Embracing the Kingdom: A Call to Repentance

Devotional

Day 1: The Kingdom of God is Near**

Description:
Jesus' proclamation that the Kingdom of God is near calls us to a continuous state of repentance and belief. This is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of aligning our lives with God's rule and reign. It challenges us to reconsider who is truly in control and to live in a way that reflects God's character and values. The nearness of God's Kingdom means that His presence and power are accessible to us right now, inviting us to live under His authority and experience the transformation that comes with it. [19:47]

Bible Passage:
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15, ESV)

Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you struggle to acknowledge God's control? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?

**

Day 2: Repentance as Reconsideration**

Description:
The Greek word for repentance, "metanoia," means to change one's mind or to think differently. Jesus calls us to reconsider our ways and align our thinking with God's Kingdom. This involves a daily decision to put to death our self-directed lives and embrace God's definitions of good and bad. Repentance is not merely feeling sorry for our sins but actively choosing to turn away from them and towards God's way of living. This ongoing process of repentance is essential for living as true image-bearers of God, reflecting His love, justice, and generosity in our daily lives. [28:51]

Bible Passage:
"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19-20a, ESV)

Reflection:
Think about a recent decision or action that did not align with God's values. How can you change your thinking and actions to better reflect His Kingdom today?

**

Day 3: The Clash of Kingdoms**

Description:
From the very beginning, humanity has struggled with the temptation to determine good and bad for themselves, leading to a clash of kingdoms. This struggle is evident in our individualistic culture, which often prioritizes personal desires over communal well-being. Recognizing and addressing this clash is essential for living in God's Kingdom. The story of Adam and Eve in Genesis illustrates this clash, as their decision to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil represents humanity's desire to define morality independently of God. This ongoing battle between self-rule and God's rule is something we must confront daily. [31:21]

Bible Passage:
"For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." (Galatians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection:
Identify a specific way in which your personal desires conflict with God's desires for your life. How can you choose to prioritize God's Kingdom in this area?

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Day 4: Individualism vs. Community**

Description:
Our culture's emphasis on individualism can infiltrate even our church life, leading to a self-absorbed faith. True discipleship involves moving beyond individual desires to embrace a community-oriented faith that reflects God's Kingdom. This shift is crucial for building a flourishing community of believers. In a world that often celebrates personal achievement and self-sufficiency, the call to live in community and prioritize the well-being of others can be countercultural. However, it is through this communal living that we truly reflect the nature of God's Kingdom, which is characterized by love, unity, and mutual support. [39:17]

Bible Passage:
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection:
How can you actively contribute to the well-being of your church community this week? What specific actions can you take to support and encourage others?

**

Day 5: Daily Cross-Bearing**

Description:
Jesus' call to take up our cross daily is a call to put to death our self-directed lives and embrace His Kingdom. This involves a continuous process of repentance and reconsideration, allowing God's rule to take root in our lives. By doing so, we can experience the life and flourishing that God intends for us. Daily cross-bearing means willingly accepting the sacrifices and challenges that come with following Jesus, knowing that it leads to true life and transformation. It is through this daily commitment that we grow in our faith and become more like Christ, reflecting His love and grace to the world around us. [44:23]

Bible Passage:
"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.'" (Luke 9:23-24, ESV)

Reflection:
What is one specific way you can take up your cross and follow Jesus today? How can this act of surrender lead to greater life and flourishing in your walk with Him?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today's message centered on the profound and pervasive theme of the Kingdom of God as taught by Jesus. We began by reflecting on Jesus' declaration in Mark 1:15, "The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news." This statement encapsulates the essence of Jesus' teachings and actions, emphasizing the nearness and availability of God's Kingdom. We explored how Jesus' life and ministry were a continuous demonstration of this Kingdom, from His miracles to His teachings and interactions with people.

