Empowered Living: The Kingdom of God in Action
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that the kingdom of God is not merely about words but is deeply rooted in power and character. This power is not just for the select few but is available to all believers, young and old alike. We began by demonstrating to the children how Jesus heals and how they, too, can be vessels of His healing power. This was a practical illustration of how God uses everyone, regardless of age, to manifest His kingdom on earth.
The essence of the kingdom of God is twofold: supernatural power and righteous character. These two elements are inseparable and must work in harmony. Without power, we risk falling into legalism, where rules and regulations replace the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Conversely, without character, power becomes hollow and ineffective. The kingdom of God calls us to seek both His power and His righteousness, as they are integral to living a life that reflects Jesus.
We delved into the teachings of Paul and Jesus, emphasizing that the kingdom is about experiencing God's power and embodying His character. This dual focus helps us avoid the pitfalls of intellectualism devoid of spiritual vitality. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are crucial in this journey, providing us with the tools to address the deep-seated issues in our lives that hinder our spiritual growth.
Moreover, we discussed the importance of the throne of grace, where we find supernatural help in our time of need. This throne is not a place of condemnation but of empowerment, inviting us to receive God's grace and strength to overcome our weaknesses. The interaction between power and character is vital for authentic Christian living, enabling us to live out our faith with integrity and impact.
Finally, we were reminded that the gifts of the Spirit are not exclusive to a few but are available to all believers. Each of us is called to operate in these gifts, allowing them to shape our character and empower our ministry. This understanding transforms our Christian walk, making it vibrant and effective.
Key Takeaways:
1. Healing and Empowerment for All: Jesus uses everyone, regardless of age, to manifest His healing power. This inclusivity demonstrates that the kingdom of God is accessible to all who believe and are willing to be used by Him. [28:44]
2. Power and Character in Harmony: The kingdom of God is not just about supernatural power but also about righteous character. These two elements must work together to avoid legalism and ensure that our faith is authentic and impactful. [01:16:13]
3. The Throne of Grace: The throne of grace is a place of empowerment, not condemnation. It invites us to receive God's supernatural help, enabling us to overcome our weaknesses and live righteously. [01:24:40]
4. Gifts of the Spirit for All: The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not limited to a select few but are available to all believers. We are called to operate in these gifts, allowing them to shape our character and empower our ministry. [01:41:36]
5. Interplay of Power and Character: The interaction between power and character is vital for authentic Christian living. This interplay enables us to live out our faith with integrity and impact, transforming our Christian walk. [01:48:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Healing
- [05:00] - Children Praying for Healing
- [10:00] - The Role of Power in the Kingdom
- [15:00] - Understanding the Kingdom's Dual Nature
- [20:00] - The Throne of Grace
- [25:00] - Gifts of the Spirit Explained
- [30:00] - Power and Character in Harmony
- [35:00] - Personal Testimonies of Transformation
- [40:00] - The Importance of Supernatural Power
- [45:00] - Overcoming Legalism
- [50:00] - Invitation to Experience God's Power
- [55:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 4:20 - "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power."
2. Romans 14:17 - "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
3. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
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Observation Questions:
1. What did the pastor demonstrate to the children about Jesus' healing power, and how did it involve them? [28:44]
2. How does the pastor describe the relationship between power and character in the kingdom of God? [01:16:13]
3. What is the significance of the "throne of grace" as mentioned in the sermon? [01:24:40]
4. How does the pastor explain the availability of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to all believers? [01:41:36]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the pastor's explanation of 1 Corinthians 4:20 challenge the idea of intellectualism without spiritual power? [01:12:00]
2. In what ways does the pastor suggest that power and character must interact for authentic Christian living? [01:22:32]
3. How does the pastor's teaching on the throne of grace redefine the concept of grace in the context of Christian empowerment? [01:24:40]
4. What implications does the pastor's view on the gifts of the Spirit have for individual believers and their role in the church? [01:41:36]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's power in your life. How did it affect your character and actions? [01:16:13]
2. The pastor emphasized the importance of seeking both power and righteousness. What steps can you take this week to seek God's kingdom and righteousness in your daily life? [01:19:24]
3. How can you approach the throne of grace in your personal struggles, and what specific area of your life needs God's supernatural help right now? [01:24:40]
4. Consider the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Which gift do you feel called to develop, and how can you begin to operate in it within your community? [01:41:36]
5. The pastor mentioned the danger of legalism without power. How can you ensure that your faith is not just about following rules but is empowered by the Holy Spirit? [01:22:32]
6. Identify a situation where you might have relied more on your own strength than on God's power. How can you change your approach in the future? [01:24:40]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or church to embrace both the power and character of the kingdom of God in their lives? [01:48:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Healing and Empowerment for All
The kingdom of God is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or status. This inclusivity is demonstrated through the healing power of Jesus, which is available to all believers who are willing to be used by Him. Children, too, can be vessels of His healing power, showing that God uses everyone to manifest His kingdom on earth. This understanding encourages believers to embrace their role in God's plan and to seek opportunities to be conduits of His power and love. [28:44]
"And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs healing, and how can you be a vessel of God's healing power to them today?
