Embracing the Present Reality of God's Kingdom
Summary
The realization that I was not preaching what Jesus preached was a pivotal moment in my life. For many years, my focus was solely on the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ. While this is undeniably important, I came to understand that it was not the entirety of the gospel message that Jesus proclaimed. John the Baptist, for instance, did not preach forgiveness as the gospel. Instead, he declared, "Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand." This message was echoed by Jesus himself, as recorded in Matthew 4:17, and later by his disciples. The good news that Jesus brings is that by trusting in him, we can live within the range of God's effective will right now, wherever we are, and whoever we are. This is the essence of living in the kingdom of God.
Living in the kingdom of God means that we don't have to wait for a distant future or change our circumstances to experience God's presence and power. It is about bringing our lives into alignment with Jesus, trusting him with everything we have, and believing in his wisdom and guidance. Jesus invites us to integrate our lives with his, to trust him fully, and to live in the reality of God's kingdom here and now. This is not just a theological concept but a practical way of life that transforms our daily existence. Next time, I will delve deeper into the nature of the kingdom of God, but today, I wanted to lay the foundation for understanding life in God's kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Kingdom is Now: The kingdom of God is not a distant reality but is available to us in the present moment. By trusting in Jesus, we can live within the range of God's effective will, experiencing his presence and power in our current circumstances. This understanding shifts our focus from waiting for a future event to embracing the transformative power of God's kingdom today. [01:49]
2. Repentance as a Gateway: Repentance is not merely about feeling sorry for our sins but is a call to change our mindset and align our lives with God's kingdom. It is an invitation to turn away from self-centered living and to embrace the life that Jesus offers, where we trust him with our whole being. [00:50]
3. Trusting Jesus Fully: Jesus calls us to trust him with our entire lives, believing in his wisdom and guidance. This trust is not passive but involves actively bringing our lives into alignment with his teachings and character, allowing his life to shape ours. [02:21]
4. Living in God's Will: Living in the kingdom of God means living within the range of God's effective will, where we experience his guidance and provision. It is about being present in our current circumstances and allowing God's kingdom to influence every aspect of our lives. [01:49]
5. Integration with Jesus' Life: Jesus invites us to integrate our lives with his, to bring everything we have into his life. This integration is not about becoming someone else but about allowing Jesus to transform us from within, leading us to live in the fullness of God's kingdom. [02:21]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - Realization of the True Gospel
[00:50] - John the Baptist's Message
[01:08] - Jesus' Proclamation
[01:25] - The Good News of the Kingdom
[01:49] - Living in God's Effective Will
[02:06] - Introduction to Life in the Kingdom
[02:21] - Trusting Jesus with Our Lives
[02:44] - Invitation to Trust Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 4:17 - "From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'"
2. Matthew 9:35 - "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the pivotal realization the pastor had about his preaching, and how did it change his understanding of the gospel? [00:28]
2. How does the message of John the Baptist differ from the traditional focus on forgiveness of sins? [00:50]
3. According to the sermon, what does it mean to live within the range of God's effective will? [01:49]
4. What invitation does Jesus extend to us regarding our lives and his kingdom? [02:21]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the kingdom of God being "at hand" change the way believers might view their current circumstances? [01:08]
2. In what ways does repentance serve as a gateway to experiencing the kingdom of God, according to the sermon? [00:50]
3. What does it mean to trust Jesus with one's whole life, and how might this trust manifest in daily living? [02:44]
4. How does integrating our lives with Jesus' life lead to transformation, as discussed in the sermon? [02:21]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current circumstances. How can you begin to see them as part of God's kingdom rather than waiting for a future change? [01:49]
2. What are some specific areas in your life where you need to change your mindset and align more closely with God's kingdom? [00:50]
3. Consider a situation where you find it difficult to trust Jesus fully. What steps can you take to bring this area into alignment with his teachings? [02:21]
4. How can you actively integrate your daily routines with the life and teachings of Jesus? What practical changes can you make this week? [02:21]
5. Identify a moment in your life where you felt God's presence and power. How can you cultivate more of these experiences in your everyday life? [01:49]
6. Think of a decision you are currently facing. How can you seek Jesus' wisdom and guidance in making this decision? [02:44]
7. What is one way you can demonstrate repentance in your life this week, turning away from self-centered living? [00:50]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
Day 1: The Kingdom is Present
The kingdom of God is not a distant future event but a present reality that we can experience here and now. By trusting in Jesus, we are invited to live within the range of God's effective will, experiencing His presence and power in our current circumstances. This understanding shifts our focus from waiting for a future event to embracing the transformative power of God's kingdom today. It challenges us to see our daily lives as opportunities to live out the values and principles of God's kingdom, allowing His presence to influence every aspect of our existence. [01:49]
Matthew 6:33-34 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Reflection: How can you actively seek God's kingdom in your daily routine today, allowing His presence to transform your current circumstances?