We delved into the concept of repentance, not as an emotional upheaval but as a call to change one's mind and reconsider one's ways. This call to repentance is a call to align our lives with God's Kingdom, to think differently about who is in control and who sets the boundaries of what is good and bad. We traced this theme back to Genesis, where humanity was created to exercise dominion under God's rule, reflecting His character and nature.

However, the clash of kingdoms began with Adam and Eve's decision to determine good and bad for themselves, a struggle that continues in each of us. This struggle is exacerbated by the individualism prevalent in our culture, which often leads us to prioritize our own desires and definitions over God's. We examined how this individualism can infiltrate even our church life, leading to a self-absorbed faith rather than a community-oriented one.

Jesus' invitation to take up our cross daily and follow Him is a call to put to death our self-directed lives and embrace His Kingdom. This ongoing process of repentance and reconsideration is essential for living as true image-bearers of God, exercising dominion in a way that reflects His love, justice, and generosity. By doing so, we can begin to see God's Kingdom take root in our lives, relationships, and communities, bringing about the justice, peace, and flourishing that we all long for.

###

Key Takeaways

1. time event but an ongoing process of aligning our lives with God's rule and reign. It challenges us to reconsider who is truly in control and to live in a way that reflects God's character and values. [19:47]
2. Repentance as Reconsideration: The Greek word for repentance, "metanoia," means to change one's mind or to think differently. Jesus calls us to reconsider our ways and align our thinking with God's Kingdom. This involves a daily decision to put to death our self-directed lives and embrace God's definitions of good and bad.

3. The Clash of Kingdoms: From the very beginning, humanity has struggled with the temptation to determine good and bad for themselves, leading to a clash of kingdoms. This struggle is evident in our individualistic culture, which often prioritizes personal desires over communal well-being. Recognizing and addressing this clash is essential for living in God's Kingdom.

4. Individualism vs. Community: Our culture's emphasis on individualism can infiltrate even our church life, leading to a self-absorbed faith. True discipleship involves moving beyond individual desires to embrace a community-oriented faith that reflects God's Kingdom. This shift is crucial for building a flourishing community of believers.

5. Daily Cross-Bearing: Jesus' call to take up our cross daily is a call to put to death our self-directed lives and embrace His Kingdom. This involves a continuous process of repentance and reconsideration, allowing God's rule to take root in our lives. By doing so, we can experience the life and flourishing that God intends for us.

### [19:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:08] - Introduction to the Kingdom of God
[19:47] - The Kingdom is Near
[26:17] - Jesus' Temptation and Kingdoms
[27:57] - Understanding Repentance
[28:51] - Metanoia: Change Your Mind
[29:32] - Genesis and Dominion
[30:27] - Exercising Dominion Under God's Rule
[31:21] - The Clash of Kingdoms
[32:25] - Distrusting God as King
[33:13] - Cain and Abel: A Kingdom Clash
[34:52] - Individualism in Culture
[35:57] - Individualism in the Church
[39:17] - Community vs. Individualism
[40:34] - Violent Kingdoms
[42:26] - Jesus' Kingdom of Love and Justice
[44:23] - Daily Cross-Bearing
[46:04] - Rescued from Darkness
[46:51] - Examples of Kingdom Clashes
[49:35] - Embracing God's Kingdom
[50:28] - Prayer and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jesus proclaim about the Kingdom of God in Mark 1:15? How does this proclamation set the tone for His ministry? [19:47]
According to Matthew 4:17, what is the immediate response Jesus calls for when announcing the Kingdom of Heaven? [27:10]
In Genesis 1:27-28, what responsibilities are given to humanity as image-bearers of God? How does this relate to the concept of dominion? [29:32]
How does the sermon describe the ongoing struggle between individualism and community within the church? [39:17]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to "repent and believe the good news" in the context of Jesus' announcement of the Kingdom of God? How is this different from a one-time event? [19:47]
How does the concept of "metanoia" or changing one's mind challenge our daily lives and decisions? What are some practical ways to embrace this change? [28:51]
The sermon discusses the clash of kingdoms starting with Adam and Eve. How does this historical struggle manifest in our modern lives, especially in terms of individualism? [31:21]
What are the implications of Jesus' call to take up our cross daily? How does this practice help us align with God's Kingdom? [44:23]

