Embracing the Kingdom: Jesus as Our King

 

Summary

In reflecting on the journey of faith, it's common to recall the early encouragement to pray a salvation prayer, a tradition many of us share. This prayer, often seen as a ticket to heaven, is a significant milestone in our spiritual upbringing. However, as we delve deeper into the teachings of Jesus, particularly through the gospels, we discover that His call is not merely about securing a place in heaven but about participating in His kingdom here and now. The early believers understood this well; they were not just believers but active participants in a transformative movement.

The birth of Jesus marked the arrival of a king, not just a religious figure. This king established an upside-down, others-first kingdom, challenging societal norms and inviting us to live differently. The story of the Magi, who traveled to honor this new king, highlights the recognition of Jesus' kingship beyond religious boundaries. Their journey underscores the call to worship and allegiance to a king who redefines power and leadership.

Herod's reaction to the news of Jesus' birth illustrates the tension between earthly kingdoms and the kingdom of God. Herod, despite his religious affiliations, could not accept another king's rule, reflecting a common struggle to submit to divine authority. This narrative invites us to examine our own lives and consider whether we are merely believers or active participants in Jesus' kingdom.

The early followers of Jesus, particularly in Antioch, exemplified a radical shift in allegiance. They embraced a new way of living, characterized by love, service, and equality, which disrupted societal norms. This movement was not just a religious shift but a political and social revolution, challenging the status quo and inviting others into a new kingdom ethic.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the question remains: Is He our king? Are we willing to participate in His kingdom, embracing His values and living out His call in our daily lives? This Christmas, may we reflect on our allegiance and choose to follow the king who invites us into a transformative journey.

Key Takeaways:

- The call of Jesus is not just about securing a place in heaven but about participating in His kingdom here and now. This participation involves living out His teachings and embracing a new way of life that reflects His values. [02:34]

- The birth of Jesus marked the arrival of a king who established an upside-down, others-first kingdom. This kingdom challenges societal norms and invites us to live differently, prioritizing love and service over power and control. [03:29]

- Herod's reaction to Jesus' birth illustrates the tension between earthly kingdoms and the kingdom of God. This narrative invites us to examine our own lives and consider whether we are merely believers or active participants in Jesus' kingdom. [10:31]

- The early followers of Jesus, particularly in Antioch, exemplified a radical shift in allegiance. They embraced a new way of living, characterized by love, service, and equality, which disrupted societal norms and invited others into a new kingdom ethic. [24:45]

- As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the question remains: Is He our king? Are we willing to participate in His kingdom, embracing His values and living out His call in our daily lives? This Christmas, may we reflect on our allegiance and choose to follow the king who invites us into a transformative journey. [35:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Early Religious Upbringing
- [00:46] - Passing Faith to Children
- [01:37] - Assurance of Salvation
- [02:14] - Jesus' Call to Participation
- [03:07] - The Birth of a King
- [04:03] - The Day After Christmas
- [05:04] - A King, Not Just a Savior
- [06:14] - The Magi's Journey
- [07:51] - Herod's Disturbance
- [09:20] - The Prophecy of a King
- [11:29] - Herod's Secret Meeting
- [12:18] - Herod's Dilemma
- [14:52] - The Magi's Worship
- [18:29] - The Conflict of Kingdoms
- [22:33] - A New Allegiance in Antioch
- [25:11] - The Upside-Down Kingdom
- [29:58] - The Call to Follow
- [32:22] - The Invitation to Greatness
- [35:12] - Is He Your King?

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 2:1-12 - The Visit of the Magi
2. Micah 5:2 - Prophecy of the Ruler from Bethlehem
3. Acts 11:26 - The Disciples Called Christians First in Antioch

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the significance of the Magi's journey to see Jesus, and how did it reflect their recognition of His kingship? [06:39]

2. How did Herod react to the news of Jesus' birth, and what does this reveal about his character and priorities? [07:51]

3. What was the response of the early followers of Jesus in Antioch, and how did it differ from traditional religious practices? [22:33]

4. How does the sermon describe the kingdom that Jesus came to establish, and what are its defining characteristics? [03:29]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might the Magi have been compelled to worship Jesus, and what does their journey teach about the recognition of divine authority beyond cultural and religious boundaries? [06:39]

2. In what ways does Herod's refusal to submit to Jesus' kingship mirror common struggles with authority and control in our own lives? [13:39]

3. How did the early Christians in Antioch demonstrate a radical shift in allegiance, and what implications did this have for their social and political environment? [22:33]

4. What does the concept of an "upside-down kingdom" mean, and how does it challenge conventional views of power and leadership? [17:49]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Are you more of a believer or an active participant in Jesus' kingdom? What steps can you take to become more engaged in His transformative movement? [02:50]

2. Consider the societal norms and values that Jesus' kingdom challenges. How can you prioritize love and service over power and control in your daily interactions? [03:29]

3. Herod's story illustrates the tension between earthly kingdoms and the kingdom of God. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to submit to divine authority? How can you address these struggles? [13:39]

4. The early followers in Antioch embraced a new way of living characterized by love, service, and equality. How can you incorporate these values into your community and relationships? [22:33]

5. As you celebrate the birth of Jesus, reflect on whether He is truly your king. What changes can you make in your life to align more closely with His kingdom values? [35:12]

6. The sermon invites us to participate in the kingdom of God on earth. What practical steps can you take this week to live out this invitation in your personal and professional life? [35:31]

7. How can you cultivate a mindset of "others-first" in your interactions with family, friends, and colleagues? Identify one specific action you can take this week to put others before yourself. [17:49]

Devotional

Day 1: Participating in the Kingdom Now
The call of Jesus extends beyond the promise of eternal life; it is an invitation to actively engage in His kingdom on earth. This participation involves embodying His teachings and adopting a lifestyle that mirrors His values. Early Christians understood this call as a transformative journey, not just a religious obligation. They were not passive believers but active participants in a movement that sought to reflect the love, justice, and mercy of Jesus in their daily lives. This understanding challenges us to move beyond a simplistic view of faith as a ticket to heaven and to embrace a dynamic relationship with Jesus that impacts our world today. [02:34]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in Jesus' kingdom today, reflecting His values in your interactions and decisions?


