Envisioning Christ's Reign: Embracing Kingdom Imagination
Summary
The preacher's sermon explores the concept of vanity and the cyclical nature of existence, suggesting that a lack of imagination can lead to despair. They encourage envisioning Christ as a reigning king, emphasizing His omnipresence and the eventual unveiling of hidden truths at the end of the age. The significance of Christ the King Sunday is highlighted, marking the end of the Christian calendar with the declaration of Jesus Christ as King. The New Testament reading from Ephesians 1:18 is used to pray for enlightenment, to understand the hope and power of God. The gospel story is said to culminate not with Jesus' resurrection but with His enthronement in the Heavenly realm, which is not distant but a different dimension that is everywhere.
The sermon further explains that the Heavenly realm is a different dimension that is right here, with Jesus exalted to the right hand of God, above all rulers and authorities. The church is described as the body of Christ, made full and complete by Him, and the place where the kingdom imagination is active. The church's role is not to change the world directly but to transform itself and set an example for others. The act of welcoming strangers is equated with welcoming Christ Himself, filling all things with His presence and participating in the divine nature of God loving God.
The congregation is led in the Lord's Prayer and informed about upcoming events. The importance of communion is emphasized, with believers partaking in the body and blood of Christ to become His presence in the world. The community of believers is called to serve others, fulfilling the Father's intention and preparing for the day of judgment. The confession of sins and the invitation to the communion table are presented as a means of seeking forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ.
The restoration of all things is discussed as a present reality, with the church embodying the reign and rule of Christ. The speaker reflects on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in enlightening the imagination, allowing for a breakthrough from the status quo. The distinction between the church and the world is made, with the church called to resist the propaganda of empires and activate the Kingdom imagination. The criterion for judgment before Christ is based on how individuals have treated those in need, emphasizing the importance of being present in the kingdom now.
The authority and power of Jesus Christ are affirmed, with the speaker sharing a personal revelation that changed their theology and life. The congregation is welcomed and encouraged to give, knowing that Christ rules over all. The sermon concludes by discussing the threat that poets and writers pose to empires with their unfettered imaginations, and the priorities of Jesus' politics, which differ from those of empires.
Key Takeaways:
- The Biblical concept of vanity, when interpreted through a lens of limited imagination, can lead to a sense of despair. However, the Christian faith invites believers to envision a reality where Christ reigns as king, suggesting that the end of the age will reveal truths that are currently hidden. This perspective encourages a hopeful outlook on the future and the eternal presence of Christ.
- The Christian calendar culminates with Christ the King Sunday, emphasizing the enthronement of Jesus and the continuation of His story beyond the resurrection. The gospel narrative extends into the Heavenly realm, which is intertwined with our reality, signifying that Jesus' lordship is not confined to a distant heaven but is an ever-present truth.
- The church is called to embody the kingdom imagination, where the politics of Jesus are enacted and the restoration of all things is in progress. This transformative vision involves welcoming others as if welcoming Christ Himself, thereby extending His presence throughout the world and participating in the divine love that seeks to restore all creation.
- The sacrament of communion is central to Christian worship, symbolizing the participation of believers in the life and sacrifice of Christ. Through this act, the church becomes a tangible expression of Christ's presence, ministering to those in need and living out the kingdom values that will be the basis for judgment at the end of the age.
- The sermon challenges the church to distinguish itself from the world by resisting the dominant narratives of power and empire. By embracing the Kingdom imagination, believers can envision and work towards a world that aligns with the priorities of Jesus' reign—caring for the marginalized and seeking justice—rather than the self-serving agendas of worldly empires.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 1:18-23 (NIV)
> "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul pray for the believers in Ephesians 1:18?
2. According to Ephesians 1:20-21, where is Christ seated and what is His position relative to all rulers and authorities?
