place. Alexander says of this, the astonishing effects produced by feeble means in the promotion, preservation, and extension of God's kingdom can only be explained upon the principle that the Zeal of the Lord of hosts affected it. [00:11:36]
The Zeal of the Lord of hosts is the driving force behind the Kingdom's growth and power. This divine zeal is a righteous jealousy for God's glory and His people's well-being, ensuring the Kingdom's ultimate triumph. [00:10:39]
The Kingdom grows not through military conquest but through the Spirit of God working in hearts as the Gospel is proclaimed. This growth is a testament to God's power, not human strength. [00:06:11]