Experiencing God's Kingdom Through His Word and Law
Summary
In our journey to discover the kingdom of God, we are invited to engage deeply with the tenets of His law, as encapsulated in the Ten Commandments. By striving to live according to these commandments, we quickly realize our dependence on God, as only He can truly sustain us. This realization is not just an intellectual exercise but an experiential one, where we witness God actively working in our lives. The law is not merely a set of rules but an expression of God's kingdom, and by acting within it, we align ourselves with His divine order.
Jesus offers us a profound insight into this journey when He speaks of continuing in His word. By doing so, we become His true disciples, and through this discipleship, we come to know the truth that liberates us. The words of Jesus are the ultimate expression of God's kingdom, offering us a direct path to experiencing His presence and power. In John 6, Jesus uses the metaphor of eating His flesh and drinking His blood to illustrate the deep spiritual nourishment that His words provide. While this imagery was shocking to His contemporaries, it underscores the transformative power of His teachings.
The essence of Jesus' message is that the spirit, not the flesh, is what brings life. His words are spirit and life, a treasure trove that invites us to step into the kingdom of God. This invitation is a call to repentance, a turning away from our old ways and embracing the new life that His words offer. The kingdom of God is not a distant reality but is near, accessible through the word of faith that we preach. When we accept this word into our hearts, the kingdom of God comes alive within us, transforming us from the inside out.
Key Takeaways:
- The Ten Commandments serve as a gateway to experiencing the kingdom of God. By attempting to live by them, we realize our need for God's support, as only He can sustain us in this endeavor. This journey is not just about following rules but about experiencing God's active presence in our lives. [00:23]
- Jesus emphasizes the importance of continuing in His word to become true disciples. This commitment leads us to the truth that sets us free, revealing the kingdom of God in its fullest expression. His words are the ultimate guide to experiencing God's kingdom. [00:51]
- In John 6, Jesus uses the metaphor of eating His flesh and drinking His blood to illustrate the deep spiritual nourishment His words provide. This teaching challenges us to look beyond the literal and embrace the transformative power of His message. [01:24]
- The spirit, not the flesh, is what brings life, as Jesus teaches. His words are spirit and life, offering us a treasure trove of divine wisdom and inviting us to step into the kingdom of God. This invitation is a call to embrace a new way of living. [02:00]
- The kingdom of God is near and accessible through the word of faith. By accepting this word into our hearts, we allow the kingdom of God to come alive within us, transforming our lives and aligning us with His divine purpose. [02:33]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Finding the Kingdom Through the Law
[00:40] - Acting in the Law
[00:51] - Truth That Sets You Free
[01:08] - Words of Jesus as the Ultimate Expression
[01:24] - The Metaphor of Flesh and Blood
[01:36] - Misunderstanding the Message
[02:00] - Spirit and Life
[02:18] - Invitation to the Kingdom
[02:33] - The Power of the Word
[02:56] - Conclusion
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 6:53-58 - Jesus speaks about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, emphasizing the spiritual nourishment His words provide.
2. John 8:31-32 - Jesus talks about continuing in His word to become true disciples and knowing the truth that sets us free.
3. Romans 10:8 - Paul speaks about the word of faith being near, in our mouths and hearts, which aligns with the sermon’s message about the kingdom of God being accessible.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He talks about eating His flesh and drinking His blood in John 6? How did His contemporaries react to this teaching? [01:24]
2. According to the sermon, how do the Ten Commandments serve as a gateway to experiencing the kingdom of God? [00:23]
3. What is the significance of Jesus’ statement that His words are spirit and life? [02:00]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between following God's law and experiencing His kingdom? [00:40]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might the metaphor of eating Jesus' flesh and drinking His blood challenge our understanding of spiritual nourishment? [01:24]
2. In what ways does continuing in Jesus' word lead to freedom, as mentioned in John 8:31-32? How does this relate to the concept of discipleship? [00:51]
3. What does it mean for the kingdom of God to be "at hand" and accessible through the word of faith, as discussed in Romans 10:8? [02:33]
4. How does the sermon suggest that the Ten Commandments are more than just rules, but an expression of God's kingdom? [00:23]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt sustained by God while trying to live according to His commandments. How did this experience impact your faith? [00:23]
2. Jesus emphasizes the importance of continuing in His word. What practical steps can you take to deepen your engagement with His teachings this week? [00:51]
3. The sermon highlights the transformative power of Jesus' words. How can you allow His teachings to nourish your spiritual life daily? [01:24]
4. Consider the idea that the kingdom of God is near and accessible. How can you make this a reality in your life and community? [02:33]
5. The sermon calls for repentance and embracing a new way of living. What old habits or mindsets do you need to turn away from to fully step into the kingdom of God? [02:18]
6. How can you incorporate the spirit and life of Jesus' words into your daily interactions and decisions? [02:00]
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel disconnected from God's kingdom. What changes can you make to align yourself more closely with His divine order? [00:40]
Devotional
Day 1: The Ten Commandments as a Gateway to God's Kingdom
The Ten Commandments are more than a list of rules; they are a pathway to experiencing the kingdom of God. By striving to live according to these commandments, individuals quickly realize their dependence on God, as only He can truly sustain them in this endeavor. This journey is not just about following rules but about experiencing God's active presence in their lives. The commandments invite believers to engage deeply with the tenets of God's law, leading to a realization that is both intellectual and experiential. As one aligns with God's divine order, they witness His kingdom manifesting in their daily lives. [00:23]
Deuteronomy 30:11-14 (ESV): "For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it."