3. How does the sermon describe the heavenly realm in relation to our current reality? ([44:03])
4. What is the role of the church as described in the sermon? ([56:01])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for the "eyes of your heart" to be enlightened, and how does this relate to the concept of imagination in the sermon? ([48:54])
2. How does the sermon explain the significance of Christ's enthronement in the heavenly realm? ([43:19])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church should embody the "kingdom imagination"? ([56:47])
4. How does the sermon differentiate between the politics of Jesus and the politics of worldly empires? ([59:21])
#### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasizes the importance of having an enlightened imagination to see beyond the status quo. How can you cultivate a kingdom imagination in your daily life? ([50:06])
2. Reflect on the idea that the church is the body of Christ and should embody His presence. What practical steps can your small group take to welcome strangers as if welcoming Christ Himself? ([56:01])
3. The sermon challenges believers to resist the propaganda of empires and embrace the priorities of Jesus. What are some specific ways you can resist worldly narratives and focus on the values of Jesus' kingdom? ([59:21])
4. Communion is described as a central act of worship that symbolizes participation in the life and sacrifice of Christ. How can you approach communion with a deeper sense of its significance in your spiritual life? ([01:09:38])
5. The sermon discusses the restoration of all things as a present reality. How can you actively participate in this restoration in your community? ([54:45])
6. The sermon mentions that the criterion for judgment before Christ is based on how individuals have treated those in need. Reflect on your interactions with those in need. How can you improve in this area? ([01:03:11])
7. The sermon encourages believers to see Christ as reigning everywhere. How does this perspective change the way you view your daily challenges and interactions? ([52:39])
Devotional
Day 1: Envisioning Christ's Eternal Reign
The Biblical concept of vanity can lead to despair, but by envisioning Christ as the reigning king, believers are invited into a hopeful and eternal perspective. This vision transcends the temporal and invites one into the reality of Christ's omnipresence and the unveiling of hidden truths at the end of the age. It is a call to look beyond the immediate to the eternal significance of Christ's lordship. [07:40]
Colossians 1:16-17 - "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: How does the vision of Christ reigning as king influence your perspective on your current life circumstances?
Day 2: The Church as a Kingdom Imagination
The church is not merely a gathering of individuals but the embodiment of Christ's kingdom imagination, where the politics of Jesus are enacted and the restoration of all things is in progress. As the body of Christ, the church is called to transform itself and set an example for the world, welcoming others as Christ and extending His presence. This is a transformative vision that calls for active participation in the divine love that seeks to restore all creation. [14:25]
Ephesians 2:19-22 - "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to transforming the church into a more accurate reflection of the kingdom imagination?
Day 3: Communion as Christ's Presence
Communion is a central act of Christian worship, symbolizing the participation of believers in the life and sacrifice of Christ. Through this sacrament, the church becomes a tangible expression of Christ's presence, ministering to those in need and living out the kingdom values. This sacred practice is a means of becoming His presence in the world, fulfilling the Father's intention and preparing for the day of judgment. [21:10]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 - "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf."
Reflection: How does participating in communion shape your understanding of being Christ's presence in the world?
Day 4: Resisting Empires with Kingdom Imagination
Believers are called to distinguish themselves from the world by resisting the dominant narratives of power and empire. Embracing the Kingdom imagination allows for envisioning and working towards a world that aligns with the priorities of Jesus' reign—caring for the marginalized and seeking justice. This involves a breakthrough from the status quo, inspired by the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. [28:55]
James 2:5 - "Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?"
Reflection: What worldly narratives have you accepted that conflict with the priorities of Jesus' reign, and how can you begin to resist them?
Day 5: Poets and Prophets Challenge Empires
The unfettered imagination of poets and writers poses a threat to empires, as they envision a world that reflects the priorities of Jesus' politics, which differ from those of empires. This creative force challenges the status quo and invites believers to participate in a narrative that seeks justice, cares for the marginalized, and embodies the transformative power of the gospel. [35:50]
Isaiah 55:11-12 - "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."
Reflection: How can you use your own creativity or support the creativity of others to challenge the status quo and promote the priorities of Jesus' politics?
Quotes
"The kingdom of Christ is far above any of the politics of this age. If you try to fit Jesus into the politics of this age, you destroy Kingdom imagination." [01:01:50] (Download)
"The politics of Empire prioritize economic supremacy and military dominance, but these are not the priorities of Jesus, and they're obviously not the priorities of his kingdom." [01:02:28] (Download)
"When a Christian in the Name of Christ welcomes The Stranger, Christ welcomes Christ. This is Christ filling all things everywhere with himself." [01:09:02] (Download)
"The restoration of all things ultimately is God loving God because we're all then called to participate in the divine nature and we come into this holy Unity with God loving God." [01:09:38] (Download)
"The eyes of the heart enlightened by the Holy Spirit to perceive the present and eternal reign of Christ is the kingdom imagination." [52:39] (Download)
"Imagine that no matter where you go, Christ is right there. If you go to the other side of the world, Christ is still right there on that Throne." [53:23] (Download)
"When the church is faithful in what it believes and confesses, it looks radically different than the world. If we don't look radically different than the world, something is not right." [57:28] (Download)
"To believe and embody these realities, we must activate the Kingdom imagination. For the Kingdom imagination to be activated in your heart, so that you can see New Kingdom possibilities, you must intentionally resist the propaganda of Empire." [58:07] (Download)
"The sacrament of communion is central to our worship because Sunday after Sunday we come together and we eat of this bread and we drink of this cup that we might participate in the body and blood of Christ." [01:10:18] (Download)
"As much as you have done it or didn't do it to the least of these you did it or didn't do it to me. That's the priority of Jesus, that's the priority of his kingdom and that's the criterion of Judgment at the end." [01:04:44] (Download)
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