Day 2: Repentance as Transformation
Repentance is more than just feeling sorry for our sins; it is a call to change our mindset and align our lives with God's kingdom. It is an invitation to turn away from self-centered living and embrace the life that Jesus offers, where we trust Him with our whole being. This transformative process involves a shift in our priorities and values, leading us to live in a way that reflects the character and teachings of Jesus. Repentance opens the door to experiencing the fullness of life in God's kingdom, where we are continually being shaped and molded into the image of Christ. [00:50]
Acts 3:19-20 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus."
Reflection: What specific mindset or behavior do you need to turn away from today to align more closely with God's kingdom values?
Day 3: Trusting Jesus Completely
Jesus calls us to trust Him with our entire lives, believing in His wisdom and guidance. This trust is not passive but involves actively bringing our lives into alignment with His teachings and character, allowing His life to shape ours. Trusting Jesus fully means surrendering our fears, doubts, and uncertainties to Him, knowing that He is faithful and trustworthy. It is about living with the confidence that He is in control and that His plans for us are good. As we trust Him more deeply, we experience the peace and assurance that comes from living in the reality of God's kingdom. [02:21]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust Jesus fully? How can you take a step of faith to surrender this area to Him today?
Day 4: Living in God's Will
Living in the kingdom of God means living within the range of God's effective will, where we experience His guidance and provision. It is about being present in our current circumstances and allowing God's kingdom to influence every aspect of our lives. This involves a conscious decision to align our actions, decisions, and relationships with God's purposes and desires. As we live in God's will, we become more attuned to His voice and direction, experiencing the joy and fulfillment that comes from walking in step with Him. [01:49]
Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: How can you intentionally align your actions and decisions with God's will today, allowing His kingdom to shape your life?
Day 5: Integration with Jesus' Life
Jesus invites us to integrate our lives with His, bringing everything we have into His life. This integration is not about becoming someone else but about allowing Jesus to transform us from within, leading us to live in the fullness of God's kingdom. It involves a deep and personal relationship with Jesus, where we learn to see the world through His eyes and respond to situations with His heart. As we integrate our lives with His, we become more like Him, reflecting His love, grace, and truth to those around us. [02:21]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: In what ways can you invite Jesus to transform your thoughts, actions, and relationships today, allowing His life to be fully integrated with yours?
Quotes
one of the turnaround times in my own life many years ago was when I realized I was not preaching what Jesus preached it took me a while to come to terms with this because I basically preached only the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ now that's important that's essential you cannot leave that out but I noticed very simply Jesus never preached that as the gospel [00:00:15]
John the Baptist when he came did not preach that as gospel John the Baptist preached repent for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand that is it's available now and it's not a way off and inaccessible in Jesus Christ the kingdom of the heavens the kingdom of God is available and then Jesus came himself preaching that Matthew 4:17 repent for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand [00:00:50]
what is the good news that Jesus brings it is simply that by trusting him we can come to live now within the range of God's effective will we can come to live now in a place right where we are and right who we are we don't have to become someone else and move someplace else no matter what the circumstances are in that place where we are we can live within the range of God's effectively [00:01:37]
that's what it means to live in the kingdom of God I'm going to talk more about the nature of the kingdom of God next time this time I just trying to really give you a thorough introduction to life in the kingdom of God what it is and Jesus came saying just bring your life into my life bring it in take everything you have and trust it to what I say and who I am [00:02:08]
believe that I know what I'm talking about trust me you sometimes say Jesus is just saying trust me with your whole life your whole person [00:02:37]
Chatbot
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