Application Questions

Reflect on your daily life. In what areas do you find it challenging to recognize and submit to God's rule rather than your own? How can you start to change this? [19:47]
The sermon emphasizes the need for continuous repentance and reconsideration. What specific steps can you take to make this a regular part of your spiritual practice? [28:51]
How has individualism affected your faith and community life? Can you identify specific instances where prioritizing personal desires has led to a self-absorbed faith? [39:17]
Jesus calls us to take up our cross daily. What does this look like in your context? Are there specific self-directed behaviors or attitudes you need to put to death? [44:23]
The sermon mentions the importance of community-oriented faith. How can you contribute to building a flourishing community of believers in your church? [39:17]
Think about a recent decision you made. Did it reflect God's definitions of good and bad, or your own? How can you ensure future decisions align more closely with God's Kingdom? [31:21]
Identify one area in your life where you struggle with trusting God's wisdom and rule. What practical steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him? [32:25]

Sermon Clips

1. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news. Now that phrase, that captures the essence of Jesus' main message, and it's going to show up over and over and over again through His teaching, through His parables, through His actions with every person from every group in His community and surrounding areas. This message of the kingdom of God is near. It's at hand. It's close. It's arrived." [19:47] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We are called and created to exercise dominion under God's rule. Right? This is God's world and God's creation. So, he's the one that says, here's how I want you to exercise dominion. So, we're not really the king. We're kind of like the sub-ruler, if you will. Think about it like that. God says, I am the one who's going to set the boundaries of what is good and what is bad. And I want you to rule over my creation and reflect my image." [30:27] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Our temptation that we all face on a regular basis is to distrust God as the wise ruler. As the king. This is the fundamental clash that we have with God's kingdom. Right? It's a distrust of God. It's a struggle for dominion. For rule over. Because we all have this idea that I think I know what is best." [32:25] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When we turn to our own agenda, when we put ourselves on the throne, and we use our ideas and definition of what is good and bad, we begin a descent into all kinds of mess. Greed, violence, addiction, dishonesty, deceit, hypocrisy, oppression, injustice, dehumanizing certain parts of the world's population and dehumanizing ourselves along the way. In effect, by the decisions that we make, we become our own worst. Enemies." [36:34] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus can help us overcome our own worst enemy, ourselves, right? So Jesus shows up. He's the image-bearer, right? He chooses God's kingdom over the kingdom of self and the other kingdoms of this world. He exercises dominion under the rulership of His heavenly Father. God's dominion is one of love and of justice and of generosity and of mercy. It is not a kingdom of violence or revenge or greed or pride. And following Jesus invites us into that kind of kingdom. It is a kingdom of life." [43:23] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "When Jesus says take up your cross, that's not what he's talking about. Remember, Jesus lived in a day where there were crosses dying. They were dotting the landscape and they were emblems of death, crucifixion. To take up a cross meant you were putting something to death. And what Jesus is saying is take up your cross daily and put to death your own self-directed life where I'm the one who decides what is good and bad, right?" [45:18] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "When we determine what's good and what's bad, when we or I or you determine who we will love and who we will hate, when we decide whether or not we will be generous, when we decide whether or not we'll be truthful, when we decide to nurture an offense instead of forgiving, when we decide to pretend to be someone that we're not, in order to gain an advantage, when we decide to feed and to fuel our addiction in secret, when we decide to let our gaze consume the other person for our own gratification, when we decide to offer revenge instead of grace, when these kinds of things happen, there's a gap." [47:46] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "When that happens, when we push back against the kingdom of self, the hyper individualism, God's rule begins to take root. We begin to exercise dominion as image bearers. And little by little, the justice of God, the goodness of God, the shalom, the peace, the wholeness, the beauty, the generosity of God begins to seep into our lives and into our relationships and into our families and into our communities." [50:28] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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