Reflection: Consider one of the Ten Commandments that you find challenging to follow. How can you invite God to help you live it out more fully today?
Day 2: Discipleship Through Continuing in Jesus' Word
Jesus emphasizes the importance of continuing in His word to become true disciples. This commitment leads believers to the truth that sets them free, revealing the kingdom of God in its fullest expression. His words are the ultimate guide to experiencing God's kingdom, offering a direct path to His presence and power. By engaging with Jesus' teachings, individuals are invited to step into a life of discipleship, where they come to know the liberating truth of God's kingdom. This journey of discipleship is transformative, aligning one's life with divine purpose and truth. [00:51]
John 8:31-32 (ESV): "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"
Reflection: What is one specific teaching of Jesus that you can focus on this week to deepen your discipleship? How can you apply it in your daily life?
Day 3: Spiritual Nourishment Through Jesus' Teachings
In John 6, Jesus uses the metaphor of eating His flesh and drinking His blood to illustrate the deep spiritual nourishment His words provide. This teaching challenges believers to look beyond the literal and embrace the transformative power of His message. While the imagery was shocking to His contemporaries, it underscores the profound impact of His teachings on one's spiritual life. By internalizing Jesus' words, individuals receive the nourishment needed to grow in their faith and experience the fullness of God's kingdom. This metaphor invites believers to partake in the life-giving sustenance that Jesus offers through His teachings. [01:24]
John 6:53-56 (ESV): "So Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a teaching of Jesus that has been difficult for you to understand or accept. How can you seek deeper understanding and nourishment from it today?
Day 4: Embracing the Spirit for True Life
The essence of Jesus' message is that the spirit, not the flesh, is what brings life. His words are spirit and life, offering a treasure trove of divine wisdom and inviting believers to step into the kingdom of God. This invitation is a call to repentance, a turning away from old ways and embracing the new life that His words offer. By focusing on the spiritual rather than the physical, individuals are invited to experience the transformative power of God's kingdom. This shift in focus allows believers to align with God's divine purpose and experience the fullness of life that He offers. [02:00]
2 Corinthians 3:6 (ESV): "Who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you are focused on the physical rather than the spiritual. How can you shift your focus to embrace the life-giving spirit of Jesus' teachings?
Day 5: The Kingdom of God Alive Within Us
The kingdom of God is near and accessible through the word of faith. By accepting this word into their hearts, believers allow the kingdom of God to come alive within them, transforming their lives and aligning them with His divine purpose. This transformation is not a distant reality but a present experience, as the kingdom of God becomes a living reality within. By embracing the word of faith, individuals are invited to participate in the life and power of God's kingdom, experiencing its transformative impact in their daily lives. [02:33]
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.'"
Reflection: How can you make space in your daily routine to invite the kingdom of God to be more present in your life? What practical steps can you take to align with His divine purpose today?
Quotes
i can tell anyone how to find the kingdom of god just take the ten commandments and do them you will soon find that only god can support you and you will experience god in action when you do that god's law is an expression of his kingdom [00:00:15]
do you want to find the kingdom of god act in the law that's what jesus is talking about in his updated form when he says if you continue in my word then you are my disciples indeed and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free [00:00:38]
now at its premium best you find it in the words of jesus that's that's the best form it comes in he comes with his word and if you study john 6 carefully where he's talking about eating his flesh and drinking his blood you know it really gets those folks in that culture excited [00:00:58]
because they didn't think you should do that drink his blood i mean that was drinking blood was about the farthest thing you could imagine not to get those pagans up in scotland to talk about blood pudding but for goodness sake but he said now you folks calm down you're misreading this [00:01:24]
the flesh doesn't profit anything it's the spirit that brings life and the words that i speak to you our spirit and our life see that's why you go to the words of jesus as you you had found a treasure trove of life because in them the kingdom of god comes to you [00:01:36]
and invite you to step into them repent for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand it's right here the word is nigh thee it is in thy mouth it is the word of faith that we preach paul says the power of the word when you accept it into yourself brings the kingdom of god to life in you [00:02:00]
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