Day 2: The Upside-Down Kingdom
The birth of Jesus signified the arrival of a king who established a kingdom that defies conventional power structures. This kingdom prioritizes others-first, love, and service over dominance and control. Jesus' teachings challenge societal norms, inviting us to live differently by placing the needs of others above our own. The story of the Magi, who recognized Jesus' kingship, illustrates the universal call to worship and allegiance to a king who redefines leadership. This narrative invites us to examine our own lives and consider how we can embody the values of this upside-down kingdom in our daily actions. [03:29]

"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28, ESV)

Reflection: How can you prioritize love and service over power and control in your relationships and community?


Day 3: Tension Between Earthly and Divine Kingdoms
Herod's reaction to the news of Jesus' birth highlights the tension between earthly kingdoms and the kingdom of God. Despite his religious affiliations, Herod could not accept another king's rule, reflecting a common struggle to submit to divine authority. This narrative invites us to examine our own lives and consider whether we are merely believers or active participants in Jesus' kingdom. It challenges us to reflect on our allegiances and to choose the kingdom of God over the allure of earthly power and control. [10:31]

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you struggle to submit to Jesus' authority? How can you realign your priorities to reflect His kingdom values?


Day 4: A New Allegiance in Antioch
The early followers of Jesus, particularly in Antioch, exemplified a radical shift in allegiance. They embraced a new way of living, characterized by love, service, and equality, which disrupted societal norms. This movement was not just a religious shift but a political and social revolution, challenging the status quo and inviting others into a new kingdom ethic. Their example encourages us to consider how our faith can lead to transformative change in our communities and the world. [24:45]

"And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need." (Acts 2:44-45, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embody the values of love, service, and equality in your community, challenging societal norms and inviting others into a new way of living?


Day 5: Reflecting on Our Allegiance
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are invited to reflect on our allegiance. Is He truly our king? Are we willing to participate in His kingdom, embracing His values and living out His call in our daily lives? This reflection challenges us to consider the depth of our commitment to Jesus and His transformative journey. It is an invitation to choose to follow the king who redefines greatness and invites us into a life of purpose and meaning. [35:31]

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your commitment to Jesus and actively participate in His transformative journey?

Quotes

"The birth of Jesus marked the arrival of a king, not just a religious figure. This king established an upside-down, others-first kingdom, challenging societal norms and inviting us to live differently. The story of the Magi, who traveled to honor this new king, highlights the recognition of Jesus' kingship beyond religious boundaries." [00:03:29]

"And the problem is when we reduce either for children or more so for ourselves, when we reduce Jesus to a sin forgiver and a ticket to heaven, we actually miss out on his primary call to our lives and on our lives to participate in something right now." [00:02:34]

"Herod's reaction to the news of Jesus' birth illustrates the tension between earthly kingdoms and the kingdom of God. Herod, despite his religious affiliations, could not accept another king's rule, reflecting a common struggle to submit to divine authority." [00:10:31]

"The early followers of Jesus, particularly in Antioch, exemplified a radical shift in allegiance. They embraced a new way of living, characterized by love, service, and equality, which disrupted societal norms. This movement was not just a religious shift but a political and social revolution, challenging the status quo and inviting others into a new kingdom ethic." [00:24:45]

"As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the question remains: Is He our king? Are we willing to participate in His kingdom, embracing His values and living out His call in our daily lives? This Christmas, may we reflect on our allegiance and choose to follow the king who invites us into a transformative journey." [00:35:31]

"Herod had no problem at all acknowledging that he sinned, that he broke God's law. In fact, Herod's family kind of adopted Judaism. They weren't exactly Jewish. And they had a very unusual relationship with Judaism, but he was a second or third generation from a family that had embraced Judaism." [00:12:18]

"Herod understood this and chose to resist. The Magi saw this coming and they chose to worship. And these amazing people, Greeks and Roman citizens, and Antioch heard the message of the good news and they understood it and they embraced it, and they didn't just believe, they followed and they participated." [00:29:58]

"Forgiven people didn't change the world. The forgivers changed the world. The followers changed the world. The people who chose to participate in this life in the kingdom of God are the ones that shaped Western civilization and elevated the value of women and elevated the value of the poor and elevated the value of children." [00:35:12]

"Herod sends everybody out of the room. 'What do I do about this? This has been prophesied. If word gets out that there is a baby king and that the stars and the sky have proclaimed his birth, and if these religious leaders run around the city saying, 'Hey, the prophecy in Micah has been fulfilled in our time,' I'm doomed.'" [00:11:29]

"Herod was a planner. He was an architect. He was a military strategist. He'd been in power about 40 years. He had navigated some of the most tumultuous times with Rome and had won the favor of Rome. Even though he made many mistakes along the way, he was not gonna sit around and just watch events unfold." [00:12:18]

"Herod had already mapped out how his children would eventually take over his rule. He'd already worked out a deal with Rome so that when he died, his sons would be given areas that he was currently ruling. This was all worked out. If there was a new king and if the birth of this king had been foretold by the stars in the sky, this was not good news for him." [00:09:20]

"Herod calls together all the chief priest and the teachers of the law. So, he brings them in from the temple to his palace. He asked them, 'Isn't there something written in one of the prophets? I mean, you guys are the experts. You should know. Where is the Messiah to be born in?'" [00:11:29]

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Transcript
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