Embracing the Kingdom: Here and Not Yet There

The journey of faith is often marked by moments when we find ourselves asking, “Where are we?”—not just physically, but spiritually. Life is full of transitions, and sometimes we wake up to realize we’re not where we expected to be. Yet, in these moments, God reminds us: “We’re here, but we’re not there yet.” This is the tension of living in the “already but not yet” of God’s kingdom. Jesus’ central theme throughout His ministry was the Kingdom of Heaven—over fifty times He spoke of it, not as a distant reality, but as a present and inward reign that transforms lives from the inside out.

Repentance is the doorway to this kingdom. It’s not merely turning away from sin, but turning toward Jesus, allowing Him to establish His reign within us. The Kingdom of God is not just a personal, inward experience; it is also a communal reality, meant to be lived out through the church—the body of true believers, not just attenders. Jesus taught that the kingdom is not something to be observed outwardly, but something that is within us, often missed by those too distracted by their own agendas or the politics of the world.

When Jesus stood before Pilate, He declared, “My kingdom is not of this world.” His reign is not built on power, violence, or selfish ambition, but on love, truth, and sacrificial service. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall, but the kingdom Jesus brings is eternal and operates by a completely different set of values. It is a kingdom that calls us to submit to His authority, to let Him be Lord—not just in word, but in the very core of our identity.

The call is clear: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.” This is not just a prayer to recite, but a reality to embody. It means allowing Christ to reign in our hearts, our families, our church, and our daily lives. It means recognizing that our identity is not in our achievements, our status, or our good deeds, but in Christ alone. The invitation is open, but not all will accept it. Many are called, but few are chosen—not because God is exclusive, but because few truly surrender to His reign. The question is simple and urgent: Does Jesus truly reign in you? There are no second chances after this life. The time to respond is now.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The Kingdom of God is both present and inward, not just a future hope. Jesus taught that the kingdom is within us, transforming our hearts and lives from the inside out. This reality calls us to continual repentance—not just turning from sin, but turning toward Christ and allowing His reign to shape every aspect of our being. [47:32]
• 2. The reign of Christ is fundamentally different from the kingdoms of this world. While earthly systems are built on power, control, and self-interest, Jesus’ kingdom is marked by love, humility, and sacrificial service. His authority brings peace where the world brings division, and His values challenge us to live counter-culturally, embodying the ethics of heaven in a broken world. [58:01]
• 3. True submission to Christ’s lordship means surrendering our identity and security to Him. It’s easy to find our worth in our roles, achievements, or even our religious activity, but Jesus calls us to a deeper identity—one rooted in Him alone. Only when we let go of lesser identities can we experience the fullness of His kingdom and the freedom that comes from belonging to Him. [65:31]
• 4. The invitation to the kingdom is open to all, but not all will enter. Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast reminds us that many are called, but few are chosen—not because God withholds grace, but because few truly prepare their hearts and surrender to His reign. The call is not to mere attendance or outward religiosity, but to genuine transformation and wholehearted devotion. [70:30]
• 5. There is an urgency to respond to Christ’s invitation, for there are no second chances after this life. The question of whether Jesus reigns in our hearts is not one to be answered with a list of good deeds or religious credentials, but with a simple yes or no. Today is the day to let His kingdom come and His will be done in us, for His reign brings hope, peace, and eternal life. [72:13]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Testimony: The Power of Prayer
• [03:10] - “We’re Here, Not There Yet”
• [06:30] - The Kingdom of Heaven: Jesus’ Central Theme
• [09:15] - Repentance: Preparing for the Kingdom
• [13:00] - The Kingdom Within and Among Us
• [16:40] - Pharisees’ Questions and Missing the King
• [20:10] - “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done”
• [23:00] - Living Out the Kingdom in Community
• [26:30] - Is God’s Kingdom Only Inward?
• [29:00] - The Truth of Jesus’ Reign
• [32:20] - Jesus Before Pilate: A Different Kind of King
• [36:00] - “My Kingdom Is Not of This World”
• [39:30] - Submitting to the Authority of Christ
• [43:00] - Identity in Christ Alone
• [46:00] - The Parable of the Wedding Feast
• [49:30] - The Urgency of Surrender
• [52:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Thy Kingdom Come: Living in the ‘Already but Not Yet’”

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Bible Reading

Matthew 4:17 (ESV)
> From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV)
> Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

John 18:33-37 (ESV)
> So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

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Observation Questions

1. According to Matthew 4:17, what was the first message Jesus preached as he began his ministry? How does this connect to the idea of entering the kingdom of heaven? [43:22]
2. In Luke 17:20-21, how does Jesus describe the coming of the kingdom of God? What does he say about where the kingdom is found? [47:32]
3. When Jesus stands before Pilate in John 18:33-37, how does he describe his kingdom? What makes it different from earthly kingdoms? [58:01]
4. The sermon mentioned that the kingdom of God is not just an inward, personal experience but also a communal reality. What evidence from the passages or the sermon supports this idea? [49:33]

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Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says repentance is not just turning away from sin, but turning toward Jesus and allowing him to reign in us. Why is this distinction important for understanding what it means to enter the kingdom? [43:22]
2. Jesus says, “My kingdom is not of this world.” What are some ways the values of Jesus’ kingdom challenge the values of the world around us? [58:01]
3. The sermon points out that many people miss the kingdom because they are distracted by their own agendas or the politics of the world. What are some modern examples of things that can distract us from recognizing Jesus’ reign? [48:27]
4. In the parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22, referenced in the sermon), many are invited but few are chosen. What does this teach about the nature of God’s invitation and our response? [01:10:30]

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Application Questions

1. The sermon asked, “Does Jesus truly reign in you?” This is a yes or no question, not about good deeds or church attendance. How would you honestly answer this question today? What evidence in your life supports your answer? [01:06:56]
2. The kingdom of God is described as both present and inward, transforming us from the inside out. Is there an area of your life where you sense God is calling you to deeper surrender or repentance? What would it look like to respond? [47:32]
3. Jesus’ kingdom is marked by love, humility, and sacrificial service, not power or self-interest. Can you think of a recent situation where you had the choice to act according to the world’s values or the kingdom’s values? What did you choose, and why? [58:01]
4. The sermon emphasized that our identity is not in our achievements, status, or even religious activity, but in Christ alone. Are there “lesser identities” you are tempted to cling to? How can you let go of them and root your identity more deeply in Jesus? [01:05:31]
5. The invitation to the kingdom is open, but not all will enter because few truly surrender. What does wholehearted surrender look like in your daily life? Are there practical steps you can take this week to prepare your heart for God’s reign? [01:10:30]
6. The urgency of responding to Christ’s invitation was highlighted: “There are no second chances after this life.” Is there a decision or step of faith you have been putting off? What is holding you back from responding now? [01:12:13]
7. The sermon mentioned that the kingdom is meant to be lived out in community, not just individually. How can our small group better embody the love and light of Christ together? Are there specific ways we can serve or encourage one another this month? [49:33]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray that God’s kingdom would come and his will would be done in each heart, in your families, and in your church. Ask for courage to surrender fully and to live out the values of Jesus’ kingdom in a world that often pulls in the opposite direction.