Day 2: Power and Character in Harmony
The kingdom of God is characterized by both supernatural power and righteous character, which must work together in harmony. Without power, faith can become legalistic, focusing on rules rather than the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Conversely, power without character is hollow and ineffective. Believers are called to seek both God's power and His righteousness, ensuring that their faith is authentic and impactful. This dual focus helps avoid the pitfalls of intellectualism devoid of spiritual vitality. [01:16:13]
"For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power." (1 Corinthians 4:20, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you seek to balance power and character in your own life, ensuring that your faith is both authentic and impactful?
Day 3: The Throne of Grace
The throne of grace is a place of empowerment, not condemnation. It invites believers to receive God's supernatural help, enabling them to overcome their weaknesses and live righteously. This understanding transforms the Christian walk, making it vibrant and effective. The interaction between power and character is vital for authentic Christian living, allowing believers to live out their faith with integrity and impact. [01:24:40]
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)
Reflection: What weakness or challenge are you facing today that you can bring to the throne of grace, seeking God's empowerment and strength?
Day 4: Gifts of the Spirit for All
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not limited to a select few but are available to all believers. Each person is called to operate in these gifts, allowing them to shape their character and empower their ministry. This understanding transforms the Christian walk, making it vibrant and effective. Believers are encouraged to embrace their spiritual gifts and to seek opportunities to use them for God's glory. [01:41:36]
"To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." (1 Corinthians 12:7, ESV)
Reflection: What spiritual gift do you believe God has given you, and how can you use it today to serve others and glorify Him?
Day 5: Interplay of Power and Character
The interaction between power and character is vital for authentic Christian living. This interplay enables believers to live out their faith with integrity and impact, transforming their Christian walk. By seeking both God's power and His righteousness, believers can avoid the pitfalls of legalism and intellectualism, ensuring that their faith is both vibrant and effective. [01:48:03]
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence." (2 Peter 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally cultivate both power and character in your life, ensuring that your faith is lived out with integrity and impact?
Quotes
"Now, kids, I want you to listen really carefully, okay? One of the things that Jesus does is he heals people. In other words, if they're sick, he makes them better. If they've got pain, he will take the pain away. If they've got any disease or problem, Jesus will come and heal that. Do you understand?" [00:25:06] (28 seconds)
"And one of the wonderful things that Jesus does is he uses everybody. Whether it's someone like me who's just had a birthday and I'm old. Or some like you, you might have just had a birthday, but you're young, right? And what's going to happen this morning, right now, as we sing a song, you are going to be taken by these adults in groups of three, three or four, and you are going to pray for people to be healed." [00:25:34] (43 seconds)
"See, God uses old people like me, and young people like you, and together God heals. So, we're going to pray for people who want prayer. Isn't that good? You excited to do that, kids? I don't know. Anybody who'd like prayer, I'd like you to come up the front quickly. Doesn't matter for whatever you want prayer." [00:28:52] (21 seconds)
"And so Apostle Paul comes in to this powerful church, but church with lots of sin, lots of issues. And he says, I want to remind you of this, that the kingdom of God isn't in all the gossip and all the discussions about doctrine and all the rest of it. But it's in power." [01:09:54] (20 seconds)
"Simply put, there are some in that church who think they have power, authority, leadership, and influence when he's saying, Well, let's just see what they're really made of. Let's see who they really are. Let's see if they've actually got true kingdom of God dynamics, which is power." [01:10:14] (27 seconds)
"The real dimension, the real essence of an experience of God's kingdom was power. And it's such a constant due to the Jewish religious system that took so much pride and intellect, and I'll tell you that is exactly the same as it is often in the church today." [01:15:00] (19 seconds)
"Actually, you need the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit and the power of God because you're not perfect. So do I. So do everyone in this room. Okay? But you see, in another passage about the kingdom of God, he says something different. He says in Romans 14, 17, the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." [01:15:27] (24 seconds)
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